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CHALLENGES FOR HISPANIC MINISTRY

In any mission there are challenges. The following are some that have been encountered in mission work among the Hispanics of southwestern Minnesota.

1. AREN'T THEY ALL ROMAN CATHOLICS?

Why does the Lutheran church want to work with Hispanics if it is the case that all of them are Roman Catholic? Some have divided the Hispanic population in 70% Roman Catholic; 26% Protestant and 4% other. http://www.facsnet.org/issues/faith/espinosa.php . According to this scheme, there is no room for mission work among Hispanics.

Another study suggests that the following describes the religious affiliation of Hispanic adults: Roman Catholic - 57%; Protestant – 25% (The majority of which are of Pentecostal affiliation.) The number of secular Hispanics would be higher than 4%. http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/risc/ARISHispanicfinal%20Dec112002.pdf. According to these statistics, 18% of the Hispanic population needs to be evangelized.

However, two other sets of statistics paint quite a different scene . One estimate of the religious composition of Latin American countries puts at 95% those who have been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, but puts only at 20% the part of the population that can be considered devoted or faithful. According to this scheme 80% of Hispano-latinos need to be evangelized.

Furthermore, several years ago a list of statistics was distributed that stated that 89% of Latins did not know the Gospel. That figure has been repeated in independent sources, but until now the methods for obtaining that statistic is unknown. See the section “Myth 2 – Most Hispanics Are Christians” in Juan Martinez, Hispanics in California: Myth and Opportunity http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?563

In light of these last two sets of statistics, the figures in the first two paragraphs above should be questioned, and the conclusion drawn that while declarations of religious affiliation among the Hispano-Latino population might indicate a static situation in which the vast majority is Roman-Catholic, the reality is that the situation is fluid. The larger number of Hispanics is Roman Catholic, but the majority of Hispanics do not know Christ as the Savior and need to be evangelized. (An anecdote: I know a person who Works in a situation in which the “religious affiliation” of people can be seen. One family wrote “Roman Catholic” as religious preference in a Standard form. A short time later when the family had to fill out another form, the religious affiliation had been changed to “Protestant.”) With this anecdote and others, it appears that one cannot rely completely on the accuracy of declarations about a firm religious affiliation.

Neither are the ubiquitous presence of the representations of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the untold numbers of rosaries that hang from the rearview mirror of cars and trucks reliable indicators of the religious affiliation or devotion of the owner. In many cases, if not the majority, “The Virgin” is a national and social symbol. If a person would ask the owner what the religious artifact means, it’s very probable that he would not be able to respond.

In order to know what the true religious affiliation and devotion of the Hispanic population is, the following my be tried: 1) Talk with Hispanics who are active members of a protestant congregation and inquire about their religious history and the path that brought them to the congregation in which they are now members. 2) Try to get to know some Hispanics. Without living the impression of conducting a religious survey, talk with them about their goals and in life and pay attention to their religious practices.

The question “Isn’t it certain that they are all Roman Catholics?” is vital for mission work: Who would take part in a work that has no purpose? Why do mission work among those who are already members of a Christian church?

2. WON'T THEY COME IF WE BUILD A SIGN?

“We put up signs in several strategic places and sent invitation to a religious service in Spanish and to Vacation Bible School, but no Hispanics came. We even prepared a meal.” How many pastors, together with the congregation, have been disillusioned when their efforts to invite Hispanics to their church produce little or no fruit? Mission work is a labor intensive work. Yes, signs, invitations and all that is important and necessary, but the initial work has to be dedicated to knowing Hispanics personally. As some say, “establish a relationship.” Some will come because of signs or announcements placed in the phone book, but human contact is of greatest importance.

The probable number of ways of making contact is limited only by the imagination. ESL (English as a Second Language) is a popular way of getting in contact. (Literacy and Evangelism International has an ESL program geared toward evangelization of recent arrivals. – http://www.literacyevangelism.org/elm/ ). [A congregation can find a place for its ESL program in the midst of other similar programs in the area.] Vacation Bible School and Sunday School provide a way of getting to know the Hispanic family through its children. Children can participate in the classes that are offered in English because they seem to be able to learn English quite rapidly. Door to door canvassing is a way to get to know people in some areas. Bible class in homes can be productive. Church signs are an important way of letting people know that the congregation is open to Hispanics. Many of these things are also ways in which people who do not speak Spanish can be involved in the mission – teaching Sunday School in English during the Spanish language sermon, driving children to Sunday School and VBS, etc..

