REACHING & CONGREGATING HISPANIC AMERICANS Evangelizing Hispanics ßI. Preparation Needed ßA....

REACHING & CONGREGATING

HISPANIC AMERICANS

Evangelizing Hispanics

I. Preparation NeededA. Awareness of ReceptivityB. Change of AttitudeC. Understanding of Roman Catholic

Doctrines Regarding SalvationD. Understanding of Decision Making

Process


I. Preparation Needed

A. Awareness of Receptivity

Hispanics and Denominations

Percent Catholic | Protes/Evang | Other Christian | Other Faiths | Secular


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


B. Change of AttitudeOnly 22% of Catholics have an unfavorable

attitude toward Evangelicals But 36% Evangelicals have an unfavorable

attitude toward CatholicsDo we need to change our attitude? We are not

talking about accepting their doctrines but about loving them and leading them to Christ

42% 22% 36%Evangelical Christians

Catholics

Catholic Hispanics Views of Evangelical Christians

Percent Favorable | Unfavorable | No Opinion

55% 36% 9%

Evangelical Christians

Catholics

Evangelical Hispanics Views of Roman Catholics

Percent Favorable | Unfavorable | No Opinion


C. Understanding of Roman Catholic Doctrines of Salvation

Evangelizing HispanicsThe 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 churchIII. Uncertain – there is no assurance Source: Sharing the Good News with Roman Catholic Friends


D. Understanding the Decision-Making Process

Decision-Making Process(Like Nicodemus)

DISCOVERY DELIBERATION DECISION DISSONANCEDISCIPLESHIP

Source: David Hesselgrave

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


II. Effective Strategies

A. Kinship/Friendship Evangelism

B. Meetings in Homes

C. Utilizing Bible Studies



A.Kinship/Friendship Evangelism

How Hispanics Hear About The Gospel

First heard about the new religion from:

Hispanic Evangelical Converts

In what efforts do we concentrate?

Family Member 45% __%

Friend 31% __%

Church Member 11% __%

Radio/Television 3% __%

Self-Discovery, other, or declined to comment

Source: LifeWay Research Center

10% __%

Willingness to receive information through…

personal conversation from a family member

21%15%

39%

25%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Very Unwilling SomewhatUnwilling

SomewhatWilling

Very Willing

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


personal conversation with a friend or neighbor from the church

24%19%

34%23%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


SomewhatWilling

Very Willing

Hispanic Americans



visit to your door by a member of that church or faith

community

53%

22% 18%7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


SomewhatWilling

Very Willing

Hispanic Americans


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

Evangelizing Hispanics“Hispanics respond favorably to a faith that is

characterized by:

1. A clear affirmation of God’s transcendence,

2. Strong convictions about God’s will in matters of morality founded on biblical teachings,

3. A confidence in God’s power to work miracles and especially heal,

4. 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



C. Utilizing Bible Studies (Fellowships)

A Resource: Daniel R. Sanchez, Gospel in the Rosary: An Evangelistic Bible Study Series

Spanish version: Evangelio en el Rosario.


Group Participate in Prayer Groups at least monthly

Read the Bible at least weekly

Catholics 31% 27%

Evangelicals 75% 78%


II. Effective StrategiesD. Pre-Evangelistic Events

Block PartiesDramas, Concerts (Christmas Season) Films (Jesus Film at Lenten Season)Gifts of KindnessVacation Bible School


II. Effective StrategiesE. Ministries

ESLCitizenshipJob TrainingTutoring

Times you have been more open to considering matters of faith

Have you been more open to considering matters of faith during any of the following times in your life?

During the Christmas holiday season

49%During the Easter holiday season

38%After a major national crisis such as 9/11

41%After a natural disaster

38%After the birth of a baby

34%At the start of a war or int’l tension

26%During an economic downturn

28%During the Fall/ back-to-school season

12%During the Summer holiday season

12%

Among Hispanics

CONGREGATIONALIZING HISPANICS

A variety of church types is needed to reach all of the segments of the Hispanic

population

Changing Faiths: Latino and Religious the Transformation of American Religion

I. Some Need To Be Distinctively HispanicTwo thirds attend Hispanic-oriented worship

with:1. Latino clergy2. Services available in Spanish (bilingual) 3. Heavily Latino congregations.


