The Myth of the Melting Pot, the Glory of the Salad Bowl

Language Ministries: Georges Boujakly
Monday, March 28, 2005

A long time ago, new comers to the United States were expected to blend in leaving the past behind. A new language and new way of seeing life had to replace the birth one. An American farmer by the name of Hector St John de Crèvecoeur thought so in 1782. He said, an American is one, "who, leaving behind all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new life he has embraced... Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men" (Letters from an American Farmer, Letter 3: "What Is an American?" in the Norton Anthology of American Literature, 6th ed., ed. Nina Baym et al. (New York: Norton, 2002), p. 265). Apparently this issue of melting into the dominant culture has staying power. No matter how much melting immigrants do, most remain "unmelted." A truer description of America is a salad bowl. Parts blend in but do not lose their identities.

Biblically speaking, the people of God were immigrants many times over: in Egypt, in the land of promise, in Assyria, in Babylon, in Persia, in Greece and in Rome. Yet the people of God never lost their identities, even under duress. The Immigrant One came yet He never lost His heavenly address or origins. The Christians became immigrants taking with them their uniqueness to the uttermost parts of the world. HOKSBA is home to many who come from elsewhere. The salad bowl is getting bigger but there is always room for another ingredient. Some of our churches have received the immigrants and helped them become followers of Christ in local congregations. Some have not discovered them yet. The number of Hispanics is expected to climb by at least 15% in the next few years. More and more internationals keep coming to WSU. The number of ethnic restaurants and shops keeps growing. Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." If your church is a salad bowl, what ingredients is it missing? Perhaps another salad bowl is needed in your area. Your staff at the Heart of Kansas is ready to help any church discover which ingredient is in your zip code and how to lay down a strategy to add them to your salad bowl or start another salad bowl.