What Brings Twenty-Somethings To Church

May 16, 2013 //
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twenty-something

I am blessed in the fact that I get to spend a lot of time with many different groups of people.  If you have heard me speak you know I am loud, blunt, and real. This style doesn’t agree with some folk, but one group who seems to love me is the 20somethings.  Especially the ones with crazy hair or tattoos!

So I get to have great discussions with them. Since I consider myself a student of culture, I always have some sort of informal sociological study going on in my head. So one of the things I often discuss with this group is “why aren’t more of your friends here?”

I am a firm believer that we learn the most from our harshest critics. Here are the common thoughts I usually get expressed to me:

  • They think church folk aren’t very smart – They don’t mean dumb. They mean we make the world too simple. They seem to be ok with not having all the answers for life.
  • Church people are too mean – “All they know is what we stand against,” one young man told me. “They don’t know what we stand for”
  • You have to be perfect to go to church – There is a sense that you have to have your life in order before a church will accept you.
  • Church people are (fill in the blank) ist – racist, classist, homophobic, etc.
  • Church is boring – I always follow up when I hear this. What do you mean? One young lady said “I read the Bible and there is all this awesome stuff happening. Here all we get is a light show. I would drag my friends here if the Acts stuff was happening!”

I also ask them why they come. “Your friends aren’t here but you are,” I say. “Why?” They give a variety of answers but there is really only one theme – somebody in the church was there for them. “There for them” meant different things to different people, but the point was that person (or people) showed care through the good times and the bad. And because of that they decided to overlook everything else. Basically, relationships.

Sometimes things just ain’t that hard.

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Categories Cross Cultural Dynamics

4 Marks of Multi-Ethnic Effectiveness

May 15, 2013 //
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ME leaders

In a lot of ways leading a multi-ethnic transition may be unlike anything you have attempted to lead before. The leadership required is highly situational and contingent. I think Acts 6:1-7 is a model we can learn a lot from.

In this text Grecian Jewish converts were not native to Palestine. They had relocated to Jerusalem because it was considered to be honorable to spend your last days in Jerusalem and to be buried there upon death.

Because of this belief, Jews of many different ethnicities from all over the Roman Empire moved there toward the end of their lives. This created a large population of widows.  The Jewish faith took the responsibility of caring for widows as a serious task. Because of the significant amount of nonnative widows located in Jerusalem, it created a social problem. There were not enough foreign Jewish synagogues to keep up with the demands of care.

Caring for them was not a value among pagan, nonnatives. With no relatives around, the widows were in dire straits. If we take the high road, we can assume the Grecian widows were not intentionally discriminated against. There is a high probability the Grecian church widows were not being adequately served simply because of the sheer number of them.

But we can’t lose sight of human nature. Many scholars think that Hebraic Jews, because of ethnic bias, looked down on Grecian Jews, and so there is a strong probability that Grecian widows were intentionally overlooked. The results are the same regardless of motive. A biblical mandate to care for widows was being violated. How did the leadership respond? They did 4 things:

1)      Embraced ethnic diversity as an organizational DNA adventure (vv.1-2). When the slight was brought to their attention, they took it seriously and did not become defensive.

2)      Leveraged ethnic difference (vv. 3-4). They intentionally expanded the leadership structure to accommodate the needs of the Grecians among them.

3)      Mobilized money and personnel towards solutions (vv.5-6).  The expanded structure was not just lip service. They put feet on the new vision.

4)      Provided Clarity (v.1-7). Taken as a whole, all the steps provided clarity towards the real goal – spreading the gospel.

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Categories Cross Cultural Dynamics, gender, race, Transformative Leadership

More Truth And Lies About Diversity Training

May 10, 2013 //
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ethnicgroup

Following up on my post on Truth and Lies About Diversity Training, the question becomes “if diversity training doesn’t work what does?”  There is one thing that has been proven – life experience. It is the way for people to learn how to think in biblical categories concerning race.

When helping people think in biblical categories many believe that means having great Bible studies. That is certainly one of the steps. We need solid doctrine around this issue. But remember it is just one step, not the whole solution.

How do we learn anything? We spend some time with experts on the subject matter, either in person or via reading (books, blogs, etc). We reflect on the knowledge we’ve obtained. We attempt to implement the knowledge gained, which I call on-the-job training. We have success and make mistakes, then adjust accordingly. Then the learning process starts all over again.

