REACHING & CONGREGATING HISPANIC AMERICANS

1. REACHING & CONGREGATINGHISPANIC AMERICANS

2. Evangelizing Hispanics • I. Preparation Needed • A. Awareness of Receptivity • B. Change of Attitude • C. Understanding of Roman Catholic Doctrines Regarding Salvation • D. Understanding of Decision Making Process

3. Evangelizing Hispanics • I. Preparation Needed • A. Awareness of Receptivity

4. Hispanics and Denominations Catholic | Protes/Evang | Other Christian | Other Faiths | Secular Percent

5. Evangelizing Hispanics • 43% of Hispanic Evangelicals converted from Catholicism. • By and overwhelming majority (82%) Hispanic converts cite the desire for a more direct, personal experience with God as the main reason for adopting a new faith (p.5) • Source: Changing Faiths: Latinos and the Transformation of American Religion. Pew Center for Hispanic Studies, 2007

6. Evangelizing Hispanics • B. Change of Attitude

7. Catholic Hispanics Views of Evangelical Christians Percent Favorable | Unfavorable | No Opinion

8. Evangelical Hispanics Views of Roman Catholics Percent Favorable | Unfavorable | No Opinion

9. Evangelizing Hispanics • C. Understanding of Roman Catholic Doctrines of Salvation

10. Evangelizing Hispanics • The Roman Catholic Churches Teaches That Salvation Is: • I. Sacramental – attained through the observance of the sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist [re-sacrificing of Christ], Penance, Extreme Unction) • II. Intermediated – through the church • III. Uncertain – there is no assurance • Source: Sharing the Good News with Roman Catholic Friends

11. Evangelizing Hispanics • D. Understanding the Decision-Making Process

12. Decision-Making Process(Like Nicodemus) • DISCOVERY • DELIBERATION • DECISION • DISSONANCE • DISCIPLESHIP • Source: David Hesselgrave

13. DISCOVERY • Salvation by faith alone DELIBERATION What about sacraments, saints, church ? DECISION • I want to receive Christ • DISSONANCE • Pressure from family & friends • DISCIPLESHIP • Firmness in following Christ

14. Evangelizing Hispanics II. Effective Strategies A. Kinship/Friendship Evangelism B. Meetings in Homes C. Utilizing Bible Studies

15. Evangelizing Hispanics II. Effective Strategies • Kinship/Friendship Evangelism

16. How Hispanics Hear About The Gospel

17. Willingness to receive information through…personal conversation from a family member Hispanic Americans If a local congregation or faith community wanted to reach out and inform you of what they have to offer, how willing would you be to receive information through each of the following methods? Source: LifeWay Research Center

18. Willingness to receive information through…personal conversation with a friend or neighbor from the church Hispanic Americans If a local congregation or faith community wanted to reach out and inform you of what they have to offer, how willing would you be to receive information through each of the following methods?

19. Willingness to receive information through…visit to yourdoor by a member of that church or faith community Hispanic Americans If a local congregation or faith community wanted to reach out and inform you of what they have to offer, how willing would you be to receive information through each of the following methods?

20. B. Meetings in Homes Catholic Scholars - on reasons why many Hispanics are becoming Evangelical: “The Catholic Church does not offer small, receptive, faith-sharing community context.”1. Observation: Many Evangelicals believe that without “Cathedrals” we cannot win Hispanics to Christ.” Catholics are saying: “It is those small, personal, spiritual, warm, Bible-centered groups that are attracting Hispanics to Evangelical churches.” 1. Miguel de la Torre, Hispanic American Religious Cultures, p.366

21. Evangelizing Hispanics “Hispanics respond favorably to a faith that is characterized by: • A clear affirmation of God’s transcendence, • Strong convictions about God’s will in matters of morality founded on biblical teachings, • A confidence in God’s power to work miracles and especially heal, • The possibility of establishing a personal relationship with God…Hispanics are finding these needs met by Evangelicalism and Pentecostalism.”1. 1. Miguel de la Torre, Hispanic American Religious Cultures, p.366 -7

22. Evangelizing Hispanics II. Effective Strategies C. Utilizing Bible Studies (Fellowships)

23. Evangelizing Hispanics

24. Evangelizing Hispanics • II. Effective Strategies • D. Pre-Evangelistic Events • Block Parties • Dramas, Concerts, • Films (Jesus Film at Lenten Season) • Gifts of Kindness • Vacation Bible School

25. Evangelizing Hispanics • II. Effective Strategies • E. Ministries • ESL • Citizenship • Job Training • Tutoring

26. CONGREGATIONALIZING HISPANICS A variety of church types is needed to reach all of the segments of the Hispanic population

27. Changing Faiths: Latino and Religious the Transformation of American Religion • I. Some Need To Be Distinctively Hispanic • Two thirds attend Hispanic-oriented worship with: • 1. Latino clergy • 2. Services available in Spanish (bilingual) • 3. Heavily Latino congregations.

