Ministry to the Hispanic Community: an Overview

1. Ministry to the Hispanic Community: an Overview By Daniel E. Lopez (281) 744-0644 Ministerios EN PROFUNDIDAD www.enprofundidad.com

2. contents • Analysis of the Hispanic Community • Hispanic Christianity of Houston • Hot Issues in Ministry to Hispanics • Models of Hispanic Ministry • Conclusions

3. defining “hispanic” • 28% of population of Texas is Hispanic. • Between 1980 and 1990 the Hispanic population increased by 75.9% • Currently, the Houston Metropolitan area has over one million Hispanics, with Harris County having the largest concentration (799,000). • 40% are under 20 years of age, and 91% are under 50 years of age. • Three distinct groups: assimilated, semi-assimilated, non-assimilated. … “Hispanics” … or “Latinos”?

4. non-assimilated hispanics • Predominantly Spanish-speaking, and adhere to Hispanic culture in everyday life. Most family members exposed to Spanish media only. Eat the same foods as in their country of origin, mix mainly with other Hispanics, and live in Hispanic neighborhoods. • In virtually all cases, this group is comprised of people that have been born in other countries and have lived in the States less than 10 years. A sizeable number of this group are illegal aliens or are in the process of becoming legal residents. For the most part, non-assimilated Hispanics have a low standard of living. • They comprise 36% of Houston’s Hispanic population. Rather erratic church attendance patterns, very mobile population.

5. semi-assimilated hispanics • Tend to be bilingual, are exposed to both English and Spanish media, although highly age-dependent. Most of them 1st generation that have lived in this country for a long time. Although influenced by both cultures, their allegiance to the Hispanic culture and values is still very high. • They represent 42% of Houston’s Hispanic population. • This group has a higher income level than the first group, and a sizeable number may have college degrees and are entrepreneurs. • Most of them meet in Spanish-speaking churches because of family ties, etc.

6. assimilated hispanics • Either born in the US or have lived in this country most of their lives. Speak English fluently, no discernible accent, may or may not speak Spanish. These people are primarily exposed to English media, and have a lifestyle similar to non-Hispanics. • Mostly 2nd or 3rd generation, attend Anglo churches, and tend to downplay their cultural heritage. • They represent 22% of Houston’s Hispanic population. • There are very few “pure Hispanic churches” that target primarily this segment.

7. the “typical” hispanic church • Was started two years ago. • Has 65 people in attendance. • Meets at a strip mall or facilities of an “Anglo” church. • Pastor is 45 years old, first-generation Hispanic, no College, no theological education. • Changes facilities every 1.5 years. • Has an attrition rate of 50% every 2 years. • Will divide, die or undergo a severe restructuring every 3 years. • Very limited knowledge of legal, financial or church administration issues.

8. hispanic christianity • There are about 500 Spanish-speaking Protestant churches in the Houston area, with a combined attendance of 75,000 any given Sunday. • Pentecostal/Charismatic churches comprise 60%, Baptists 30%, and independent/Bible churches 10%. • Phenomenal growth rate – double membership every three years. • Theologically, most Hispanic churches are non-dispensational, Covenant-oriented,pre-millenial, Arminian view of salvation, fairly legalistic.

9. Ministry Issues • Immigration Issues • Can’t work legally • Can’t get a Social Security Number • Difficulty getting a driver’s license, medical insurance. • Biblical Implications.. • Can they be Christians and remain illegal? • Can they be members of a local church? • Can they be in leadership positions? • Do we send them back home? • At the very least… • Live above reproach • Pay your taxes! (get your ITIN) • Be a good worker in the workplace • Manage your finances wisely (buy a house!) • Pray intentionally to God about your legal status!

10. Ministry Issues • Church management & leadership • Good leaders hard to find • Poor biblical training • Poor knowldege of practical matters • Legality of the local church • Incorporation, bylaws, etc. • No tax-exempt status by the IRS • Poor financial management practices • No long-term strategy • Leadership development • Savings/Investment • Difficult to own facilities.

11. Other Issues • Spiritual growth of believers • Catholic background of believers • Getting saved by “faith, not works” • Living by “faith, not works” • Undue influence of pastor on families • Fellowship-oriented, not evangelistic • Inter-generational problems within the church • A bilingual church? • Cultural problems within the church

12. types of hispanic ministries TYPE I – The Sunday School Class in Spanish Many large Anglo congregations have Sunday School classes in Spanish in parallel with their regular Sunday programs. Many large bodies also have simultaneous translation ministries of Sunday services. This model only purposes to teach content in this language, and there is no stated goal of growing the group, forming leaders or seeding a future spanish-speaking local church. A major disadvantage of this model is that there is no concept of local church, and many class participants do not “feel” part of the bigger church. Consequently, as Christians mature, they usually feel constrained by the lack of a more strategic plan, and they leave. Hence, this model creates a continuous revolving-door mentality.

13. type of hispanic ministries TYPE II – Use of Facilities by Spanish Group This model consists of a large Anglo church renting or allowing the use of part of their facilities to the minority congregation. Usually, this means that the Hispanic main services are held in the afternoon, when the facilities are not being used by the mother church. The great advantage of this model is that the Spanish congregation has the virtually unlimited use of facilities such as gym, kitchen, fellowship hall, nursery, etc. Typically, the Hispanic church functions independently of the host church, and it may not be of the same denomination or have the same doctrinal position. A major disadvantage of this model is that it creates complacency, and it does not encourage good stewardship of financial, human and spiritual resources.

14. the ethnic- missionary approach TYPE III – The Spanish-speaking church development initiative is part of a larger vision for church-planting and mentoring from the mother (anglo) church. This approach recognizes that there is a vast potential existing in the surrounding vicinity for ethnic ministries, and the church implements a carefully crafted strategic plan to start, grow, and later release (spin-off) a Hispanic church to minister as an autonomous entity.

15. What can Bible Churches do? • Connect with Hispanic leaders • Allow the use of facilities (“incubator”) • Partner with an existing hispanic church • Scholarship hispanics for Bible training. • Do a more systematic “Church plant” among a few Bible Churches. • Help with resources, food, clothes etc.

16. Conclusion • Great upside potential in Hispanic ministry • The U.S. is a wide-open mission field • Anglo churches need to recognize opportunities. • Best people to reach Hispanics are Hispanics! • Hispanic churches need to get serious! • Hispanic pastors need to get trained!