congregational development / social services ministries...

The Current Latino/Hispanic “Iceberg”

1/3 of the L/H population = Immigrant and First Generation Latinos, and the primary focus of Episcopal Latino/Hispanic ministry

2/3 of Latinos = the Multi-Generation Latinos, 2nd Generation on up. Not normally part of Epis. L/H ministry

“Trans-Generation” L/H ministry recognizes the need to address the entire Hispanic population, rather than just the tip of the iceberg.

1 American Latino Evangelization OutreachR

Existing Models of

Latino/Hispanic Ministry • Predominantly in Spanish

• Principally carried out as adjunct or linked to Anglo

congregations • Focused overwhelmingly on liturgical/congregational

development • Overwhelmingly focused on 1st Generation and

Latino/Hispanic immigrants

American Latino Evangelization OutreachR 2

Usual Ministry Pattern of Latino/Hispanic Models, Activities

Stand Alone L/H Congregation This is the exception

• Mostly Mission status, few

parishes

• Satellite worship site or preaching station (rare)

• Few home churches or

small group cells

Those Connected to Anglo Congregations (the norm)

• Spanish Language Service (usually late AM/noon service

• Satellite worship site – the

exception • Direct social services

ministry, or funding to a specific Latino services provider


Some Creative Initiatives Undertaken by Dioceses or Coalition of Parishes

Diocesan Initiative

• Local L/H clergy formation

• Funding to a Social Services or Health Community group

• Funding of a Community/Eco. Development Project

• New Church Plant with an intentional Multicultural flavor, but w/M-GL core

Partnership/Coalition

Of Group of Parishes

• “Barrio” Church Plant

• Funding to Social Services organization for ESL

• Funding to Community/Eco. Development Project

• Funding of Social Services Outreach for Pre-school Educational Program


A New Paradigm: Trans-Generational

Latino / Hispanic Ministry

• Expands current L/H ministry to include Multi-Generation Latinos in both Hispanic or Anglo congregations

• Not lessens focus on existing First Generation/Immigrant Latinos but

recognizes cultural/linguistic differences

• Recognizes that Latino congregations have to expand their evangelization initiatives to intentionally target the 2nd and 3rd generation, English dominant/bicultural Latinos

• Calls for cultural competence among Anglo congregations called to evangelize and minister to Multi-Generational Latinos

• Permits more Anglo clergy to engage directly in this English-driven, Latino cultural ministry previously closed due to Spanish-only requirement


Who can participate in this Expanded Trans-Generational

Latino / Hispanic Ministry?

• Existing Latino congregations willing to add an English service to their worship schedule (considerable resistance due to cultural differences)

• Anglo congregations called to diversify their constituency to invite M-GL’s to their regular English services.

• Anglo congregations with existing Latino congregations which can facilitate a “bridge” ministry between M-GL’s and First Gen. L/H’s.

• A diocese willing to start a multicultural church plant, focusing on Multi-Generation Latinos & other racial and ethnic groups

• M-GL’s seeking a more tolerant sacramental and liturgical church but

which are unaware that the Episcopal Church exists


Who can Participate in this Tran- Generation Ministry?(2)

• Campus and Canterbury ministries and college/university related congregations with a ready made “inventory” of M-GL’s nearby

• Congregations with a vibrant, evangelization-minded EYC willing to invite high school age M-GL’s and engage in “radical Invitation and hospitality”

• Specific congregational ministries which can do special invites: Daughters of the King, Men of St. Andrews, choir groups, parish special event committees/task groups

• Christian formation/Bible studies/book clubs, healing ministries, Prayer groups in parishioner homes, etc.


STRATEGIC THINKING ABOUT M-GL EVANGELIZATION

• M-GL or Trans-Generational ministry, like traditional L/H ministry, does not have a “one-size-fits-all” aspect to it

• Differences exist in the various Latino nationalities re group identity, level of acculturation, linguistic preferences, bicultural and bilingual levels

• Mexican American M-GL’s have the highest comfort level in either attending

an English service or an Anglo congregation

• Bilingual and bicultural, Second Generation L/Hs are a natural bridge between the First Generation Hispanics and the 3rd and 4th generation M-GLs. They are the “Isaacs” between Abraham and Jacob.


STRATEGIC THINKING AOBUT M-GL EVANGELIZATION(2)

• Before committing to expanding to an M-GL ministry strategy, make sure of the make-up of the Latino/Hispanic group which is part of the targeted population or area.

• Depending on the geographical or regional area to be targeted, there has to be a demographic and socio-economic analysis, plus a visual survey conducted of the area in question.

• Such a study might conclude that the best approach to be taken at the moment is one focused on immigrant/First Generation L/H’s.

• This First generation ministry has serious consequences in terms of the need for Spanish-speaking clergy and the subsequent clergy package, congrega-tional development costs, availability of space, Sunday (or Saturday) service times, emotional investment by an Anglo congregation, etc.

• In an Anglo congregation, 2nd generation M-GL’s can engage in bridging the cultural and Spanish language of an immigrant/First Generation Hispanic congregation and the Anglo congregants.


A SAMPLE STRATEGY FOR ANGLO CONGREGATIONS(3)

The Episcopal Church is virtually unknown among the Latinos and Hispanics. We need to communicate who we are and what we represent. We are the best kept secret among the Church denominations.

