For example, in the country where I live, a young American male was killed in a bicycle accident.  Before, his family in the United States could be contacted his body had been cremated which is the common practice and tradition in this country.  The family in the United States was shocked not only because of the sudden death but also that they did not have an opportunity to view their family member.  Viewing in a casket with a funeral service in the church sanctuary was an important cultural tradition for this family, something that was not possible in this case.  Furthermore at the funeral, the driver of the vehicle came with a large cash gift in an envelope for the family.  The family had not been prepared that this may happen; in this culture that is common.  Thankfully because of God’s grace the family could respond in forgiveness.

This case simply highlights that it is important for international church staff and ministers to have a general knowledge of what happens when a person dies and the funeral customs and traditions in the country where they find themselves.  As many of the members of an international church or congregation are expat’s they may not have the general knowledge of the culture if and when a death occurs.

Here are some general suggestions:

Have a list of several funeral directors (morticians) and companies that are comfortable with the death of a Christian.  In some countries where Christians are a minority that may not be easy.  And if possible, find out if there is one or two in particular that have dealt with the death of expat.

Have a general idea of funeral arrangements in the culture where you are located.  As I am a missionary as well and work with a local church and pastor, I have a general idea of a typical Christian funeral in this culture and have attended several.

If you have further ideas or experiences, please comment for other readers.

One of the more difficult challenges for pastors and staff in international congregations is the frequent transition of members and attendees.  When members are at ministry, congregation or house church for a year or two, programming and even worship can be difficult.  From my experience one of the first and foremost falsehoods is:

Assume everyone you ask to serve will stick it out automatically … False! 

People stay in the game because they feel needed and valuable.  An experienced pastor or staff person is the one who can keep the vision and purpose before volunteers at churches and congregations as they go about doing ministry that God has equipped them to do.  It is the responsibility of pastors and staff to provide ongoing training and support. We must reinforce their job descriptions and its boundaries.  Good questions to ask are: “How can I better support you?  How can I make things easier for you?  What tools do you need?” 

We cannot “solve” the frequent transition of members and attendees in international congregations.  But we can make the transitions easier as pastors and staff when we drop the falsehood of assuming during their time with us that they will stay.  Yet, on the other hand, we do not want to be pushing them out the door.  Instead we practice better leadership by keeping the vision before us and stand ready to support our volunteers.  Remember that if volunteers have had a good experience in our ministries, congregations and churches, they will be able to better utilize their gifts to God’s glory in their future ministry homes.

Consequently, international congregations have multicultural staff to meet these particular ministry needs.  This creates unusually as said above — demands but also pressure. 

One demand that many international churches must have are contingency plans not only for the ministry but also for staff in case of natural and man-made incidents!

Plans for Natural Disasters:

International churches should have written contingency plans for natural disasters that not only affect the building whether rented or owned, but also a plan as a place for sanctuary.  Some important questions to review not only include access to the building — who has keys and why — but also what is the method of decision making in time of natural disaster.  For example, in Kobe, Japan in 1995 there was a large earthquake.  One international congregation was not only caught off guard by the earthquake itself — as we all expect — but by the fact that the pastor was at a conference away from the city.  Since the congregation did not have any contingency plans not only were there personal concerns but also distress about the building, attendees, worship and a host of other factors.  It is impossible to have plans to cover all aspects of a disaster, but even a simple blueprint gives churches a leg up during difficult times.

Plans for Man-made Incidents:

 International churches should not only have contingency plans for natural disasters but also for human created events.  Staffs for international congregations, churches and home ministries, have peculiar needs in an international setting particularly during a time of man-made incidents.  Not only do personnel need contingency plans for natural disasters but also in case of human created events.  For example, civil conflicts catching international congregations and churches unprepared — unfortunately — have not only caused undue stress and pain but have even left staff in more danger.  International congregations and churches are often at the forefront of events because congregations and churches are at the street level tuned to the people and cultures around them.  But, that same view also blinds staff and churches to the build up to events.  “Because we live in the culture of our host, we are well prepared for problems.”  That is a sin that cannot only threaten the ministry but leave people’s lives in undue danger.  Take some time and develop a contingency plan for man-made incidents that may threaten staff and the ministry.  For example, develop a phone tree or some type of means of communication so all the staff can be notified in case of problems.  Some churches even have a safe house or location known only to the staff with a small amount of cash available.  And remember to include a method of contacting family, friends and others overseas.