Those who attend Hispanic oriented services:77% are Foreign Born Hispanics 48% are Native Born Hispanics (p.6)For these, culture and language go togetherFamily loyalty also keeps them together(Grandparents, parents, children)


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)

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

AffiliationAffiliation 11STST GenerationGeneration

22ndnd GenerationGeneration

33rdrd GenerationGeneration

CatholicCatholic 74%74% 72%72% 62%62%

EvangelicalEvangelical 15%15% 20%20% 29%29%

Types of Assimilation

Type of Assimilation Characteristics Implications

Cultural Learning the language, basic customs, dress styles, business practices necessary to function.Having most celebrations with family & friends of their own cultural group

Due to the fact that they have retained a large portion of their culture and function better in Spanish, they are more attracted to Hispanic-oriented churches

Structural Having a greater understanding of the English language. Developing meaningful friendships with persons outside their own culture. Joining the social institutions of the predominant society

Due to the fact that they are fluent in English and are a part of social institutions that are mostly Anglo, it is quite natural for them to be attracted to Anglo congregations.


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 tradition3. Feel ignored by the Catholic Church

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.”

Catholics

68% of Latinos identify as Catholics68% 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

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


III. Some need to be English-Speaking, Anglo-Cultural Churches that have a sensitivity for the Hispanic Culture

1. The more assimilated Hispanics feel comfortable in this type of setting

2. Many of these live and work alongside Anglos, therefore, going to church with them is quite natural

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


“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)


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.


I. What’s the starting point? A. Begin with existing churches1. 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.


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”


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


B. Examine Church Planting Models1. Observation: The largest Hispanic churches use

home-based groupsa. Hispanics (R. Cath) go to a home quicker than to a

“Protestant Church.”b. This strategy does not require large educational

buildingsc. Informality of the groups is conducive to the

communication of the Gospel.

Sponsorship Styles

Majority Culture Church starts Ethnic Church within its own building

P E O P L E G R O U P M O D E L SF O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G

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STARTING REPRODUCING CONGREGATIONS | CHAPTER 5 | PREPARE: STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS

Sponsorship Styles

Majority Culture Church starts Ethnic Church at another location


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Sponsorship Styles

Majority Culture Church & Ethnic Church Join to start an ethnic mission


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Mother - Satellites

P A R E N T I N G M O D E L SF O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G

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Sponsoring Church

Revitalization Project (an established church helps a small one to grow)


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Sponsoring Church Reclamation Project (an established church helps a dying

church to be rebirth into a church of a different culture)


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Multi-Congregational Model

(One church, several congregations)

P A R T N E R I N G M O D E L SF O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G

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Church Planting Movements(Multiplication of congregations)

P R O P A G A T I O N M O D E L SF O R C H U R C H S T A R T I N G

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B. Examine Church Planting Models2. Church Planting Models in Cuba

Pertinent to us:a. Hispanic cultural (R. Catholic background)b. Existing churches – did not start from scratchc. Mainly urban setting – most U.S. Hispanics

now live in urban settingsd. Have experienced transitions in their lives

Source: Daniel Gonzalez, Modelo Cubano de Reinocrecimiento, 2008

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Local ChurchGrowth

Mutiplication (Missions)

Program-Based Traditional Church

Worship

Traditional Church With Small Groups

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Homes

Schools

Work

Public Places

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Small Groups Church Building

Cell-Based Church With Building

House

School

Work

Small GroupsOr Cells

Building

Publid Places

HouseHouse

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Celebration

Administration

Cell Church Without Building

Homes

Schools

Work

Small GroupsOr Cells

Public Places

HomesHomes

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Celebration

Administration?

