Diversity is in. It is politically correct. Businesses want people to be sensitive to it. Ministries are aching to become more diverse in their leadership. But why? Is it really that big of a deal?
As part of a Global Leadership program, I am in Colorado Springs for the next two weeks. In preparing to come, I noticed on the schedule that a good amount of time the first week here would be spent hearing from each of the people in the program as they shared their personal faith journey stories.
I’ll admit; I told many people back home, including my wife, something like this: “I’m sure these are great people in the program, but I’d rather cut all that squishy stuff, and move to the content. Heck, let’s cut the two weeks down to one.” Boy, was I wrong.
Why is it that many of us don’t hold diversity as being that important?
Because it threatens us.
Some people can’t get past the differences in skin color. That’s not what I’m talking about. To me, that was the focus of people emphasizing diversity. It would make leadership teams look across the table wondering why there aren’t more people with darker or lighter skin at the same table.
It is much bigger than that. Diversity refers to anything that is different or unalike. So yes; different religions, different skin color, different ages, different backgrounds. What I’ve found to be the most uncomfortable has been the differences in beliefs just in the room full of people I am with.
This morning, an African man led us in worship, African style. I heard from a Lebanese man describe what it was like for his parents to shield him with their bodies during neighborhood bombings when he was a kid. I had dinner with someone working in Indonesia, and another working in Senegal. I listened to a young man from South Korea share about his family.
Just in my small group I’ve got a young guy, an older guy, a guy who calls me old, and a lady from the East Coast. Our perspectives are different. Our ages our different. Our theology is different. Yet these differences have painted such a new picture for me.
Many of us are only comfortable with diversity until it makes us uncomfortable.
These people have allowed me to see a more full picture of God. They have reminded me that Jesus isn’t American. When I clap and sing, African style, I am uncomfortable. When a young, sharp guy has such a different worldview than me, I am uncomfortable. But these differences make up the body of Christ. Young. Old. White. Black. Conservative. Liberal.
Jesus should be our focus, not diversity. What I’ve come to realize, though, is that this diversity is allowing me to see a deeper hue in the picture. A richer, more full perspective.
And for that, I am grateful.
Thoughts?
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I’m so excited for you, Kevin. Yes, diversity is a big deal for those who want to extend their influence.
Before mass media, jet travel, the internet, etc., “diversity” was not needed in a leader’s toolkit. That’s no longer the case. Globalism is a very real phenomenon. Put simply, increasing connectivity leads to increasing complexity – thus leaders must learn to deal with complexity, nuance, and ambiguity.
Diversity training helps with all that. So embrace all that “squishy stuff.” Yes, it may very well be squishy, but it can still sharpen you.
So true, Stan. Oh, I’ve embraced it, and it sure is sharpening.
Kevin, I’ve started working in HR at a government agency now and my eyes have really been opened to the world of diversity in many different fronts. From there I look around my church, and I’m shocked to see, you could guess it, White Guys – just like me. How in the world do we expect to grow, and more importantly, evangelize to other people if we’re just a bunch of 1 type of person. We so often discourage opposition without seeing the benefit in it. Elections are unanimous…
Many know that it’s the right thing to do to ensure diversity and equal opportunity for those from different backgrounds, but many struggle with the Why? question around it all.
There’s certainly a good business case to be made for innovation and different viewpoints contributing to a common goal and that business case is often a foot in the door for the greater discussion with those who are otherwise out for number one.
I love seeing Pine Cove’s diversity and as I look back on my 10 years at PC I can easily trace it back to one thing – the focus on Jesus Christ, rather than on ourselves. And that’s a beautiful thing to see.
Great word, David. “We so often discourage opposition without seeing the benefit in it.” We need to learn to value and celebrate diversity, without worshiping it.
Kevin, we noticed that when we moved to Minnesota and to Oregon. Christians were very different in those places compared to the “Bible Belt”, but in a very refreshing way! I have come to appreciate the diversity in God’s Kingdom and actually have found it hard moving back to Texas recently to find a church home where we feel comfortable now.
Yes, it is a different culture in Texas. Being around people from all over the world has helped get me out of a comfort zone.
What a great perspective, Kevin! We’ve also got to experience good diversity where the purpose is not just being diverse in and of itself, but rather the blending of creativity, of hearts, of minds, and of goals as we together we obey the Great Commission FROM and TO every corner of the earth.
Donna
Yes, Donna. The blending has been surprisingly good.
Black, white, young, old, American, or African yes! But different worldviews? A biblical worldview is the only worldview a christian can have. There is a oneness in the Body of Christ. I have met brothers and sisters from all over the world and there is a connection. Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are saying.
Great word, Katy. I went back and reread this post. I see where the confusion is coming. In the marketplace, people value the diversity of people from many different religions, races, backgrounds, etc. In this Global Leadership program I am in, everyone is a follower of Jesus, just from different backgrounds. I used the term “worldview” to describe the differences in experience that I live, verses the experiences of my new Lebanese, African, Australian and Indonesian friends. I probably could have used the term, “perspective” instead. Thanks for allowing me to bring clarity to my point.
Very interesting…our church is very diverse…my teenage daughter attended a friends church and theses were her words, “Mom, their church I did not like as much because they were all the same…I like our church because we have all kinds of people and it is more real”…so it was uncomfortable for her so I know that diversity is very important.
Yes, there is something about realizing not everyone is like you. As well, to understand that there is much to be learned about God by looking around at all the different things he has created.