Anglo churches may struggle to reach out to their communities, but Hispanic churches can be incredible allies for the mission of the kingdom.
By Carlos Astorga
During my years at seminary, I read an insightful book called The Global God: Multicultural Evangelical Views of God. The authors argued Christian communities from different cultural backgrounds tend to emphasize specific aspects of the person of God as they worship and seek to live out their Christian faith.
So, for example, Americans tend to see God primarily as a God of power and of righteousness, even if this leads to a deemphasizing of God’s love (love is less necessary when you have power). In contrast, the authors argued, Christians from Asia appear more inclined to emphasize God’s wisdom in their faith and practice.
The church today could greatly benefit from Christians interacting across cultures since each culture’s understanding of God helps inform our theology, faith, and practice into a more global and comprehensive view of our amazing God, His character, and His attributes.
Studies from Lifeway Research of Hispanic churches and pastors in the United States reveal important aspects of the characteristics, priorities, and practices of Hispanic Christians in our communities. Based on this research, here are five things Hispanic churches in your community wish you understood.
1. Hispanic churches are American as well as immigrant
When The Global God was published in 1998, Hispanic believers in the U.S. thought of God mainly as “an impartial God who has concerned for the stranger,” since many of them “found themselves caught between two nations.”
This is still true to a degree, but today, 2 in 5 believers in Hispanic churches are either second or third generation Hispanics. This means Hispanic churches have a high percentage of American citizens. They love America, they are American, and they know how to minister to Americans from multicultural backgrounds.
2. Hispanic churches are bilingual
According to Pew Research, around 3 in 5 U.S. adult Hispanics speak English or are bilingual. This correlates with the fact that in Hispanic churches, 82% of attendees are either first- or second-generation immigrants. Many second- and third-generation Hispanics only speak English now.
For this reason, a good number of Hispanic churches include some meetings or experiences in English as part of their services. Half (53%) of U.S. Hispanic churches offer services only in Spanish. The rest offer a combination of bilingual services (22%), services with simultaneous interpretation (13%), separate services in English and Spanish (10%), or even a worship experience exclusively in English (2%). With many Hispanics and Latinos speaking more than one language, they can be an incredible force for evangelism and missions.
“With many Hispanics and Latinos speaking more than one language, they can be an incredible force for evangelism and missions.” — @astorguita Share on X3. Hispanic churches are younger
In the United States, the average churchgoer is significantly older than the average American. In contrast, about 72% of those attending Hispanic congregations are 49 years old or younger. Younger congregations tend to have more children (especially among Latinos) and this adds life, vibrancy, and dynamism to their churches.
Additionally, more than half of all Hispanic churches in America began after the year 2000. This makes them young as a community of faith as well.
4. Hispanic pastors are educated and theologically trained
According to Lifeway Research, more than 7 in 10 of those leading Hispanic churches have a college degree or higher. And among these, 44% have a graduate degree. With respect to theological education, almost half (47%) have completed training at a Bible institute, while 38% hold a seminary master’s degree and 12% a seminary doctoral degree.
5. Hispanic churches prioritize experiencing God as a family and community
A high percentage of Hispanic churches in our communities are American, bilingual, young, and led by educated, theologically trained leaders. And the research by Lifeway makes it clear Hispanic churches emphasize a theology of God that prioritizes community and family.
Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) Hispanic churches confirmed to have a plan to encourage community as part of their church experience. And more than 9 in 10 (93%) believe it is important, very important, or extremely important to share their resources with others (food, clothes, job search assistance, financial assistance to pay bills, etc.).
Additionally, Hispanic churches stress the importance of studying the Bible and praying together. And 98% say prioritizing having a welcoming attitude toward those of different cultures and origins is a key practice to strengthen the community.
This is crucial since many Hispanic churches include members from up to 20 nations. Perhaps they all speak Spanish—but not the same Spanish and not with the same background or cultural heritage.
While living in Chicago a few years ago, I attended a Hispanic Church for six years. Iglesia del Pueblo in West Chicago represented 14 nations at that time. Each service, the pastor welcomed the congregation with the words, “Buenos días, familia.” When he was invited to preach to the English congregation, he would greet them with “Good morning, familia.”
We were truly a big familia; and just as the fiestas and quinceañeras, and carne asadas in our homes, our services included large families, were loud, joyful, and … long! The services always ended with the phrase, “Bendiciones iglesia, ¡les amamos!” (Blessings church. We love you!) But that was never the end, since after the service, it would be at least an hour before la familia finally left the building, and many, to go share food with one another.
Partnering in ministry
Anglo churches often struggle to reach out to their communities. In many cases, their neighborhood is now much more ethnically and culturally diverse than when the church originally started. In such instances, Hispanic churches can be incredible allies for the mission of the kingdom. They know the language; they know how to reach out; they’re used to diversity; and they love community. Sometimes these churches have limited resources, but they would love to join forces with you in reaching the community with the love of Christ as proclaimed in the gospel.
Sometimes Hispanic churches have limited resources, but they would love to join forces with Anglo churches in reaching the community with the love of Christ as proclaimed in the gospel. Share on XI recently heard of a church that partnered with a Hispanic church in the community. The larger Anglo church offered to share their space with the smaller, Hispanic congregation—not after their regular services but during one of their services.
In this way, the kids and students from the Hispanic church, who are bilingual, will be able to be discipled in English in a collaboration with the English-speaking church. This partnership is only beginning, but I am excited to see how this partnership will bless the Anglo congregation as they see and experience a Latino emphasis in the proclamation of God through family and community.
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
