Diverse Unity

Still thinking about our city’s All-City Racial Reconciliation Conversation. And how if the way forward will indeed be through relationship, then those who have been most impacted ought to be leading the way. If there are those like me out there who know there is a problem, but we only understand it somewhat, our best bet will probably be to sit down and elevate the voices that most need heard.

As we earn trust with minority churches to invite us in and teach us, we can walk this way. Starting with some key points from Dr. Don Davis’ talk:

As Believers, there are two identities seeking to bubble up: the particularities of Self – our family of origin, personality, and culture; and our identity as a Disciple of Jesus of Nazareth
Difference was God’s idea. We can be who we are and in that difference be disciples of Jesus. In that difference we can worship Him. Christlikeness, not cultural sameness, is our goal
Even in our redemption stories, God does not erase, shield, or obliterate our differences; rather, He acknowledges and rejoices in them as they show various aspects of Him and His beauty and character. We get to make the Gospel attractive in our differences
The only time our differences and preferences are a problem is when we make them the standard by which other people must be measured. “Where did we come up with the idea that to be Biblical is to be just like us?”
When we as a Church fail to do this well, we make it hard for the Nazarene to get the kind of glory He deserves

Good stuff, right? You can download the slides of Dr. Don Davis’ talk here.

I’d also love to point you to a few online resources I’ve found helpful.

I’ve mentioned this before, alerted to it from IF: Gathering. Latasha Morrison’s Be the Bridge is doing some real good around the nation. You can listen to a podcast about it here:

http://leadstoriespodcast.com/s02-episode-12-lead-voices-tasha-morrison