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Preaching in Migrant Churches

Understand the complexities of preaching in migrant churches to meet the existential, soulish, and eternal needs of individuals. Learn how to engage with authenticity and passion to make a lasting impact.

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Preaching in Migrant Churches

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  1. Preaching in Migrant Churches Samuel Abeka

  2. To understand who we are preaching to. • To refresh our minds on the purpose of preaching. • Examining our responsibilities as preachers. • How to get into the heart of those we are preaching to. Objectives

  3. Migration is one of the most stressful events that can happen to any human being. • Just the change of country itself comes with it some level of stress. • Others experience varying degrees of trauma • Their state of mind may be determined when you dig a bit deeper. Understanding the context of Migrants

  4. The effect of Double Contextualization Many Christian migrants have become Christians in their country and now have to give new meaning to their Christian faith in the Dutch context for example. This situation sometimes creates doubt in their minds due to some changes that have occurred in Western churches. Some values are no longer held by the host churches.

  5. One can’t be an effective preacher without fully understanding the complexity of challenges facing migrants. • It is necessary so that we can preach through the head into the hearts. • The mind is the battle ground.

  6. Dr. Samuel Lee in his book Blessed Migrants says the Bible is a book of migrations • It has many examples of migration covering all categories: 1. Missional (Abraham) 2. Human trafficking (Joseph) 3. Environmental: for the preservation of a tribe and humanity (Joseph’s brothers and Noah) 4. Domestic work - Naaman’s maid 5. Refugee types -Moses, Daniel, Jesus 6.Naturalized migrant–Ruth/Rahab. Bible- The Book of Migration

  7. Seize attention with your introduction. • Minds are scattered all over • Thus the most important question; why should they listen to you? What are you offering that they should accept? • Ministering to meet needs is Jesus’ way of drawing men to consider eternal truths. Jesus is a Master “Need Meeter” according to Bruce Wilkinson How we should minister in Migrant Churches?

  8. Three Categories of needs

  9. Many are losing the fact that there is an eternal consequence for our existence. Therefore our major goal in preaching is to call them to live for eternity. Failure to acknowledge that makes the preacher either a social worker or a professional. John Piper warned that “brothers we are not professionals…. The world sets the agenda of the professional man; God sets the agenda of the spiritual man.” Preach to save people for eternity. The Eternal need

  10. We preach to real people and they have needs that should be met. What motivates people is much more about the benefits they get as they come to church. Our messages should help solve their domestic needs such as stresses, marital struggles, jobs, financial problems, drugs, health, parenting, communication etc. The existential needs

  11. This is the need that defines a person; the issue of character. • The most neglected part of human existence. • Preach to inform that human nature is prone to sin; we pretend to be normal but deep inside are evil cravings and passions. • Preaching thus helps the process of sanctifying the soul. We should be preaching to effect the change in character and behaviour into the image of Christ. The soulish needs (the depravity management needs):

  12. The responsibility of the Preacher

  13. Assume responsibility for addressing the needs of the people, if not they remain as they are. • Meeting needs require deliberate attempt to know (Bruce Wilkinson). • We should think about how we can meet their existential need both in our sermons and outside of it. • It is the means that can unlock their desire for the other needs. The preacher is responsible for meeting needs

  14. Not all problems may be solved. • Yet they need a life line to hold onto that can sustain them through this journey of life. • We should know how to present the gospel message that surpasses all alternatives. • We should therefore present a compelling message so that they can understand that what God offers is more satisfying than the world. Give Hope

  15. They must believe you are genuine. • Not only must they hear you, they must see it in you. • Due to their experiences most migrants are very suspicious. Be authentic

  16. Use more of narrative texts unless you are ministering to people of high education • Preach with passion ADDITIONS

  17. MIGRANTS are real people with overwhelming problems. Even many who are doing very well in the society are thorn between two worlds. They need the gospel which is the greatest hope for humanity. They need the care that other professionals cannot give which only those called by God can offer. Preachers are commissioned by God to minister beyond their jurisdiction of comfort. Let us reach out to them in the Spirit of love and compassion while pressing home the timeless truth of eternal salvation. Conclusion

  18. Lee, Samuel. Blessed Migrants. Amsterdam: Foundation Press, 2012. • Wilkinson, H. Bruce. The 7 Laws of the Learner. Oregon: Multnomah, 1992. • Piper John, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2013. • Ririhena Simon. Introduction to Theology of Migration. Faculty of Religion and Theology / CThM@2018. Some resources

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