Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Petr Činčala

Second Advisor

Bjorn Ottesen

Third Advisor

Sergo Namoradze

Abstract

Problem

The three multicultural, multi-ethnic (MCME) churches in my district were facing tension among members from diverse cultures, ethnicities, countries of origin, and languages. Factions formed cliques and vied for leadership roles, while some groups appeared to dominate the worship services. Certain members became upset when people with difficult accents from specific language groups led out in services and could not be understood. Others shared their distinctive foods only within their own groups. Some members felt isolated and believed they lacked a voice.

Method

Nine seminars and workshops were organised to raise awareness among the MCME congregants about the causes of tension among different cultural and ethnic groups and the potential solutions to reduce these tensions. As we are all part of God’s family, we are to live in peace and harmony with one another as we worship God together. By conducting anonymous surveys and interviews, members could provide data to help me determine whether the workshops were effective in alleviating tension among MCME members in the churches. The issues that needed to be addressed in the presentations included themes such as misunderstandings of how other cultures think and act, prejudice, racism, discrimination—even among people of the same colour— diversity, and differences in human philosophies, worldviews, and values, as well as spiritual identity and spiritual gifts.

By conducting private interviews to reflect on the seminars, I assessed the effectiveness of the training and education. Apart from attending, participants could freely complete the anonymous surveys. Members and regular attendees were free to participate in the surveys. Up to thirty members and regular visitors aged eighteen and over were eligible to participate in the surveys to collect quantitative data for the research. Before the seminars were conducted (the 2021 pre-survey), only twenty-four members participated. In the second survey (post-survey 2022), thirty members took part. In the third survey (postsurvey 2024), twenty-nine members participated. Fifteen members also participated in interviews to gather qualitative data. The data was analysed using a quantitative case study approach complemented by a qualitative study to support the research findings.

Results

The research showed that MCME congregants, although they gave the impression that everything was fine, recognised that much more could be done to learn from one another and share cross-culturally ideas, food, clothing, as well as provide spiritual support by trusting each other as part of the family of God. As stated in the literature review, members realised that we all share 99.98% of the same DNA, and that the remaining 0.02% mainly reflects superficial differences. This realisation brought the MCME groups closer together and led to the conclusion that racism, as a human construct, has no real meaning for division among different groups. Prejudice, bias, and discrimination only exist because people fear the unknown. Through training, they developed a deeper understanding of cultural practices. They were able to recognise the pitfalls of cultural traditions.

Through theological reflection, the MCME members realised that once people have accepted Christ, they should not be defined by their culture. Cultural diversity, after all, is simply people’s differing views on understanding the world in a group setting. These need to be adapted so that we are not politically but spiritually affiliated in and through Christ Jesus. Transformational learning occurred over a two-year period following the seminars. The participants applied the knowledge they had been given, and they seemed to modify their behaviour towards each other based on the new insights gained during training. All the participants acknowledged that, although the information was valuable and meaningful, it needed to be revisited regularly to remain fresh in their minds.

Conclusion

The insights gained from the information shared during the workshops are already being implemented. Applying spiritual principles has led to reduced tension and competition in managing leadership, worship services, and other church activities. By consistently practising what they have learned, they will embody Christ’s character by supporting each other. The wider community will recognise them as disciples or followers of Christ and may be eager to join their peaceful MCME ranks.

Subject Area

Multiculturalism--Religious aspects--Seventh-day Adventists; Multicultural churches--United Kingdom; Church management; Colchester Seventh-day Adventist Church (Colchester, UK); Ipswich Seventh-day Adventist Church (Ipswich, UK); Clackton Seventh-day Adventist Church (Clackton-on-Sea, UK)

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