Reflections on our Diversity Discussion

I was greatly encouraged by the turnout at our recent diversity discussion at Fellowship Raleigh. We had almost 30 people and 1/3 were non-caucasian.

I truly hope this helps, but here are 10 very brief and straightforward reflections on this discussion from me…

10 Post Discussion Reflections

1. The people of Fellowship Raleigh genuinely care about this aspect of our church’s vision, which is really encouraging. I’m thankful for everyone who came.
2. This discussion reminded me again that being a multi-ethnic church is a truly important thing but it is not the most important thing. It is a crucial implication of the gospel, but it is not the gospel itself.
3. What is diverse to you may not be diverse to someone else.
4. When someone says “white church” they may be referring to the style of the church and not the color of every single person at the church.
5. It can be detrimental when some people talk too much and it can be detrimental when some people talk too little.
6. Everyone must take a posture and tone of humility and be willing to learn from other people.
7. White people should talk less in these conversations. Period.
8. We must get beyond only desiring to see a slice of our own culture represented and start thinking about the whole pie. We must go from ethnocentric lobbyists to multi-ethnic leaders.
9. The gospel of grace is not just a good reason for being multi-ethnic. This same grace is essential along the way as we pursue being multi-ethnic. We were (and are) a bunch of sinful people trying to have our first church conversation about a very important and sensitive topic. We must be very gracious with one another!
10. It would have been better if there were a few less  open-ended discussion questions and more targeted questions (my rookie mistake).

All in all this was a good discussion. Im thankful for the diversity God has already brought and I pray that it is just the humble beginning because I really believe it is good for us, needed for Raleigh, and greatly pleases the Lord Jesus. We will move forward with intentionality from where we are. That is all anyone can do.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
(Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)