City planners and urbanologists consider these enclaves almost exclusively from the perspective of economics and politics.17 World evangelization strategists perceive them as a reality in which they must seek to plant new congregations. Enclaves among foreign born evangelicals in urban centers are more than geographical configurations. They are part and parcel of a community that is built by persons of common language, concerns, and ideals. In general terms ethnic congregations develop their networks through their pastors or through the influence that a beginning or founding congregation of that culture group has had on the others. Depending on one's background and life history, one will be better prepared to understand cultural enclaves.
Cultural consciousness becomes a significant component in understanding cultural enclaves.
In world evangelization Christian workers ministering across cultures are forced, by the type of setting, to become culturally conscious by means of orientation and language studies. The issue is not whether but when one should relate to a cultural enclave. In many churches in the United States cultural enclaves are all grouped together and given some notoriety in a world mission setting. I am convinced this approach is out of date. Another process utilized in dealing with cultural enclaves is designating geographical zones in which they may be included.