Ministry to the Ministry to the Hispanic Community: Hispanic Community:

an Overview an Overview

By Daniel E. Lopez(281) 744-0644

Ministerios EN PROFUNDIDADwww.enprofundidad.com

contentscontents

Analysis of the Hispanic CommunityAnalysis of the Hispanic CommunityHispanic Christianity of HoustonHispanic Christianity of HoustonHot Issues in Ministry to Hispanics Hot Issues in Ministry to Hispanics Models of Hispanic MinistryModels of Hispanic MinistryConclusionsConclusions

defining “hispanic”defining “hispanic”

28% of population of Texas is Hispanic. 28% of population of Texas is Hispanic. Between 1980 and 1990 the Hispanic Between 1980 and 1990 the Hispanic

population increased by 75.9%population increased by 75.9% Currently, the Houston Metropolitan area Currently, the Houston Metropolitan area

has over one million Hispanics, with Harris has over one million Hispanics, with Harris County having the largest concentration County having the largest concentration (799,000). (799,000).

40% are under 20 years of age, and 91% 40% are under 20 years of age, and 91% are under 50 years of age.are under 50 years of age.

Three distinct groups: assimilated, semi-Three distinct groups: assimilated, semi-assimilated, non-assimilated.assimilated, non-assimilated.

… “… “Hispanics” … or “Latinos”?Hispanics” … or “Latinos”?

non-assimilated non-assimilated hispanics hispanics

Predominantly Spanish-speaking, and adhere to Predominantly Spanish-speaking, and adhere to Hispanic culture in everyday life. Most family Hispanic culture in everyday life. Most family members exposed to Spanish media only. Eat the members exposed to Spanish media only. Eat the same foods as in their country of origin, mix mainly same foods as in their country of origin, mix mainly with other Hispanics, and live in Hispanic with other Hispanics, and live in Hispanic neighborhoods.neighborhoods.

In virtually all cases, this group is comprised of In virtually all cases, this group is comprised of people that have been born in other countries and people that have been born in other countries and have lived in the States less than 10 years. A have lived in the States less than 10 years. A sizeable number of this group are illegal aliens or are sizeable number of this group are illegal aliens or are in the process of becoming legal residents. For the in the process of becoming legal residents. For the most part, non-assimilated Hispanics have a low most part, non-assimilated Hispanics have a low standard of living.standard of living.

They comprise 36% of Houston’s Hispanic They comprise 36% of Houston’s Hispanic population. Rather erratic church attendance population. Rather erratic church attendance patterns, very mobile population. patterns, very mobile population.

semi-assimilated hispanics semi-assimilated hispanics Tend to be bilingual, are exposed to both English Tend to be bilingual, are exposed to both English

and Spanish media, although highly age-and Spanish media, although highly age-dependent. Most of them 1dependent. Most of them 1stst generation that have generation that have lived in this country for a long time. Although lived in this country for a long time. Although influenced by both cultures, their allegiance to the influenced by both cultures, their allegiance to the Hispanic culture and values is still very high.Hispanic culture and values is still very high.

They represent 42% of Houston’s Hispanic They represent 42% of Houston’s Hispanic population.population.

This group has a higher income level than the first This group has a higher income level than the first group, and a sizeable number may have college group, and a sizeable number may have college degrees and are entrepreneurs.degrees and are entrepreneurs.

Most of them meet in Spanish-speaking churches Most of them meet in Spanish-speaking churches because of family ties, etc. because of family ties, etc.

assimilated assimilated hispanicshispanics

Either born in the US or have lived in this country Either born in the US or have lived in this country most of their lives. Speak English fluently, no most of their lives. Speak English fluently, no discernible accent, may or may not speak discernible accent, may or may not speak Spanish. These people are primarily exposed to Spanish. These people are primarily exposed to English media, and have a lifestyle similar to non-English media, and have a lifestyle similar to non-Hispanics. Hispanics.

Mostly 2Mostly 2ndnd or 3 or 3rdrd generation, attend Anglo generation, attend Anglo churches, and tend to downplay their cultural churches, and tend to downplay their cultural heritage.heritage.

