Australia is becoming increasingly multicultural, reflected in multiple urban churches where many congregation members have differing first languages other than English (LOTE), come from diverse ethnic groups and differing cultural and spiritual traditions, yet are expected to communicate in unity. Unlike much study done in recent  years on LOTE-speakers’ adaptation into “Anglo” churches, this research looks at how well such speakers are able to communicate with each other when using English as the medium for communication. It seems almost inevitable that miscommunications will occasionally occur. This research was done to investigate that hypothesis. A survey instrument was written, considering language, culture, spiritual beliefs, experiences of prejudice and how participants coped when trying to communicate using English at church. The survey was completed by 151 participants from eight northern and western Melbourne suburban area churches (4 Pentecostal, 3 Protestant, 1 Roman Catholic), as well as 17 English speakers from non-core English-speaking countries (a small comparison group). Twenty-five participants were also interviewed, for expansion on survey responses and to examine how they tended to self-identify and self-categorise. 

Results confirmed that LOTE-speakers of English often had some difficulties communicating with each other. Accents, different implied meanings of words, and cultural differences caused problems, and their experiences of prejudice from “Anglos” in the churches were also significant. Older participants, generally longer-term residents, had significantly fewer difficulties. Possible suggested aids to mitigate communication problems included speaking more slowly, avoiding use of slang, displaying main points during sermons, and holding events to showcase different ethnicities’ cultures. Limitations of the research include the self-selection of participants and interviewees, only eight churches being surveyed, and the potential for misunderstandings of survey questions.