Currently Reading A Practical View of Christianity (Hendrickson Christian Classics) By William Wilberforce see related

The Gospel and Diversity

Introduction

The topics of diversity and multiculturalism are highly emphasized issues in our culture. Most companies, organizations, and governments have developed policy with which to implement a contemporary practice of respecting individuals of all ethnicities, cultures, religions, languages, sexes, sexual orientation, and whatever else by which one might choose to define themselves. The truth is, there is an incredibly complex web of worldviews in today's global society, and many are attempting to reconcile these views in pursuit of peace and harmony among mankind. This has certainly proven to be a confusing, not to mention controversial, endeavor because of the way the language of discussing such matters has become so murky and convoluted. In the midst of this ongoing discussion, the Christian Church has largely been seen as either absent, behind, or at least in a sideline conversation known as 'inter-faith dialogue'. It is regrettable that the Church has no room for boasting when it comes to the topic of diversity, being maybe the most segregated institution in American culture. As a result, Christians ought to participate in the dialogue with humility and thoughtfulness so as not to further damage the reputation of the gospel among those pursuing a peaceful diversity in the world. Indeed, the Church should be seeking to set a gracious example in this pursuit, and as with anything, should do it with boldness, but in meekness and love.

However, some Christians, as well as non-Christians, have questioned the role of the Church in relation to diversity, either because the topic seems to be a tangent that strays from the gospel and the traditional goals of the Church, or because the exclusive claims made in Christianity leave it void of any helpful contribution to the understanding of diversity.

It is with this backdrop in view that I seek to add my comments, with the help of some thoughts from a collection of friends, professors, leading evangelicals, personal experiences, and words from Scripture.

What is Diversity?

One thing that has made the topic of diversity a complicated one is the fact that the language and terminology surrounding it have become confused. What I mean by this is that in our society the concept of diversity now has undertone meanings of tolerance, relativity, and moral ambiguity. Despite the fact that diversity simply means to have variety or a collection of different things, the definition has been hijacked to mean more than what it actually means. Nowhere amidst the definition of diversity is it suggested that all parts of the collection are equally true, or that any one part is more legitimate than the other parts.

That being said, actual diversity, at least in the Church, displays God’s faithfulness to his promises to redeem a people comprised of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. It is also a display of Jesus’ ability to restore all kinds of people through his life, death, and resurrection. Ultimately, diversity in the Church is a celebration of unity, rather than diversity, showing that although we are different in many ways, we are all made in the image of God, we are all descendents of Adam, we share a fallen condition, we are all in need of having our consciences cleansed and renewed, and in Christ we are co-heirs of the same inheritance. It is this approach to diversity that actually brings people together, rather than driving them apart and further segregating them.

What isn’t Diversity?

When God initially forged diversity into humanity in Geneses 11, it was to prevent the people from coming together to build up their own reputation and kingdom. But as is declared in Psalm 86:9, “All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name” and confirmed in passages like Revelation 5:9-10, God’s ultimate plan is for the diversity of humanity to be reunited for the sake of his name. What this means then is that the overall purpose for diversity in the Church isn’t division, but unity.

But although much of the modern multicultural movement appears to celebrate a healthy view of diversity, it has in many ways become an excuse to reinforce negative stereotypes and remain isolated in our personal identities. Rather than bringing people together, ‘diversity’ has further segregated our society. Many pursuits of diversity have taken the form of a lowest common denominator agreement on truth and morality. The topic has been turned into a tool to justify or legitimize harmful ways of understanding life and the world around us, and has become a cloak for our personal endeavors in idolatry. When pushed the limit, however, this manner of understanding diversity must inevitably invite rapists, murderers, Adolf Hitler, and anybody else, to sit at the table of moral tolerance and legitimacy.

We must do more than merely “agree to disagree” and fail to hold one another accountable to reality. As we come to further understand diversity, we should be drawing upon the deepest and most common elements of our identity and needs as people. Only when we come together around those truths will our celebration of diversity be fruitful and engaging.

Why Should the Church Pursue Diversity?

