a future for the latino church: multi-generational leadership development

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A Future for the Latino Church: Multi-generational Leadership DevelopmentLutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute/PALMCONOctober 23-25, 2013

Daniel A. Rodríguez, Ph.D.Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, California

Table Discussion Questions

1. What questions did Daniel’s presentation raise that you would like to address to your group?

2. What question (1) would your group like to ask the larger group?

3. What comments and or questions (if any) do you have for Daniel?

Un Breve RepasoA Brief Review


Key Terms and Phrases

Hispanic and Latino/a Pan-ethnic Country of origin preferred

First-generation Latinos Foreign-born Latinos Immigrant generation

Second-generation Latinos U.S.-born Latinos Native-Born Latinos

Third-generation Latinos


The Problem / El problema

Most Hispanic congregations in the U.S.A. still assume a “Spanish-speaking immigrant-church model.”


A Situation Similar to Acts 6:1-7?

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.


Generational Differences

Language useEducational attainment

Employment, earnings & poverty levels

Marriage patternsLevels of assimilation and acculturation


The Dilema of Living in the Hyphen

U.S.-born Latinos are too acculturated to fit in at most Spanish-speaking immigrant churches.


The Dilema of Living in the HyphenU.S.-born Latinos are still too foreign to fit in at most churches of the dominant group.

They are made to feel like “foreigners in their native Land.”

Sebastian De La Cruz


In the 21st Century we need

Multilingual and Multigenerational Churches Abraham, Isaac y Jacob 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation together

English-speaking Hispanic churches “con el sabor latino” (with a Latino flavor)

English-speaking mostly Hispanic churches with a “mission beyond the barrio”

Servant-leaders with a missional and global vision

Historical and Social Challenges

Desafíos históricos y sociales


Questionable Assumptions

“Hispanic ministry” is synonymous with “Spanish-language ministry.

The church must help to preserve Spanish language and Hispanic culture(s).


Ethnocentrism

Every culture is both a palace and a prison of disobedience (1998:20)

Recall Acts 16:20 (cf. ,19:23-27)“These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

Every society is Egypt!

Every culture sets barriers between people, God and others. As such, every culture is judged by God… For the sake of God’s mission to unite all people as one in Christ, the American church must embrace a “self-critical” vision of America. That means recognizing that some of our cherished values, beliefs and ways are positive, others neutral but that others corrupted by sin.

Sherwood Lingenfelter


Ethnocentrism Today

In the Dominant Group “God bless America!” “…our way of life.”

In the Hispanic Community El idioma del cielo! ¡El Diablo habla ingles!

Strategic ChallengesRetos estratégicos


1. Promote a multiracial and multiethnic identity in the churchNot like Acts 11:1-18More like Rev 7:9-10Reconsider our image

of the USA Egypt or the Promised

Land? Good citizens or good

resident aliens?


Do we live in Egypt or in the Promised Land?Consider

What would Immigrants say? What would U.S.-born say?

Hebrews 13:13-14 (NIV)13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.


Are we encouraged to be good citizens or good resident aliens?Philippians 3:18-201 Peter 2:11-12


Philippians 3:18-20 (NIV)

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ


1 Peter 1:17; 2:11-12 (NIV)

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.


As foreigners and exiles

Don’t live in isolation We are in but not of the world Come out of Goshen (Gen. 47:1-6)

Be a blessing to the USA Like Joseph in Egypt Like Ruth in Israel Like the girl in Aram (2 Kings 5:2) Like Daniel in Babylon Like Mordecai in Persía


Are we encouraged to be good members or good neighbors?Jay and Alice Farris (since 1961)

Mike and Donna Neville (since 1974) Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship

Maywood to Huntington Park Luke 10:25-37


2. Commitment to the unnatural way of the cross (Luke 9:23-24)23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.


Commitment to the unnatural way of the cross (2 Cor. 5:14-15)14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again


3. Maintain one pastoral team

One congregation with one pastoral team Preferably bilingual and bicultural

Examples (more in my book): Iglesia del Redentor, Los Angeles Iglesia Alpha y Omega, Miami Iglesia Bautista South San Filadelfia,

San Antonio

4. The local church as organic seminary (watch,learn, do, teach)

To invite family & friends to small groups

To read the Bible aloud in publicTo give a brief, sincere testimonyTo pray (intercede) for othersTo lead heart-felt worshipTo give a brief Bible-based messageTo lead others to Christ


5. By example, demonstrate the missional value of being bilingual¡Ojo! (Watch out!)

Avoid being critical of others Avoid laughing at others

Take and offer classes in English Recognize those who use it.

Take and offer classes in Spanish Recognize those who use it.


6. Promote mutual respect between generations (1 Cor. 12:15-18)

15 Now if the agringado should say, “Because I am not pura raza, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the immigrant should say, “Because I am not U.S. born, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.


7. Promote the true purpose of the churchNot to preserve the culture or

language of any group (Anglo or Latino)

To collaborate with God in his mission to unite all things in Christ (Eph. 1:9-10)

To announce to a lost world that in Christ we are members of the same family (Eph. 3:8; 2:18-20)


7. Promote the true purpose of the churchTo demonstrate the certainty of

our apostolic message By preaching the Gospel in word

and deed Our multigenerational &

multiethnic unity Making disciples among all ethnic

groups That all may glory and honor to our

God and Savior Jesus Christ (Psalm 96:3). ¡Amén!


8. Promote dependence upon God to accomplish his plan“We serve a God that is big enough to overcome the racial barriers in our society. The problem is often that we lack the faith [vision] to fully live out the power he offers us.”

George Yancey, from the Foreword to Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church (2007) by Mark DeYmaz.


Remember where our pilgrim’s journey ends (Rev. 7:9-10) After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne, and to the

Lamb.”


A Future for the Latino Church: Multi-generational Leadership DevelopmentLutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute/PALMCONOctober 23-25, 2013

Daniel A. Rodríguez, Ph.D.Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, California

Table Discussion Questions

1. What questions did Daniel’s presentation raise that you would like to address to your group?

2. What question (1) would your group like to ask the larger group?

3. What comments and or questions (if any) do you have for Daniel?

a future for the latino church: multi-generational leadership development

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