Therefore a Basic Strategy has to be driven by these factors:

• Communications, especially through the social media for young M-GL’s

• Radical Hospitality, Loving Invitation/Loving Heart

• Engendering a Multi-cultural and Pluralistic environment • Cultural competence of M-GL’s, not necessarily Spanish fluency if not

engaged in First Generation/immigrant ministry

• Getting to know the “Nesting Places” of M-GL’s, e.g., Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, GI Forum, Lulac, (and other L/H fraternal and civic groups)



• Take advantage of existing relationships with M-GL’s:

Many members of an Episcopal congregation know M-GLs who are peers, co-workers, neighbors, or have business or trade relationships with persons looking for a community to belong to and build a relationship. We just don’t think of them for inviting. Intentional Invitation fo those we know.

• Fold M-GL ministry into a robust, general Hospitality Ministry

An Intentional Hospitality Ministry that aims at all people, but is particularly focused on identifying and inviting Multi-Generational Latinos, African Americans, Asians, etc. is a win-win all around.

• Caveat: Most M-GL’s do not want to segregate themselves in a separate

church service. Young M-GL’s seek “Multiculturalism” and Pluralistic lifestyles



Target those who are seeking a change of worship and liturgical home and who seek the church “Assets” offered by the Episcopal

Church: e.g.

• M-GLs who are still tied religiously to the Sacraments, the focal point of the Eucharist, and the ritual drama characteristic of the Episcopal Church.

• M-GLs who are fleeing a religious environment characterized by an authoritarian religious structure, theology, doctrinal absoluteness and intolerance.

• Latinos who intermarry with Anglos are also looking for a worshipping home that appeals to the “catholicity” of either spouse or partner and the “Protestant” tradition of the other.



• Multi-Generational Latinos undergoing a Life-Changing Event:

-- divorce or separation, death of spouse/partner – seeking a Singles group or a dinner group

– loss of employment, family ties or living alone

– public acknowledgement of LGBT lifestyle and identity

– starting of sobriety, seeking a place to heal and be safe



Target college and high school age M-GLs who already have a peer relationship with Anglo members of a congregation or

Episcopal related ministry: e.g.,

• Expansion of Campus Ministry and Canterbury ministry to target M-GLs to introduce them to the Episcopal Church

• EYC ministry campaign to invite M-GL high school students to fellowship and service and social services project events, outings, mission trips, special Christian formation activities, etc.



Rationale: Young M-GLs and First Generation Latinos, Anglos, African-Americans, Asians, and other “Ethnics” already rub elbows, mingle with, date, and generally have school peer relationships that can be the basis for invitation and hospitality.

Schools and colleges represent what the future of the Episcopal Church might look like.


What is Required for Congregational Development?

• Occasional different music, or adding an additional service that has a Latino flavor and an upbeat sound

• Liturgical Adaptations or a variety of Liturgical formats from available resources

• Willingness to Change to accommodate new people and cultures

• Intentional Resolve to add a Multi-Cultural Component or become a congregation known for having an inviting multilingual service


What is Required for Congregational Development (2)

• Willingness to engage in Radical Hospitality, Invitation, and Welcoming

• Willingness of significant percentage of congregants to be willing to experiment and be comfortable in Relationship Building

• Cultural competence to feel comfortable including M-GL congregants who are English-dominant and acculturated, even peer equals.


Latino/Hispanic Congregation

-- Addition of New Bilingual Service combining Spanish-speaking and 2nd Gen. Latinos

-- Creation of Small Groups: Bible Study, Prayer Groups, Healing Ministry.

-- Developing of a Dual-Track Congregation composed of an English Language Service, parallel to the existing Spanish Language

Connected to Anglo Congregation

-- Creating a Culturally-Based M-GL ministry composed of a group of congregants open to a new liturgical adaptation or service -- Off site gathering of Small Groups: Bible Study, Prayer Groups, Healing Ministry, etc. -- Offering of a multicultural Service with significant M-GL Inclusion.

INCREMENTAL M-GL MINISTRY for:


Where do we find models of Trans-Generation

Latino/Hispanic Ministry at work? • The Rev. Anthony Guillén, Officer for Latino/Hispanic Ministry,

National Episcopal Church Center: [email protected]

• The Rev. Al Rodriguez, American Latino Evangelization Outreach (ALEO). Project funded by the Fellowship Partner Program, Episcopal Church Foundation. [email protected], 512/695-6696

• Paul the Missionary doing his ministry among the Hellenized Jews. Isaac, the son of an undocumented father in a strange land

• Daniel Rodriguez, Author: “Future of the Latino Church”

• Your setting: We are literally in the ground floor of Trans-Generation L/H Ministry. Your ministry experiment, guided by the Holy Spirit, will succeed only if you take the first step


mailto:[email protected]

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LINKS

• Daniel A. Rodriguez, A Future for the Latino Church: Models for Multilingual, Multi-Generational Hispanic Congregations

• Pew Hispanic Center, Pew Research Hispanic Trends Project, Chronicling Latinos Diverse Experience in a Changing America, www.pewhispanic.org:

--Statistical Portraits: Statistical Portrait of Hispanics in the U.S. 2011 --“When Labels don’t fit: Hispanics and Their Views of Identity, Wednesday, April 4, 2012 --Demography: 05.01.13, A Demographic Portrait of Mexican Origin Hispanics in the U.S.

• Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries, Episcopal Church Center, www.episcopalchurch.org/sites/default/files/strategic_vision_7-09.pdf

The Episcopal Church Strategic Vision for Reaching Latinos/Hispanics, July 2009

• Ruth Enid Zambrana, Latinos in American Society: Families and Communities in Transition, Chapters 1, 2 and 9


http://www.pewhispanic.org

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sites/default/files/strategic_vision_7-09.pdf



CONTACT INFORMATION

The Rev. Albert R. Rodriguez [email protected]

512/695-6696

¡GRACIAS!


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