There is a tendency in the Church to sometimes view the application of the gospel as a tangent from the gospel itself. For instance, one might say that a local church which actively pursues diversity is straying from the pure administration of the gospel. Yet it is precisely this assumption that has lead to much of the Church being so segregated, while leaving the world still wondering what hope there is for reconciliation among mankind. If for no other reason, the Church should pursue diversity in order to show that the gospel of Jesus is the power that allows people to not only be reconciled to their God, but also to their fellow man. If the gospel can bring us near to a God that has a nature so unlike ours, then it can certainly bring us near to people, who bear the same image and share the same nature as us. In addition to these fundamental reasons, there are a variety of other useful reasons the Church should pursue diversity as a means of showing the gospel and being continually transformed by the gospel.

For starters, being diverse as a church helps you to create a welcoming and hospitable environment for visitors from all backgrounds. Especially in a place as culturally diverse as the city, this is one practical, experiential benefit of possessing diversity in the church.

Being diverse also challenges a congregation to be more generous and sensitive to the needs of others. If everyone in a local church is of a certain social class, the needs of one another will seem less discernable. But if the business executive is sitting in the pew next to a financially struggling single mother, there will be more of a challenge for the Body of Christ to take care of the needs of others. If we surround ourselves with people who are materially wealthy, then we will fail to recognize the needs of people that are less fortunate than us.

An ethnically diverse environment in the local church challenges its members to confront the racism in their souls and repent in love for one another. Although it is widely assumed that racism is a sin of America’s past, the segregation that is still so obvious in this country’s neighborhoods and churches prohibits us from truly confronting the racism that continues to exist in our hearts. If a congregation is made up of multiple ethnicities, then it will be challenged to repent of the sins of racism and build loving friendships with people of other backgrounds.

How Should We Pursue Diversity?

Our love for people should reflect that of God’s love for us. We shouldn’t just love those that come to us and are like us, but rather we should follow Jesus’ example of intentionally pursuing people that were different from him, and loving them with a deep love that transcends culture, language, and skin color.

A true sense of diversity cannot be manufactured through a program or a few events. It also cannot be developed in areas where there is simply a lack of diversity, and as a disclaimer for folks that live in communities such as this, I would say to continue to develop a Biblical understanding of what God has promised heaven to be like, and how he intends for his people to love others.

What it will take in order to experience diversity in the local church, and in our society for that matter, is first and foremost a repentance from the pride and hatred that inhibits us from loving people that are different from us. One of the best resources I’ve come across in regards to repenting of the racism in our souls is a talk given by Thabiti Anyabwile at the recent Together For the Gospel conference <http://t4g.org/08/media/>. Although the act of repenting of such things as these is a daily and continuous one, we must start by learning to see all people the way Jesus does. With a new heart and mind we must then begin to intentionally build relationships with people of other backgrounds. In the city this may seem easier because it is often a multicultural environment, but there still exists so much segregation in the places where we live and in how we interact. Therefore, even in a diverse urban context, pursuing ongoing relationships with people that are different from us requires initiative. The first step is to simply do some research on where different people actually live and spend time. This may seem elementary, but because many times we’re so stuck in a routine and lifestyle where we tend to run into people similar to us, we often don’t have a real frame of reference for how to meet people from other cultures. Checking out ethnic restaurants, serving at a soup kitchen, or volunteering at an inner-city recreation center are just a few practical ideas. Later down the road you might consider hosting a variety of events that are aimed at serving people of different backgrounds. These kinds of things won’t come without a cost, however, as the price of feeling awkward or out of place can seem really high. Often we fear entering into situations where we stick out, but this is all part of the experience, and it can humble us and help us to relate to people that probably deal with that fear on a more regular basis in our society.

There is no way to skip the uncomfortable moments associated with building and remaining faithful to relationships with people of other cultures or classes, and we can only be grateful that Jesus Christ didn’t skip out on coming into the world of humanity to build relationships with people that were very different from him. What will develop over time, however, is a fabric of deep relationships that don’t just fall into our laps, but grow out of love, humility, and patience, as well as a greater appreciation for all of God’s creation.

Pitfalls and Obstacles to Pursuing Diversity in the Church

·         People in the church might think it’s a tangent from the gospel

·         People in the church and the people you’re trying to bridge relationships with will be apt to question your motives

·         A pride of one’s own initiative and/or success in building such relationships can be an obstacle to truly loving and serving people. This will prohibit you from being a good friend to anybody

·         Awkwardness and rejection can discourage you from being persistent, but isn’t that the Jesus road?