The decision about when to start having worships services in the Spanish language will depend on various factors.” For some people a group of 15 people may be too small. For others it may be the just the right place to start. Others may want to start with a couple of people, confident that they will bring others.

3. SHOULD WE MEET AT YOUR HOUSE OR AT MY CHURCH?

The goal of the mission to Hispanics is to incorporate people into a congregation in which they can receive the benefit of the Gospel which comes to them through Word and Sacrament. It could be that this incorporation begins with a Bible study in the home of a contact. But, some people will not feel inclined to invite others to their house. In other cases, people will invite other, but the house will be adequate only for a certain number of people. The goal of Bible study in the home is to prepare the people so as to be able to bring them into the life of the congregation. It is probable that some will never want to go from the Bible study at home to a Bible study in a congregational surrounding. At any rate, the goal continues to be to involve the people in the life of the congregation, something that takes place through evangelization.

4. HOW LONG WILL THIS MISSION LAST?

After have work for at least a year in a certain congregation, some of the members asked me this about the Hispanic mission: “How long will be doing this?

Some are accustomed to short term mission, such as summer mission trips Mexico, Texas or California. Without meaning to look down on these activities, it’s important to remember that the mission is a lifetime thing. It is necessary that Christians remember that the mission lasts as long as life does. The way in which a person participates in the mission changes with age – a) from the life of prayer, action and financial contribution b) to the life of prayer, encouragement and financial contribution, c) to the life or prayer alone.

A Hispanic pastor of our church recently reminded every one that the Hispanic mission, including the one that takes place inside the United States, is a long term mission and follows different paths than the mission to Anglos. It is a long term mission.

5. WHOSE MISSION IS IT AND HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES IT TAKE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION?

Most congregations would be content if someone would offer to do the mission for them and if it wouldn’t require too much work on their part. Over time the congregation might come to understand that the mission is really the mission of the whole congregation and that the congregation, in some way, must play a part in its fulfillment. A better scenario would be if the congregation would work together from the beginning and move along together. Because it is probable that this will never take place 100%, it is necessary that the leaders of the congregation support the mission and recruit the labor that is necessary to accomplish the mission. This requires a great deal of preliminary work in awakening the people concerning the missionary nature of the church on the congregational level. A missionary could be of aid in all of this, but he needs a great deal of support and aid from the members of the congregation.

When a major portion of the congregation is involved in some way, the mission will be of benefit not only to the Hispanic population, but also for the congregation itself.

6. DOES IT MATTER IF I SPEAK SPANISH?

It would seem logical that in order to do mission work among speakers of Spanish, one would have to speak Spanish. The truth is that few pastors and members of our congregations speak Spanish fluently. In this moment of history in which a door of opportunity is open with the influx of many speakers of Spanish, it is necessary that a Spanish speaker be at the disposition of each congregation that wants to work with Hispanics.

One of the immediate goals of the Hispanic mission is to obtain a Spanish speaker for each congregation. This can be done a) by preparing a non-speaker of Spanish so that he can speak Spanish, something that can be done quickly through an intensive study of Spanish. A course of Spanish could also be studied in a way that requires less rigor and time. b) Another way of reaching that end is to have a missionary, a speaker of Spanish, on the campus of the congregation until a convert who already speaks Spanish is prepared to work with the English speaking congregation and her pastor and serve as a bridge between the two groups, the Spanish speaking and the English speaking. c) The congregations that are in areas where there are many Hispanics should think in about calling a bilingual pastor the next time they have to issue a call. d) It is also necessary that the Hispanic members of the congregation use their Spanish in the mission to Hispanics.

