|
RICHARDSON –Texas Baptists must understand
Hispanics before they effectively can reach them, according to Rolando
Rodriguez, pastor of Hampton Place Baptist Church in Dallas.
Hispanics are flooding communities, but Anglo churches are not reaching
them, Rodriguez noted. This leaves Anglo congregations that do not match
increasingly Hispanic neighborhoods. To prevent this from occurring,
church leaders need to alter their ministries to meet Hispanic needs as
quickly as possible.
“Somehow you have to make a transition when you can,” he said during
the Texas Evanglism and Missions Conference at First Baptist Church.
“Otherwise it will be too late.”
But to know the needs, Texas Baptists need know the culture, the pastor
continued. Evangelism methods that effectively reach Anglos will not
necessarily convert Hispanics.
Immigrants often do not speak English and some do not want to learn,
Rodriguez noted. They will not come to English services because they do
not understand the language. Churches need to create Spanish ministries to
cater to these Hispanics’ needs.
However, creating a Spanish entry point is not enough to bring them to
church, Rodriguez continued. Church leaders must consistently visit them,
spending considerable time talking about the prospective member’s extended
family.
The extended family is important to Latinos, Rodriguez continued. They
want to keep uncles, siblings, parents and grandparents together as much
as possible.
“I want my family together for worship, Bible study, college, career,”
he said.
Even visitation is different with Hispanics than Anglos, the Mexico
native said. Latinos respect titles and formality, so pastors should
introduce themselves as pastor. They also should wear suits and ties.
Do not expect Hispanics to address a church leader by their first name,
Rodriguez said. They are accustomed to using titles as a form of respect.
Anglos should call Latinos brother or sister (hermano and hermana) and
children as mijo (boy) or mija (girl).
When an invitation to church or another activity is given, Anglos need
to judge whether an answer is an individual’s true desire, Rodriguez said.
Hispanics are humble and will refuse an offer several times despite
wanting to accept.
Once Hispanics are in the church, the same rules apply, Rodriguez said.
Latinos will not approach a pastor because that is viewed as a powerful
position. The pastor must come to them.
Church leaders also must remember to avoid publicly chiding Hispanics,
Rodriguez added. The ethnic group tries hard to save face when possible.
Anglos need to be sensitive to that need.
One of the more difficult aspects Anglos have with Hispanic culture is
the way the people group handles time, Rodriguez said. While Anglos tend
to be punctual, Hispanics value relationships more than time.
Latinos consider showing up at 3:30 for a three o’clock meeting being
on time. This will have to be an accepted part of church life with
Hispanics in it.
“I’ve been at Hampton Place for 10 years. We still don’t start on
time,” he joked.
If Anglos are willing to be flexible and committed in reaching
Hispanics, they can be successful, Rodriguez encouraged the breakout
session audience. Knowing about the culture helps others be sensitive in
sharing the gospel.
“We want to learn this to reach people for Christ,” the pastor
said.
|