Multiethnic

Reflecting Heaven: Why Diversity is the Mission of the Modern Church

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“Diversity,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as “the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization.” It can also mean the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas and the like.

With these two definitions, it is no wonder Martin Luther King Jr. once pointed out that Sunday was the most segregated (or most homogenous) day of the week. With regard to racial reconciliation and diversity on Sunday mornings, not much has changed for almost a half-century. The majority of churches clustering for their worship gatherings still remain primarily homogenous.

However, in recent years, there has been movement toward embracing and enacting diversity within denominations and churches. Globalization, urbanization and the onslaught of media coverage of racial turmoil have played a huge role in resuscitating the discussion and importance of diversity and racial reconciliation among evangelicals. And, I think for the sake of the gospel and the mission of God, this is a great thing.

In his book, The Big Sort, Bill Bishop notes something that is interesting but shouldn’t surprise us. He argues that although America has become increasingly diverse, the places where we live are wrought with people who live, think and vote like us. In other words, Americans tend to be homogenous creatures clustering in like-communities within a diverse culture. Sadly, this is still, in large part, true of the church.

Diversity Is Biblical and Sacrificial.

For some people, diversity is not an issue. Pigmentation, background, socioeconomic class, culture and accent don’t make them skittish. In fact, something about diversity makes them feel alive. However, there are those of a minority culture or ethnicity who find like-community in a different and overwhelming majority culture. For instance, a Korean single or family who moves to the greater Los Angeles area may find community within a Korean church. The Korean church may provide a place for the single or family to get established and feel empowered for life in a new area. I think people, particularly Anglo leaders like me, should understand such gravitational pull toward a homogenous community.

However, the bigger issue is people who oppose and intentionally neglect diversity. While diverse, multicultural, multiethnic, multiracial and multigenerational churches exists, there aren’t many of them. In fact, LifeWay Research found that 53 percent of churchgoers disagreed with the following statement: “My church needs to become more ethnically diverse.” In other words, the majority of believers are comfortable with the level (or lack) of diversity that exists in their church.

In addition, only 20 percent of pastors and staff even speak about racial reconciliation and diversity. These two stats are disappointing.

Ed Stetzer

Ed Stetzer is the editor-in-chief of Outreach magazine, host of the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast, and a professor and dean at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches, trained pastors and church planters on six continents, and has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He currently serves as teaching pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, California.

He is also regional director for Lausanne North America, and is frequently cited in, interviewed by and writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. He is the founding editor of The Gospel Project, and his national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates.