About a decade ago, my husband and I attended predominately White church. This was not our first choice, to be frank. We visited once, and were put-off by the lack of diversity. Yet, after visiting several other churches in the area, the Spirit drew us back here.  So, after a three-Sunday-commitment, we dove head first into membership at a church whose racial makeup–at the time–was approximately 90% White and 10% Ethnic Minority. 

Yet, within the next five years, we were witnesses to a miracle.  After the church had spent decades praying for diversification, they saw a rapid change in ethnic makeup.  Decades-long prayers were answered like rapid-fire after the church made some critical changes. 

Today, that church represents people from more than forty nations. 

Watching this diversification revitalized my hope that the Church of Christ can absolutely be a place of unity, despite what recent American history has previously dictated. I hope hearing about it encourages you–and spurs you to action–too. These same changes can be utilized in your own congregations. 

But, before we get too deeply into the specifics, I need to make a critical point. I assume you already know this, since you clicked on my blogpost, but just in case you don’t, it has to be said: We are living in disobedience to Christ’s vision and desires when our churches continue to remain segregated.  

How do I know this with such piercing clarity?  Revelation 7:9 says, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…”

He will have all nations/tribes/people living in harmony in heaven…worshipping alongside one another…ministering alongside one another. Therefore, why would He not want that on earth? 

Let me be blunt: If your church is not currently living out a multi-lingual, multi-cultural reality, then there is work to do. 

Here are some beginning ideas of how to get it done. (This is in no way an exhaustive list. However, these principles are intended to help you get started.)

1. GENERAL IDEA: Prayer.

I cannot emphasize this enough. It is, after all, point number one for a reason. The elder boards, all pastors, all church staff, and congregants need to be regularly praying that their local church would be a place that reflects heaven.  We need to actively work alongside Christ in this goal.

Regular prayer is the most critical portion of this entire post. If you neglect this portion, then you are purposely leaving out the direction of the Holy Spirit for your church’s diversification.  Not only that, you are leaving His power at the door as well, which will be critical for the implementation phase.  

SPECIFICS:  

So, when does this prayer become critical?  On a scheduled basis.  Let’s be real; things that are not planned for are often forgotten or neglected.  That is simply human nature, especially in organizations that are always busy and juggling too many balls.   The desire to diversify may be firm in your heart, but without a specific intention to keep it at the forefront, it will fall through the cracks. 

Therefore, if your staff meets every single month, then the opening prayer needs to always include a small portion of that prayer that prays for the diversification of your Body.  Communicate with your administrative assistant to add “prayer for diversification” to the permanent meeting template.

If your elder board meets monthly, one of the items on the agenda always needs to include prayer for diversification. Have the secretary add it to the permanent agenda.

Does your church have a prayer guide or a weekly bulletin?  Add a small permanent portion that includes an exhortation to the congregation to be praying for a church that is composed of those described in Revelation 7:9.

2. GENERAL IDEA: Communication from the pulpit.

What is being communicated from the pulpit?  It is clear to your congregants that your church highly values a diverse congregation?  You may have said something once, a year ago, but what if someone missed that Sunday…would they still know it’s a church-wide value? 

SPECIFICS: 

Similarly to the above suggestion, regularity is key.  Every quarter, ensure you include a portion of your opening statements that discuss your core values as a church.  For example, you could say something to the effect of, “You know, we are a church that highly values diversity.  It is something we regularly pray about, in fact.  Will you join us in praying?  Will you commit to praying that God would bring many different tribes, tongues, and nations to our church?  We desire to show the world what it looks like when all different skin colors love one another the way that Christ loved us. That we sacrifice for one another, care for one another, and are in close relationship with one another.  We want the world to see that healing and reconciliation is always possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we believe the Church should lead the way of love for the rest of the world to see and desire to have a part of.”

If your church is located in an area of the country that is firmly entrenched in centuries-long racism, then your approach may be a bit different.  Perhaps hearing from you in particular won’t do much.  So, pray fervently and without ceasing, and then begin simply reading God’s Word.  God’s Word has been described as “…alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)  Allow God to do the hard work of dividing soul and spirit. 

Plan ahead to read through a certain book of the Bible, like the book of Acts.  Each week, read a new chapter aloud.  When you get to Acts 10:34-35, allow the Holy Spirit to do His work when you read: “ Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’”  

Or, read through the book of Revelation and when you get to 7:9-10, allow God to move your congregation’s hearts when He says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” 

Perhaps the discussion of Jews vs. Gentiles in Romans could help turn a stony heart. 

 Allow the Holy Spirit to do what He does best: convict. 

