I definitely am not advocating that one loses their cultural identity and assimilate into a generic, homogonized white American culture. However, it is America which has been referred to as a melting pot. I mean, to me it’s so crazy to think that racism is alive and exhibited all throughout the US and people in Ohio or Nebraska or Tennesee will live in a community that is 95% white because it makes them feel safe, yet they have no problem going to the local Chinese or Mexican restaurant for dinner. Without cultural influences from around the world America would not be what it is today and I appreciate that aspect of this country very much.

Even if I wanted to assimilate in such a way that I disregarded all of my Japanese heritage–which I believe is impossible as some elements are in my dna–I still could not be a white American simply because I definitely do not look the part and couldn’t fool anyone. So, like it or not, I am always going to be viewed as Asian.

Culture is within us and we should preserve that as it is who we are…it’s our roots. However, we live in a nation that was built upon diversity and pride in our heritage. I was born in Japan and am Japanese, but first I am an American as this is where I choose to live and work.

Lastly, you made a comment above: “That said, multi-ethnic churches are for some people. And if you are trying to serve that population, you should definitely intentionally try to be multi-ethnic.” What population should I be serving? Being the light and love of Christ only to people that look like me or have similar Asian values as me makes no sense. Even Christ went against his Jewish culture to embrace the Gentiles and extend love, grace, and mercy to them. He never once asked them to trade in their Roman or Samarian culture and become Jews. He simply said that by their faith in him they were forgiven of sins or healed or whatever and they would naturally share their story with the people and thus the gospel began to spread. I want to see the gospel spread to people from all nations of all races and all customs and if various cultures are represented in my community, I will not exclude people (black, white, poor, wealthy, prostitute, homeless, alcoholic, etc.) as Jesus is love enough for all.

“Regardless of language or race inherently the second generation will want to assimilate into American culture and be taught English and encouraged to become Americans.”

While this can be true to some extent, I think the issue is much more complicated than that. I personally do not want to “assimilate” into American culture. Unfortunately, assimilate has a very very negative connotation. It means we’re losing our cultural identity. That’s not what you mean is it?

“Why wouldn’t they want their church to be representative of their Monday-through-Saturday environment?”

Many people don’t want their church to be representative of their Monday-Saturday environment. Many people’s monday-saturday environment is ethnocentric even though they’re 2nd generation. Some 2nd generation asians are in an all white Mon-Sat environment.

That said, multi-ethnic churches are for some people. And if you are trying to serve that population, you should definitely intentionally try to be multi-ethnic.