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| Early German Immigrants to Texas |
I am a pastor in a part of Texas where there is a big connection to the German immigrants who came here roughly 100-150 years ago. There are still a lot of very German names floating around. We have Oktoberfest and German festivals and some residents still speak German (not as native speakers but more as a nod to their family history). The idea that they come from immigrants is still strong because it's only a couple generations back.
For me though, and I think for a lot of Lutherans, our ethnic heritage is buried much further back in the family tree. We may know our churches come from say German and Swedish Lutherans (two of the biggest groups in Lutheranism) but we rarely identify specifically with one or the other. We think of ourselves as Americans first and foremost. Our ancestors came here at some point in the past, but that was a long time ago and we don't remember them, etc etc. In fact we don't want to be known mainly by our ethnic heritage because we seek to be more diverse than our history and present demographics show us to be. We want to be an inclusive American Lutheran church, not an exclusively German/Swedish/Danish/etc tribal denomination.
However, I wonder if we are losing something in giving up the immigrant church label. Are we forgetting who we are called to welcome and who we are called to reach out to? Like the outsiders, minorities, alien residents, and yes immigrants in our midst? Might there be some strength there we are missing out on? Might this not be a way we welcome the stranger in our midst remembering that we were once strangers as well (to paraphrase God's command in Leviticus 19:34)?
See, I am also living in a part of Texas that is exploding with diversity. Even within the not so diverse ELCA community. At our synod assembly we read some of our worship texts in Spanish, because we have at least a couple Spanish speaking Lutheran congregations (I could not find an exact count, my apologies). We also read texts in Mandarin because we have a Mandarin Speaking Lutheran Congregation as well. The city of Houston, about an hour away from Bellville, is exploding with immigrants from all across the globe. Even our little town is increasingly diverse. While all this presents some challenges for municipalities, I think it presents an unparalleled opportunity for our church communities to reach out and say "You are welcome in the Lutheran church, we know what it's like to be outsiders, to be the "foreigners", we know God is already working with you, can we work with you too?" Other denominations and faith communities are doing this already. There are numerous Pentecostal churches that serve a variety of people and languages. Many Baptists and independent churches have thriving Latino ministries. Even Lakewood Church, Joel Osteen's massive congregation, offers services in Spanish, and offer interpreters for other English services. Can we have a passion for ministry to these communities as well?
Listen I am an idealist but, I know I'm not the first to say this and I'm not the most qualified either. I know not all churches can or will do this. Sadly the resistance to change and unwillingness to welcome the "other" is too strong. Too many people, including me at times, just want to be around more people like themselves. Nor am I trying to be great white church leader telling immigrant minorities "you need to join us Lutherans, we've got God and we've got it right." Rather, what I'm hoping to suggest is that we as Lutherans have a chance to partner with and learn from an already thriving religious community in our newest neighbors. We have an opportunity, to reach out to another group of Christians where God is already at work. And we have a somewhat common history that could, if we let it, allow us to find a common identity with those who, on the surface, may seem so different? It may in fact be the Lutheran church's saving grace after 50 years of decline.
Honestly, I not sure of the best way to move forward, and there are others who should lead you there with their experience, In fact, the voices we need to listen to the most are the voices of the immigrants we hope to partner with. I'm really just trying to write out my own thoughts on this.
For a step first though, perhaps we should try this: Look around your church. Who is not in your pews, but is in your neighborhood? Who is represented in a census, but not in the church rolls? Who are the people who are surely heard by God, but not by your church? Perhaps there is where God is calling you to go next. Perhaps there is future we have been hoping for found at least symbolically, in the past that brought us here to begin with. The path of faithful pilgrims coming to a new place and looking for a community and home.
For a step first though, perhaps we should try this: Look around your church. Who is not in your pews, but is in your neighborhood? Who is represented in a census, but not in the church rolls? Who are the people who are surely heard by God, but not by your church? Perhaps there is where God is calling you to go next. Perhaps there is future we have been hoping for found at least symbolically, in the past that brought us here to begin with. The path of faithful pilgrims coming to a new place and looking for a community and home.
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