There are many bilingual Hispanics in Minnesota. But, the mission to Hispanics should continue working in what is “the language of the heart” for many. We are told that the police in some places in Minnesota where there is a high number of Hispanics, have take a short course in Spanish and use, with benefit, the little Spanish they know. The church has a Gospel mission which is of greater importance and, therefore, it should be concerned about enabling its pastors so that they are prepared to communicate with the great number of Spanish spearkers. (It has been reported that the Catholic Church, in places where there is a high concentration of Hispanics, requires its priests to be bilingual)

Pastors who live near congregations in which services are held in Spanish can improve their Spanish by listening to the services and by singing the hymns in Spanish. A person can pick up quickly the meaning of the words from the liturgy and the hymns and by listening to the sermon in Spanish. These classes of “immersion” do not cost much for those whose schedule permits them to attend. A learner can also participate in Hispanic Bible studies.

The web page “Hispanic Trending” contends, as have others, that Hispanics of the second and third generation of immigrants will use English more and more. But, the important thing, according to that blog which is interested in the Hispano-Latino market, is not only the language but also the culture. So, says the blog, “The focus should be on the culture and not so much on the language.”

A person can study a culture and easily see the superficial but important aspects of the life of a group such as the Hispanics. For example: A Baptist Site explaining details of the Hispanic culture. But, it is important also to have a more profound understanding about what it is that motivates a person and what are his hopes and fears, etc.

7. DOES IT MATTER IF I SAY "USTED" O "TÚ"?

According to many observers of the culture of the United States, Americans are becoming increasingly impolite. In the 1970’s I served as pastor in a congregation where we shook hands before the service and after the service, before the Bible class and after, and before and after coffee was served during the break. The New York Times (Spring 2006), however, reportedly says that handshaking is going out of style for the increasingly “informal” North Americans.

On the other hand, the Spanish language contains verbal forms that are formal and polite as well as a formal and an informal form of address. While not all Hispanics are polite there is a remarkable courtesy that those involved in mission should not overlook. Pastors, especially, and others who are interested in Spanish missions should be concerned about courtesy

8. IN WHAT LANGUAGE SHOULD WE HAVE SUNDAY SCHOOL?

Young Hispanic/Latin children learn English rapidly and some even get to favor it. Some have calculated that English becomes the dominant language among Hispanics in 3 generations, as has happened in other groups that have immigrated to the United States. (This, of course, depends a great deal on the place in which the immigrant lives.) For this reason the congregation shouldn’t hesitate to invite Hispanic children to the English language Sunday School or Bible School. This is another opportunity for the members of the congregation who do not speak Spanish to offer their services to the mission.)

9. WHERE DID THEY COME FROM, WHERE DID THEY GO AND WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

People with whom the Spanish mission works could come from any place in Spain and South America. The greater number comes from the Central American countries, the United States of Mexico, Texas and California.

There seems to be a high rate of mobility among Hispanics who will move from one place to another because they seek jobs, want affordable housing, purchase homes, choose to live close to relatives, need to run from the law or the bill collector, etc.

The congregations that work with Hispanics can keep up with people who move by 1) visiting often so that they know where people are; 2) by mailing service material, sermons, Bible studies, etc. to people, 3) by visiting people in their new residence; and 4) by informing other congregations if Hispanics associated with our congregations move into another area where we have a congregation. Help with mailings is something that people who are not Spanish speakers but who wish to work with the mission can do.

Learn about the people and their background.

The Mexico Reader , Duke University Press 2002
A Brief History of Mexico , Lynn V. Foster, revised edition 2004 Checkmark Books
A Brief History of Central America.

10. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP IN TIME OF PHYSICAL NEED?

At times it may seem that Hispanics in general live in difficult financial situations. However, the median 2001 household income of Hispanics in the US was $30,000 to 39,999. (Compare that to the median among Americans in general which was $$40,000 to 49,999.) [It should be noted that the household is larger]. The need of Hispanics, however, for some reason or other, is often more noticeable because they are “new” in the neighborhood.

When needs become apparent, what can or should congregations do? Congregations and neighborhoods have ways of helping out people in need in general. The same steps should be followed. Sometimes that may mean a benefit for someone. Sometimes it may mean a one time assistance.

The congregation should be aware of the community help that is available through the Food Shelves and other means. People in the congregation may also be able to get people in need connected with the social help that is available through the State of Minnesota. Often times that means directing people to already existing agencies and helping people understand about insurance.

