Take Intentional Steps
"How sad it is, though, that so many well-meaning believers, attempting to build relationships with others ethnically and economically different than themselves, are unable to confidently invite their acquaintances, co-workers and neighbors to attend church with them. For while the invited guests may come once, it will be obvious in most instances why they will not likely come again. 'It' just doesn’t feel right.
The question is … what exactly is 'it?'
I can say with some confidence that 'it' is not so much the church, itself, or the claims of Christ espoused. Indeed, 'It' will not be the preaching style, the music or the order of service that keeps such guests from coming again. Rather, 'it' is the perception of racism. 'It' is the reality of segregation within the church. 'It' is the feeling minorities know all too well … 'You are not really welcome here.'
The fact is that no one who makes the effort to come to church should ever feel such rejection from local expressions of the body of Christ. If the heart of God is for all people, so should be the collective heart of all those who call themselves one with Him. If He welcomes all people, so should the local church!"
Excerpt from the book, Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church by Mark DeYmaz (Release date - Fall, 2007: Jossey-Bass / Leadership Network)
"Since they do not happen accidentally, it takes work to create and sustain multiracial churches. The few times that the development of the multiracial church was at least partially accidental, members of those churches still worked to sustain the integrated nature of their congregation. Intentionality includes some of the previously documented elements such as altering worship style or developing multiracial leadership, but also is an attitude that values working towards a multiracial atmosphere within the church."
-George Yancey-