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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.
Relationships
Haah Video: Theology of Discomfort
Stepping outside of our comfort zone is key for developing multicultural relationships and churches. Pastor Kevin Haah explains that culture is not a zero sum game. When we embrace other cultures, our own identity is enhanced. We are created to … Read the Post
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: 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
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: 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
Carson Video: Prophecies, the Economy, and from Commuter to Local
Pastor Carson’s story shows how transformation is not a straight line. Turbulent economic times forced many commuters at Carson’s congregation to stop coming to church in an effort to save money on gas. This difficult loss led the church to … Read the Post
Doi Video: Power Distance Ratios
Pastor Doi discusses Geert and Gert Jan Hofstede’s work on power distance ratios (see Cultures and Organizations) and how Epic Church has benefited from this framework. → In chapter 5, on page 122, Martínez writes about language and power. → On p … Read the Post
Doi Video: Preaching, Feelings, Connections
Pastor Doi discusses the role of preaching and relational connections in a diverse context, including the role of emotions in worship. → On p 198 Branson writes about the varied ways cultures deal with emotions. Compare Doi’s comments about emotions … Read the Post