Joint Bi-lingual Board Meeting this Morning

[Wilson Deaton]

Kenosha Family Church--A Church of the Nazarene and Kenosha Amigos en Cristo Iglesia del Nazareno had a combined board meeting this morning. (Purely coincidental to this being Cinco de Mayo.)

We moved in to our jointly-planned new facility together about a year and a half ago. We thought it would be a good idea to just get together and discuss any issues that needed discussing...

Our meeting began with a sort of "REVERSE airing of grievances!" That is, instead of complaining, the meeting began with their pastor itemizing two or three areas where their congregation felt they have come up short and apologizing for them. (For example, a couple of months back he had arranged to have the carpet cleaned at a time that interfered with something we had scheduled... I assured him that had been forgotten until he brought it up again!)

Both congregations affirmed how much we like sharing a building together. For example, I LIKE hearing the faint sounds of their praise team having practice, while I'm teaching a small group class in my office! I like arriving for a Sunday evening event and crossing paths with them as they are leaving the building from an afternoon of worship.

Giving both boards a chance to bring up any issues, no negative issues were brought up. Aside from the thanking each other and the affirmations of our relationship, the only business discussion revolved around a new "mowing" plan, scheduling a joint work day, and initiating a process for the purchase of some new sound equipment...

What I find sad is that their pastor told us that he has been in other parts of the country where the American and Hispanic congregations do not get along very well...

I admit it: I am proud (but not in a sinful way) of the way my congregation has opened itself up to the relationship we have with Amigos en Cristo. I thank God for this little preview of a diverse eternity!

Wilson

[Craig Laughlin]

Kenosha Family Church--A Church of the Nazarene and Kenosha Amigos en Cristo Iglesia del Nazareno had a combined board meeting this morning. (Purely coincidental to this being Cinco de Mayo.)

We moved in to our jointly-planned new facility together about a year and a half ago. We thought it would be a good idea to just get together and discuss any issues that needed discussing...

Our meeting began with a sort of "REVERSE airing of grievances!" That is, instead of complaining, the meeting began with their pastor itemizing two or three areas where their congregation felt they have come up short and apologizing for them. (For example, a couple of months back he had arranged to have the carpet cleaned at a time that interfered with something we had scheduled... I assured him that had been forgotten until he brought it up again!)

Both congregations affirmed how much we like sharing a building together. For example, I LIKE hearing the faint sounds of their praise team having practice, while I'm teaching a small group class in my office! I like arriving for a Sunday evening event and crossing paths with them as they are leaving the building from an afternoon of worship.

Giving both boards a chance to bring up any issues, no negative issues were brought up. Aside from the thanking each other and the affirmations of our relationship, the only business discussion revolved around a new "mowing" plan, scheduling a joint work day, and initiating a process for the purchase of some new sound equipment...

What I find sad is that their pastor told us that he has been in other parts of the country where the American and Hispanic congregations do not get along very well...

I admit it: I am proud (but not in a sinful way) of the way my congregation has opened itself up to the relationship we have with Amigos en Cristo. I thank God for this little preview of a diverse eternity!

Wilson

Thanks Wilson. This post is timely in my life. Tomorrow I am preaching on Acts 8 and the Ethiopian Eunuch. It is the beginning of birthing the dream of a multicultural church with my people. My prayer is that we can truly become a house of prayer for all nations. God has been doing a lot behind the scenes but Sunday we begin the open conversations about what that means and I challenge them to start thinking about things in a different way. It will stretch them but God is doing to many things in this area for me to ignore the green light.

[Jim Franklin]

Our local Five Mile Church has a Russian church meeting on Sunday afternoons. Not long ago there were several heritages represented in the congregation, including, Mexico, Germany, Japan, China, Togo and Mali. Congratulations, Pastor Wilson, on sharing your facilities to your fellow believers in love and comapassion. Pastor Craig, I will be praying that your endeavor is successfu.

[Alisa Stoll]

Wilson,
It has been awhile since I've gotten on the forum. We chose to go a different route. We have bi-lingual services every Sunday morning - so we all just worship together at the same time. This has turned some away to other churches and has drawn others in.

Alisa