OUR GREATEST MISSION
CHALLENGE &
OPPORTUNITY
Pursuing The Mission of the Church in our
Multi-Cultural World!
Presented by
The Northern Illinois District
Task Force on Racism
Purpose of this presentation
• Bring awareness of a key issue
affecting ministry in LCMS
congregations.
• Share a picture of our changing
communities
• Share God’s Word that speaks
to the mission He has put before us.
• Share resources and suggestions
for follow through.
Facing Demographic Realities
2010 National Census Data
Illinois
Wisconsin
Indiana
Population
12,830,632
+ 3.3%
Caucasian
64%
-3%
83%
+1%
89%
-0%
Black
14%
-1%
6%
+17%
3%
+43% 9%
+15%
Hispanic
16% +32%
6%
+74%
5%
+84% 6%
+82%
Asian
5%
2%
+46%
2%
+45% 2%
+74%
+38%
5,686,986
+6%
Iowa
3,046,365
+4.1%
6,483,802
+6%
82%
+1%
Facing Demographic Realities
Chicago Land 5 Counties - population 8,007,890
Lake
County
Cook
County
DuPage
County
Kane
County
Will
County
Population
703,462
5,194,675
916,924
515,269
677,560
White
65% -3%
44% -11% 70% -9%
59% +11% 67% +17%
Black
7%
24% -9%
5%
Hispanic
20% +51% 24% +16% 13% +49% 31% +65%
Asian
6% +77%
+8%
6% +24%
4% +52%
+24% 11% +43%
15% +142%
10% +29% 3% +145% 4% +176%
Facing Demographic Realities
• 2008 U. S. Census –
“Minorities one-third of the population.”
“-projected to be 54% of the population by
2050”
-”By 2023 Minorities will
comprise 50% of the
children”
Soon-Chan Rah, The Next Evangelicalism
Facing Demographic Realities
• Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod
5%
95%
The Word speaks clearly
“Making known to us the mystery of His will,
according to His purpose, which He set forth in
Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to
unite all things in Him,, things in heaven and
things on earth.” Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV)
The Word Speaks Clearly
• “..and to bring to light for everyone what is
the plan of the mystery hidden for ages
in God who created all things, so that
through the church the manifold wisdom of
God might now be made known to the rulers
and authorities in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 3:9-10 (ESV)
The Word Speaks Clearly
• ”My brothers, show no partiality as you hold
the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of
glory. “ James 2:1 (ESV)
The Word Speaks Clearly
There is one body and one Spirit—just
as you were called to the one hope
that belongs to your call-- one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, one God and
Father of us all.” Ephesians 4:4-5 (ESV)
• What other Scripture passages come to mind
which emphasize the universality of God’s
redemption in Christ?
2009 Northern Illinois District
Convention Resolution
• Resolution 2-01A“Pursuing the Mission of the Church in our
Multi-Cultural World”
Pursuing the Mission
• Gospel for all
• NID Communities include “all”
• RESOLVED
– Congregations respond to Gospel call to reach all
– We repent of any failures to reach out
– Use resources to reach across ethnic lines
– Thank God for the diversity of His creation
Barriers to Becoming an
Ephesians 3:10 Congregation
“Racism and the Church”
1994 report of the LCMS CTCR
1-Denial
2-Untenable Assumptions
*The “good will assumption”
*Non-specific preaching of Law and
Gospel will root out racism.
*There is a “quick fix” to the problem
of racism.
*Racism in the church will be solved
by “education.”
“Racism and the Church”
1994 report of the LCMS CTCR
3- Paternalism
4- Different Meanings and Frames
of Reference
5- Fear of Differences
6-Fear of Change
Jesus Breaks Down the Barriers
• Ephesians 2:11-22- He is our peace, breaks
down dividing walls of hostility.
• Galatians 3:28- Restores unity intended from
the beginning.
• Ephesians 4:1-6- He empowers us to
“maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.”
ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM
Action Suggestions
• A resource for your further thinking
– What Next Steps
might be helpful?
– NID “One Lord One Faith Task Force”
offers a variety of presentations
and workshops.
Resources
RESOURCES
• Divided by Faith, Emerson & Smith
– A “racialized society”
– A limited view of evangelism, e.g.
the “homogenous principle”
Resources
RESOURCES
• A Bible Study Resource for your use
– With leaders
– With ongoing Bible study groups
Time to Reflect
• What questions have we raised for you in this
presentation?
• What questions might they raise among the
people in your home congregation?
What’s next?
We’d like to hear
from you.
Can we be of
further assistance
to you and your
congregation?
Please make use of
the Response Form
We are handing out.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
• Thank you for the opportunity to
share our heartfelt concern.
• We hold you and your congregation in prayer
that their witness to the Gospel clearly
demonstrates an openness to all of God’s
people., for to that he has surely called us.