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.

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