Synopsis
"Look Who God Let into the Church" is a practical and relevant guide for church leadership and membership alike to understand the multicultural church, and to sharpen its impact in the world. The foreword is written by Dr James E. Plueddemann, PhD, Professor of Missions and Intercultural Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL, and Former International Director of SIM (Serving in Mission). International and multicultural churches are increasing in number around the world, but this work is not new to God. The very first church was not a small country church of one ethnic group, but a large city church with a multicultural congregation. For the Church of today to succeed in its mission of witness and worship, and in forming strong-binding fellowships with one another, the values of God's kingdom must be primary, superior over all individual cultural values. This is the focus of this book: to affirm the biblical standards of church life and to paint a realistic picture of the multicultural challenges the international church presents. David Packer and his wife Lana served as senior pastor and wife of the International Baptist Church of Singapore from 1992-2004, during which time the church grew from 500 in attendance to over 1,500. They are experienced veterans of the challenges and issues of leading a multicultural church. David also holds a doctoral in World Missions from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and has done further studies in culture with the Interchange Institute. This work helps guide the pastor of an international church through the different ways that various cultures can view the gospel, worship, church decisions, and the mission of the church. It is written largely from the background of experience of seeing the growth, development, and challenges of the International Baptist Church of Singapore, where the Packers served. Quotation from the book: "The Great Commission is to take the gospel into all nations and it can be fulfilled through the spread of mono-cultural churches as well as through ethnically diverse churches. It is the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of the word of God that bring about Christian maturity and not merely the experience of being in a multinational church... "Prejudices between ethnic groups are not broken down by segregation. The basic biblical doctrine is that humanity is one in God’s eyes. There is one heaven and one hell. There is one Mediator between God and humanity. There is only one church universal and only one true work of God and one true people of God. Though to seek to bring people from different cultures together in one church is challenging and even hazardous on some levels, to leave this undone brings even more dangers. Is there no place on earth where the Prince of Peace is revealing Himself as the Prince of Peace? Is there no place on earth where the One to whom every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, is bowing together now? "The risks and challenges are real, but so are the dangers of inaction. The human race must realize its essential unity and learn to live together harmoniously. What better place to experience this than among the redeemed of the Lord? The song of redemption and of joy must be sung among the nations, and even if the cadences are expressed differently, the hearts of believers still must be united in thankful praise of our Redeemer. If peace on earth will be a reality before Christ returns, the local church should lead the way as they are enabled by the Spirit of Christ." Chapters: Why the International church?; The Challenge of Continuity; The Power of Experiencing God; The Challenges of Multiculturalism; The Gospel through Different Eyes; Dealing with the Discontent; What I Would Do Differently; Reclaiming the Future. And an appendix: Building A Common Narrative in an International Church.
About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR When David and his wife Lana arrived overseas in southeast Asia in 1980, their hearts were touched by the physical and spiritual needs of the nations. They have served as missionaries in the Philippines, working in two Philippine languages, served as Senior Pastor and wife of the International Baptist Church of Singapore for twelve years, and have served in Europe for the past seven years. He is currently the Senior Pastor of the International Baptist Church of Stuttgart, Germany. During David's twelve years in Singapore, the church grew in weekly attendance from 500 to 1500. Much of this book reflects on that experience in Singapore, but he has served for five years as Senior Pastor of IBC Stuttgart, a fellowship of 50 plus nationalities with approximately 700 in weekly attendance. He and Lana have served short term in international churches around the world, the Middle East, Africa, and Central America. Originally from Dallas, Texas, David has served most of his adult life overseas. He is a graduate of Howard Payne University and has a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry with a focus in World Missions from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. David is the author of several books. They have three grown children, whom they raised overseas, and two grandchildren, so far. The Packers are also the founders of Growth Points International, a ministry dedicated to training and equipping church leaders around the world.
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