Date

9-19-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Richard McGee

Keywords

church, diversity, economic, ethnic, multiethnic, Reformed, workshop

Disciplines

Leadership Studies

Abstract

Ethnic and economic diversity can be experienced in the local church. There is a biblical undertone in the Scriptures that shows Jesus, the apostles, and Old Testament themes that point to Revelation 7 for the reality of it. This reality can be lived on earth while Christians practice for heaven. While 95 percent of the churches around America remain homogeneous, with intentionality, adequate training, and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations, historically Reformed churches can also experience ethnic and economic diversity within their congregations. Although many churches do not feel the capabilities to become multiethnic and economically diverse, by participating in the PRIME Diversity Action Plan, churches can be trained and walked with in achieving that goal. This DMIN action research project’s purpose is to develop and deploy the PRIME Diversity Action Plan to implement the value of intentionally pursuing and becoming a multiethnic and economically diverse church. Using the diversity plan, new core values will generate a multiethnic and economically diverse church, resembling Revelation 7 and Philippians 2. The PRIME Diversity Action Plan was implemented to gather qualitative data from elders, deacons, leaders, and ethnic minorities attending the same church in order to train, equip, and empower the leadership and pastor to move into church diversity. The results revealed participants grew in their ethnic and economic awareness, their desire to pursue, and their willingness to help cultivate a value for ethnic and economic diversity in the Reformed church.

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