Abstract
Issues of race and race relations continue to plague this nation, well into the 21st Century. Multicultural churches may offer some guidelines for healing. Sanctuary Covenant Church of Minneapolis, established in 2003 by an African American pastor, continues to operate as a multicultural church. With an attendance that exceeds 500 people each Sunday, it represents one of the larger multicultural congregations in the area as well as in the nation. Yet, Sanctuary remains in the minority because fewer than 6 percent of the churches in the United States are multicultural. In this qualitative case study I sought to understand how the church came into being and continued to operate as a multicultural church. A recently expanding wealth of literature on the multicultural church served as preparation for this research. In addition to interviewing 19 leaders and members of the church, the case study considered artifacts and supporting documents, an institutional survey as well as observation of the congregation during worship. Ultimately, Sanctuary’s commitment to the vision of a multicultural church and members’ willingness to do the work necessary to make that vision a reality are what allow this institution to continue operating as a multicultural church.