Managing the Challenges of Leading Multiracial Churches

Abstract

Abstract Leading multiracial churches is exhausting. This is the case for all pastors, regardless of their race. Yet pastors of color experience unique and added burdens leading multiracial congregations. This chapter addresses these distinct and additional challenges and examines how pastors of color try to manage them. They rely on three strategies to manage their additional challenges and compensate for the dearth of resources available to them in their positions. One strategy is to overachieve, or at least achieve more than their white counterparts. A second strategy is to hide or suppress their racial selves in their role as head clergy, in an effort to minimize any negative effect that they perceive their racial minority status may have on their church. Although pastors of color can be quite critical of the religious structure and practices of their ethnoracial home churches, particularly in comparison to established white churches, many also find considerable and necessary social, psychological, and spiritual support from co-ethnic and co-racial ties, including those ties that come from their ethnic home church. This gives them the energy and courage to press on in their role as head clergy of multiracial congregations in what often feels like a wilderness experience. Thus, a third strategy is to get “recharged” by spending time with people, often other pastors, who share their ethnoracial identity. The chapter concludes with recommendations of what can be done to support the well-being of pastors of color in their role as head clergy of multiracial congregations.