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Nov

Diversity

   Posted by: pastordiehl   in Uncategorized

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I believe that the greatest strength of any unity is its diversity.  My wife, Anita, and I are totally opposite personalities.  That means we have to work hard to stay on the same page.  We must give each other permission to be different.  The advantage of this diversity, though, is that when one of us is down, the other is up, and vice-versa.  She is always people-oriented, and I am always task-oriented.  This keeps us balanced, as long as talk about these things together.

The same truth works in a church.  A church’s greatest strength is its diversity.  Diversity means we come from different economic backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds, educational backgrounds, occupation fields, and generations.  When this diverse group of people come together, there must be a give-and-take relationship with a mind for what is best for all, not just myself and my interests.

Problem: Why is it that so many of the new church growth concepts, then, tell us that we must focus on only one target and do only one thing to reach only one group.  What then happens to the diversity that brings balance to unity?

 I’m interested in your thoughts and comments. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 at 2:37 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 comments so far

Jeremiah Otis
 1 

You ask why is it that new growth concepts have only one focus. I personally think there are two reasons.

1. You preached a series on Wednesday nights, one summer, about spiritual gifts. One of the concepts you talked about was “gift projection.” This is where someone makes everything and everyone fit their spiritual gift. Sometimes, I think we are guilty of “idea projection.” Even the growth specialists.

2. The church is stuck in what could be described as a “broadcast mentality.” In the 80’s and 90’s T.V. ruled the world, and everything was broadcast to us in one way. If we didn’t like it, we could choose not to watch, or we could put up with it. We now live in a world that, thanks to the internet and several on-demand technologies, can be customized to every individual. The church, as a whole, is still living in the 80’s and 90’s and hasn’t yet begun to make the method/mindset changes necessary to reach a customized world. It’s hard for us to change.

joe

November 1st, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Nathan
 2 

I would first suggest that a diverse marriage does not always indicate a strong marriage. Likewise, a couple who are like-minded and not diverse (like my wife and I) does not indicate a weak marriage. I consider our marriage very strong. So how is it that a diverse marriage and a like-minded marriage can both be strong? Is one really the ‘right’ type of marriage? Is one the ‘wrong’ type of marriage? (and likewise, is one type of church ‘right’ and the other ‘wrong’?)

As far as the target issue goes, I would suggest that having a target grouping is biblical:

Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22: To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

Why didn’t Paul just say, ‘I was all things to all men’ without clarifing how he won different groups of people?
Paul categorized people by race, spiritual devotion (or lack thereof) and sociologically.
I suggest Paul was indicating that different groups of people view the gospel from a different perspective, and reaching those unique perspectives required unique methods (as opposed to the ‘one size fits all’ philosophy)
I also further suggest Paul was indicating that certain groups of people tend to think alike, and it was beneficial for him to reach each group individually.

By targeting our efforts in a church, we are able to provide a consistant and concerted message to one group of people who view the gospel in one certain perspective.

Now, that is not to say that we should ignore all other groups–that is NOT biblical. Paul didn’t just reach the Jews, nor just the weak, nor just those under the law–but he did reach them one at a time, by offering each grouping of people a customized presentation of the same message.

Is diversity is church always a good thing?
Why would a young 20-something couple care about a 2-minute announcement about the seniors ministry?
why would a retired senior couple care about a 2-minute announcment about the 20-something ministry?
By targeting all people all the time, (the ‘one size fits all’ philosphy), we are providing an inconsistant message to each categorization of people within the church.

What about similarities? Is there no strength in similarities? (Remember, my wife and I are similar) Did Paul care more about similarities or diversity?

I would suggest that there can be diversity within a target audience. Say, for instance, we are targeting Seniors age 60+. Some are married. Some are widowed. Some are remarried. Some are in a nursing home. Some are in assisted living. Some live at home. Some are on welfare. Some have more savings than they know what do with. Some like singing hymns. some like singing chorus. Some drive their car. Some aren’t allowed to drive any more. Some have great-grandkids they love to spoil. Some have spoiled grandkids who live next door. Some have grandkids in Florida. Diversity. It is certainly there.
what does a young couple in their 20’s with 2 kids have in common with the above? would they really be drawn to the same things? what about vice-versa?
Is too much diversity bad? are there different kinds of diversity? is diversity within a target group still diversity? is it focused diversity?

Where is the balance? There must be a balance in all this. I suggest the balance is this: As the church follows Paul’s example and targets, within each target is diversity. I also suggest that in this setting–where diversity is within a given setting, is where diversity becomes a great strength.

