Multicultural Ministry Handbook: Connecting Creatively in a Diverse World
Edited by David A. Anderson & Margarita R. Cabellon. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2010 (180 pages).

By Dr. Willie O. Peterson

Multicultural Ministry Handbook contains the inspirational story of the emergence of a multicultural church, with an attendance of more than 2,000, located in Columbia Maryland. That this multicultural church is possible is both refreshing and amazing, in the same universe described by Emerson and Smith in their landmark book, Divided by Faith, as a “racialized society” (pp 7, 11-17).

This motivational story is told by the founder and senior pastor Dr. David A. Anderson, and eight others who lived the very experiences described within these 180 pages. In each of the 11 chapters a particular ministry focus is discussed by those involved in that ministry. This is a remarkable story of how God raised up a congregation of people so different in so many ways. What a testament to the faith and disciplined hard work of a visionary leader. Dr. Anderson persuaded others to journey with him to where this exciting faith community is today. Telling the Bridgeway Community Church story from the first person perspective of practitioners was a brilliant strategy and is a benefit of the book. The contagious enthusiasm of each contributor is another benefit of the book. Like hitting the ski slopes, playing golf, or Tiddlywinks, having experienced the multicultural church they love it. Multicultural ministry to them is about more than just personal preferences, their convictions run deep and they strongly recommend it to the Reader. It is also a benefit that most chapters include questions probing the Reader’s thinking and readiness for doing multicultural ministry.

Along with strengths the Reader will discover the book’s major weakness is in the customary sense it is not a handbook. When this Reviewer saw Handbook in the title anticipation went off the charts. It was exciting because there is a definite place in the multicultural church literature for a handbook. Perhaps the book might have resembled The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren. The need for such a resource would certainly be a welcomed addition by the novice and veteran alike. Additional in-depth discussion of the theology, theory and the numerous underlying complex concepts would make the label handbook a bit more precise. Readers might imagine being stuck and turning to a topical index for a helpful quick reference. But apparently this was not intended to be a technical text.  This deficiency is highlighted by the missing dimension of “how to” in the book. Readers are interested in the correlations between practices and rationales that informed the conclusions reached.

However, in chapter 11 “Going Further” the Reader is told:

If after reading this book you are interested in more hands on help or instructions from our team, we are here to serve you through the BridgeLeader Network (BLN) the consulting arm of Bridgeway Community Church. p.164

Readers will find the technical material not in the handbook is available through consultation. The book complements the consulting arm of the church. Chapter 11 gives an overview of topics not developed in the book. The consulting “how to” curriculum menu broadly covers essential multicultural ministry content and methodology. Despite any weakness, hopefully their story will inspire many to consider following their example. No this is not a handbook in the sense that it tells Readers how to do what they have done. But that help is available through the consulting service. From all appearances one can say the consultation will probably be worth the price.