USA (MNN) — Cornerstone University's Grand Rapids Theological Seminary is gearing up for their annual Global Learning Center Symposium to be held February 9th. This year, the symposium is offering some very practical steps to help Christians more effectively develop multi-cultural relationships globally, in churches and in neighborhoods.
"This year's theme is 'One Church. Many Cultures,'" says Dr. David Livermore, Executive Director of the Global Learning Center. "We're actually combining with the Seminary's Talking Points (a semi-annual forum designed to bring thoughtful
perspectives on current ministry topics). And it's going to be a full day of interacting about how culture affects the way we do ministry in the 21st century world, whether that's in the USA or Timbuktu."
Pastor Bob Roberts, pastor of Northwood Church in Dallas, Texas (USA), will be one of the keynote speakers. His church has planted more than 80 churches around the world. Mark DeYmaz, author of Building a Multi-Ethnic Church, will also be part of the symposium.
Livermore says, "As I interact with pastors. counselors and ministry workers in more rural areas, they're telling me about the growing diversity they're having there, whether it be refugees who are settling there, or migrant farm workers who are staying year-round."
This presents challenges in ministry.
Livermore says with more people from around the world moving to the USA, this symposium could help Christians reach out. "I anticipate us offering people some very practical steps for what you actually do to become a church that's more welcoming, or a ministry that's more welcoming to people from culturally diverse backgrounds."