This is why diversity training falls short. There is nothing wrong with having optional learning experiences that focus on cultural awareness, but don’t expect that will be the game changer in your organization. The game changer is leaders that go on a multi-ethnic learning journey that lasts a lifetime.

If you are a Christian leader moving towards multi-ethnicity let me suggest 2 things.  One is to culturally displace yourself. This is true especially if you are white. I say this because most people of color naturally find themselves culturally displaced as they go through the natural rhythms of life.

For instance, many of my African American and Latino friends have recounted stories to me of the cultural shock they went through when they attended college. For many of them  it was the first time they were placed in an all-white world. They had to adjust in order to succeed.

For many white Christian leaders your natural life rhythms will not lead to cultural displacement.  If you don’t intentionally do so you never will be. Unfortunately this leads to ethnic blind spots. Practical theologies are to be lived out, so put yourself in life situations where you are the minority.

Which leads to my second recommendation, which is to find ethnic mentors. I understand Christian “white ways” of doing things because over the years I have had 3 men who have played key roles in mentoring this child of the African American church.

When I first started working for evangelical organizations I truly was an alien in a strange land.  But these men showed me the ropes. They were candid, honest, and more importantly available.  I don’t know where my ministry would be without them.

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Categories Cross Cultural Dynamics, race, Transformative Leadership

Truth And Lies About Diversity Training

May 9, 2013 //
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diversity training

For many years I have worked with Christian organizations concerning pursuing ethnic diversity, and have always told them one somewhat controversial thing – diversity training does not work. Researchers Frank Dobbin (Harvard), Alexandra Kalev (Cal-Berekely), and Erin Kelly (Minnesota) studied 829 companies over a 31 year period. They concluded that attitudes and the diversity of their organizations remained the same. In fact in places where the training was mandatory it actually had a negative effect.

So why do I always run into Christian organizations that take a secular diversity training, sprinkle it with some Scriptures, then wonder why they are not seeing results? We live in a diverse world so we need to do something. If not diversity training, what should we do? As the body of Christ we must figure out a way to both proclaim and demonstrate the gospel to people of all backgrounds.

The primary problem is overall Christians don’t know how to think in biblical categories when it comes to diversity. They know how to think in political, economic, Fox News, and MSNBC categories but do not have a practical theology of race.  Developing one and living it out is the game changer. So skip the diversity training and begin a spiritual journey of truly learning how to live out Matthew 22:37-40. 

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Categories Cross Cultural Dynamics, race, social class

3 Rules On How To Preach About Race

May 8, 2013 //
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pulpitA pastoral colleague of mine preached on the topic of race this past Sunday. Before he did he asked me for some pointers. What I shared with him I’ll share with you:

First off glad you are doing this! It takes a lot of courage to do so. A huge problem with the American church is most don’t know how to think about race in biblical categories. They know how to parrot Fox News and MSNBC but not what Christ thinks on this subject. This is a much needed sermon. It is smart for you to have a processing time afterwards. People will need to be walked through their emotions and many will have honest questions they want to wrestle through.  When I preach on race I follow 3 rules:

  1. Be Candid – don’t  do the colorblind thing. “I don’t see a black man, I just see a man” type of mentality is not helpful, especially to majority of those who are people of color in your audience. Acknowledge that race has played a huge role in the shaping of the country, both good and bad.
  2. Be Biblical – There are obvious texts that lend themselves to addressing this. My go to one is Matthew 22:37-40.
  3. Be Personal – Do you have any stories, good or bad, that involve race? Tell them. And/or find obvious stories of racism or people crossing racial barriers, which I call stories of hope.

I am sure there are more than 3. If you have (or desire) to preach on race, what rules would you tell someone?

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Categories Cross Cultural Dynamics, race

42: Plan An Opportunity

April 6, 2013 //
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42

What are you doing next weekend? Let me encourage you to go the opening of the movie 42. It’s a great way for American Christians to examine our historical racial past.

42 is the story of Jackie Robinson primarily but also Branch Rickey. Together these men took a stand against racism. Yes it is a film about baseball but really it’s a snapshot of America’s early integration efforts. I think from a Christian perspective viewing this film is a great opportunity to observe two lessons.

