Keeping up with tradition on my blog, here is my case study on Los Angeles for my Urban Church Planting Class
LOS ANGELES
When it comes to Los Angeles, people generally do not think about a need for evangelism or churches being planted. The average person would probably associate Los Angeles with celebrities and amusement parks. Church planting in Los Angeles is looked at with limited scope as many see the city to be more of a secularized bubble where churches and organized religion are greet with much opposition. Regardless, the people of Los Angeles have needs like that of any other city, and it will take a dedicated church planter to reach the city with the Gospel.
Before anyone starts a church plant in Los Angeles, there are four things to take into consideration: 1)the history of the city, 2) the ethnic diversity of Los Angeles, 3) the city’s unique qualities, and 4) racial tension.
History of Los Angeles
The first settlers in Los Angeles were the Spanish explorers in the early 1500s. Under the reigns of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, they were looking for a new way to travel to Asia. One hundred sixty six years passed when a group of Europeans settled there too. Most of the people who passed through Los Angeles during this time period were of Spanish descent. It was not until 1781 that Los Angeles became a recognized city in the U.S. California would be tossed around between Spain (1769-1821), and then Mexico (1821-48), until the United States declared California a state following the end of the Mexican American War in 1850.
“On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, establishing the Rio Grande and not the Nueces River as the U.S.-Mexican border. Under the treaty, Mexico also recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas, and agreed to sell California and the rest of its territory north of the Rio Grande for $15 million plus the assumption of certain damages claims.”[1]
Like most major cities in the United States, Los Angeles has a big story that led to its establishment. The gold rush of 1848 fueled California’s statehood and caused a major shift in its population for Los Angeles. The Gold Rush influenced people from all around the world to come to California and while most of the population growth was Northern California, some people had settled in Southern California where Los Angeles is located. As a result of the discovery of gold and the rise in population, the city’s economy began to thrive and a year later California was declared a state.
The Unique Quality of Los Angeles: HOLLYWOOD
Los Angeles does not hold to a standard that is found anywhere else in the United States; it has a tendency to be a town where “dreams are made” as many filmmakers and actors tend to say.
“In the few years between 1911 and 1925, Hollywood permanently captured the imagination of Americans across the country, and is never more than a ‘state of mind’. Hollywood, that is, became both a physical site and a place of fantasy – a place of marvelous dreams, dramas both personal and historical, and infinite possibility”. [2]
The film industry provided fuel for the vastly growing Los Angeles economy as this industry grew over the years. Famous films like the Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and Casablanca all came out of the golden age of Hollywood. Modern historians could see the impact that the community was having on the development of Los Angeles, and on May 18, 1927 the Chinese Theater was erected in honor of the community and the uniqueness of the Oriental style.[3] Hollywood’s addition to Los Angeles allows for the thriving stability of businesses geared at the film industry. Today, many film premieres, award shows, and studios surround the city, cloaking the true need of a planter to be seen. Lost people who truly need the Lord.
Probably one of the worst qualities of Los Angeles is the rampant liberalism that has saturated the moral stability of the city. Gay marriage has been a hot topic in the policiatl spotlight all across America. California traditionally has held very liberal ideals, and has been in favor of same-sex marriages. Hollywood has fueled a great deal of this political view in that the liberalism is seen in people such as
When modern church goers think of Los Angeles, chances are people think about the history of this city surrounding the glitz and glamour that is the “Hollywood” scene. Los Angeles has a reputation for showing partiality to people with “power” and wealth. A lot of people in this area who fall into that class of prestige are failing to see what lies on “the other side of the tracks”. The ethnic communities of a city will always exist, whether someone of privilege cares to see them or not. The downfall of this “upper class” mentality is that liberalism has become rampant in California. In 2008, 51% of the state was in favor of same-sex marriage[4], despite the fact that Proposition 8 has not passed in the state. This is also the most unique quality of the city. The movie scene is where the city gets its famous history. People everywhere on the planet today will know what someone is talking about when you mention the word “Hollywood”. This term is so famous, the Indian town of Bombay is famous for movies, and has earned the name “Bollywood” as a result. Los Angeles is a world wide well known place, and it has many ethnicities flocking to it.
