Preaching to Every Pew: A Book Review Essay

Introduction            The mer dischargetile establishment of immigration continues to be a thorny issue in the joined States. The number of Hispanics and Asians is on the rise. Even if there argon sectors in the society who want to limit the number of immigrants in the country, it laughingstock no longer be denied that immigrants play an increasing role in the fabric of the American society. Up to some extent, the authorities and the hoi polloi in the society should be able to cope with this reality and make the scoop use of the situation.            As unlike races enter the United States, culture fails richer and to a greater extent diverse. The society, including the churches, should take none of the changes brought ab bulge break through by this phenomenon and reach out to peck belonging to diverse ethnic backgrounds. This multi heathen setting, however, is a trying social functi on to handle. There argon different issues that gravel to be understood and dealt with if the churches would same to be relevant to all people groups. After all, the church is non besides a church for White people moreover the professional Jesus delivery boy repeatedly stressed the universality of the Gospel and the trade union of all humans.            Cultural diversity includes differences in languageand this not only involves the grammar and modes of speaking and writing. Rather, there are subtle nuances and differences in expressing metaphors and meaning, which is inherent in every language. As such, those who speak side as a turn language would not easily understand metaphors and idiomatic expressions in the English language.            In addition to this, every culture has different practices, which would seem deep or downright crazy to people from an separate culture. If the le nses of a fact culture were utilise to understand another(prenominal), so the result would be dispute and mis intellectual.Dealing with Multi culturalism in the church            The churches are not spared from this roughy of relations with multiculturalism. However, unlike the corporate world that explores how to deal with multiculturalism, churches are floundering with their efforts to reach out to people belong to different cultures. With this reality in North America, Nieman and Rogers harbor preach to Every Pew is a timely advice and provides a enlist in dealing with multiculturalism.            The give is not and the musings of two theorists. Rather, the authors did immense research and interviews with parsons whose ministries are located in multicultural settings. Hence, their ministry is grounded in real(a) practice, thereby providing credence to the concepts and principl es that they explore. Their approach is systematic and oecumenical. They cover all the major factors affecting the issue of multiculturalism.            The authors explore hospitality as a theological mandate for pastors and church members to deal with the cultural diversity in their congregations. Indeed, end-to-end the Old Testament, hospitality1 is an important commandment of matinee idol.In the refreshful Testament, hospitality was all-inclusive to Jesus and blushtually to the disciples as they propagated the world to different areas of the world. Their setting hence was similarly multicultural. Jesus, himself, offers a great example of cross-cultural communication. When Jesus was in Samaria, he happened cultural differences and social differences when he talked and ministered to the Samaritan woman. When he spoke to the woman, he used terms and cultural references that the woman could tinct to. If he did not, then the chan ces are, the woman impart not listen to him and simply dismiss his claims.By looking at the example of Christ, we can see his sensitivity as well as the way he considered the cultural background of the mortal he is talking to. Through these theological principles, then, Christians are reminded of their roots and how they can emulate the example of Jesus and of the early disciples in dealing with believers from other cultural settings. This discussion is then surveyed by an examination of different cultural frames of the congregation.Cultural Frames Affecting DiversityThere are four different cultural frames that the author explored ethnicity, economic pattern, geographical displacement, and religious belief. These cultural frames were used by the authors in explaining the temper and dynamics of multiculturalism in the church. Through carefully crafted chapters, the authors described the cultural frame under consideration. After such a description, they listed down misconceptio ns and dealt with them point by point.According to the authors, the concept of ethnicity is much comprehensive than the term race because the former takes into account the communal identities of peoples instead of merely taking note of colors and physical characteristics. In addition to this, people who move to the United States are usually displaced geographically because of economic demandthey do not have much opportunity to operate on in their countries. As such, they choose to risk their lives and their identities by glide path to America.As a result of the displacement, they become disoriented and they major power feel that they do not belong to the new society where they relocated. Even if they were Christians from their places of origin, they still find it difficult to assimilate themselves to the American society that they find themselves in. In a sense, ethnicity becomes a question of politics and economics. Their social situation also has an important contact on the way they will accept or listen to sermons enjoin to them. Furthermore, because of their cultural backgrounds, they will have different views regarding Christianity and the message it brings.Economic class is another cultural frame through which immigrants view their world. Because they have to work a lot and meet their needs, a lot of immigrants would rather go to work on Sundays rather than attend church and listen to the sermon. This should also be taken into account by preachers. After all, a pastor or a priest talking to middle class families will not make much sense to an immigrant who is barely making a living, in the same way that middle class could not relate with prophesy directed towards rich people.After dealing fully with the cultural