Heidelberg Presbyterian Church is an
International Church. As well as Australians of European background, we
have members who are Korean and Chinese. The latter come from several of
the Chinese speaking countries, such as Malaysia, Hong Kong and mainland
China. There are two main reasons for encouraging people of different
ethnic groups to join with us in worship.
Firstly, our community is not monocultural. In fact, Australia has never
really been a nation drawn from one ethnic group. Take a walk down the
main street in Heidelberg and you’ll find people from differing
backgrounds working and meeting together. The Christian Church is a group
of people drawn from a bigger community. As such, it is good that those of
us who gather for worship should reflect, in terms of membership, the
make-up of the different ethnic groups around us.
Secondly, the interaction of different cultural groups enriches the lives
of each one of us. For as we begin to appreciate the cultural heritage of
other people, our horizons are broadened. The world suddenly becomes a
smaller place. In addition, we find that people have similar needs and
desires. Through growing tolerance and understanding, we begin to see
ourselves as global Christians, part of the kingdom of God throughout the
earth.
