Church Development and Multiracial/Multicultural Concerns

Raymond Hargrove

by Rev. Raymond Hargrove

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is the “great commission” from Jesus to his disciples, as recorded in verses 19-20 in chapter 28 of the gospel according to Matthew. Luke describes the beginning of the fulfillment of the commission in the book of Acts, which presents the history of a growing, dynamic community of followers of Jesus Christ that began in Jerusalem and spread to Syria, Africa, Asia and Europe. It continues to spread around the world today. This “early church” model of church development was one in which churches started churches.

With the advent of denominations churches began to support new church development primarily through wider church structures. Today, the Church continues to change, including the many ways we go about starting new churches.

There are nearly 250 United Church of Christ congregations across the state of Connecticut. The vast majority are vibrant, well established congregations whose beginnings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Given that, I believe the potential for new church development within the Conference will follow three primary models:

1. Emerging congregation, which are often self-initiated groups that arise within the context of a specific racial, ethnic, immigrant or cultural community
2. Established congregations that identify with the polity and/or theology of the United Church of Christ and decide to seek affiliation.
3. Established UCC churches that continue to work in partnership with Associations/Conferences and the national settings of the United Church of Christ.

It is my hope that more and more established churches will actively support new churches through interaction and prayer, as well as sharing of their financial resources.

The book of Acts, in describing the descent of the Holy Spirit upon those gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, also gives us a picture of a God’s radical inclusiveness. It was a rich mix then, as it is now. A proposal adopted at the General Synod in 1993 defines a Multiracial/Multicultural church as one that confesses and acts out its faith in the one sovereign God who, through Jesus Christ, binds in covenant faithful people of all races, ethnicities and cultures. A Multiracial/Multicultural church embodies these diversities as gifts to the human family and rejoices in the variety of God’s grace.

I believe that the journey to becoming a more inclusive church often begins with an awareness of its own “culture.” (Every church has one!) It is, from that point, a slow journey that moves people through bible study, prayer, communication, openness, relationship building, inclusion and appreciation of the God’s gift of diversity. As with new church development, there’s no one path or “way” to follow.

“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.” That is part of the message of the GISS Identity Campaign of the UCC. It is truly a message of “extravagant “welcome” in a world where so many feel left out. It is part of the message that I feel will help draw a diverse group of people to both new and existing UCC churches where lives are renewed and transformed in Jesus Christ.

Rev. Raymond Hargrove resigned as Regional Minister for the North Central Region of the Connecticut Conference, serving the Farmington Valley, Hartford and Hartford East Associations, effective August 31. The Conference hopes to have a new Regional Minister in place by late fall.