Christian Community and Cultural Diversity

Learn how to reach the world without leaving your small group

by Dan Lentz

Regardless of where you live, chances are your community is more ethnically and culturally diverse than it was just a few years ago. Because of this, your church/small group is better positioned to reach the world than it’s ever been. In some cases, the world has literally moved into your neighborhood. Inviting your neighbor to your small group might also mean you have a direct connection to an extended family half-way around the world. However, with this opportunity comes the reality that multi-cultural small groups require us to be more aware of how to live in Christian community across the cultures.

I recently returned from the NEXT 2009 Saddleback Small Groups Conference in Atlanta hosted at Victory World Church. Victory is a unique church of small groups with nearly 100 different nations represented in this diverse congregation. You can read Victory’s vision here.

While there, I had the chance to talk with my good friend Dave Mennen of Bridges International about some of the unique aspects of Christian community and discipleship in culturally diverse small groups. You can listen-in on our conversation by clicking the link below:

Dave Mennen interview.mp3