An Interview with Oliver R. Phillips, compiler of E Pluribus UNUM: Challenges and Opportunities in Multicultural Ministry, a new book published by Nazarene Publishing House.

M7 staff asked Phillips about his new book and the challenge of multicultural ministry in the U.S. and Canada.

M7 Staff: What prompted you and others to develop E Pluribus Unum: Challenges and Opportunities in Multicultural Ministry?

Phillips: The immigrant population has spiraled to unimagined proportions in the U.S. and Canada. I believe that it is advantageous for the evangelical community to shape policies and develop strategies that take seriously the shifting of the demographic pendulum. E Pluribus UNUM is an attempt to raise the awareness of a mission field that is not the same as it was 25 years ago.

M7 Staff: E Pluribus UNUM (“Out of many, ONE”) is a phrase used to express the belief that wherever we come from, and however different we may be, we can work together. Do you believe this when it comes to the challenge of multicultural ministry? Why?

Phillips: This is a major challenge. In the midst of globalization and the “flat world,” we are increasingly challenged to deal with the tensions that are created by diversity and difference. Immigrants constantly live in a duality of memory and amnesia. This is often overlooked by individuals who are anxious to have them integrated into the U.S. system. Unity by no means implies uniformity. The challenge is to celebrate our uniqueness and to accept our differences.

M7 Staff: How do you recommend pastors and laity use this book?

Pastors and laity can best use this book as a group exercise. I would recommend that persons be selected to lead in group discussions. They could either work through the whole book or just selected chapters.

M7 Staff: As Nazarene churches become more diverse and multicultural, what’s the glue that holds everything together? What makes us “ONE”?

Phillips: In the corporate world, there is a business case being made for diversity. In the church world, there must be a corresponding missional case made for the need to understand each other. If the holiness message is the compelling glue that gets a congregation or district excited about “doing church,” then it is left with no choice but to include all ethnic groups in its plan for evangelism. Further, our Nazarene forebears believed that holiness could bridge any divide between people, whether it be regional, cultural, or economic, and truly unite people for the good of God’s kingdom. I see no reason for any less optimism today.