On the day of Pentecost the church was strictly Jewish. When Peter entered and preached in the home of Cornelious the Roman centurion the church became Jewish and Gentile. When the Ethiopian was saved through Philipp's ministry the church became international.
My point is that the Gospel transcends the walls of culture, nationality & color. Even the divide between ages and even between men and women are removed. Yet for "the Gospel's sake" the church has become segregated in mind and approach over the years in an attempt to be relative to some particular sector of the population. But at what cost? Let's say, I being Hispanic seek to reach the Hispanic population only. Language, music, family or cultural distinctive to that culture become predominant and become a hindrance to reaching all others. Is that God's intention for his church.
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (n ot being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."
In my endeavor to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28:16-20 I see our world through missionary eyes and so pray that our fellowship be enabled and posess such a character as to reach the lost of every culture. My prayer is being answered but how did we do this? By a commitment of teaching God's word according to the spirit if the text, a strict focus on Jesus and loving all that enter our doors unconditionally. The outcome is a church that is growing culturally and socially diverse. I have a Philippino worship leader, I have a African American children's ministry leader and a Hispanic youth leader. We have those of American Indian descent and who are from India and have mixed racial families. It is an incredible thing to watch and experience as it is heaven on earth when we all raise our voices to our king.
Blessings
pBob