Part 1 of 2. This article examines the crucial role of cultivating diverse, godly leadership within American churches, particularly as the United States grows increasingly multicultural. It argues for the necessity of multiethnic church leadership, addressing objections and emphasizing the importance of reflecting a church's community diversity. The article's argument follows a Biblical and pragmatic approach to underscore the necessity and effectiveness of diverse leadership in fulfilling the Great Commission and navigating cultural shifts.
ClevelandC. (2013). Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the hidden forces that keep US apart. IVP Books.
9.
DaughertyK. D.ChavesM.EmersonM. O. (2020). Racial diversity in U.S. Congregations, 1998–2019. Journal For the Scientific Study of Religion, 59(4), 651–662. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12681
10.
DeYmazM. (2020). Building a healthy multi-ethnic church: Mandate, commitments, and practices of a diverse congregation. Fortress Press.
11.
DeYoungC. P.EmersonM. O.YanceyG. A.ChiaK. H. K. (2003). United by faith: The multiracial congregation as an answer to the problem of race. Oxford University Press.
12.
EdwardsK. L. (2008). The elusive dream: The power of race in interracial churches. Oxford University Press.
13.
EdwardsK. L. (2021). When ‘diversity’ isn’t enough: Multiethnic churches have been growing over the past two decades. But are they thriving?Christianity Today, 65(2), 36–41.
14.
EdwardsK. L.KimR. Y. (2024). Estranged pioneers: Race, faith, and leadership in a diverse world. Oxford University Press.
15.
GonzálezJ. L. (2015). The history of theological education. Abingdon Press.
HartwigR.T.BirdW. (2015). Teams that thrive: Five disciples of collaborative church leadership. InterVarsity Press.
18.
HiebertJ. S. (2019). Multiethnic and missional: God’s heart for an integrated and diverse church [Doctoral thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/291
19.
JacksonS.BantelK. (1989). Top management and innovation in banking: Does the composition of the top team make a difference?Strategic Management Journal, 10(1), 107–124. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250100709
20.
JonesT. P. (2018). The Gospel and diversity [Conference presentation]. Sojourn Network Leaders’Summit.
LeeE. M. (2011). Case studies of three select multiethnic churches: Their motivation and strategies in being multiethnic(Publication No. 10789046) [Doctoral dissertation, Dallas Theological Seminary]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
25.
LorittsB. C. (2018). Insider outsides: My journey as a stranger in white evangelicalism and my hope for us all. Zondervan.
26.
LorittsB. C. (2023). The offensive church: Breaking the cycle of ethnic disunity. InterVarsity Press.
27.
McGavranD. A. (1980). Understanding church growth. Eerdmans.
28.
PetersonD. (2009).The acts of the apostles. In The Pillar New Testament commentary series (p. 375). William B. Eerdmans.
RichardO. C.TrianaM. del C.LiM. (2021). The effects of racial diversity congruence between upper management and lower management on firm productivity. Academy of Management Journal,64(5), 1355–1382. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2019.0468
31.
RossM. D. (2014). The Trinitarian foundation of leadership: Working together for God's glory in unity and diversity (Publication No. 3668220) [Doctoral dissertation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
32.
SchnabelE. J. (2012). Acts. In ArnoldC. E. (Ed.), Zondervan exegetical commentary on the New Testament (Vol. 5, p. 554). Zondervan.
33.
ScottR. (2021). Accepted power: Black authority and the multiethnic church. On Knowing Humanity Journal, 5(2), 47–62. https://doi.org/10.18251/okh.v5i2.133
34.
StrauchA. (2003). Biblical eldership: An urgent call to restore biblical church leadership. Lewis and Roth.
35.
TerryJ.MarkJ.PayneJ. D. (2013). Developing a strategy for missions: A biblical, historical, and cultural introduction. Baker Academic.