28. Changing Faiths: Latino and Religious the Transformation of American Religion • Of these: • 77% are Foreign Born Hispanics • 48% are Native Born Hispanics (p.6) • For these, culture and language go together • Family loyalty also keeps them together • (Grandparents, parents, children)

29. Changing Faiths: Latino and Religious the Transformation of American Religion • II. Some need to be in English Language – Hispanic Culture Churches • Due to selective assimilation native born Hispanics are fluent in the English language yet they retain socio-cultural elements that motivate them to worship in these types of churches. • “Conversion is higher among the native born than the foreign born. It is also higher among English-Speaking Latinos than it is among the Spanish Speakers.” (p.41)

30. “Hispanic Churches In American Public Life”Pew Center & Notre Dame U.

31. Types of Assimilation

32. Changing Faiths: Latino and Religious the Transformation of American Religion • The more assimilated Hispanics: • 1. Have more friends outside their own cultural group – there is a greater possibility for them to have Evangelical friends. • 2. Are less bound by religious tradition • 3. Feel ignored by the Catholic Church

33. Hispanic American Religious Culturesp. 365 • Roman Catholic Scholars: • “The sects not only appeal to the poor, oppressed, and marginalized, they also appeal to upwardly the mobile because they provide a means of becoming respectable members of the middle class without severing ties with their Hispanic roots and heritage.”

34. Catholics • 68% of Latinos identify as Catholics • 68% are foreign born • 55% say Spanish is primary language • 42% did not graduate from high school • 46% have household income less than $30,000 a year • 14% have household income over $50,000

35. Evangelicals • 15% of Latinos identify as Evangelicals • 55% are foreign born • 63% say English is primary language or are bilingual • 64% have a high school diploma • 39% have household income less than $30,000 a year • 21% have household incomes over %50,000

36. Changing Faiths: Latino and Religious the Transformation of American Religion III. Some need to be English-Speaking, Anglo-Cultural Churches that have a sensitivity for the Hispanic Culture • The more assimilated Hispanics feel comfortable in this type of setting • Many of these live and work alongside Anglos, therefore, going to church with them is quite natural

37. Miguel de la Torre, Hispanic American Religious Cultures, p.366 -7 • Catholic scholars on decline of the Catholic church among Hispanics: • 1. “Due to failure to acknowledge the diversity of persons in the Hispanic community…” • 2. “There’s a lack of awareness of ethnic and social class characteristics.” • We must not make the same mistake. • Careful study is needed

38. Changing Faiths: Latino and Religious the Transformation of American Religion • “Ethnic oriented worship combined with the rapid growth of the Hispanic population leave little doubt that a detailed understanding of the religious faith among Latinos is essential to understanding the future of this population as well as the evolving nature of religion in the United States” (p. 4)

39. CONGREGATIONALIZING HISPANICS • Major question we need to answer: • Since Hispanics are growing exponentially, are our church planting strategies incremental (by addition) or exponential (by multiplication)? • It is obvious that we need strategies for exponential church planting.

40. CONGREGATIONALIZING HISPANICS • I. What’s the starting point? • A. Begin with existing churches • 1. We have many established churches (Anglo, African American, Asian, Hispanic) that need to start Hispanic churches in their communities. (Especially in new areas of Hispanic concentrations) N. Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Nevada • New communities in established areas • 2. They need to catch a vision for church starting.

41. CONGREGATIONALIZING HISPANICS • The Antioch Church – An Example • A Church of Refugees (Acts 11:19) • It took Acts 8:1 to fulfill 1:8 • At First reached “Jews Only” (Acts 11:19) • This was natural – same language, culture • Could have had limited ministry • Do we have too many 11:19 churches? • Then Reached to Gentiles (Acts 11:20) • Expanded its vision • Became a “Great Commission Church”

42. CONGREGATIONALIZING HISPANICS • The Antioch Church – An Example • Missionary training ground (Acts 11:26-27) • Barnabas brought Paul • Served one year – missionary training • Had Multicultural leadership (Acts 13:1) • Herod’s half brother • “Simon Niger” – African descent • Sent out first missionary team (Acts 13:3) • Willing to share their leaders • Willing to support the church planting team

43. CONGREGATIONALIZING HISPANICS • B. Examine Church Planting Models • 1. Observation: The largest Hispanic churches use home-based groups • a. Hispanics (R. Cath) go to a home quicker than to a “Protestant Church.” • b. This strategy does not require large educational buildings • c. Informality of the groups is conducive to the communication of the Gospel.

44. > P E O P L E G R O U P M O D E L S F O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G Sponsorship Styles • Majority Culture Church starts Ethnic Church within its own building STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS

45. > P E O P L E G R O U P M O D E L S F O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G Sponsorship Styles • Majority Culture Church starts Ethnic Church at another location STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS

46. > P E O P L E G R O U P M O D E L S F O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G Sponsorship Styles • Majority Culture Church & Ethnic Church Join to start an ethnic mission STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS

47. > P A R E N T I N G M O D E L S F O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G Mother - Satellites STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS

48. > P A R E N T I N G M O D E L S F O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G Sponsoring Church • Revitalization Project (an established church helps a small one to grow) STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS

49. > P A R E N T I N G M O D E L S F O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G Sponsoring Church • Reclamation Project (an established church helps a dying church to be rebirth into a church of a different culture) STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS

50. > P A R T N E R I N G M O D E L S F O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G Multi-Congregational Model (One church, several congregations) STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS