Four Principles for Churches to Embrace Intercultural Growth

Culture shapes every aspect of our church life, from worship to how we understand scripture. When people from diverse backgrounds gather, these often invisible cultural assumptions can either enrich or divide. Thankfully, God's heart has always been for a diverse, unified church, a vision evident from Pentecost to Revelation.

Rev Israel Olofinjana of the Evangelical Alliance One People Commission, drawing from the Everyday Evangelism podcast, shares four key principles to help churches move beyond mere coexistence towards genuine intercultural growth.

1. See God’s Design for Unity in Diversity

Intercultural engagement is not a modern fad but a biblical mandate. From Genesis's vision of one humanity in diverse expressions to the multilingual birth of the church at Pentecost, God demonstrates his heart for all nations. Understanding this theological foundation helps churches embrace diversity out of desire, not obligation. Exploring passages like Acts 2, Acts 6, Ephesians 2-3, or Revelation 7 can illuminate God's inclusive heart.

2. Learn to Listen and Unlearn

A significant hurdle to intercultural growth is the assumption that our own cultural practices are the norm. True growth requires learning and unlearning, beginning with deep listening. By hearing the experiences of those from different backgrounds, we gain a richer understanding of our church family, see each other more generously, and recognise how our own assumptions impact others. As 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us, every part of the body is essential and rejoices together.

Listening is a core part of discipleship. It is how we learn to love.

3. Count the Cost

Embracing intercultural church life is beautiful but not always easy. It involves inconvenience and change for everyone. Before embarking on this journey, it's crucial to 'count the cost'. This might mean adjusting preaching styles, using different examples, or navigating unfamiliar worship songs and leadership approaches. While moments of discomfort are likely, a sober understanding of the time and patience required fosters resilience and hope. The joy found in this stretching, however, offers a glimpse into the fullness of God's kingdom.

Everybody’s going to be inconvenienced. Everybody will be changed. No one is left unchanged.

4. Allow New Voices to Shape Our Imagination

Often unintentionally, church leaders may primarily draw theological influence from a single cultural stream, typically Western. To lead a church that reflects the diverse communities God has placed us in, we must broaden our influences. Recognising that no single culture holds a monopoly on Christian wisdom, we should actively seek out and be discipled by African, Asian, Latin American, and other diaspora voices. This enriches our preaching, worship, and leadership, allowing us to see the gospel and the global body of Christ with fresh eyes.

The Spirit who empowered a multilingual church at Pentecost and broke down barriers is still at work. Migration and demographic shifts are not accidents but invitations to mirror the diversity of our communities. This preparation is a rehearsal for the glorious day when people from every tribe, nation, and language will worship together.

For deeper insights and practical guidance, explore the Everyday Evangelism podcast episode 'Why Cross-Cultural Church is Central to the Gospel' and The London City Mission's (LCM) leader's guide, 'Growing a Cross-Cultural Church'.

THE LONDON CITY MISSION originally published this story. Eden is sharing it to help connect you with their ministry.