A Guide to International Church Ministry: Pastoring A Parade

by Jack Wald

Overview

A Guide to International Church Ministry: Pastoring a Parade explores the unique dynamics of international churches. In a diverse congregation with many nationalities, denominational perspectives, and continual turnover, pastors and leaders face distinct challenges. Drawing on the experience of 24 international church pastors and leaders, this guide gives practical insights about how these dynamics affect daily life and ministry. It will encourage people who are involved in international church ministry and help inspire others to consider this rich and rewarding ministry.

Topics include:

- Benefits of international churches

- Challenges of pastoring an international church

- What makes a good international church pastor

- How the unique dynamics of international church affect:

            - preaching

            - teaching

            - worship

            - member care

            - fellowship

            - governance

            - and more

- Lessons for churches in the US

This book will be especially helpful to:

- those who are active in the leadership of international church ministry

- those who are exploring the possibility of international church ministry

 - those who serve on a board of an international church

- national churches who want to be open to the diversity of their community

- mission agencies who want to see how international churches can help overseas workers and their families to have longer and more effective terms

 

Jack Wald has served as pastor of Rabat International Church, in the capital city of Morocco, for sixteen years.

 

Here is what some international church pastors are saying:

Louwrens Scheepers, former pastor of an international church in Fez, Morocco

If I had this guide in my hands before coming to Morocco, it would have made our transition into Morocco so much easier. This is not only a guide for pastors, it will also be helpful to those who know they are going to a foreign country and want to join an international church. All the practical illustrations from pastors in different contexts help to make this guide a very helpful tool for anyone involved in an International Church.

 

John Mullen, pastor of an international church in Prague, Czech Republic

Nineteen years ago I jumped blindly into international church ministry. How fortunate are those who have the opportunity to read this guide before they jump. Most international pastors do not last long on the field. Ironically, stable pastoral leadership is more needed in an international church context where lay leaders are rotating through. I believe this guide will go a long way to give leaders the footing and grounding needed to serve long-term in an international church ministry.

Barry Gaeddert, former pastor of an international church in London, England

I wish that this book had been available to me when I started as pastor of an international congregation 8 years ago. I am grateful for Jack's research and pastoral insights through which many new international pastors can learn the way forward in 'pastoring a parade'.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780972461689
Publisher:	John R Wald III
Publication date:	02/10/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	204
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Jack Wald has served as pastor of Rabat International Church, in the capital city of Morocco, for sixteen years. He describes these years as the best years of his life and this book comes our of an analysis of why those years have been so rich. This book draws on the experience of twenty-three other international church pastors and leaders who added their contributions to the insights of this book.

Table of Contents

PREFACE CHAPTER ONE What Is an International Church? A Brief History of International Churches A Brief History of Rabat International Church Makeup of the RIC Community What Is Life Like in an International Church? CHAPTER TWO What Is the Difference Between an International Church and a National Church? Fewer Options Diversity Transitional Minority Faith CHAPTER THREE How International Church Distinctives Affect Church Life Preaching Illustrations Broaden Cultural References Word Choices Accents Translation Preaching from a Manuscript Cultural Points of View World Views Transition Theological Sensitivity Core Issues Sharing the Pulpit Teaching Rapidly Changing Demographics Flexibility in Programs Adult Sunday School Short Series Men's Bible Study Worship Flexibility in Worship Openness to New Forms of Worship Embracing Other Cultures Visiting Teams Adapting to Varying Levels of Skill Joint Services Balance in Leadership Member Care / Counseling Counseling Long-Termers versus Short-Termers Being Viewed As Pastor Rapid Integration of Gifts Volunteers Loose Cannons Fellowship Tensions Language Barriers Favoritism Potlucks-"Bring&Share" Social Media Church Home Prayer Cultural Praying in Another Language Church Governance Keep It Simple-Make It Flexible Selection of Board Members Pastor's Role as a Leader Expectations Based on Previous Church Experience Continuity Record History of Conflicts and Other Major Decisions Membership Necessary Informality Finances Record Keeping Benefit of a Pastor Raising Support Faith Growing Weddings and Funerals Missions-Proselytism-Evangelism Missionaries Evangelism Sand Castle Ministry Social Ministry Outreach Migrants CHAPTER FOUR Benefits of an International Church Unity A More Pure and Complete Gospel Focus on the Core A Preview of Heaven Healthy Place for a Pastor High Peer Level of Spiritual Maturity Minority in Dominant Religious Culture People in Transition Can Be More Open to the Gospel and Spiritual Growth People from Persecuted Countries Are More Free to Respond to the Gospel Influence on National Church Leaders CHAPTER FIVE Challenges of Pastoring an International Church Stress of Living Overseas Stress of Diversity The Pain of Saying Goodbye CHAPTER SIX What Makes a Good International Church Pastor? Call to the International Church Flexibility Not Dogmatic Relational Encourager Grounded and Secure / Open in Relationship with God World Citizen Longevity Accountability Associate Pastors CHAPTER SEVEN An Interaction with Two International Pastors Size Choice Nationals in Church CHAPTER EIGHT Lessons for Churches in the U.S. Why Have International Churches Received So Little Attention? The International Church Has Come to the U.S. The International Church: A Challenge to the Homogeneous Unit Principle Three Challenges for National Churches from International Churches Taking on the Heart of Jesus for the World Becoming an International Christian: The Need to Change Our Identity Becoming God's People: Breaking Down Barriers Three Ways National Churches Can Benefit from the Experience of International Churches How to Minister to Diversity Flexibility in Worship Focus on the Core of the Gospel WHY WE LOVE INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES APPENDIX Theological Reflections Trinity Community Unity Diversity Translation Core of Faith Disenculturation Pilgrimage Aliens Living in the Present ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BIBLIOGRAPHY