“We’re Not a Korean American Church Any More”: Dilemmas in Constructing a Multi-Racial Church Identity

Abstract

English Ministry churches, which serve second-generation Korean Americans, plan on becoming multi-racial in order to grow. This raises questions of how organizations change identities generally, and, in particular, how the churches plan to keep both current and new members comfortable within a multi-racial space. Pastors and members define their racial status in terms of their cultural differences, rather than inter-racial inequalities, from whites. Their interpretation of race shapes their plan for drawing in a multi-racial congregation. Pastors hope to create multicultural congregations that welcome diversity. Yet implementing this model while satisfying Korean Americans and non-Korean Americans is proving difficult. Churches strategically use distinct backstage and front-stage activities to appeal to all groups, thereby creating a potential dilemma in their long-term church identity. They may also impede membership from other minority racial groups through their approach to race.