Learning from Strangers: Best Practices for Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Ministry
The United Methodist Church is called to be a global church. The Gospel of transformative love extends across national, linguistic, and racial boundaries, and this is joyful news!
One of the joys of being a global and multiethnic church is that we can learn from each other, even from those who are very different. Cross-racial and cross-cultural (CR/CC) ministry settings are those congregations whose membership is different than their pastors.
But how can churches get the most benefit from these opportunities? How can pastors minister faithfully, even where there is subtle resistance to change, or even overt racism or xenophobia in some congregations? And how can cabinets best provide for successful local ministries in CR/CC settings?
The General Commission on Religion and Race is pleased to offer this resource to the church in the United States: a best practices manual for ministering in CR/CC settings, including an edition for pastors and lay leadership, and an edition especially for cabinets.
This resource was designed with a United Methodist perspective, but we believe the content is also relevant for non-UMC seekers who are doing anti-racism work with a spiritual foundation.