House Church Traditional Structure

Homes Homes

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Multiplication (Missions)

House Church Network Under Established Church’s Umbrella

CHURCH UMBRELLAANCHOR

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

FellowshipHomes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

House Church Network Under Association’s Umbrella

ASSOCIATIONGroup of Churches

HomesWorship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

FellowshipHomes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

House Church NetworkUnder Constituted House Church

HOUSECHURCH

HomesWorship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Ministries

Fellowship

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

PRINCIPLES1. Prayer – specific & concerted 2. Small-groups (homes, garages, carports,

apartments, etc.) in networks3. Reproduction in their DNA (every church

planter has an apprentice)4. Evangelism & Church Plating follow

kinship & friendship lines

PRINCIPLES5. Utilize a variety of workersI. Strategy Coordinators

A. Catalytic – involve othersStudy where churches are neededEnlist sponsoring churchesEnlist church planting teamsTrain the teamsEncourage the work of the teams

B. Responsible for areas (communities, cities)

PRINCIPLES5. Utilize a variety of workersII. Church Planters

A. Encargados (In Charge of a house church)B. Obreros Laicos (Lay Leaders) C. Pastores Laicos (Lay Pastors)D. Pastores Ordenados (Ordained Pastors)

PRINCIPLES6. Recognition of each level of leader

A. Encargados (Commissioned by a Church)B. Obreros Laicos (Licensed Worker) C. Pastores Laicos (Licensed Pastor)D. Pastores Ordenados (Ordained Pastors)

PRINCIPLES7. On-going training for each level of

leadershipMeet on a weekly basisLearn as they serve

8. Flexibility: “Estrategia Criolla” (Creole Strategy) Some house churches become sponsoring churches of a

network of house churchesSome use a modified form of cell groups & gather

members regionally for celebration (worship)

PRINCIPLES9. Small Groups carry on the functions of a

church (Acts 2: 40-47) WorshipEvangelismDiscipleshipMinistryFellowship

10. Boldness in sharing the Gospel and starting churches

OBSERVATIONS1. By utilizing lay church planters and being

willing to meet in whatever places are available, they have overcome two of the major limitations for church planting multiplication.

2. By using simple methods of evangelism and church planting (i.e., Participative Bible, Informal Worship & Fellowship), they have enabled reproduction of simple churches.

Baptists in Cuba

1995 2008 Increase

Traditional Churches

238 672 Doubled

Missions 353 1,232 Tripled

House Churches 1,369 4,391 Tripled

Total Churches

Members of Traditional Churches

1,960

13,358

6,295

44,220

Tripled

Tripled

Assemblies of God in Cuba

1990 1995 1998 2001 2005 2008

Churches 89 300 350 650 866 2,418

Churches in Homes

0 850 1,650 3,780 6,406 6,698

Members 12,000 40,000 85,000 100,000 164,000 309,692

Adherents 35,000 30,000 30,000 166,640 263,500

Total 12,000 75,000 115,000 130,000 331,439 573,192

Assemblies of God in Cuba

Our Challenge

1. The Hispanic American population is continuing to grow exponentially. The US has the 2nd largest concentration of Hispanics in the world.

2. Hispanics are more receptive to the Gospel than ever before. 20% “Protestant or Evangelical.” (3rd Generation – 30%)

Our Challenge3. We have more resources than ever before

More studies are availableMore successful church planting models

4. There are more opportunities for partnerships than ever beforeHispanic churches Anglo churchesAfrican American churchesOthers

Our Challenge5. We are seeing a mighty movement of the

Spirit of God in many parts of the world. In China, India, Africa, Latin America

thousands are coming to Christ and thousands of churches are being planted

Many Christians are earnestly praying that this will happen on a large scale here in America in our day.

Our ChallengeHow are we going to respond to the challenge

of reaching and congregating Hispanics?

What will future generations say? (Churchill)

REACHING & CONGREGATING HISPANIC AMERICANS Evangelizing Hispanics ßI. Preparation Needed ßA....

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