Classes without Quizzes – February 24, 2012

Ministering in Multicultural Environments

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar,
Bishop of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

This seminar will explore the dynamics of ministry in multi-ethnic/multicultural settings.  It will pay attention to both the macro and micro context of ministry to understand the broader picture of ministry in a world of differing faith and world perspectives and address the necessary skills and sensitivity to form community with persons from distinct backgrounds.

God does not belong to one culture.  God is revealed in different ways through different cultures.  In Multicultural environments we are invited to encounter people who come from differing backgrounds in a constructive way so we may see the vision of God’s culture among us.  Ministry in Multicultural environments celebrates our oneness under One Creator as we rejoice in the uniqueness that each nationality, race and culture brings to society.  The seminar will draw upon the wisdom of those who have been engaging in multicultural ministry environments with reference to “best practices” while at the same time underscoring the distinctive Wesleyan tradition of embracing a worldview in the “Catholic (i.e. universal) Spirit.”