In my last blog entry, I talked about how being an ethnic minority within a large Christian organization can sometimes feel like I'm at the top of a see-saw type table, forced to slide towards the majority culture weighing heavy at the bottom. I don't think anyone truly enjoys the feeling of not being able to freely be themselves, but let's be honest, who's fault is that? (I'm gonna ruffle some feathers with this one.)
The need for a united diverse picture:
If there is a mass of people on one side of the table, not coming to my side, then I'm obviously gonna be forced to slide down. But I'd like to point out a few things:
- This separation will cause an unbalanced table (unbalanced ministry and therefore incomplete picture of the Gospel)
- Falling to the majority side of the table DOES NOT mean I have to change who I am, but does mean I can make changes there simply by staying. :)
People ask why I joined staff with a majority culture organization as a Puerto Rican American. They've asked if I'm "more American" or if I feel more comfortable with the majority culture. The answer is no to both by the way. I didn't go where I felt comfortable. I'm a New Yorker working in New Jersey! Hello. I obeyed the Lord as He showed me the need to be uncomfortable here to make changes.
When I think of times where there was change to God's glory, I think of people like Martin Luther or Martin Luther King Jr. Two men who faced opposition, often alone because of an impossible dream that would be more like what God intended - reconciled relationships between God and His people as well as among themselves. King Jr wasn't just fighting for equality, I believe he desired reconciliation and true community.
How could we truly show the power of the Gospel if we can't live like they did in Acts 2? - A diverse community who stayed true to their individual ethnic backgrounds but fellowshipped and communed together as they studied scripture SO THAT many would come to know Him daily.
The need to contextualize:
Still there are many not-yet believers who would NEVER hear the Gospel from someone who doesn't relatively apply it to them in their culture or show it to them through their cultural lenses via their ethnicity. Some may not even listen to a majority culture person... they'll never go to the other side of the table if invited. So they need to be invited to an ethnically focused side of the table. - *But let me remind you, there is still one table and one family of God.
On the other hand, there are so few ethnic minorities within my organization or within those separate ethnically focused groups, that we need the help of the majority culture in a few ways.
- Step out of your comfort zone and go to the other side of the table (stay true to your culture but go learn how to present the Gospel to a new culture).
- Send ethnic minorities (there are too many ethnic minorities who cannot go to invite people to either side of the table because they are not funded).
- Love & invite ethnic minorities to learn, grow and lead alongside you.... be willing to take risks, be uncomfortable with a few songs, learn a new culture, learn about a new brother or sister in Christ, and help them feel welcomed with a humble and considerate spirit.
Culture or comfort?
I guess what I'm saying is organizing a group of people to seek the lost who do so through culture or through comfort are both not enough. It's still not a complete presentation of the family of God that He'd want us to present. It needs to be both/ and. I need to stay true and even learn more about who He created me to individually be and I need to function in an environment where others unlike me can see and experience that. He expresses His glory through us, we are missing out so much when we either fade into the background or separate ourselves from others to see and glorify Him. It's neither culture, nor comfort that brings Him the most glory, it's Christ and our unity of cultures through His blood. One table. One family, worshipping on God.
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