Kidney Stones & Tummy Troubles
9 years ago
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Church Diversity Sucks
Did the title of this blog post catch your attention? It caught mine as well as I watched Scott Williams message during "The Nines" conference. I'm honestly very hesitant to post the title "Church Diversity Sucks" knowing that I will probably have a few people get upset about my title, but I also know that the title will attract some that might not have read this blog post or watch this video to take the time. As I watched his message, I think it shook my thinking more than any of the other messages I heard that day. If you haven't already taken the time to watch this video, I hope you will take 9 minutes and listen to his message. Scott makes a statement that is so true that I honestly had never thought about until hearing his message: "On Sundays when we stand to sing and worship God that we're standing in the most segregated hour of the most segregated day of the week." His challenge is for us as ministry leaders to truly embrace diversity and not just tolerate it. Church Diversity sucks but it doesn't have to! How do you think we begin to embrace diversity? Thoughts?
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6 comments:
Since it's 2 a.m. & everyone's asleep but me I can't watch the video right now. Well, I could if I muted it...ha, ha! Christians are the most diverse people. Maybe it's because we lived in Africa where we were the "minority" by a landslide, but I do notice how churches are so segregated, for lack of a better word. Looking forward to seeing the video & hearing what he says!
After working in full-time Christian jobs, Phil came to the conclusion (and I agree), "Christians are weird." ;)
About your title, I have a friend who told her daughter & friends she didn't like the word "suck" being used unless it was used like, "sucks like a vacuum." Yep, they then started saying things like, "School sucks like a vacuum." So, if anyone has a problem with the title, just tell them Church diversity sucks like a vacuum!
Another good "get you to think" post, Nils. This is one of the things that, even with its many shortcomings, makes First Methodist Houston a great church. I've been struck by just how non-diverse most suburban churches are, even the one I go to now.
I totally agree about FUMC. I never really appreciated the diversity until I left and realized how unique it was. It just seemed natural as it should be, but I know it came with intentional efforts.
I am going to perhaps play devil's advocate a little by asking a fundamental question that I don't see asked about this topic. Hold on and don't get too upset....What if anything makes diversity better? There is a lot of talk today about how we should be encouraging diversity, but not much (if any) talk about why. This seems pretty important to me.
The video cites a difference between encouraging and tolerating diversity. I would say there is another major option. There is welcoming diversity.
See, here's the problem I have with this concept. It forces us to be critical of churches that are not diverse as if they are inferior, less spiritual, or maybe even unholy. Does this apply to all churches or only predominantly Caucasian ones? Furthermore, what do you do for churches in areas where there is little diversity? I spent part of my youth in a town of 12,000 in Wisconsin. A town that was 99% Caucasian. Are churches there less holy or inferior because they are not diverse? Do they need to initiate a campaign to get minorities to move to their town so they can be more spiritual?
Or perhaps there is racism and the abscence of racism. In today's world, it certainly doesn't seem that way. Instead, we are led to believe by politicians and now apparently preachers that you must be either an activist or you are a racist. I simply disagree with this notion. It is illogical, extra-biblical (at best), and is causing far more division than unity.
Thanks for the thoughts Josh! I have a few thoughts in response:
1) I think this applies to all churches, not just predominantly Caucasian churches.
2) You bring up a good point about churches in areas that aren't diverse. I believe that a church can be a catalyst in their community in embracing diversity.
Would love to hear more of your thoughts Josh... very challenging!
but you still fail to show why diversity in local churches is a better or more Godly way...The church is far more than a local congregation, it is a universal body - and that body is diverse!!!
I think we are called to be a catalyst for unconditional love to a world that is hurting. If that brings local diversity, then great and we should embrace/welcome it.
Another question I would ask is what qualifies as diversity? Is it based on race/ethnicity? What about socioeconomics? Gender? See, I would argue that a local church that is practicing unconditional love is already far more effective and biblical than a church that is striving for diversity based on any of the above criteria. Our church is full of liars, adulterers, cheaters, those that have had abortions, the list goes on and on....unconditional love covers everyone - Activism for diversity simply doesn't.
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