The Assembly and the Challenges of Cultural Diversity

The global movement of people is a complex, emotionally charged, and sometimes tragic issue. Today, it is estimated that there are over 280 million international migrants,¹often driven by the pursuit of better economic opportunities or education, or sadly, in some cases, because of conflict, violence, or persecution.² Many biblical characters were migrants. Some were forcibly displaced, such as Joseph, Daniel, Ezekiel, Esther, and Mordecai in the Old Testament,³and Aquilla and Priscilla in the New Testament. Others like Naomi and Ruth, or Jacob and his family when they moved to Egypt, were economic migrants.⁴ Paul and his fellow workers travelled abroad for positive reasons, to spread the gospel and advance the work of God. In many examples, the purposes of God were worked out, often in profound ways shaping the course of history. It is moving to consider that the Lord Jesus, as an infant, was also taken by his parents to seek refuge in Egypt to escape Herod’s massacre of infants in Bethlehem.⁵

From the outset, the New Testament church was an international community, Acts 2. 9-11, which became increasingly multicultural as the gospel spread around the world.⁶ Early assemblies, such as Corinth and Ephesus,⁷ were often established along major trade routes, and were places of rich cultural, ethnic, and social diversity because of the movement of people. This diversity could lead to tensions, and the New Testament letters are full of practical advice on how to navigate the challenges of multicultural communities. Here we consider some challenges that face us today.

Moving away from home

Many people move abroad in search of better financial opportunities, higher education, or to support their extended families. However, believers may often find themselves under severe financial constraints due to a combination of high living costs compared to home, inflated fees for international students, and false promises of securing wellpaid employment.⁸ In some cases, significant financial help is needed from family back home, or large loans are taken out to facilitate the move.

The reality of life in a new country can be far from what was expected. Often, only low-paying jobs with long, unsociable hours are available. For students, the financial investment can put immense pressure on succeeding academically and passing exams. A further burden is the expectation that parents and the wider family at home will be supported, and communities at home may be critical if this expectation is not met, without understanding the financial constraints believers may be under.

When receiving believers from overseas into fellowship we need to be mindful of their specific circumstances and the impact of the move they are making. Many of these believers face significant challenges behind the scenes, and it is easy to make surfacelevel judgements. We need to be welcoming and give people time to settle. Awareness, understanding, compassion, and prayer are essential, along with creating a supportive spiritual environment for those facing such pressures. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ’, Gal. 6. 2.

Settling into a local assembly

When believers move to a new country it may be unsettling to experience a very different culture. It can be a great blessing to meet Christians who share a common love for the Lord Jesus and are like-minded in their understanding of the word of God. However, differences may be encountered compared to home even amongst Christian communities. These could include the time and day of the week when meetings fall,⁹expectations around what might be deemed appropriate or respectable dress when attending meetings, the use of musical instruments (or not) during worship, the choice and style of hymns, and the level of structure or formality in meetings. These differences can sometimes make believers feel ‘homesick’ for their former fellowship.

For the receiving assembly, these challenges offer an opportunity for deeper reflection. As in Acts chapter 17 verse 11, it may be necessary to search the scriptures to determine whether certain practices are scriptural or merely cultural. There may be a need for open conversations, rooted in scripture, to foster understanding when the manner of gathering is questioned. Misunderstandings may also arise around terminology. For instance, in some parts of the world, the word ‘assembly’ is often associated with Pentecostal movements. A letter of commendation can greatly help elders in the receiving assembly understand a believer’s background and avoid unnecessary questioning when welcoming them into fellowship.

Finding a spiritual home and getting involved

Many believers move to Western countries drawn by the prospect of better economic opportunities. However, decades of moral and spiritual decline have affected companies of God’s people. Believers may find themselves moving from regions where assemblies number in the hundreds to smaller gatherings in the West with a higher proportion of older believers. This shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. In smaller assemblies, believers are more visible and accountable. What might go unnoticed in larger congregations - such as arriving late, children making noise, or missing meetings - can stand out in a smaller company. However, the close-knit nature of smaller assemblies offers an opportunity for deeper, more meaningful fellowship. Believers from overseas can also have a profound positive impact by actively engaging in the spiritual life of an assembly.

Language barriers may be a hurdle, especially in gatherings where local accents may make communication more of a challenge. It is important for local believers to speak clearly and offer support, encouraging brothers from other countries to participate, whether through short prayers, scripture readings, or selecting hymns at first. The prayers of younger or new local believers can also be a great help in enabling brothers from other countries to find their feet.

God has placed great importance on the family unit, Col. 3. 18-21, but this can be expressed very differently across cultures, for example the role of parents in the marriage of a son or daughter. Regular family devotional times, that are common in the home country, may continue online after relocation. However, there may also be an expectation that believers prioritize these family devotions, even over local church gatherings. The dynamic between brothers and sisters may be different between cultures and this can be a challenge for both single and married believers. The role of sisters is important and an approach by a godly sister in clarifying any doubts or concerns to sisters arriving from overseas can be very helpful.

It is vital for believers arriving from overseas to overcome barriers of politeness and deference, which may come from a deep respect for older generations. This can be an issue when addressing older believers who may need to clarify whether their first name can be used. The tendency to say ‘yes’ can be cultural, as saying ‘no’ may be construed as being unhelpful or rude. Believers from overseas may not feel comfortable in expressing their thoughts, with disagreements and resentment remaining buried. As with all those in the assembly, it is helpful to show hospitality and spend time with people away from the assembly gatherings to better understand the needs and circumstances of God’s people. As well as invitations to the home this could also include assembly days out, fellowship meals, or extended opportunities for fellowship after meetings have taken place.

The testimony of unity and diversity

We are naturally inclined to gravitate toward people who are similar to us, which can lead to the formation of cliques among believers either from the home country or from the same region. More seriously, this tendency can sometimes result in the establishment of separate assemblies, potentially even with meetings being held in different languages.¹⁰We should remember that God never intended local assemblies to be monocultural. As always, the scriptures provide clear guidance.

In the early chapters of Acts, the world witnessed something it had never seen before. With the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost a new living entity was brought into existence, the church, the body of Christ, Acts 2. This diverse community, vv. 9-11, was united in acknowledging Jesus as ‘both Lord and Christ’, v. 36, and grew increasingly closer in their shared appreciation of Him. They continued ‘stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers’, v. 42. They were committed, not only to attending the breaking of bread, but also Bible teaching meetings, where God can speak to us, and prayer meetings, where we can speak to God. We also read, ‘and all that believed were together, and had all things common’, v. 44. Their practical love for each other was a testimony to the world of the transforming power of the love of Christ to break down cultural barriers.

The world has hijacked the concept of diversity, yet diversity is God’s idea. Just as God, in creation, filled the earth with life, colour, and variety in the natural world, He desires diversity in the spiritual realm as well. We are called, as members of the body of Christ, to express both diversity and unity, 1 Cor. 12-14. Each of us has a unique role in this body and a spiritual gift to contribute. In this, we demonstrate the beauty of God’s design: a unified yet diverse church, empowered by the Holy Spirit and centred on Christ.