English also distinguishes international congregations from churches in largely English speaking North America and the UK. Those national churches are in English because of their location, but international congregations are largely English speaking as are their staffs because the English language (for better or worse) binds people within and among nations. The English language is the default language for business and travel. For example, scientific and professional organizations and journals use English as the primary language for publishing and at conferences.

Some nationals’ connect or are attendees to an English speaking international church or congregation because they married an English speaking spouse, or studied in English, or are more at home in English than any other language … or as the case in Japan became Christian outside of Japan. This fact, that English is the main means of communication, is I think an interesting one for ministers, pastors and other staff of international congregations. As language was the gift by the Holy Spirit for a diverse band of disciples on that first Pentecost, so language continues to bring disciples together and propel them in mission.

But the English language can also be a hindrance separating us from the culture where we find ourselves, separating us from the local Christian churches that use the local language or dialect. Also, from my experience this means that staff including pastors and ministers have to be near fluent in English and/or are largely from English speaking countries and cultures. For example, I am a native English speaker serving as a missionary from North America serving the local church but also pastor of an international church. Where I have particularly noticed a challenge is in our Christian education material which we largely draw upon resources from North America. What is a challenge is that the material is also largely North American in culture!