Los Angeles Demographic
California still to this day maintains a very large percentage of its Hispanic population. “Hispanic is an ethnic and not a race category; persons of Hispanic origin can be of any race. Hispanic persons form a very large portion of the population in Greater LA, 31 percent compared with a U.S. average of 8 percent.”[5] Keep in mind, the book that the fact was just drawn from was written almost twenty-five years ago. In the 2010 census, the population vastly increased. The North American Mission Board has
Hispanics historically have made up the majority of the population of Los Angeles. In the 2010 U.S. Census, data showed the population demographic for the Hispanic community at almost 50% (48.5).[6]
Los Angeles may have one of the largest Hispanic populations of anyplace in the United States, they are not the only ethnic group that exists there. The Asian population of Los Angeles today is at 11.3%[7] .
The first Chinese citizens registered in Los Angeles after the statehood in 1850 were Ah Luce and Ah Fou, who were listened in the 1852 census as the only Chinese citizens of Los Angeles. The Chinese however, came to California in 1848 after the breakout of the gold rush. Most major population groups from all over the planet were coming straight to California in search of wealth to change their lives, and it is no surprise that a mighty nation like China would come to California helping this process along.
Not only did the gold rush aid in the economy, it brought what became a huge amount of work for the people to the area. The Chinese were aiding in the development of major railroads that were connecting parts of America. The Chinese were helping to build the modern economic system without even knowing it. Los Angeles would later grow to become a major stop on the railways that carried most of the goods and products made in the United States across the vastness of the country. This is especially true considering that the gold was being carried literally to the ends of the earth.
The statehood of California was a catalyst for the growth of massive population groups. “The first Chinese peoples were recorded to be in Los Angeles in 1852. Continuous settlement began in 1857. By 1870, an identifiable “Chinatown” of 200 or so was situated on Calle de Los Negros – Street of the Dark Hued Ones – a short alley 50 feet wide and one block long between El Pueblo Plaza and Old Arcadia Street. These early, mostly male, Chinese were mainly laundrymen, market gardeners, agricultural and ranch workers, and road builders. Despite the heavy discrimination in the late 19th century, Chinese held a dominant economic position in the Los Angeles laundry and produce industries for several years of this period. Consequently, old Chinatown flourished, expanding eastward from the Plaza across Alameda Street and eventually attaining a population of over 3000. The Exclusion Acts inhibited any real growth for many years. Many areas around Los Angeles have cultural districts that define various ethnic groups, and in many cities throughout the world, one would be able to locate a demographic that would be in need of evangelization simply due to the existence of “tourist destinations” like Chinatown. [8]
“Riots” and Church Planting
Los Angeles has held a notorious reputation for being a city full of racial division and violence. Historically, major cities; no matter where they are, will have racial division. In October 1871, there was a massacre of 20 people of Chinese origin, all of which were assassinated purely out of hatred for their race. Other groups of people in the city felt it necessary to take life away, simply because they were not of the same color skin or background as those committing the crime.
Racial tensions have been the biggest wedge between the church and reaching those who are “unchurched”, when planters try to come into an area in order to reach a target group of people, there has to be a background of understanding into why a city is the way that it is, and this is a negative side effect that Los Angeles holds today. The metropolitan area today is divided based on race. Majorly negative issues litter the history of this city, paving the way for destabilizing community problems, a poor economy, poor school districts, the list goes on. This is one of the major problems facing the churches in this city today. Racism is still a very much prevalent issue and church planters coming into the area are having to take into consideration what it means to make Los Angeles their target, purely because establishing a church means some people as opposed to others will respond to a gospel message. Racism is not just from the people that live around their homes, but from within the ethnic communities. The Asian races that occupy the area of Los Angeles consist of Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese, Cambodian, Thai, all of who have just as much need for Jesus as the Hispanics or the whites.
“The Riots” of racial tension
Los Angeles would be a fine place to do ministry. The fame of the city alone makes it appealing for a church planter, but however; the specifics of what is needed from a planter and his/her family remain the same.