November 2nd, 2006 at 11:10 am
Todd Helmkamp
 3 

Hmm. I feel dumb. Good comments. :)

Seriously, though, I think that without great diversity, the Body of Christ would be seriously hampered. (1 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 12:4)

(side note: the search function on ebible.com has made me SO lazy!! ha!)

There are so many functions to be filled by us that without this incredible diversity (young/old, rich/poor, etc. ad infinitum) we would be much less effective. Of course, this only works if all groups are “aiming” at their target, and they have a clear vision of what their target is. I will have a much better “chance” of reaching someone closer to my age than my grandmother’s.

November 6th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Dennis Kutzner
 4 

I have found and firmly believe corporate prayer is vital to the church today more than ever! God seems to choose doing some incredible things when God’s prople get together to pray. In fact, I believe there are some things He does then than can happen in no other way.

November 10th, 2006 at 9:00 am
KATHY BUTLER
 5 

WAKING UP THIS MORNING AFTER A WONDERFUL NIGHT AT NEW HOPE WITH MARRIED COUPLES AND SINGLES SEMINAR OF CYCLE OF LIFE ON MARRIAGE, I WANT TO ADD FROM MY EXPERIENCE THAT IT WAS SO VERY REWARDING AND TRUE ,
I WANT TO ADD , TO THE COMMENTS ON diversity AFTER READING THEM ALL , AND THIS IS ONLY WHAT I HAVE EXP. WHEN I HAD DIED ON THE RECOVERY TABLE AFTER A SERIOUS GALL BLADDER SURGERY, I FOUND MYSELF STANDING BEFORE THE GREAT GATES OF HEAVEN , I COULD SEE THE LIGHTS OF THE GLOIOUS CITY ISIDE, AND IT WASN;T LIKE CITY LIGHTS HERE , I COULD FELL THE GREAT POWER WARMTH AND SATIFACTION OF OVERWHELING LOVE , WITH A TREMENDOUS STABLLITY OF PEACE . EVERYTHING WAS LAID OUT BEFORE ME , NOTING FROM THE PAST WAS BROUGHT TO MIND , AND NOT KNOWING DID NOT SCARE ME , I WAS BEING WELCOMED BUT YET AT THE SAME TIME STANDING BESIDE GOD , I WAS JUDGING MYSELF’S WORTH , NOT GOD JUDGIN ME, BUT ME , IT BECAME CLEAR TO ME I NEEDED TO DO MORE FOR CHRIST , MORE PRAYER AND WITNESSING AND TRYING TO EFFECT POEPLE INTO GODS LOVE SO THEY WOULDN;T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT GIFT , THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN COMPLTLY DESCRIBE ALL THAT HAPPEN , IT WAS HEAVEN , I WILL SAY THIS THOUGHT , ON THIS EARTH HUMAN NATURES GETS US WRAPED INTO LITTLE BOTHERSOME THINGS MAKING BIG ISSUES OUT OF LITTLE THINGS WHEN THE PROBLEM AT HAND HAS GOTTEN LOST , WE NEED TO SPREAD AN ABUNDANCE OF LOVE , LOVE EVERYONE, NOT JUST SOME , WHILE I WAS THERE THE LOVE WAS OVER WELMING , AS IF I WAS A LITTEL BABY AND GOD HAD ME IN HIS ARMS JUST ROCKING ME GENTLY , THERE WAS NOT FAULT , THERE WAS NO BLAME , NO PETTY FEELINGS, NO JEALOUSNESS ,NO PRESNCE OF ANYONE FROM THE PAST IT WAS ALL OVER ON EARTH , IT WAS LCAER IT WOULD NOT BE BROUGHT UP . GOD HAD WIPED THAT FROM MY SPIRIT ,