Again, there is not a contingency plan for all situations whether natural or man-made but, taking time to work on simple steps will provide a basis during difficult times.

We may not be asking that question in the quite same way, if according to a recent New York Times article, the general trend continues (Please see: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/business/global/15overseas.html).  Since the financial meltdown of 2008-2009 companies in the US are shortening the length in which employees are spending overseas.  Scott Sullivan an executive with the firm that produces the annual Global Relocation Trends Survey, Brookfield Global Relocation Services, suggests that “short-term assignments, which typically last from several months to a year, have tripled in the last eight years.”  Sullivan further adds: “They’re cheaper because it doesn’t involve bringing the family.”

What are some ways that international congregations and churches have seen that effect?  In our situation that has translated into less families, more single individuals and thus lower attendance.  The repercussions run deeper because one of the difficulties of international churches is that leadership is constantly evolving as people come and go.  There is an international congregation that I am aware of, where the pastor has been there the longest of anyone, although serving for just 7 years.

What can pastors and staffs of international churches do under these current trends?

Integrate the newcomers and visitors quickly and give a joyous blessing when they leave.  In our international church we have used the services of first time visitors as scripture readers on the first Sunday they have worshipped with us and by the same token a mainstay in our Sunday school program announced after summer vacation that she, her husband and child would be leaving as soon as her husband has a visa.  Although sad for her, the young daughter and husband, we rejoiced with them in the time that we had together.

One of the ways that we celebrate leave taking of people, who have been with us, is that we have a goodbye song that our worship band leader wrote.  The lyrics emphasize that together we have found ourselves on a road taken together, that we have said goodbye to others before us, and now we say goodbye to them.

What does your international church or congregation do with the ebb and flow of short term, long term and native members?  What are some of the difficulties?  What are some of the joys?

Of course, it is not the issue of scripture, rather it is in helpful guides and other Christian material that supplements scripture that may or may not be appropriate for children of international churches, congregations and house groups.

What are some questions to consider when reviewing
Children’s Christian Educational Material?

Does the material demand a high level of reading?

A large amount of reading in English may not be suitable or appropriate for younger Christians in an international setting especially where more than one language is used at home. Children may have a good grasp of a spoken language but not be able to read well in English. Also, if an international church has a number of children from the local host culture whose parents want their children to hear the good news of Jesus Christ (or learn English) their reading level may not be appropriate for the material. Some international congregations have solved this problem by having a “bilingual” Sunday school program for example. That may solve one problem — language — but it opens up other problems, for example, finding suitable bilingual Sunday school material. There is also the task of finding Sunday school staff that can teach in other languages besides English!

Does the material have unsuitable cultural references?

Although there may be Christian education material for children forgotten in closets with pictures that are — we now know — racist, it is rare to find any that is for sale. Rather, Sunday school staffs of international churches need to be careful because more subtle cultural references may be simply confusing because they do not fit in the experiences and lives of the children. For example, one set of materials for junior high aged youth with which I had success in the United States, I found became increasingly irrelevant when reviewed it in my international congregation. The questions made references to TV shows, movies and games that many of the junior high school members had either never seen or perhaps not understood in the same way. Furthermore, the material made reference to a child’s life in schools and home to make the questions relevant for American students, but was lost on my group.

These two questions referenced above are the primary two that may or may be obvious but are ones I have learned the hard way — not to say also expensive mistakes. Some issues are simply irritating but can be adapted … for example the material that assumed copying on “letter” sized copy paper rather than A-4 … and therefore had to be decreased in size, cut and pasted and then copied.

What children’s Christian educational material have you found that works in your setting and why?

One of the most important attributes of international congregations that I have seen and experienced is that very observation made by Rev. Tveit; “There is no network in the world like the churches.” I would be so bold to say that all international congregations are an important association for international Christians to network. I have been witness to questions being answered from the mundane, “How do we dispose of an old TV?” — to help getting a job. “Old hands” in the culture and country of the international congregation provide an excellent resource in daily life and living.

