What does it mean to be a transcultural community? South African pastor One Mokgatle defines “Transcultural” as “a community that reflects, embraces and enjoys the diversity of its context, but by the power of the gospel transcends it and creates one new community in Christ”. When we planted Regeneration Church in the city of Monash, Melbourne in 2017 we decided that “Transcultural Community” was going to be one of our core values. We are aiming to reach the suburb of Clayton, the most ethnically diverse suburb in Australia with 122 nationalities represented, so we want to be a church that welcomes people from every nation. Yet, the impetus to make “Transcultural” a core value was not just missional and pragmatic, but theological and biblical.
The Gospel Creates a Transcultural Community
Ephesians 2:1-10 is one of my favourite gospel summaries in all of Scripture. In the next few verses, Paul applies the gospel to the Ephesian Christians by first reminding them that they being Gentile were excluded from God’s promise but have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Then he goes on to say this:
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility”.
The gospel breaks down every national and ethnic boundary. The people of God are no longer defined by nationality or ethnicity but rather by faith in Christ. A vertical reconciliation between God and humanity now leads to a horizontal reconciliation between people. Peace or “shalom” is the goal. This is not just the cessation of war but wholeness, health, security, harmony, prosperity and well-being. Therefore, the gospel destroys racism, ethnocentrism and all forms of cultural pride to create a transcultural community.
The Goal of the Gospel is a Transcultural Community
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)
In Revelation 7, we get a glimpse of the ultimate, final, triumphant church. Every Christian that ever lived throughout history from every nation, tribe, people and language, gathered around the throne to worship Jesus. The amazing thing is that we don’t somehow get assimilated into some heavenly monoculture. Rather, each people group retains its language and culture in the New Creation. The goal of the gospel is a people of God redeemed from every nation, tribe, people and language. The local church should be a foretaste of this heavenly reality. If the ultimate church is a movie, then the local church should be a trailer.