They represent 22% of Houston’s Hispanic They represent 22% of Houston’s Hispanic population.population.

There are very few “pure Hispanic churches” that There are very few “pure Hispanic churches” that target primarily this segment. target primarily this segment.

the “typical” hispanic churchthe “typical” hispanic church

Was started two years ago.Was started two years ago. Has 65 people in attendance.Has 65 people in attendance. Meets at a strip mall or facilities of an “Anglo” Meets at a strip mall or facilities of an “Anglo”

church.church. Pastor is 45 years old, first-generation Hispanic, no Pastor is 45 years old, first-generation Hispanic, no

College, no theological education.College, no theological education. Changes facilities every 1.5 years.Changes facilities every 1.5 years. Has an attrition rate of 50% every 2 years.Has an attrition rate of 50% every 2 years. Will divide, die or undergo a severe restructuring Will divide, die or undergo a severe restructuring

every 3 years.every 3 years. Very limited knowledge of legal, financial or church Very limited knowledge of legal, financial or church

administration issues.administration issues.

hispanic christianityhispanic christianity

There are about 500 Spanish-speaking There are about 500 Spanish-speaking Protestant churches in the Houston area, with a Protestant churches in the Houston area, with a combined attendance of 75,000 any given combined attendance of 75,000 any given Sunday. Sunday.

Pentecostal/Charismatic churches comprise Pentecostal/Charismatic churches comprise 60%, Baptists 30%, and independent/Bible 60%, Baptists 30%, and independent/Bible churches 10%. churches 10%.

Phenomenal growth rate – double membership Phenomenal growth rate – double membership every three years.every three years.

Theologically, most Hispanic churches are non-Theologically, most Hispanic churches are non-dispensational, Covenant-oriented,pre-millenial, dispensational, Covenant-oriented,pre-millenial, Arminian view of salvation, fairly legalistic.Arminian view of salvation, fairly legalistic.

Ministry IssuesMinistry Issues

Immigration IssuesImmigration Issues Can’t work legallyCan’t work legally Can’t get a Social Security NumberCan’t get a Social Security Number Difficulty getting a driver’s license, medical insurance.Difficulty getting a driver’s license, medical insurance.

Biblical Implications..Biblical Implications.. Can they be Christians and remain illegal?Can they be Christians and remain illegal? Can they be members of a local church?Can they be members of a local church? Can they be in leadership positions? Can they be in leadership positions? Do we send them back home?Do we send them back home?

At the very least…At the very least… Live above reproachLive above reproach Pay your taxes! (get your ITIN)Pay your taxes! (get your ITIN) Be a good worker in the workplaceBe a good worker in the workplace Manage your finances wisely (buy a house!)Manage your finances wisely (buy a house!) Pray intentionally to God about your legal status! Pray intentionally to God about your legal status!

Ministry IssuesMinistry Issues

Church management & leadershipChurch management & leadership Good leaders hard to findGood leaders hard to find Poor biblical trainingPoor biblical training Poor knowldege of practical mattersPoor knowldege of practical matters

Legality of the local churchLegality of the local church Incorporation, bylaws, etc.Incorporation, bylaws, etc. No tax-exempt status by the IRSNo tax-exempt status by the IRS Poor financial management practicesPoor financial management practices

No long-term strategyNo long-term strategy Leadership developmentLeadership development Savings/InvestmentSavings/Investment Difficult to own facilities.Difficult to own facilities.

Other IssuesOther Issues

Spiritual growth of believersSpiritual growth of believersCatholic background of believersCatholic background of believers

Getting saved by “faith, not works”Getting saved by “faith, not works” Living by “faith, not works”Living by “faith, not works”

