In his congregation McCall said he has had several of Caribbean and African descent marrying Native Americans. An Asian American and Anglo American have also been a part of the church, he said. McCall said mixed marriages can create a challenge for ministers. There is some social isolation, and we try to create a caring atmosphere and build through Bible study ways those people are resourced and made to feel part of the church family. They look at the world differently than my generation did, and especially than my father's generation did.
Ethnicity is part of a rich bouquet.
We don't deny ethnicity, but we don't over-emphasize it either. White said churches must adapt to cultural changes in order to reach people for Christ. When the culture shifts we assume we are shifting from the gospel. When that model is threatened, then we may choose to retreat into a theological defense and say we're compromising the word of Christ. It's not that racism is becoming less of an issue, but I think socio-economics are actually a much greater factor in regard to people accepting or not accepting other people.