Accept that change could be slow-moving. Be willing to play the long-game. Accept that you will probably receive push-back. That is okay, too. Change can be scary. As Andy Mineo once said, in his song, Uncomfortable, “God, prepare me for the war; Comfort be the thing that’ll make a king fall. Eyes on the Lord, gotta grip that blade of the Sword. Tell me, how you plan on gettin’ swole if you don’t ever get sore?”  (If you aren’t aware, “gettin’ swole” means growing large muscles.) Now, here is an interesting fact about muscles. Muscles only grow when you tear them. This is called muscle hypertrophy, which is when the body repairs damaged fibers by fusing them, which subsequently increases the mass and size of the muscles. Growing is painful, but healthy.

Whatever you do, don’t stop praying.  God will accomplish His will in your congregation.

3. GENERAL IDEA: Worship

What does your praise and worship look like?  Is it only one style?  Whether you realize it or not, worship communicates loudly what is acceptable versus not at your church.  

I will speak in generalities here: Different cultures often worship in different styles. If your church is only offering one style of worship, you may be unintentionally alienating others who connect with God in a different manner.  Even more insidious is when we are callous or unconcerned with the different worship styles of others and just expect them to assimilate to ‘our style.’  How does that communicate love for our brother?  How does that communicate a warm welcome to our sister?  

Can you imagine what starts to happen when worship styles are diversified?  Suddenly, almost anyone who walks in the door can connect with God in a way that reaches them on a soul level. 

Lest you errantly believe this is not biblical, let’s remember what Paul said in regards to his own freedom and how he chose to use it. He said, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. …I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (Excerpts from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV)  

In other words, Paul is shifting how he is approaching different people in order to win as many people for the Gospel as possible.  

SPECIFICS: 

Diversify, diversify, diversify.  Begin to incorporate new styles each Sunday.  

Now, we all know that ‘church folk’ can easily get their panties in a twist, so it’s fine to go slowly with this.  Feel free to stick with your original style for most of the songs.  Yet, try to incorporate one new song each week.  For example, you could try a hymn one week so those who worship in a more traditional manner will feel welcome.  Perhaps you try a song the next week that has one verse in another language, such as Spanish (while the rest of the song is still in English.)  Or one week you might try a contemporary Christian song if your usual schtick is Gospel. Or maybe you mix in a Gospel song with a strong beat if your usual schtick is contemporary Christian.  

Some of you might be shaking your head as if I just suggested prancing a unicorn up the center aisle. Okay, I see you.  If your congregants are really entrenched in tradition, then try to incorporate one new song per month or one per quarter. Gradual changes usually go over better than an all-at-once approach for traditional settings.  You are aiming at teaching your congregants that there are a multiplicity of ways of worshipping; You are not attempting to completely alienate them.  After all, the goal is inclusive worship which means you still want current members to continue to feel welcome as well.  You are simply attempting to draw others into the welcoming atmosphere also.  

Now, you may be wondering how in the world you are going to do this, especially if you’re a smaller church without as many resources.  This may be particularly true if Suzie Q normally leads worship, and she only knows how to play xyz genre.  

Well, get creative!  Perhaps you use a youtube video on a projector one week that has someone leading worship with a new style.  Or maybe you have a youth congregant in your church who is musically gifted who would love the opportunity to worship in a different manner.  Or, perhaps you expose Suzie Q to different styles and ask her to have faith enough to stretch herself.  

Either way, worship may just be the most critical step of all–besides prayer– towards diversification of a church.    

Worship is the primary way in which many congregants connect with God, so as soon as it is opened up to everyone’s styles, you now have opened your congregation up to diversification in the midst of God.  Do not forget that Psalm 22: 3 WEB says, “But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.”  (emphasis added)

If this is where we can have communion with God, then isn’t it important that everyone can easily access this connection?  

I don’t ever want to imply that all people can’t connect with God in any style of praise, because they can.  This is especially true because worship is about God, not about us.The Holy Spirit can and does connect in worship with people no matter the style. 

 Yet, if you’re honest with yourself, if a whole service was done in polka music, you may have a harder time focusing on connecting to God than if the whole service was done in the style of Elevation Worship.  Or, if you’re like me, then a whole service done in the style of Chris Tomlin will distract me, versus if a whole service is done in the style of Maverick City Music. All styles are wonderful ways of connecting with God, but some styles distract one set of people while other styles distract another set. 

Offering a multiplicity of options ensures everyone can worship equally and distraction-free.

Whatever approach you take, do not neglect praying about it.  This will be especially critical if you have very stubborn congregants who do.not.like.change. Allow God to lead you… 

…Tune in tomorrow for part II...

(In the meantime, come connect with me on twitter and let’s keep the conversation going: https://twitter.com/authorlizhouse )

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