Many congregations today consist of people from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Music in worship is one means by which this rich cultural diversity can be expressed. This article challenges congregations to sing the music of many cultures in worship.
The challenges that face many of our urban and large suburban churches are complex and multifaceted. Some congregations find their membership increasingly drawing from racially and ethnically diverse groups of individuals, often creating upheaval and a sense of division between the new and old members of the parish. Other congregations seem to be on the verge of extinction because they fail to attract members from the changing neighborhoods that envelop their parish. Both types of congregations face challenges that will require patience, love, and the will to be servants of the Lord.
Music has long been called the universal language, transcending the barriers of different races and ethnic tongues. Thus as we seek ways to find common ground in the rapidly changing congregations of our cities and suburbs, music seems a logical building block for developing such a sense of unity.
However, before exploring ways in which music can be a force for reconciliation and renewal in our changing congregations, what do we mean by a multicultural church? In an article discussing the implications of the Christian Reformed Church becoming a truly multicultural denomination, author Gary Teja writes:
In a multicultural church, we don’t just start churches for other ethnic groups or share our facilities when we’re not using them. We go further—we make a genuine attempt to be one body of people of many different languages, customs, and life experiences, worshiping together, praying together, singing together in the same service at the same time.
A multicultural church encourages all of its members to appreciate the ethnic heritage that each person brings with him or herself. Becoming multicultural doesn’t mean rejecting your heritage; it means learning to appreciate the cultural backgrounds of others! (The Banner, 125:34 [October 1, 1990])
I strongly concur with this wonderful model of a multicultural church as described by Mr. Teja. However, I believe that a large majority of our urban and suburban churches can be characterized at best as multiracial congregations. Typically these congregations are dominated in membership by an aging Caucasian population with smaller populations of African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, or Asian-Americans. These racial/ethnic minorities are tolerated to the degree that they assimilate into the traditional style of worship that has been the norm for that particular congregation. Consequently, these churches deceive themselves when they believe they are multicultural simply by the mere presence of one or more ethnic groups. Another erroneous concept of multicultural ministry occurs when “outreach” programs are developed by a congregation for a neighboring area of “disadvantaged” people, without the people of the program ever really being invited into full fellowship with the “mainstream” congregation. Only when these folks are made equal partners in the faith mission of that congregation may we begin to call that congregation multicultural.
On the positive side, there are many congregations who may quite properly call themselves multicultural. There is also an increasing number of churches that are in the process of evolving from multiracial/multiethnic congregations into truly multicultural bodies of believers. I strongly hold that the music ministry of the church may be a powerful means of establishing a strong foundation for building a multicultural congregation. The new United Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian Reformed, and Brethren hymnals, as well as many other recently published collections, provide churches with new and wonderful treasuries of ethnic hymnody. We may begin a process of creating a multicultural church by singing of our shared faith in these new songs of God’s people. Worship committees, ministers of music, and clergy and educational leaders can explore ways to incorporate these new songs of God’s mighty acts in our lives through congregational hymns, liturgical music for choirs, and music for church school.
Another idea to consider is the need for urban churches to share worship experiences with congregations who may be able to offer some innovative perspectives to expand their style of worship. These exchanges should include worship in both parish sites and the sharing of worship traditions. These services should seek to affirm and enrich the lives of all those who attend.
The increasing demand for after-school childcare affords the imaginative urban congregation the opportunity to develop a creative after-school music ministry. Weekday afternoon choir schools that include children of the congregation as well as neighborhood youngsters are a marvelous means of evangelism and go far in establishing an atmosphere for teaching musical literacy, healthy singing technique, improvisation, and movement while also teaching the fundamentals of our Christian faith. Also, by initially involving the children, parents and other adults are often drawn back into a worshiping lifestyle.
Let us take the leap of faith that will enable us to sing out in voices of hope, love, and peace:
In Christ, there is no east or west
He breaks all barriers down;
By Christ redeemed, by Christ possessed,
In Christ, we live as one.