frame, the authors then enumerate some(prenominal) areas in the frame under consideration, which preachers, pastors, and in time priests should take into account as they minister through preaching to a multicultural congregation. In con clusion to the chapters dealing with these cultural frames, the authors suggest several strategies in preaching to a multicultural congregation.People from other split of the world tend to bring with them their own religion. When they enter the United States, they might have come from a Buddhist, Islamic, or non-Christian religions. Each religion would have its own worldview and assumptions about the world. Hence, there is also a challenge in communicating with people from different religions. But in a expression of speaking, those who have a similar concept of a personal divinity fudge might be easier to talk to than those from polytheistic religions.In the final chapter of the book, Niemann and Rogers provided a discussion on the ministry of preachers and their role in this fast changing world. Multiculturalism is another issue that they have to deal with if they were to minister effectively to their congregations. With globalization fantastic all over the world and as people become more mobile, the challenges of preaching can easily become gargantuan. The authors, therefore, provided several means in which preachers and pastors can do this.The authors dealt with cultural diversity in the churches. However, they did not worry much on the social advocacy part of the issue. Nonetheless, the authors did a better job of helping church workers be jolted awake in dealing with cultural diversity. The world tends to be confusing and more difficult to deal with because of a great deal of issues. Yet, the authors have drawn upon Gods word and real(a) experiences in the field to draw out interesting concepts and strategies to deal with this cultural diverse world created by God.The Authors            twain James R. Niemann and Thomas G. Rogers teach Homiletics. The former teaches at Wartburg theological Seminary date the latter is Associate Professor at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Both authors are Lutheran in background. Even with their background, the authors were able to transcend denominational differences to become relevant to most denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church since the issue they are dealing with affects not only protestant churches, but every church in general.Cultural Diversity and the Challenge of the clockCultural diversity can no longer be prevented. In fact, it might grow even more pronounced in the coming years as more and more countries become open to each other. Because of this diversity, people from different cultural backgrounds will have different and etymon interpretations even if they were listening to the same message. Niemann and Rogers book helps preachers deal with this. In the process, they are also helping congregations in the long run in understanding Gods word preached to them.            Preaching to Every Pew is a relevant book to our timesfor mainline protestant denomination and even for the Roman Catholic Church. The book provides a comprehensive look at how culture shapes the worldviews of people and how it influences the already complicated process of communication. Since preaching is a form of communication involving the word of God, the authors then outline principles and practices based on scriptures and on actual practice so that preaching can be more dynamic in dealing with cultural diversity.In this regard, the book is a very useful tool for pastors, priests and even lay preachers. It helps them become more relevant and interesting. Hopefully, by consulting this book, pastors, preachers, and priests can avoid becoming tiresome and insensitive in the church. Rather, they can become dynamic and sensitive to the cultural diversity that God has instituted in the world.            The authors have provided great insights into the cross-cultural nature of society. These are grounded in biblical principles and practica l application. Yet, there is no alternative for loving people and treating them as neighbors in accordance with what the Bible teaches. Differences whitethorn be there but through cross-cultural strategies, pastors, preachers and priests can actually help in making these Christians one although diverse.Conclusion            The Church is Christs legacy. It is His instrument in working out His will on the planet. The church, on the other hand, even through its flaws and mistakes, is called upon to initiate people into the marvelous experience of following Christ. This is do best by preaching and actual means of reaching out to people.            The issue of immigration has been going on in the United States for the past decades. As this trend goes on, the Church is called upon to rethink its strategies and its framework in dealing with an increasingly becoming multicultural society. Although preaching is still a good way of reaching out to these immigrants, redundant strategies are needed so that they can become more unfastened to the message that the church has to offer. If they were tapped and immersed in the life of the church in the United States, these immigrants can add vibrancy and dynamism to the church through their different perspectives2.Christ, as the model of the Church, loved people and accepted them. In the feed of his ministry, he showed cultural relevance and sensitivity. The church should no less than follow his footsteps. Otherwise, it fails to be relevant and it fails the mandate given to it by Christ.  Niemann and Rogers have done a great job in showing to the church and Christians homogeneous how to devised strategies and techniques dealing with multiculturalism in the society and in the church.BibliographyNiemann, James R. and Thomas G. Rogers. Preaching to Every Pew cross-cultural Strategies. Minneapolis Fortress Press, 2001.Warner, R. S tephen and Judith G. Wittner. Gatherings in Diaspora Religious Communities and the New Immigration. Temple University Press, 19981 Niemann, James R. and Thomas G. Rogers. Preaching to Every Pew Cross-Cultural Strategies. Minneapolis Fortress Press, 2001. (p. 18)2 Warner, R. Stephen and Judith G. Wittner. Gatherings in Diaspora Religious Communities and the New Immigration. Temple University Press, 1998, p. 368.