Spiritual Life and Leadership

222. Building a Multi-Inclusive Church, with Efrem Smith and Dan Kreiss, authors of Church for Everyone

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Efrem Smith and Dan Kreiss, the authors of Church For Everyone: Building a Multi-Inclusive Community, explore the importance of multi-inclusivity in church leadership, the need to empower young people in decision-making, and the steps required to break down socio-economic and cultural barriers within our faith communities.


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • Creating spaces and processes for the emerging generation to have voice and participate in decision-making within multi-inclusive churches is crucial.
  • In the Evangelical Covenant Church, the 6-fold test for multi-ethnic ministry includes population, participation, and power as key aspects to consider.
  • Efforts to create spaces for feedback and participation are a key step in promoting inclusion and diversity in churches.
  • Efrem Smith emphasizes the need to intentionally hire diverse staff and involve the emerging generation in shaping the church's narrative.
  • Dan Kreiss points out that long-standing churches with deep traditions face greater challenges and need intentional discomfort and leadership formation to create a multi-inclusive community.
  • According to Efrem Smith and Dan Kreiss, the diverse and multi-ethnic nature of the younger generation is not reflected in many church contexts on Sunday mornings.
  • Dan Kreiss points out that building relationships with those outside his predominantly Caucasian church is essential to foster inclusion and understanding.
  • Efrem Smith underscores the need to eliminate excuses for young people to dismiss the church and to create a multi-inclusive community that reflects the diversity found in other aspects of their lives.
  • God can use individuals of different generations to advance his kingdom, as demonstrated by the biblical stories of David, Esther, Abraham, and Josiah.
  • The letters of Paul emphasize the importance of a multi-inclusive, Christ-centered community, reflecting the multicultural and intergenerational nature of the church.
  • According to Dan Kreiss, starting the journey towards a multi-inclusive church involves intentional efforts to build relationships with diverse communities.
  • Dan Kreiss encourages pastors to surround themselves with others in the community for support and accountability.
  • Efrem Smith says the move from stigmatizing the younger generation to becoming friends and missionaries to them is essential.
  • Navigating the tensions between different generations is part of maintaining an intergenerational and diverse church environment.


RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

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