Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Are you riding an "old surfboard?" Many pastors are riding "old surfboards" throughout America when it comes to the Church. You may be asking yourself right now, what does he mean by an "old surfboard?" The "old surfboard" represents the homogeneous church model that is segregated on the basis of race/ethnicity. Why are so many pastors riding "old surfboards?" There are a number of reasons why some pastors have chosen to ride "old surfboards." They include, but are not limited to the following:
1) Many pastors are so resistant to change. Even though America is becoming more diverse they would rather keep trying to ride "old surfboards" that are ill equipped to handle the strong force of the waves. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by the year 2050 White Non-Hispanic people will make up less than half of the U.S. population. The New Majority in America will be people of color.
2) Many pastors have embraced the homogeneous church model even though it is contrary to God's Word. God's Church should consist of people that come from "every nation, tribe, people and language."
3) Many pastors are afraid of what may happen to their churches if they have to make changes in order to reach out to people of color.
4) Many pastors need to examine their hearts to see if they have been infiltrated by prejudice, bigotry or racism. The homogeneous church model represents their desire to embrace a segregated religious institution that excludes others on the basis of their race/ethnicity.
What is the "new surfboard" that pastors should be riding all across America? It is the multiethnic church.
If you are a pastor, I would like to find out what type of surfboard have you been riding? If you are not a pastor, then I would like for you to tell me what type of surfboard has your pastor been riding. Please post your comments below.
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Saturday, June 30, 2007
I had the priviledge last Sunday of worshipping at City Hope Ministries a multiethnic church located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Rik Stevenson is the pastor of the church. Dr. Stevenson talked about the vision that God has given him for the multiethnic church. I was very pleased to see a diverse church. The church members were so friendly and warmly welcomed my family during the period set aside for greeting visitors.
On a sidenote, Dr. Stevenson talked about recently participating on a panel discussion regarding the multiethnic church. Dr. Stevenson received a copy of an evaluation form that one of the conference attendees filled out. The person admitted that he had wrongly judged Dr. Stevenson based upon his hairstyle and how he (Dr. Stevenson) was dressed. He also admitted on the evaluation form that his own personal prejudices had caused him to judge Dr. Stevenson.
I began to wonder how many times we as individuals have passed judgment against people based upon their skin color, hairstyle, clothes, type of car they drive, the neighborhood where they live, their social economic status, whether they speak perfect English or have an accent, or etc. As Christ followers, we need to avoid passing judgment against people based upon our own personal prejudices or biases. We need to reach out to people with the love of Jesus Christ. The bible states the following in Romans 14:10:
"But why do you judge your brother? Why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."
Please respond to the following questions:
1. Have you wrongly passed judgment against someone?
2. Do you need to seek forgiveness for someone that you have wrongly passed judgment against?
3. Do you need to repent and seek God forgiveness for wrongly passing judgment against someone?
You may post any comments below.