Undue influence of pastor on familiesUndue influence of pastor on familiesFellowship-oriented, not evangelisticFellowship-oriented, not evangelistic Inter-generational problems within the Inter-generational problems within the

churchchurchA bilingual church?A bilingual church?Cultural problems within the churchCultural problems within the church

types of hispanic types of hispanic ministriesministries

TYPE I – The Sunday School Class in SpanishTYPE I – The Sunday School Class in Spanish Many large Anglo congregations have Sunday School Many large Anglo congregations have Sunday School classes in Spanish in parallel with their regular Sunday classes in Spanish in parallel with their regular Sunday programs. Many large bodies also have simultaneous programs. Many large bodies also have simultaneous translation ministries of Sunday services. This model only translation ministries of Sunday services. This model only purposes to teach content in this language, and there is purposes to teach content in this language, and there is no stated goal of growing the group, forming leaders or no stated goal of growing the group, forming leaders or seeding a future spanish-speaking local church. A major seeding a future spanish-speaking local church. A major disadvantage of this model is that there is no concept of disadvantage of this model is that there is no concept of local church, and many class participants do not “feel” local church, and many class participants do not “feel” part of the bigger church. Consequently, as Christians part of the bigger church. Consequently, as Christians mature, they usually feel constrained by the lack of a mature, they usually feel constrained by the lack of a more strategic plan, and they leave. Hence, this model more strategic plan, and they leave. Hence, this model creates a continuous revolving-door mentality. creates a continuous revolving-door mentality.

type of hispanic ministriestype of hispanic ministries

TYPE II – Use of Facilities by Spanish GroupTYPE II – Use of Facilities by Spanish Group This model consists of a large Anglo church renting or This model consists of a large Anglo church renting or allowing the use of part of their facilities to the minority allowing the use of part of their facilities to the minority congregation. Usually, this means that the Hispanic congregation. Usually, this means that the Hispanic main services are held in the afternoon, when the main services are held in the afternoon, when the facilities are not being used by the mother church. The facilities are not being used by the mother church. The great advantage of this model is that the Spanish great advantage of this model is that the Spanish congregation has the virtually unlimited use of facilities congregation has the virtually unlimited use of facilities such as gym, kitchen, fellowship hall, nursery, etc. such as gym, kitchen, fellowship hall, nursery, etc. Typically, the Hispanic church functions independently Typically, the Hispanic church functions independently of the host church, and it may not be of the same of the host church, and it may not be of the same denomination or have the same doctrinal position. A denomination or have the same doctrinal position. A major disadvantage of this model is that it creates major disadvantage of this model is that it creates complacency, and it does not encourage good complacency, and it does not encourage good stewardship of financial, human and spiritual resources. stewardship of financial, human and spiritual resources.

the ethnic- missionary the ethnic- missionary approachapproach

TYPE III – The Spanish-speaking church TYPE III – The Spanish-speaking church development initiative is part of a larger development initiative is part of a larger vision for church-planting and mentoring from vision for church-planting and mentoring from the mother (anglo) church. This approach the mother (anglo) church. This approach recognizes that there is a vast potential recognizes that there is a vast potential existing in the surrounding vicinity for ethnic existing in the surrounding vicinity for ethnic ministries, and the church implements a ministries, and the church implements a carefully crafted strategic plan to start, grow, carefully crafted strategic plan to start, grow, and later release (spin-off) a Hispanic church and later release (spin-off) a Hispanic church to minister as an autonomous entity.to minister as an autonomous entity.

What can Bible Churches do?What can Bible Churches do?

Connect with Hispanic leadersConnect with Hispanic leadersAllow the use of facilities (“incubator”)Allow the use of facilities (“incubator”)Partner with an existing hispanic churchPartner with an existing hispanic churchScholarship hispanics for Bible training.Scholarship hispanics for Bible training.Do a more systematic “Church plant” Do a more systematic “Church plant”

among a few Bible Churches.among a few Bible Churches.Help with resources, food, clothes etc. Help with resources, food, clothes etc.

ConclusionConclusion

Great upside potential in Hispanic ministryGreat upside potential in Hispanic ministryThe U.S. is a wide-open mission fieldThe U.S. is a wide-open mission field Anglo churches need to recognize Anglo churches need to recognize

opportunities.opportunities.Best people to reach Hispanics are Best people to reach Hispanics are

Hispanics!Hispanics!Hispanic churches need to get serious!Hispanic churches need to get serious!Hispanic pastors need to get trained!Hispanic pastors need to get trained!