WE NEED TO BE MORE LOVING AND ACCEPTING TO ALL , AND I MEAN ALL, THERE WAS NO COLOR OF SKIN AT THE GATES AS I WATCHED THE ARMY OF GOD LINE UP ON THE LEFT SIDE GOD TOLD ME THERE WASN;T GOING TO BE A WAR LIKE EVERYONE BELEIVED AS HE TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND SHOWED ME SATANS ANGELS DRESSED IN BLACK FALLING DOWN NO ORDERLY , HE SAID GET YOUR LIFE RIGHT GET YOUR FAMLIY RIGHT , GET OUT OF DEBT FOR I AM COMING VERY SOON, THERE WAS NO JUDGING OR BLAME ONLY LOVE LOTS ODF LOVE IT SURPRESED ALL THE LOVE WE FEEL HERE , HE HAD ME IN HIS ARMS IN SUCH A WAY I WANTED TO STAY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I WANTED TO COME BACK AND DO MORE FOR HIM AND LOVE , WHEN I WOKE UP AFTER SURGERY I WAS IN ICU, A NURSE WAS SITTING BY MY BED , AS I OPENED MY EYES SHE SAID YOU SAW GOD DIDN;T YOU? I TOLD HER WITH A SHAKING HEAD, YES, I ASSUMED LATER SHE PROBABLY SEEN THIS A LOT WORKING IN ICU,
BUT ALL IN ALL FOLKS WE NEED TO GET OUR THOUGHTS MINDS AND WORKING ABITLITIES ON WHATS AT HAND, GOD MAKES IT SO EASY ,WE MAKE IT SO HARD
ITS AS EASY AS THIS
PRAY ,GET JEUS IN YOUR LIFE , LOVE EVERYONE AND TELL OTHERS , GET OUT OF DEBT , KEEP YOUR LIVES EASY AND ONLY SPEAK THE TRUTH , WE DON;T HAVE TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION , ONLY THE WORKER, LIKE A BEE AND BELEIVE ME IT HAS ITS REWARDS , CLAEN UP YOUR HOUSE, GET SIN OUT OF YOUR LIFE IF, IT COMES BY WAY OF WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO GET THE WORLDS UGLIES OUT , MOVIES , JOBS , GET AWAY FROM SIN AND WATCH GOD GIVE YOU AN ABUNDANT LIFE , BE HAPPY NOT A MOPY CHRISTIAN , HUG AND LOVE EVERYONE FOR THIS IS OUR GOD , ITS EASY BUT WE MAKE IT HARD ON OURSELVES, TALK GODLY AND STAY AWAY FROM THINGS THAT WILL PULL YOU INTO SIN ,QUITE TRYING TO BKLAME SOMEONE FOR YOUR DOWN FALLS PICK YOURSELVES UP BLME YOURSELF , LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT, SO MAKE IT A HAPPY ONE, ITS ALL ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU DO FOR GOD, IN GOD AND AROUND GOD , JESUS GAVE US THE GREATIST GIFT WE CAN HAVE, HE GAVE US EVERLASTING LIFE, AND AFTER BEING THERE, TASTING IT , WELL PEOPLE LET ME TELL YOU, YOU DON;T WANT TO MISS IT , SO PUT YOUR DIVERSITIES BEHIND YOU AND LOOK AT EVERYONE AS GOD DOES, LOVE THEM ALL AND LET ALL HAVE A GREAT TIME IN THE LORD
IT BECAME SO CLEAR TO ME WHILE I WAS THERE , GOD SAID ITS EASY
LOVE PRAY OBEY, AND ALL ELSE WILL BE ADDED
I KEEP PICTURING THIS VISION HE ALLOWED ME AND STILL IF I GO TO GOD IN MY OWN QUIET TIME HE COMES TO ME , BUT IT ;S NTOING LIKE WHEN I WAS THERE , SO NOW I HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE, ITS GREAT, I HAVE THE PROOF THAT SO MANY PEOPLE DON;T HAVE , WHY DID GOD SHOW ME CAUSE I BELEIVE ITS BECAUSE I AM BOLD I HAVE A BIG MOUTH , I AM NOT AFRAID WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF ME , I DON;T CARE REALLLY THEY ARE MISING OUT , I LOVE THEM , ANYWAYS I LOVE EVERYONE AND THIS IS WHAT JESUS, THE FATHER, WOULD WANT US TO DO
SO PUT PETTY THINGS SUCH AS DIFFERENCE OF CHURCH RACE AND BELIEFS ASIDE ,IF WE ALL COME TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE HOW CAN THAT BE WRONG
JUST LOVE EVERYONE AND STOP THESE HUMAN NATURE THINGS THAT SATAN TRIES TOPLACE INTO YOUR LIVES , CHEAT US OUT OF LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE, HAVE YOU LOVED SOMEONE TODAY REALLY LOVED THEM
GO TO IT LOVE THEM ALL
I AM PRAYING FOR A GODLY UNITY , THEN WE CAN GO ON WITH GODS BUSINESS AT HAND THERE ARE SOULS OUT THERE FOLKS , LETS GET BUSY

November 13th, 2006 at 8:05 am
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January 7th, 2009 at 7:48 am

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