The first is to take a look at our ugly past. It’s a reminder that we don’t want history to repeat itself. The second is to watch men and a woman (Jackie’s wife) display immense character in the midst of uncalled for persecution. Despite the fact that they were swimming upstream of American culture, they were able to persevere for the common good.

If you are a church leader, let me suggest that you make this a church outing. Go to the movie, then afterwards go to dinner and discuss the implications this has on our lives as followers of Christ.

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Categories Cross Cultural Dynamics, Current Events, race, Spiritual Reflection

Diversity’s Symphony

March 29, 2013 //
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On this Good Friday this powerful video reminds us of the ripple effects of Christ’s work on the cross, reconciliation between people and God and people and people.

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Categories Cross Cultural Dynamics, race, Spiritual Reflection, Theology

Weep Like Jesus Wept

March 25, 2013 //
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Jesus wept

One of the ways we can grieve God is where we decide to put our faith and hope. Too often we put it in politicians, money, family members, education, and religion. Yesterday was the start of  Holy Week, where the focus is to remember to put our faith and hope in Christ. Let me share a project the church where I am a member at is participating in that reminds us of this truth.

We all know there is a vibrant debate going on about gun control in our country. I pay attention to it and offer my 2 cents to the debate but I don’t put my hope in legislative solutions. For the record I am in favor of anything that keeps guns out of hands of people who obviously don’t need to have them. However my focus is on something much more important.

My hope is in Christ and his followers. For me the more important debate is what role could the Church play in being part of the gun control solution?  The first role is to weep for the city.

While pundits are debating what to do and politicians drag their feet more people who don’t need to have a gun are getting them – which leads to more violence in our city streets – which leads to no peace for the city. That is what I care about and weep over. I think this is what Jesus weeps over too:

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” - Luke 19:41-44 (ESV)

Jesus wept over Jerusalem because he knew it was doomed. He knew the key to peace in the city was the ability of the spiritual leaders to accept him and his ways. He cried because those leaders chose to put their hope in something other than him. This rejection meant there would be no peace for those who lived there. Tragic.

After we weep we need to attempt to be part of the solution. My church is participating in a “Gifts for Guns” buy-back program. The campaign aims “to combat and address the senseless gun violence that is plaguing the city of Cincinnati,” according to a press release. We hope people show up to turn in guns in exchange for gift cards for things they need in their household.

So far in 2 previous neighborhoods over 200 guns were collected. But here is another thing that happens that rarely gets reported in the media. Oftentimes many of the people who show up at these events are also looking for spiritual help. That is one reason why police departments often team up with churches to do events like this.

Here is what I need from you blogosphere. Regardless of where you stand politically on the gun control issue, would you take some time this week to pray for this event? It takes place on Good Friday, March 29 at the River of Life Church. You can learn more about it here.

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Categories Community Impact, Current Events, Spiritual Reflection, Theology

Justice And The Gospel

March 23, 2013 //
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Check this great message given by Christian rapper Propoganda

 

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Categories Spiritual Reflection

The Power Of Empathy

March 19, 2013 //
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This is a re-post from my colleague Greg Strand from his blog Strands of Thought.

This four minute video, entitled “Empathy” was produced by the Cleveland Clinic and presented by the health care organization’s CEO at his annual State of the Clinic address. (In including this video, I am only highlighting the video, and not saying anything about the institution or organization.)

Though no words are spoken, the video highlights people in the hospital with captions of what each individual is thinking or feeling. It concludes with a the following question: If you could stand in someone else’s shoes… Hear what they hear. See what they see. Feel what they feel. Would you treat them differently?

Though this is not a distinctively Christian video, it is quite powerful. And as a Christian, it conveys powerful truths that are rooted in Christian truth, beginning with the dignity of all human beings as they are created in the imago Dei, the image of God. We are called to love and care for all human beings, especially those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:9-10).

It is important to keep two key truths before us – one from the  life of the Lord Jesus, and one from an exhortation from Paul.

Jesus: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36; cf. Matt. 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mk. 1:41; 6:34; 8:2).

Paul: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15).

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Categories Community Impact, Spiritual Reflection, Uncategorized
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