Christian Churches Together

 

October 21, 2014

Historic Gathering of Hispanic  

Christian National Leaders 

 

 



On October 14-15, a group of 16 Christian Hispanic leaders met in Chicago in what was probably the first gathering of its kind in our country. They came together by the encouragement and support of Christian Churches Together. 

 

The number of participants was modest, but the implications and potential are enormous (16 national leaders attended). These leaders represented the three major groupings of Hispanic Christians in our country, Catholic, Evangelical/Pentecostal and Protestant. At the end of the 24 hour period, these leaders agreed to continue their dialogue and pursue a deeper understanding of each of their traditions. The coming together of these leaders it is not a small accomplishment; the historical divisions between Hispanic Christians is profound. 

 

A planning committee was established to work on the second gathering to be held in 2015.

 


Will Latinos Choose Unity?

Reflections on the Future of Hispanic 
 Christianity in the USA


by Rev. Carlos L. Malav�

Latinos and Latinas are positioned to be a strong influence in shaping the future of the United States. This future will be greatly determined by our capacity and success in breaking with a history of dependency, divisions and power struggles. The future of the Hispanic community in the United States is full of promise and opportunities. Sacrifice, hard work, imagination, humility and unity will be needed to create a better future together.  

Let us look at the simple numbers. According to US census data, the Hispanic population of the United States, as of July 2013, was 54 million. This makes people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics constituted 17 percent of the nation's total population.

The projected Hispanic population of the United States by the year 2060 is 128.8 million. According to this projection, the Hispanic population will constitute 31 percent of the nation's population by that date.

Latinos are the largest single racial/ethnic group in California. That makes California only the second state, behind New Mexico, where whites are not the majority and Latinos are the plurality, meaning they are not more than half but they comprise the largest percentage of any group.

These figures clearly demonstrate the present and future potential impact of Latinos in the shaping of the socio-political, economic and religious landscape in the USA. The socio-political and economic possibilities for the Latino community are wide open. Hispanics are fast becoming leading drivers of growth and likely trendsetters in the marketplace. The future U.S. economy will depend on Hispanics by virtue of demographic change and the social and cultural shifts expected to accompany their continued growth.

The influence and potential effects of Hispanic Christians in our society cannot be downplayed. A 2013 Pew Research Center study found that 55 percent of Hispanics in the United States identified themselves as Catholic. About 22 percent of Hispanics identify as Protestant - including 16 percent who say they are evangelical or born-again - and 18 percent say they are unaffiliated. What these numbers tell is that a vast majority of Latinos, 93%, are Christians.

Based on the sheer numbers and growth projections, the future growth of Hispanic Christianity is assured. Nevertheless, projections in themselves will not determine the future growth or the influence of Hispanic Christianity in our country. This will depend on several factors, here are some:

     - The success of the Church in attracting and keeping the faith alive of the second, third and future generations.

     - How successfully the Church confronts the forces of secularization. Will the Christian faith continue to be something that makes sense to future generations? Will we be able to articulate a faith that is relevant and capable of surviving the challenges of a radically different world?

    - How will the Christian faith relate to the economic sphere? Will Latinos see the economy as the means to increase their wealth? Or will they be able to tame the forces of individualistic capitalism, so that together they seek the well being of the community.

     - How can the fervor and zeal of Latin American Christianity be kept alive and continue to be a source of inspiration? Will faith and community continue to be a priority for future generations?

     - Will Hispanics be able to overcome their economic dependency from the denominations controlled by an affluent white majority?

     - Will Latinos and Latinas in the USA be able to overcome the traditional religious divisions that their parents experienced back in Latin America?

     - Does a divided Hispanic Christianity make sense in light of the racial, economic and secular forces alive in today's culture?

These are only a few questions we must deal with as we lay out the foundation for future generations of Latinos and Latinas in this country.

Finally, allow me to suggest that if we want to succeed in building a solid foundation for the future of our faith and our people, we must take a deep look at the kind of leadership required. Divisions, oppression and power struggles have regrettably marred the religious and political history of most Latin American countries. Successions of dictators after dictators in many Latin American countries are tragic chapters in our history.

The Church has not been able to escape these same forces that turn brother against brother, and sister against sister; forces that obscure our perception of our neighbors and make them our enemies. The divisions between Catholics and Protestants in Latin America are deep and painful. Suspicion and division are also experienced among Protestants. If we are honest, we must say that these divisions were originally promoted and supported by external forces. I cannot elaborate in this short reflection, but many agree that these divisions among Christians in Latin America simply reflect the sinful divisions of those who originally brought the Christian faith to their lands.

The future of the Christian faith among Hispanics in the USA, as well as the flourishing of our community, may be related. The challenges our Hispanic community is facing require us to set aside personal gains and individual agendas. The tyranny of individualistic attitudes will only delay the better future we seek. The present cultural, political and economic forces challenge Hispanic Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals to set aside their painful history and seek reconciliation. Mutual understanding is possible. It is possible because it is God's will.  We must let go of memories that imprison our capacity to be free and create a better world for present and future generations.

We can be the salt of the earth; we can be the light of the world. To simply profess a faith, or claim a religious inheritance, does not make us light of the world or salt of the earth. Latinos and Latinas have proven that their tenacity, hard work and strong faith are able to overcome the most difficult challenges. We must be willing to abdicate anything that hinders the full manifestation of the transforming and renewing power of God in us.

God is giving our generation the honor, but even more the capacity to redeem our past and dream a future worthy of the beauty of our children and their children.

 

 


Invitation from Sojourners to join the New
Faith in Action Leaders Circle
Visit webpage HERE

 

 

   

  

Renovare seeks new president more info HERE 

CCT 2015 Annual Convocation
February 10-13 Houston, TX

Immigrant Faith Communities and the Future of the Church in the USA 
  
Support the work of Christian Churches Together 
 

 

  
For more information on Christian Churches Together in the USA
contact our Executive Director, Rev. Carlos L. Malav� at
email 
or call 502.509.5168
 
 
Visit our website: www.cctusa.net