Congregations work to blend many faces of worship

Following a national trend, local churches are seeing an increase in racial diversity within their walls.

Whether it’s the result of intentional marketing, outreach or just something that happened, church leaders are saying the change is most definitely a welcome one.

Although they aren’t “mega” in size, some of Odessa’s largest churches are beginning to better reflect the area demographics of Sunday worshippers.

At First Baptist Church, 709 N. Lee Ave., a Hispanic Sunday school class, day care center and sports programs in the Family Life Center have connected the community with the downtown church.

The Rev. Don Norris, minister of education, said that as the church became more inviting and caring, the mostly Caucasian congregation became mixed with other ethnic groups who felt comfortable there.

“Ten to 15 percent of our active membership is represented by the Hispanic community — we also have some blacks, Filipinos and some smattering of other people groups,” he said. “It’s beginning to reflect more of the makeup of the community.”

While building bridges to the community through programs, Norris said the church’s change in diversity has been more of an attitude effect than a strategic marketing ploy.

“The attitude and spirit of our church has begun to reflect on what the gospel is all about — ‘that whosoever will may come,’ ” he said quoting Scripture. “We’re more focussed on reaching out to the community.”

Norris said even with an increased racial variety within the pews, First Baptist Church is still not a true reflection of Odessa’s people groups.

“We’re way behind that,” he said. “And I’m not saying that it is all a bad thing, because culturally there are some distinct differences in things.”

The Rev. Don Palmer, pastor of Life Unlimited Church, 4224 E. Loop 338, said his church has a Hispanic worship leader, a few black praise singers and some Hispanic board members.

“We’re very diversified — and we have been for years, but we have never developed a strategy on that,” he said.

Currently in rebuilding mode with his congregation of 130, Palmer said the church was once near “mega” status and bigger crowds lend to diversity.

“Once we reached better than 100, we began to see more diversity,” he said. “We’ve just welcomed everyone and treat them all the same.”

Temple Baptist Church, 1000 N. Texas Ave., has adjusted to diversity within its walls with a Hispanic staff member and an English language class, said The Rev. Al Workman, Temple’s executive pastor.

“Wise is the congregation that knows how the community is made up. But it’s not about what race I am, it’s about who Jesus Christ is,” he said.

As the nation’s megachurches influence smaller ones with the trickle-down effect, Workman said the shift to racial inclusiveness has resembled the diverse ministries of the first New Testament churches.

“If you have the right programs and people with the right heart, that’s an invitation to be a part of,” he said. “Nobody wants to be part of the Second Church of Frigid Air.”