No More Church Diversity Excuses

Posted by Scott Williams
19 Comments
August 5, 2010
Church Diversity

It seems like yesterday when I was in college pledging to become a member of a fraternity.  The whole process of pledging was quite a memorable series of events and one of the things that I vividly remember was quoting this short phrase that we called excuses.  The phrase was recited follows: “Excuses are tools of incompetence, used to build monuments of nothingness… those that specialize in using them, never amount to anything.”

One of the reasons the lack of diversity in the church is still a problem today is primarily because of all of the Excuses.  There are a plethora of excuses that pastors, ministry leaders, congregants and the general populous use as justification to not address the issue of Church Diversity.  Here are a few common excuses:

  • It’s about culture, so diversity is not necessary
  • There is no ethnic diversity represented in the communities near our church
  • Race is not an issue, we look beyond race… we’re color-blind
  • Talking about race is divisive
  • Nobody cares, it’s a non-issue

This list of Excuses could keep going like the Energizer Bunny.  Let’s make some wording adjustments to that Excuses phrase from above that I recited while pledging my fraternity.  Here is a new version of that saying being directly related to the topic of Church Diversity: “Church Diversity excuses are tools of incompetence, used to build churches of diversity nothingness… those pastors, churches, leaders and congregations that specialize in using them, will never be diverse.”

The bottom line is that if a pastor or ministry leader chooses to be serious and intentional about making progress in the area Church Diversity, they will have some positive impact.  I you try and fail, that’s fine… but stop making Excuses about why you can’t.  Start with the baby step number one: Have a conversation about diversity and you will be one step closer to having “His will done on earth as it is in heaven.”

If we truly want to have our churches be a place where everyone feels welcome and we can reach “All People” for Jesus, we can no longer sit around and make Excuses.

Do you feel that pastors, leaders, churches… make too many excuses relative to this topic.  Are any of these excuses valid?  Share your thoughts or additional excuses!

  • http://www.marcmillan.com Marc Millan

    There is something in fear that keeps us from knowing others, keeps us from allowing others into our lives. I’m so thankful I grew up in the South Bronx, right smack in the middle of diversity.
    Love has no color a the reason and excuses are often the comforting reasons for failure.
    M_

    • Scott Williams

      Nice:Love has no color a the reason and excuses are often the comforting reasons for failure.

  • http://cyndiakadisneyqueen.blogspot.com/ DisneyCyndi

    Tell us how you really feel Scott! lol. Everyone I have talked to who have diverse congregations say you have to be intentional. Starting with your staff. I have to agree with all of the above. We like to give excuses don’t we? lol

  • http://www.thisgirlsjourney.wordpress.com kazzles

    I personally wouldn’t be a member of a church that wasn’t diverse. I live in a city with many different migrant groups so if my friends are all white and middle class like me there is something wrong with me I figure.

    My country doesn’t have the tradition of segregation that the US has, so I think it’s even more important in the US. You learn so much, have ideals and values challenged and grow by being around people of different cultures. Not to mention the good food that other cultures have. :-)

    • Scott Williams

      Amen & Amen… I appreciate your perspective. Where is your original home country?

  • RD

    I love the fact that Scott lives what he believes.Having experienced integration in the ’70s I thought I embraced diversity. Working on a multicultural campus for an exemplary minority leader has taught me the intentionality that an individual or organization must wield to bring change and diversity to it.

    • Scott Williams

      Thx. RD I appreciate having you on my side, I learn so much from you, your experience and wisdom.

  • Ruben j. Cabrera

    If you want to solve the issue you need to change your heart. You can talk about it but the American “white” church needs to realize that they don’t own the church. The typical Caucasian steel has issues with minorities specially blacks and Latinos. The interesting thing about it I that the reason why African American are still hostiles and rebellious against whites is because of what “whites” did to them. The American church has forgotten about that. They think blacks need to adapt to their systems and programs. They Need to humble themselves… There is a lot of pride. Blacks are wounded and have been marked by their past. That’s why the black theology of liberation was formed. So, what do you end up? Two cultures, one past, and a lot of restoration to be done. Until then- a milulticultural and diverse system will be just wishful thinking. Change your heart, ask God to change your mind and then you will be able to do what it takes to get there. I differed from you in one thing- there is one big problem… Excuses are just the covered up of the real problem. If they don’t change their hearts we are going nowhere.

    • http://modernreject.com Modern Reject

      Ruben I respect your opinion but I’d have to disagree with you that “The typical Caucasian still has issues with minorities specially blacks and Latinos.” Maybe your experience has been that and I am so sorry if it has, but the “typical” person is not racist or expressing racist undertones.

      Mindsets where we believe that most white people really don’t like blacks or Hispanics is part of the problem. Maybe they aren’t comfortable around them. Maybe they don’t know many of them but that is not the same thing as having “issues” with them. Those are things God can so easily change.

      I agree with you though that there is restoration that needs to take place and on every side- between blacks, Hispanics, whites, and everyone in between.

    • Scott Williams

      It is a matter of the heart and the way you think…

  • Ruben j. Cabrera

    Sorry for the misspellings. My iPhone types for me!

  • http://3worldsofscott.wordpress.com Scott Russell

    How about this excuse? I have a best friend who is black. I’m sure you’ve heard that one. I believe that people of different races don’t know what to say to each other. But I love a challenge and to push past my comfort zone. Not that I’m perfect in always pushing past my comfort zone. So I say just do it! If you don’t live a life where you are surrounded by diversity, just go for it! Find some new folks who aren’t like you (race, religion, age, culture) and strike up some new friendships. Sure there will be some stumbling. But the adventure is to great to miss out on it. God usually shows up in the most vivid ways when we push through and beyond our comfort zones. Great discussion topic.

    Blessings,

    Scott

    • Scott Williams

      Push through! Well said…

  • http://modernreject.com Modern Reject

    I love that you wrote this, so thank you.

    One of the reasons churches lack diversity is because they treat the word “diversity” as some kind of goal, benchmark, or achievement. When they do not obtain a certain level of diversity they can easily write it off as a failed goal (now move on to the next thing.

    When in fact achieving a diverse church community is doing what the apostle Paul exhorted us to do: “become all things to all people.”

    Christ is all things. Diversity within the church is a sign of freedom. Lack of diversity within the church is a symptom of a greater illness, that being restraint and man’s control where the Spirit should be leading. The absence of diversity is a result of squelching the Spirit. The presence of diversity however, is the outpouring of God moving and being allowed to move.

    • Scott Williams

      I love the way you write… you have a really good voice. Thanks for your thoughts!

  • Jimmy Hankins

    You’re still talking comfort zone. Take a bite out of the apple! All the cool kids are doing it! There’s a reason it’s called human nature. Besides, all you normals seem alike to me. (grin)

  • Jimmy Hankins

    Couldn’t resist the verbiage.(grin)

    OK, how’s this: You want non-conformity? It’s not that hard. Just go against the grain. Your faith should work like the inverse of a weather vain, or dowsing stick. If the situation feels uncomfortable, you may be pointed in the right direction. Instead of turning to the comfort zone, just keep going. The key ingredient, as always, should be that tricky “faith” element.(grin)

    • Scott Williams

      Well said Jimmy and w/ a (grin) of sarcasm as usual. I’m glad you are back on the comment scene.

      • Jimmy Hankins

        Yeah. I’m the Ryan from Real World New Orleans of yer blog’s comment section. (grin)

        I do seem to have a strong reaction to the whole diversity issue. Don’t get me started on the Christian caste system. (grin)

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