First, prayer has to be the key in a city full of divided people groups. The ethnic populations of Los Angeles aid in the development of the community, but have endured racism and often times fear because of who they are. The Chinese community faced hardship early on into their citizenship of Los Angeles. “In the spring of 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Chester A. Arthur. This act provided an absolute 10-year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration. For the first time, Federal law proscribed entry of an ethnic working group on the premise that it endangered the good order of certain localities.”[9]
Things such as this exclusion act show what a harsh world humanity has grown to become. Many places in the United States have gone into debate as to whether this would be a fair practice, but many immigrants were treated with contempt and had to struggle for their cultural and racial acceptance. Even during World War II, because of the American paranoia of subsequent Japanese attacks following Pearl Harbor, Asian peoples were rounded up and sent to “internment” camps, just because of their Asian background. In a similar sense discussed by the authors of Reaching the City the section “Riots in the City” discussed radical issues that could virtually redefine the shape of a city. Many of these issues could be seen as trends that have developed within recent years and have blossomed into big issues of discussion among evangelical pastors and leaders, as to how to reach the peoples of certain big cities.
For example, if a church planter were trying to reach the Indian population of London, England, there would be a need for people to seek out Hindu temples or various community centers in an attempt to reach the peoples who inhabit major areas. This is the biggest topic of church planters. How do barriers get broken that have been started because of racial tensions?[10]
The natural tendency for a church planter coming into the area would be something along the lines of reaching a predominantly Hispanic community, strictly out of the vast numbers that make up the population. As indicated before in the 2010 census, there is almost fifty percent Hispanic population in the city, making it clear that the greater need would be to this community. This is a vital issues that has to be addressed. When racial tension exists, there tends to be a need for other areas to be developed. Education is a second issue. In the past, school districts have seen great racial barriers as well as declines in grades of schools over all because of the conditions being created over racism in a city. If a church is going to be established between a Hispanic community and a Chinese community, would it not be beneficial to have education systems put into place?
Conclusion
Dr. Steve Lee, professor of urban church planting at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary had spoken in great effect to his class on the need for Diaspora missions among people groups throughout North American cities. In Los Angeles, Hispanics and Asians make up the two largest percentages of Diaspora people groups. Having seen Chinese immigrants come to the city and has been there since the 1850s, the greatest need in the city seems to be towards reaching a very culturally rich people. Evangelism should be conducted in the heart language of the people group that a planter would be directly targeting. Hispanic churches have already been well established over the years as this is where the majority of ethnic targeting has been effective in establishing churches in the area. Heart language materials available to church planters are of great benefit, but there has to come a point where the training that is being given is available in English as well.
A great vision for a Los Angeles church planter would be where not only were churches being established throughout the city, but years and years of racial hatred and separation would be completely gone from the city? A church established where no one hated one another, where everyone could understand one another? It would be a vision casting church where people would be hearing the Word of God preached in their languages, and no one would be judged because they were Asian, Black, or Latino. The Word of God could be used to proclaim a need for a loving savior, and teach the people that are taught from an early age that they are to not tolerate one another would be seeing the image of their creator in each other, and then grow to love one another, teaching later generations that the racial hatred created over the past 100 years could be torn down because people are bold enough to proclaim a message that does not know color.
[1] “Mexican-American War.” History.com. http://www.history.com/topics/mexican-american-war (accessed April 2, 2013).
[2] Marti, Gerardo. Hollywood Faith: Holiness, Prosperity, and Ambition in a Los Angeles Church. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2008. (p.32-33)
[3] “Chinese Theatres – History.” TCL Chinese Theatre – Hollywood – Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/history/>.
[4] “Opinion: California wants a do-over on same-sex marriage vote – CNN.com.” CNN.com – Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/26/opinion/navarrette-california-gay-marriage>.
[5] Price, Clay. Population Data for Strategy Planning in Greater Los Angeles, California: A Mega Focus City Study. Atlanta: Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1989. (13)
[6] “Los Angeles (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau.” State and County QuickFacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0644000.html>.
[7] Ibid.
[8] “Chinatown Los Angeles.” Chinatown Los Angeles. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://www.chinatownla.com/history.php>.
[9] “Our Documents – Chinese Exclusion Act (1882).” Welcome to OurDocuments.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=47>.
[10] Casiño, Tereso C.. Reaching the city: reflections on urban mission for the twenty-first century. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library, 2012. Print. (108-121)
Bagels and Lox at the King's Table 