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
