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

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:

• Efrem Smith:
  • Mid-town Church
  • Influential Global Ministries
  • Instagram - @efrem.smith
• Dan Kreiss:
  • Roswell Presbyterian Church
  • Instagram - @dan_kreiss
• Books mentioned:
  • Church for Everyone, by Efrem Smith and Dan Kreiss
• Related episodes:
  • Called to Each Other, with Claude Alexander
  • Ministry Leadership in a Racialized Society, with David Swanson
  • Identity, Belonging, and Purpose, with Kara Powell

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!