D. A. Carson on Preaching and Multiculturalism

January 15, 2009 – 11:51 am

D. A. Carson, in an article on the Preaching.com site, presents five challenges that the increase of multiculturalism will pose to preaching in the 21st century:

1. Preachers who serve in most of our large urban centers, and even in many small centers, will face increasing cultural diversity in the populace where their church is located
2. Preachers will have to distinguish between, on the one hand, the empirical pluralism and multiculturalism increasingly characteristic of our big cities, and, on the other, the dogmatic “PC” form of multiculturalism that refuses to make any moral or cultural distinctions
3. Preachers in these environments need to take extra time to prepare themselves for ministry characterized by these challenges
4. These developments are generating in preachers the need to revive the debate over the validity or invalidity of “the homogenous unit” principle
5. In some geographical locations special thought must be given to the very large groups of one kind of new immigrant: often (in North America) various Hispanic groups; often (in many cities in Europe, and in some places in North America) the Muslim population

Though directed to a broad evangelical audience, Fundamental churches would do well to ponder these five challenges and implement a change of philosophy and action where applicable, both in ministry at home and abroad through missions endeavors.

Entire article, including an explanation of the challenges due to multiculturalism and five other areas.