The world loves the idea of multiculturalism, doesn't it? It loves the idea of diversity, but it’s apparent that this doesn’t always play out in reality. The idea is more attractive than the hard work that genuine diversity takes. Unfortunately, this is often the same for the Church, but if we are to broaden our invitation and become welcoming places where people of all cultures feel wanted and valued, we need to lead the change we desire to see.
Here are six ways that you can lead that change.
I lose track of the amount of times I sit with people who say they want to build a diverse staff team, church or project, but when you check out their social media profiles at the key events in their life, everyone looks like them. If we want to carry a sense of invitation beyond people like us, we need to make sure that we also live life that way, not just in terms of ministry, but also friendships. Who do we break bread with? Who sits around our table? If we want to invite someone to church, who are we inviting into our home?
Which brings us to…
If we're going to reach communities with a genuine invitation to come and see Jesus, we have to live amongst them and become a genuine part of them. Being present means not just visiting people or meeting once in a while at a coffee shop, but it’s about having a sustained and intentional presence.
There's a guy I know who is a senior Medical Consultant, and he lives on the roughest estate in Tower Hamlets and has done so for years. When people realise he’s a doctor living on that particular estate they are often baffled. 'Why doesn't he live in one of the nice squares in Bow if he wants to live in Tower Hamlets?' His reply is that God has called him to be present with the community - to live, love and share life with them. We have the perfect example of that in God himself who sent his son to live amongst us. Let's embrace community and not settle for a simple communication of the gospel.
When we share life with those around us, we need to be ready to show up when there is a need. Bill Wilson (a well-known speaker, author and pastor in the USA) often says “if you are in the right place often enough, eventually you will be there at the right time.” Being present means being ready to be part of the lives of others. It means that when they are in need, we are of service to them, ready to roll up our sleeves and lend a hand. At the moment, many are facing tough financial decisions, so what could you do to be a good neighbour? How can you help others out? How can you share what you have, be that a little or a lot? Maybe it looks like being ready to help out by cooking a meal, helping with the garden or dropping a neighbour's kids off at school.
So, as we take that step to really engage, let’s…
When talking about being present, its important that we learn to become great listeners. Take time to hear people and learn their stories. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - ask people what they believe, ask what's important to them. If you want to truly understand someone’s heart, you need to truly listen to them, and at some point they're going to ask you a question. So, answer their questions, but also learn to, as Tim Keller puts it, ‘question their answers’. Many people hold worldviews that are fragile and may not even make logical sense. When we shine a light on it in the form of a question it can be very revealing. Keep the conversation going and be inquisitive to what’s really going on behind what people are saying because that will often allow you to connect on a deeper level. Human relationships are reciprocal - as we ask people about their beliefs, there will be opportunities to talk about ours. When we do this we will often find that it challenges how we live. Bryant Mayers (a lifelong activist dedicated to Christian relief work) writes, “If people do not ask questions to which the Gospel is the answer, we need to get down on our knees and ask God why our life and work are so unremarkable that neither result in a question relating to what we believe and whom we worship”. What questions are our lives provoking?
What would it look like to be generous with what you have? We’ve mentioned finances already, but have you thought of being generous with your time? Time is incredibly valuable, and many would appreciate a chat over coffee in your home rather than just financial or physical help. As we start to lead intercultural lives we will inevitably become more and more challenged by the need to be hospitable - not just polite hospitality - but the kind that welcomes those who are different to us. Let's aim for the kind of hospitality that communicates value, welcome, and is willing to be inconvenienced. Ultimately, we need to move beyond a hospitality that is based on our own convenience and towards hospitality that is shaped by the needs of others.
If we want to broaden our invitation, there are some people we will never reach by trying to help them. Sometimes people respond better to being asked for help. This may seem contradictory since I just encouraged us to be generous, but getting people involved in a common cause helps to build a sense of community and belonging. There's a lady in my old church who became a Christian through us asking for her help to put on a lunch club for the elderly. She used to go and hide when the talk came on because, as she regularly reminded us, she was there to help and not there for any of the 'God stuff'. Eventually by God’s grace she gave her life to Christ! It was such a joy to baptise her. We'd never have reached her trying to do anything for her. Its ok and often a really smart thing to ask others (especially those who aren't Christians) to help us to help others.
So lastly…
If we are to broaden our invitation, we need to take a proper look at the community around us. Let's ask ourselves who the people are in our community that we could do better at reaching. What are their values, beliefs and stories? What are the barriers that we might need to cross, and the bridges that need building? Let's do the hard work of figuring out what 'gospel welcome' might look like for them. How can we put the gospel in a relatable context? Who makes up the community around you? The vision of Heaven is a celebration from every nation, tongue, tribe and social class. How can you let this eternal perspective shape your welcome? It can start with something as simple as saying "hi" and introducing yourself when you bump into your neighbour in the corridor, the car park or the school gate. It could even look like knocking on their door and introducing yourself for the first time! Just don’t wait for others to come to you and rather be the one that initiates relationship.
Relationships take time, and aren't always easy, but through being intentional we can lead the change we want to see. Even if that means massively stepping out of our comfort zone in order to follow Jesus’ example.
LCM shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
Registered Charity No. 247186
