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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.
Part I: Theology and Context
Haah Video: Diversity in Context & Church
Pastor Kevin Haah states, “People are more multiethnic in friendships and the workplace than we think they are.” He specifically points to how we can learn from the multiethnic friendships on Skid Row. Homelessness, a narrative more pervasive than ethnic … Read the Post
Posted in: Introduction, Part I: Theology and Context, Part III: Leadership, Communication and Change, Videos
Tags: African American, Asian American, Church Story, Economic Diversity, Intercultural Leadership, Local neighborhood, Missional church, Multicultural churches, Practical theology, Relationships
Haah Video: Gospel
Pastor Kevin Haah talks about the importance of a theology of inclusivity. We don’t gather because we are moral – we gather as a church because Jesus Christ welcomes sinners into his grace. For New City Church, multicultural relationships and … Read the Post
Haah Video: Stories
Pastor Kevin Haah conveys of the importance of sharing stories within the community. New City Church listens to each other’s stories, including those of members from skid row and from those living in nearby lofts. They recognize their shared brokenness … Read the Post
Haah Video: Describing New City Church
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 … Read the Post
Fong Video: Youth Lead Neighborhood Change
When a youth pastor at Evergreen Baptist took a job at the neighborhood recreation center, the missional life of the church changed dramatically. Pastor Fong tells the story of how God led the youth and parents to step outside their … Read the Post
Posted in: Part I: Theology and Context, Part III: Leadership, Communication and Change, Videos
Tags: Asian American, Church Story, intercul, Intercultural communication, Intercultural Leadership, Leading Change, Missional church, Multicultural churches, Reconciliation and Mediation, Relationships, Training
Fong Video: Members Initiate & Leaders Create Space
When Japanese American members took the initiative to share their stories about relocation camps, Pastor Fong remembered how his own previous learning had shaped his cross-cultural empathy. His story created space in the congregation for a deeper appreciation for cultural … Read the Post
Fong Video: Cultural Differences – Stewardship
Pastor Fong tells a story in which a decision about cleaning the church’s carpets surfaced different cultural values. Even seemingly unimportant decisions are arrived at on the basis of deeply held beliefs. Fong shows how their conversation about theology and … Read the Post
Posted in: Part I: Theology and Context, Part III: Leadership, Communication and Change, Videos
Tags: Asian American, Chinese American, Church Story, Communication, Decision-making, Intercultural communication, Intercultural Leadership, Japanese American, Leading Change, Multicultural churches, Relationships, Worldview
Fong Video: Latino Neighbor Becomes Key Staff Person
As the church became willing to engage with the neighborhood and crosscultural experiments, Fong explains that Steve, a Latino neighbor, visited and left then returned and left…. Today, Steve is a crucial part of the church and its mission. Fong … Read the Post
Carson Video: Friendships
Pastor Carson’s church is currently doing the work of building intercultural friendships, even with the challenges of a bi-lingual context. To do this, he stresses the importance of hospitality, time spent together, and the practice of sharing meals. → On … Read the Post
Fong Video: Transition Beyond Asian American
After participating in the vision of an Asian American church for an extended period of time, Ken Fong sensed the Spirit calling him in a new direction. The senior pastor noted that they voiced two different directions – so they … Read the Post