Characteristics of Emerging Healthy Multicultural Churches

Abstract

<p>This thesis is concerned with a new generation of churches in Canada trying to respond to the significant changes being felt in communities across the country as a result of the federal government policies over the last 30 years dealing with immigration, refugees and multiculturalism.</p> <p>There is a growing awareness that churches will need to become more intentionally multicultural to accommodate the emerging generation. Many pastors are not equipped to minister cross-culturally and churches are often unwillingly to change to adjust to the changing communities in which they are located.</p> <p>A number of sociological and theological influences will be reviewed to determine their impact on Canadian churches. There will be a response to the issues raised by those who advocate an emerging postmodern worldview in search of genuine community. Theological observations on the possibilities of the diversity of a heterogeneous multicultural church model being a valid response to the pluralism of contemporary Canadian life will be developed.</p> <p>The research presented will be dealing with three emerging multicultural Canadian churches. These three churches are located in either Vancouver or Toronto and are representative of many other churches in Canada today. There will be a discussion on the current ministries and plans of these three churches and some common characteristics identified. An integration of the models presented, and the research observations will lead to a proposal for moving towards becoming a more intentional healthy multicultural church to meet the needs of the next generation.</p>