There are also those profound moments of God’s grace found on the shoulder to cry on or with a simple listening ear. I remember in particular one native English speaker, newly married to a native speaker of another language, who stayed long after worship was over, asking questions about aspects of his cross-cultural relationship from another member who was in a cross cultural marriage for over 15 years. I remember thanking God that our international congregation was a place that could foster and support that mentoring.

How is your international congregation that “network like no other?”

So, why is that important? Rule number one of any speaking engagement, and yes, worship service is a speaking engagement, is to know your audience. The better you know the audience, the better we can reach and serve.

While many churches are quite homogeneous in makeup within the boundaries of, say, the United States, with a smattering of “the few” who don’t fit the general profile of being families, or residents in your community and not to mention speaking English as their first language, an international congregation or church might have a mixture of many different people with many different backgrounds. This can be intimidating to pastors and other leaders at times both because it means trying to ascertain what message and delivery will best suit the largest portion of the congregation and the life experiences of many in the group may be wildly disparate from the pastor’s.

Case in point the former pastor of an international congregation once admitted to having been a bit intimidated at first by the fact that not only was he not the highest educated member of the church but there were a disproportionate number of Ph D’s and other missionaries who were themselves Bible scholars who were in regular attendance.

So, who might be in the congregation in an international church?

Expatriates – people who are living and working abroad. These also come in various sizes and shapes.
Long term – people whose vocation or life situation entails staying in a foreign country for an extended period, or without a set ending.
Company employees – an individual ‘stationed’ abroad usually on a one to two year contract – this may include their spouses and families.
Nationals – this may mean individuals who have studied or have lived abroad for extended periods of time looking to continue their worship in English.
Spouses of nationals – people whose spouse is a native of that country whose primary language may be English.
Teachers – instructors from universities and from international schools.
Spouses of internationals – people who are married to native English speakers for example.
Missionaries – often when serving abroad, there is a great need for a “home church” to keep in touch with fellow Christians and be led in worship in English for example.
People who just happen to live nearby the church – yes, church and worship can sometimes be a thing of convenience.
Children – This is a whole other discussion.
Besides the above, there is another whole category of short term people who may just be passing through for various reasons such as: Students – this might be university students doing a semester abroad; Aide volunteers/Employees – those doing work for charities, hospitals, schools, and other non-profit organizations; Tourists – those visiting countries who feel the need for fellowship, even if it’s only for one Sunday as they pass through.

This is not a complete list but a starting point for discerning the demographics of an international congregation, an important and essential starting point for pastors, staff and leaders.

From my vantage point as a pastor of an English speaking international congregation, “international” churches are erasing Western Christian boundaries and diluting old ideologies. Although where I am minister is comparatively small, I can not put a “label” on it describing what the church is. Even visitors have tried! We are certainly Christian and Protestant, yet even that latter “label” is not really quite accurate either. From my experience our small group is not unique.

That is not casting judgment on these various boundaries and ideologies because they exist and these boundaries are certainly realistic, if not simply because of our deep divisions as Christians. Rather I have come to think that “international” —- congregations, churches, house and small groups — are one part of — God’s glory.

In 1993, Rev. John Piper, a Reformed and Baptist theologian and pastor published a book on missions called Let the Nations be Glad. In the book — 1st edition, p. 15 — Pastor Piper declared that worship of God is the main objective of missions: “Worship is the fuel and object of missions.”

Rev. Piper is not new in his emphasis, as the most “international” of prophets — Isaiah — calls for all the people of world to worship the Lord — Isaiah 55: 1-13 for example. However, reading that book as a missionary (as well) sparked for me an insight in what I would suggest is the fuel — worship — the major component of what makes churches and congregations “international.” Christians gather together wherever a Christian may find themselves to join in singing: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” Revelations 7: 12

What do you think? What makes an international congregation — international? We can carry that question even further, what makes a minister, pastor, or other staff person — international?

In the coming years I believe new and exciting English material will be developed to serve International congregations. What have you found and developed?