Sunday mornings are still segregated. Taste of Heaven seeks to change that

A young South Asian woman in a white and gold loose Asian trouser suit dances with a young Chinese woman in a vibrant silk embroidered jacket. A young black British man in a bright shirt throws out his four limbs in dance. 30 dancers weave together with enthusiasm. A Portuguese woman leads us in proclaiming ‘Holy Holy Holy’ in various languages – Santo, Pobitro, Heilig, Shèngjié…We sing to an Irish fiddler-led jig and to a Nigerian drummer-led chorus and to a, mostly white, swaying Gospel Choir.  The congregation, with plenty of white Brits, sways, shuffles and smiles. 

Welcome to the Taste of Heaven Intercultural Worship Festival, which was held at Coventry Cathedral this past Saturday. 

The event

The day was run by Intercultural Churches, an organisation first catalysed by Adam and Karina Martin after they moved into the centre of Derby in the early 2000s and, to their surprise, gathered a very diverse church community. Intercultural Churches developed as a relational network. 

For the Coventry Day, Adam wrote: “Our vision and hope is that today will be a joyful celebration of the rich cultural diversity of the UK church and a beautiful offering of worship to the Lord who has won our hearts. We pray that you will be inspired by this little ‘Taste of Heaven’ and return with a vision to explore intercultural worship in your own home church.”

Musicians were keen to take part. On the Main Stage in front of the Cathedral Choir Stalls we were led in worship by Dave Bilborough, Celtish, Bridge Music, Seyi Israel & The Worship Tribe, Voices from the Nations, Gas Street Music, Alive Kids, Big Sing, Movement in Worship, Songs2Serve and Resonance Band, and Steve Thompson. 

Workshops in attached buildings were on intercultural Church, Worship and Leadership, by various contributing musicians and the evening was a grand celebration of worship styles and cultures, a large family gathering of Jesus’ enthusiastic sisters and brothers. 

Why it matters

This sense of global family is what God wants, and what we will ultimately enjoy and experience in paradise. But its not nearly as common in the UK as it should be.  

In fact, Sunday morning can still be called the most segregated time of the week. Black led churches have mostly black congregations and white led churches mostly white congregations. Asian and Chinese congregations thrive, but they too are distinct. 

It’s well documented how in the 1950s newly arrived Caribbeans were made unwelcome in so many churches. But prejudice still exists. I was shocked when as recently as 2008, a church warden in the Midlands remarked that he’d told a Sri Lankan family that a different church would be more appropriate for them.

Familiarity is the antidote to prejudice

We need a better future. But welcoming and incorporating a few cultures at the same time is not easy. This is why Intercultural Churches say they “intentionally create spaces where everyone feels valued, building relationships across cultural boundaries and promoting unity.” It takes effort and work.

I believe this event and the movement are significant for the UK Church and nation. Partly because we Christians should be demonstrating how misguided the ultra-nationalist white Brits are who want to keep other people out of this land. 

Familiarity is the antidote to prejudice and many UK churches are very well placed to foster intercultural familiarity. Familiarity develops in families, including God’s global family. Through sharing worship and days out, ministry and meals, we will widen our appreciation of our Father’s handiwork, and experience a foretaste of heaven.  

“See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell in, worship in, unity. There our God commands blessing,” says Psalm 133:1. If we want blessing for our churches and our country we need to develop familiarity and unity, with all our brothers and sisters. 

For more information about Taste of Heaven and Intercultural Churches visit interculturalchurches.org