·         Maybe there’s not much diversity where you live

·         The pursuit of diversity becomes an end in itself, rather than flowing out of the gospel and our love for God’s glory

Currently Reading Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance By Bruce A. Ware see related

Working Unto the Lord at the Office

I've been thinking a lot lately about why I go to my job, and how I can be obedient to the scriptural command to joyfully work with diligence unto the Lord, and not merely unto my earthly boss. While I gratefully recognize that God has provided my job in order to take care of the earthly needs that Ashley and I have, and even in order to represent Christ at my workplace by building relationships with my coworkers and praying that I might show them the reality and value of Jesus through my speech and conduct, it can be difficult at times to remain diligent in my work. 

So when it comes to actually carrying out my day-to-day activities, doing research on various topics related to the Regional plan (http://www.mvrpc.org/rlu/), and writing reports, I've really struggled to stay motivated for various reasons. For one, it is quite tedious to remain focused for eight hours on reading and thinking critically. I thank the Lord that I have such a great job, but sometimes jobs that require less thought seem really attractive. Second, having the understanding that many of the root issues we're trying to deal with in the Regional plan are the result of the fact that mankind is depraved, and because we live in a fallen world where selfishness, greed, and pride are commonplace, it makes it very difficult to attempt to solve these problems through worldly means that seem bound to fail. Lastly and related to the second, since our agency does not have any legal authority to implement anything that we come up with, it appears as though the successful implementation of our hard work is in the hands of the various community leaders who only seem to be concerned about keeping their jobs by improving the tax base of the area only within their jurisdictional boundaries, rather than improving the quality of life for all citizens of the Region, the State, and beyond.

This has all lead to some real struggle at work to stay motivated and on task. I want to come to work for more than just a paycheck, and even more than stuggling by God's grace to build meaningful relationships with my coworkers. I want to see at least a hint of eternal purpose in what I do for a living, or else I want to know how God would rather have me to serve Him. While I'm certainly not one to believe that only preachers and missionaries are in the line of work that they should be (in fact, there are probably some of those that shouldn't be), I do want to understand how I can give my educational training back to the Lord who has provided it. So here are a couple vague thoughts that I've had off the top of my head, but I'm open to feedback and encouragement if you've got it!

1.) Stiving for equitable housing and economic opportunity for all citizens of the Miami Valley Region, even if ever so subtle, shows Christ's heart for the poor and for social justice. While this isn't the gospel in a nutshell, at the base of my agency's attempt to seek these things for the people of the Region is an acknowledgment that God cares for the poor and meek of the earth.

2.) Working to improve the quality of the air and to conserve and protect the natural environment represents good stewardship of God's creation. Even if most environmental planning isn't done with this in mind, "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Psa 24:1), and despite the fact that mankind has throughout much of history used and abused the creation for sinful purposes, working to restore the environment shows a repentance of such arrogance.

3.) Because God is a God of order and not chaos, planning and thinking strategically about how our communities can grow and improve shows a hint of God's character. Rather than random happenstance, God creates with purpose, design, and wisdom, and replicating these characteristics in the way we create is a recognition of His goodness.

         I hope these thoughts don't seem too much like complaining, because I really am thankful for how I've seen the Lord's providence through this job, and I truly desire to simply please Him in every aspect of life. These are a few broad examples which I think are a start to more diligently working unto the Lord, and yet are without a doubt still difficult to keep in the forefront on a daily basis. But like I said, I would love to hear other ideas and advice, even if it's from your own experience of grinding it out at the workplace in the name of our Lord. Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ!

Currently Reading Smarter Growth: Market-Based Strategies for Land-Use Planning in the 21st Century (Contributions in Economics and Economic History) see related

Introducing...Land Use Planning for the Miami Valley Region

This is the first of a series of pilot entries for the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission's exciting new Regional land use planning framework. MVRPC was recently approved to do a four year study in order to produce a land use vision for the elected officials, planners, and citizens of the Dayton metro region. To see more details about the project and the role it will hopefully play in the future of the Region, check out http://www.mvrpc.org/news/regional-land-use-proposal.

