Comments on: One-Liners to Remember 2 (of 5) http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/ dream BIG. think BIGGER. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Steve K http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-744 Steve K Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:53:17 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-744 What did Jesus say about diversity? I know one thing is that he said all need to hear about the gospel - from all ends of the earth. I don't think he ever said anything about needing a multitude of styles and people within a church building. That's the beauty of different churches - it attracts different people. A rock & roll church, might not attract a traditional hymnal or gospel type of person - THAT'S OK! And a church that has all of these types of styles might not attract anyone because they never know what to expect - but it might! We are blessed with choices in the United States. What did Jesus say about diversity? I know one thing is that he said all need to hear about the gospel – from all ends of the earth. I don’t think he ever said anything about needing a multitude of styles and people within a church building. That’s the beauty of different churches – it attracts different people. A rock & roll church, might not attract a traditional hymnal or gospel type of person – THAT’S OK! And a church that has all of these types of styles might not attract anyone because they never know what to expect – but it might! We are blessed with choices in the United States.

]]> By: SolShine7 http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-743 SolShine7 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 23:08:07 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-743 Yeah, church diversity pretty much sucks in the United States. I'm not saying that there aren't some churches that are diverse (mine is) but from what I've seen and heard too many Christians don't even want to deal with it. And that probably has to do with leadership. We need leaders who are willing to STAND UP and talk about the racism that blacks, Latinos, Asian-Americans and Arab-Americans still face. And we don't need leaders to talk about having a "colorblind" church. If God didn't want any colors than He would have made us all the same. Why don't our praise teams use sitars? Why don't we folk-dance? Why aren't churches the first ones to rally behind racial injustices like the Jena Six??? And lastly why is black music labeled "Gospel" and white music called "Christian or CCM". It's silly, divisive and it needs to stop. Personally, as a bi-racial mixed gal, I rather turn on the radio and listen to world music on my local Christian radio. How cool would it be to hear music from my brothers and sisters around the world? Way cool! Here's to hoping!!! Yeah, church diversity pretty much sucks in the United States. I’m not saying that there aren’t some churches that are diverse (mine is) but from what I’ve seen and heard too many Christians don’t even want to deal with it. And that probably has to do with leadership. We need leaders who are willing to STAND UP and talk about the racism that blacks, Latinos, Asian-Americans and Arab-Americans still face.

And we don’t need leaders to talk about having a “colorblind” church. If God didn’t want any colors than He would have made us all the same.

Why don’t our praise teams use sitars? Why don’t we folk-dance? Why aren’t churches the first ones to rally behind racial injustices like the Jena Six???

And lastly why is black music labeled “Gospel” and white music called “Christian or CCM”. It’s silly, divisive and it needs to stop.

Personally, as a bi-racial mixed gal, I rather turn on the radio and listen to world music on my local Christian radio. How cool would it be to hear music from my brothers and sisters around the world? Way cool!

Here’s to hoping!!!

]]> By: John G http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-742 John G Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:59:27 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-742 You know, Scott, the other day, I showed one of my buddies your blog, and he said to me (with a hint of surprise), "Oh, your pastor's black?" To which I responded, "Uhh, yeah, man." His response: "Oh. . . that's cool." So I started thinking in my head: That's COOL?! Would his response have been, "Oh, that's cool," if my pastor was white?! He wouldn't have even mentioned it if my pastor was white! But the mental image struck him as odd that there is a black pastor at a church that doesn't have a choir behind him interjecting 'hallelujah' in short bursts of song during the sermon. The problem with racial diversity in the church is that we have to even discuss racial diversity in the church in the first place! It is a mirror reflection of the segregation that still exists in our society when we have to host think tanks to decide how we as a church can effectively diversify! We should remove the focus of discussion from church DIVERSITY to church UNITY. We should stop looking for examples of EXCLUSION and focus on INCLUSION. Yes, the church demands diversity; but not under the pretenses that it is now discussed. The church, like the body, is made of many parts (see I Corinthians 12). The diversity of these parts lies in how they serve the body. We become diverse when we focus on how to be a functional church, instead of on how to be a colorful church! You know, Scott, the other day, I showed one of my buddies your blog, and he said to me (with a hint of surprise), “Oh, your pastor’s black?” To which I responded, “Uhh, yeah, man.” His response: “Oh. . . that’s cool.”

So I started thinking in my head: That’s COOL?! Would his response have been, “Oh, that’s cool,” if my pastor was white?! He wouldn’t have even mentioned it if my pastor was white! But the mental image struck him as odd that there is a black pastor at a church that doesn’t have a choir behind him interjecting ‘hallelujah’ in short bursts of song during the sermon.

The problem with racial diversity in the church is that we have to even discuss racial diversity in the church in the first place! It is a mirror reflection of the segregation that still exists in our society when we have to host think tanks to decide how we as a church can effectively diversify!

We should remove the focus of discussion from church DIVERSITY to church UNITY. We should stop looking for examples of EXCLUSION and focus on INCLUSION.

Yes, the church demands diversity; but not under the pretenses that it is now discussed. The church, like the body, is made of many parts (see I Corinthians 12). The diversity of these parts lies in how they serve the body. We become diverse when we focus on how to be a functional church, instead of on how to be a colorful church!

