This is the first video in a series from Pastor Kevin Haah from New City Church in Los Angeles. Pastor Haah and a core team were led by God to plant a church in the socially diverse context of downtown Los Angeles. Participants come from various ethnic groups from upscale lofts and skid row. The original leadership team and the current congregation exhibit that diversity. → Branson and Martínez urge all faith communities to engage in multicultural initiatives. This includes attending to our neighborhoods and networks (pp 74-76). But, how do churches discern ways of doing this? Branson suggests that a helpful starting point is with numerous biblical narratives and metaphors (pp 38-9), which can help shape the imagination and courage of participants. There are Bible studies included in each chapter, and an additional study on Luke 4 is included in a post. Also, chapters 10 and 11 have many stories, steps, and experiments.
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Mark Lau Branson, Ed.D.
Mark is the Homer L. Goddard Associate Professor of the Ministry of the Laity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he teaches courses in congregational leadership and community engagement.
Juan F. Martínez, Ph.D.
Juan is Associate Dean in charge of the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community and Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies and Pastoral Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.