Naming Our Land Use Baby!

The Research/GIS team at MVRPC has worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to give an identity to the Regional land use planning process on which we are about to embark. Martin, Tom, Bethany and I have spent hours brainstorming and discussing different options. While deciding on an identity for the project we had several concerns and priorities that we wanted to be expressed through the project's name. In the planning field these days there are certain cliche words and phrases that our staff wanted to avoid, such as "connecting", "destination", and "future". We wanted to come up with something that would be as original as possible, as well as something that would be catchy enough for people throughout the Region to remember and use to discuss their thoughts and opinions on what they want their communities to be like in the future.

Another priority in the naming process was describing the Region in a progressive way, without alienating any of its citizens or stakeholders. Phrases like "The Dayton Metropolitan Area", and "The Dayton Metro Region" were among some of the early ideas because we thought they gave off a more progressive and sophisticated feel, encouraging local citizens to feel proud of their community. We also considered adding '21st Century' to the tagline to evoke looking forward, instead of constantly looking back at Dayton's past. However, these were eliminated from our final decision because we thought that people in the Region outside the City of Dayton would feel unidentified in the planning process, which was obviously something we wanted to avoid.

Since the project will be an integration of land use and transportation, we wanted to find a name that would adequetely portray the relationship between these two features. However, as Martin continued to point out throughout our brainstorming sessions, the plan is meant to focus more on land use than on transportation, and therefore we didn't want to make the project sound too transportation-oriented.

Finally, after narrowing down our ideas to a select few, we pitched them to the rest of the staff and solicited their ideas for what the name should be. Several new words and ideas came back that we hadn't yet thought of, some of which were incorporated into the finalist. So the name and identity that we arrived in the end was "Going Places: An Integrated Land Use Vision for the Miami Valley Region". We're hopeful that the title of 'Going Places' will be catchy, and will encourage locals to get excited about where their communities are going, and the progress that will be made through cooperation and thinking regionally.

Now it's time to let us know what you think of the project. We would love to hear your ideas and opinions about the Region and what the Region should be focusing on in the coming decades. We also want to kick off the promotional campaign of the planning process by asking "Where are your favorite PLACES to GO in the Miami Valley Region?" Send in your photos and tell us about your favorite places, as well as what you think could be done to make these places more enjoyable and easier to get to. Public involvement will be a key component to this land use planning initative, because more than anything else we want the finished product to be one that helps the Miami Valley Region make progress as an area in which people want to live, work, and play.

Currently Reading Renewal as a Way of Life: A Guidebook for Spiritual Growth By Richard F. Lovelace see related

Lifestyle Centers, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Why the Church Struggles to Share Christ

There is a new trend in retail and commercial development these days known as the 'Lifestyle Center' or 'New Town Center' concept. In Ohio, you'll see these sorts of developments at the Easton Town Center in Columbus, Newport on the Levee in Cincinnati, or the Dayton region's hippest new development, The Greene in Beavercreek. Growing rapidly in popularity, there are now about 150 of these Centers throughout the United States, and more being built every year. They are characterized by quaint urban design such as narrow brick streets, classic street lamps, mixed land use, and upscale shopping and entertainment venues with facades reminiscent of European cities. Although the concept is a marked improvement on the big box malls that marked the 1970s through the 1990s, many still refer to these centers as malls in disquise. However, regardless of whether one agrees that developments such as these are just dressed up malls or not, I can't help but recognize how much they are really a disguise for American greed and self-centeredness. Rather than simply being a new format for a shopping center to be laid out, these are most blatantly a new way for upper middle-class Americans to ignore the pain and grit that pervades the real world. Lifestyle Centers are really just an attempt to create what people have always enjoyed in urban settings, without the hastle of beggars, crime, pollution, or people who aren't just like them.

Now before I go on condemning those who frequent such kingdoms of capitalism, I myself must admit that I have made the occasional visit to the Greene since its opening, and chose Newport on the Levee as the location of my first date with my soon-to-be wife, Ashley. Hence the reason why, as we visited Newport this weekend for our one year anniversary of dating, upon watching Will Smith's latest film, The Pursuit of Happyness, I was so moved and convicted to think once more about how I spend my time and money.