]]> By: Scott Williams http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-741 Scott Williams Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:12:12 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-741 Thanks for all the input and comments. This week is extremely busy with our All Staff Event! I am learning, loving and listening! Thanks for all the input and comments. This week is extremely busy with our All Staff Event! I am learning, loving and listening!

]]> By: Kimberly Martin http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-740 Kimberly Martin Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:17:22 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-740 I agree with Aaron! I grew up in South Texas around many illegal immigrants, blacks, and very few whites. We had racial riots in the halls of my High School-- Blacks and Mexicans against the Whites. Me, being friends with all of them went to the leader of the opposing group once and said "okay guys let’s stop this now—it’s not worth it, let’s work together & come to a solution for peace”. It actually worked. We all worked together for the remainder of the year because I wasn’t afraid to voice my opinion. Why can’t peace be the answer for everything? I LOVE hanging out with other races... I love "loving" all! Now living here in Oklahoma I absolutely love hanging out with my two favorite people, my best friends, who are indeed of opposite color than myself. It sucks that people stare at us when we are out together. I never really noticed it until they brought it to my attention. This world looks at what's not "normal" to them and can't understand why? I am not "normal" and the crazy thing is... I LOVE IT! This Saturday I'm going to attend an all Black Church in a not so good part of town-- the sad thing is... they will all stare-- but then, after a few minutes, they will see & understand that-- WE ARE JUST THE SAME!! I agree with Aaron! I grew up in South Texas around many illegal immigrants, blacks, and very few whites. We had racial riots in the halls of my High School– Blacks and Mexicans against the Whites. Me, being friends with all of them went to the leader of the opposing group once and said “okay guys let’s stop this now—it’s not worth it, let’s work together & come to a solution for peace”. It actually worked. We all worked together for the remainder of the year because I wasn’t afraid to voice my opinion. Why can’t peace be the answer for everything? I LOVE hanging out with other races… I love “loving” all! Now living here in Oklahoma I absolutely love hanging out with my two favorite people, my best friends, who are indeed of opposite color than myself. It sucks that people stare at us when we are out together. I never really noticed it until they brought it to my attention. This world looks at what’s not “normal” to them and can’t understand why? I am not “normal” and the crazy thing is… I LOVE IT! This Saturday I’m going to attend an all Black Church in a not so good part of town– the sad thing is… they will all stare– but then, after a few minutes, they will see & understand that– WE ARE JUST THE SAME!!

]]> By: aaron http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-739 aaron Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:46:06 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-739 color, status, zip codes, sex, age, jobs, religion....and many other categories segregate us. It's just what are the "Hot Topic" ones we choose to focus on. Why is one a hot topic and not the other? Why can the segregation of anyone/everyone just stop!! Love. Unite. Family. Peace. Unselfish. God!! color, status, zip codes, sex, age, jobs, religion….and many other categories segregate us. It’s just what are the “Hot Topic” ones we choose to focus on. Why is one a hot topic and not the other?
Why can the segregation of anyone/everyone just stop!!
Love. Unite. Family. Peace. Unselfish. God!!

]]> By: jimmy paravane http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-738 jimmy paravane Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:36:44 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-738 all you normals seem alike to me. all you normals seem alike to me.

]]> By: Vince http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-737 Vince Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:14:18 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-737 The Flowerdust comment was my inner idealist showing through. I realize that we live in a reality like we do...and diversity can be something to consider. As long as it doesn't get in the way of the gospel. The Flowerdust comment was my inner idealist showing through. I realize that we live in a reality like we do…and diversity can be something to consider. As long as it doesn’t get in the way of the gospel.

]]> By: michael http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/2007/12/04/one-liners-to-remember-2-of-5/#comment-736 michael Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:38:13 +0000 http://bigisthenewsmall.com/?p=188#comment-736 does the quote refer to ethnicity or faith...i always wondered. one of my best friends is the only black man on a white church staff...always has been. he was president of the utah sbc, and i'm not sure how he does it. not because of skin but because of thought. he thinks big...they think...well, "right" or is it old-n-white for lack of a better term. i know ethnicity plays a role...always will...but ultimately and more dangerously, i think people want those who act and think like they do. that's what scares them into homogeneous groups. i think about my own life, its the cats that bug me because they're weird or just act strange that make me want to ignore them...that's not good. people with stupid theology...why bother. i think the girls with their butt-cracks showing will hang together and the shaved-head guys will and the people of color will as well...it feels safe but it is when we're afraid to be diverse in thought that the theology gene pool gets to thin, and the church dies. does the quote refer to ethnicity or faith…i always wondered.

one of my best friends is the only black man on a white church staff…always has been. he was president of the utah sbc, and i’m not sure how he does it. not because of skin but because of thought. he thinks big…they think…well, “right” or is it old-n-white for lack of a better term.

i know ethnicity plays a role…always will…but ultimately and more dangerously, i think people want those who act and think like they do. that’s what scares them into homogeneous groups.

i think about my own life, its the cats that bug me because they’re weird or just act strange that make me want to ignore them…that’s not good. people with stupid theology…why bother.

i think the girls with their butt-cracks showing will hang together and the shaved-head guys will and the people of color will as well…it feels safe but it is when we’re afraid to be diverse in thought that the theology gene pool gets to thin, and the church dies.

]]>