"What impressed me the most was how your team interacted, faced hard issues, spoke honestly with each other and modeled a multi-ethnic working relationship. I also appreciated your humility and admission that you are a work in progress. May God continue to bless your hard work together."

Carol Ann Bailey
Journey, center for the church's learning
Western Theological Seminary, MI

If you have the desire to see first-hand what a multi-ethnic church is like, you are qualified to go on an Encounter visit! This is an opportunity to go beyond what you would read in a book to experience multicultural worship, interact with congregational members from different cultural backgrounds, and talk with leaders from the Encounter church.

Various multi-ethnic churches around the USA have agreed to host visiting teams. Your visiting church would be expected to select and send a team of representatives. It is highly recommended that the visiting group include the senior pastor of the visiting church. Normally, the visit begins on a Saturday and ends on Sunday afternoon. However, schedules and activities vary depending on the host Encounter church.

One benefit of an Encounter visit is the opportunity to learn the rationale, advantages and disadvantages of the ministry model used in that church. You also learn the historical path the church took to get where it is today.

What happens on an Encounter?

Each Encounter church is free to design the experience in a way that they feel will give the best exposure to what God is doing in their church. Typically this would include:

1. Saturday morning, afternoon and/or evening meetings with staff members.
2. Possible drive through the neighborhoods to gain understanding of demographics.
3. Participate in main worship service with a view toward insights to be gained.
4. Time for debriefing with one or more staff members after the service.

What kinds of churches might you visit?

Multi-ethnic churches around the country host encounters in partnership with Mosaix. These churches are of varying affiliation and use differing approaches in ministry. However, they all share these common characteristics:

1. Comfortable working with other Christian pastors and congregations that may have doctrinal views different than its own.
2. Diverse leadership and an average attendance large enough to provide a profitable learning experience for other congregational leaders.
3. Willing to make staff members available in such a manner that it provides a profitable learning experience for other congregational leaders.
4. The senior pastor of the host church is strongly encouraged to participate for one hour at least.
5. Able to describe its own ministry regarding things like : Goals (what is being attempted), Strategy (What approach is being used), Evaluations (can describe what has/is being accomplished), Narrative (can tell its own story of the journey to diversity).
6. View being an Encounter church as a ministry calling to serving inquiring pastors and congregations.
7. Willing to share mistakes transparently.
8. May continue in a consulting or coaching relationship with visitors.

What is expected of those who visit?

1. Must include the Senior Pastor or main church planter.
2. Two or three people should form the visiting team.
3. They should have done initial reading on multi-ethnic ministry. Any readings or preparations requested by Encounter church should have been completed.
4. A team of visitors may be grouped together in sharing the Encounter weekend with teams from other visiting churches.
5. Cover all your own expenses.

What does an Encounter cost?

For member churches there is no charge for an Encounter. The suggested donation for non-member churches is $250 The total amount is to be paid to Mosaix at least seven days prior to the scheduled Encounter.

In addition, visiting churches are expected to cover their own costs. This includes paying for transportation, housing, and food costs (unless otherwise stipulated by the Encounter church). In addition, you will cover the food costs for any of the staff or ministry leaders you meet with over a meal at the church you visit, i.e., their lunch or dinner.

How do I schedule an Encounter visit?

1. Complete the "Questionnaire for Visiting Church" which you will find in the Members section.
2. The Operations Team will recommend one or two Encounter options that are a good match for your church.
3. Feel free to contact encounter@mosaix.inf0 if you have any further questions.

What happens after our visit?

After returning, the visiting team should discuss the follow-up questions, and share their insights with the entire staff and leadership team.

You may want to schedule another Encounter at a different church in order to observe another approach to multiethnic ministry. Contact us for further referrals.

It is advised that you engage the services of a qualified intercultural coach who can help you think through possible next steps. You can get information about coaching and its possible benefits in the Members section.