The congregation should conscious of what it is doing by helping people: It is giving social assistance. Social assistance isn’t a way of “buying” members. Congregations that have looked at social assistance in that way have felt “burnt” when the people they assisted did not show any interest in the church or were not sufficiently “thankful.”

There are also other ways of assisting people on a physical level. a) Encouraging students to attend school in order to get the education needed to get a good job. b) Encouraging children and young people not to have sex before marriage and not to get married before finishing high school. c) Encouraging people to go to work faithfully and not bounce from job to job, not to leave one job before having another, etc. d) Encouraging the people to follow a healthy diet and not to eat only meat and starch.

Mistakes people make are 1) refusing to be involved in any social activities; 2) thinking that social work takes the primary place of Christian proclamation.

11. SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG

There are at least three Lutheran hymnals available to use in Spanish speaking congregations. Culto Cristiano, Cantad Al Señor, y Libro de Liturgia. There is another which is just arriving from Chile and, without doubt, there are others from other parts of the Hispanic world. It would be great if some enterprising person could incorporate the best from each of them in one volume. Culto Cristiano has a good collection of Lutheran hymns, various liturgies, the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther and a good collection of prayers. But, it uses the “vosotros” forms and does not give due consideration to Hispanic rhythms. Cantad al Señor attempts to pay attention to Hispanic rhythms but seems to assume that Hispanic music and evangelical music are identical. Furthermore, it includes none of the Lutheran Confessions that should be found in a Lutheran hymnal (the Small Catechism or the Augsburg Confession), is very poor with respect to prayers and contains only two liturgies. Libro de Liturgia has a good collection of liturgies, is sensitive to Hispanic music, is weak on prayers, does not contain any Lutheran Confession and contains an inordinate amount of material influenced by liberation theology. None of these three hymnbooks is adequate alone.

A good musician with theological knowledge who appreciates Lutheran hymnody could put together a hymnal that would be truly Hispanic and Lutheran.

12. LITERATURE AND OTHER MASS COMMUNICATIONS

The distribution of literature and the use of radio and television can be useful. However, none of these means of communication can take the place of personal evangelism. Some groups distribute a great deal of evangelistic material with the purpose of establishing personal contact with people who do not know the Gospel. The use of literature, radio and television also has the purpose of providing people with Gospel material for their use after have come into live contact with the Gospel.

Presently there are a number of stations that transmit in Spanish 24 hours a day. Some of these have transmitters in strategic locations in Minnesota so that all parts of the state can be reached.

The correction of material translated into Spanish can be a laborsome job, but it is important to find people who can do it well so that the materials that are distributed be of good quality so that the physical format and appearance of the material do not distract from its message.

It is clear that printed materials should be bilingual, if possible. Many Hispanics, even though they are bilingual in speech, prefer to read English. Furthermore, some of the second and third generation of Hispanic immigrant no longer read or speak Spanish. Bilingual literature will have a wider audience than the literature that is prepared in only one language.

13. THE GOAL

The goal of the mission is to bring people into contact with the Word and Sacraments in communion with others, because it is through these means of grace that God dispenses the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation in Christ Jesus and it is through the congregation primarily that Christians encourage one another. In communion with one another in the means of grace, the believers are strengthened in their walk through this world while they wait the coming of the Lord Jesus.

The question whether Hispanics should be encouraged to form a separate congregations or whether they should become members of already existing congregations which have Spanish language services, Bible study, Sunday school and outreach programs is a question that the congregation doing the mission will have to decide. The answer will depend in part on the size of the Hispanic/Latino population in the area, as well as the degree of assimilation or isolation that the Hispanic population desires.

14. GETTING THE TERM RIGHT

I s it “Hispano” o “Latino” or “Chicano”? The term “Chicano” isn’t heard much in southwestern Minnesota. Some prefer Latino over Hispano and other the other way around. On the Internet any number of articles on this hot topic can be found, as for example:

http://juantornoe.blogs.com/hispanictrending/2004/06/latino_or_hispa.html

Go to the following site and click on the bar on the right of the screen to see a brief presentation about “Hispano/Latino” You must click 8 times to see the whole presentation.

http://www.pentecost2000.org/PPP/USAHispanics2002.ppt#3