The film, which is based on a true story, recounts the life of a man who, despite his most diligent effort loses his wife, his home, and nearly his son, all while just trying to make it through life and pay the bills. It depicts his daily rush from his internship with Dean Witter to the day-care to pick up his son in time to make it to the homeless shelter so they would have a place to sleep for the night. One short but impactful scene in particular showed a convertable full of people laughing and having fun while a long line of homeless people stand in the background hoping to be among those that got to have a bed that night. The scene epitomizes how so many people in this country just carry on their lives of wining, dining, and entertainment, oblivious to the way countles others struggle and suffer just to make it through each day. Watching this movie did more than show me how Lifestyle Centers represent this selfish American tragedy, and it even did more than assist me in not taking for granted the meal I had in my stomach from earlier that night. It also made me consider how even the American church is like this, and therefore why the church here has experienced such growing pains as it so half-heartedly attempts to 'save sinners'.

But once again, before I go on chastising, I want to make it clear that I am a part of the Church and therefore share in her guilt just as much as any other member, and that my reason for writing this article is to not only call out the Church, but to encourage her to treasure her husband more rightly and to focus her attention and resources on seeing His Kingdom come.

It does not suprise me that people in this world care only for themselves, nor is it shocking that Americans gravitate to lifestyle centers to accumulate, eat gobs of good food, and attempt to escape reality. God's Word expressly shows that we live in a fallen world, and that by nature we are idolaters who seek to build the kingdom of self. But what does shock and sadden me (in the same way the prophet Jeremiah relates in chapter 2:9-13) is the way we as the church and bride of Jesus have so often mirrored the self-centeredness of the world. And rather than following in the footsteps of our Messiah, we have ignored the poor, and chosen to use God's abundant grace to comfort ourselves while the world suffers and the time before The Return ticks away. We believe the dispensational notion that we are only living to get ourselves to the afterlife, rather than obeying the Great Commission of our King to advance His Kingdom.

Besides our pastor Rob's most recent sermon series on materialism http://www.apexcommunity.net/?page_id=19, another tool the Lord has been using on me to evoke all these thoughts is a book by Richard Lovelace titled, 'Renewal As a Way of Life'. Commenting on Haggai 1:2-11, Lovelace says:

"This is an apt description of the economic difficulties the world is experiencing today. These conditions are not just a challenge to non-Christians. They are also a judgment on styles of Christianity that do not seek first the kingdom of God, but operate instead as chaplaincies to those involved in the rat race for success. Much of our current search for inner fulfillment is only a spiritual form of this same self-centeredness. What would happen if the energy directed toward these disguised forms of self-betterment were turned instead to the betterment of the kingdom? Then perhaps we should see the fulfillment of God's encouraging words through Haggai to a people who were turning to build the house of God...[then points to Haggai 2:3-9]"

The church hasn't only struggled with worldly materialism. There are plenty of Christians (once again of whom I am among) who despite not always joining the world in materialism, sexual promiscuity, drunkeness, and all the other "really bad sins", still choose to stay to themselves, continuing to ignore the spiritual and physical needs of others while they pot luck themselves to the grave. Even though this doesn't appear sinful, but rather harmless, it weakens the church's fervor for the Lord and does not promote Jesus as the Messiah and King of a whole new world order.

Church, we have a comfort and hope that surpasses anything that constant "fellowship meals", the world, or any neo-urban shopping development can provide. We have a great high priest who lived perfectly and defeated death for us, giving us a righteousness and a hope that will stand up for us on the Day of Judgment when all else will be mowed down by the wrath of God. We have an awe-inspring Creator of a God who in His beauty has designed so much more for us to enjoy than the fleeting pleasures that our flesh craves. So let us look to him who is the author and finisher of our faith, and let us run with endurence the race that is set before us. May we in the joy of finding the Treasure we have in Christ spend all of our resources to see His Kingdom come and His will be done, and to see people from every tribe, tongue and nation taste and see that the Lord is good. Let us follow Jesus and be the ones in our society who recognize reality and concern ourselves with the poor, and by God's grace become those who are spoken of in Isaiah 58:12: "And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."

Currently Reading A Marriage Without Regrets By Kay Arthur see related

Legalism Verses Sincere Obedience