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?