Pastors, do you want a multi-cultural congregation?

Then you can’t tell jokes or give analogies that only your race will understand. If your congregation is Chinese then jokes and references to Beijing won’t make sense to non-Chinese. They will feel disconnected and not want to attend your church. You might as well speak Mandarin. If your congregation is African-American there are some things other cultures won’t get. They will also feel like “we don’t fit in here” and “we feel stupid” or “what did he say, why is everyone else laughing”. Really, love on and joke with your people off-line, one-on-one, that’s more personal and real anyway. Then that person will feel a connection with you personally. Also, if you are Japanese but you are able to be like and joke with the Chinese then joke with them in their cultural way off-line – that will connect you to them. Also, you must train your leadership (ushers, greeters, elders, ministers, musicians, teachers, your biological family and extended family - ouch, etc.) to be unbiased toward ANY race. What’s at the top will flow to the people. If there’s a problem trying to grow your congregation multi-culturally then look at the top. Prejudice is ugly and painful.