How to Form a Diversity Team at Church
- Michelle S. Lazurek Author
- Published Sep 12, 2023
God's children come from many different backgrounds, ethnicities, and races. Much like society, people in minority classes have been grossly underrepresented within the church body. Additionally, people of different races who are from a minority class in society will not want to stay in a church where they are also in the minority. It is important that people from every walk of life feel like the church is their home. It’s important to make every person feel welcomed, loved, and important. This will help meet their needs to be seen, loved, and appreciated. People from other backgrounds and ethnicities want to see other people who think, look, and act similarly to them. It is important for churches to receive differing points of view and opinions from people of different backgrounds. This will help broaden the church’s understanding of the world around them and learn about places with which they have never interacted. Therefore, it is important for every church to form a diversity team.
But how does the church go about this? Here are some ways to form a diversity team at church:
First, get to know the congregation.
Where do people from your church come from? Does their ancestry have roots in places other than the United States? Not only do many people have ancestral roots that offer a different perspective than the current Americanized view of the church, but people who come from different backgrounds may also share food, clothing, and other traditions that differ from their church’s current understanding. As people share their backgrounds, they're giving other congregation members a glimpse of a global viewpoint from God’s perspective. A church that brings different cultural experiences will help people understand Christians do not just look or believe one way. Christians come with many experiences and backgrounds that, when explored, provide a rich and rewarding experience for all involved.
Second, form a team of these members and meet with them.
Ask for their input and how these traditions can be shared on a regular basis. For example, could someone whose background is Japanese share a bit on the reasons why the Japanese church is a rapidly growing population of Christians in the world? What are some habits that Chinese churches are doing that churches in the United States are not doing? Are there strategies that we could adopt to help spread the gospel more effectively? We all can learn so much from people of different countries. We connect the best with others when we take the time to get to know people.
Third, approach the pastor about organizing events that will allow the whole congregation to explore these cultural traditions.
For example, my local church holds a Missions conference every year. The missionaries who spoke last year did a trivia night where they adapted the game of Four Corners, and the congregation participated in answering questions. They asked questions about the country where the missionaries served, and congregation members were given four choices. How they answered corresponded with which corner of the church sanctuary where they stood. The person who had the most correct answers at the end of the night won a prize. This was a great way for people not only to learn facts about a country that they may not have had much knowledge of before, but this game also allowed the congregation to learn about a different culture in an entertaining and fun way. Both kids and parents commented they remembered the facts shared that evening well after the event was over. It was a great way not only for them to learn about a new country but also to retain the information they received. A diversity team will want to share in traditions that help the church not only learn about different backgrounds but also retain the information they are learning. This is a great way for people to be able to spotlight their heritage in front of the church but also allow them to connect with people in a way they never have before.
Fourth, coordinate with the Missions team to share these traditions with others.
For example, a great way to do this might be a cultural exchange where people of different backgrounds share recipes of dishes from their country, their childhood, or even something that they've always wanted to try but never had before. People will enjoy gathering around a table and trying something new together with their friends. Positive peer pressure will not only help them explore something new but also experience it together as a church. This will allow us in a deeper sense of community and connection that they've never felt before.
Fifth, highlight events where the church can pray for people around the world.
American Christianity tends to be egocentric and tends to focus on events only in the United States. It's good not only to keep the world at the forefront of the church's mind, but also the needs of people in other parts of the world on the tips of Christians’ tongues as they pray for people around the world. Have someone from the team subscribe to a magazine such as Voice of the Martyrs or regularly check websites that update people on the state of the world. Are there areas of specific Christian persecution? Target those and allow people from the team to pray.
Sixth, highlight these events during Sunday service.
For example, if a natural disaster impacts a different part of the world, be sure to include it in the community prayer time. Prayer teams can pray not only for that but also for the congregation members impacted. Diversity teams remind members to take a moment to focus on their brothers and sisters in Christ who are far from them in distance but close to them in their hearts. This is especially vital if people from the church are from that area. It will make people feel loved and more welcome because people strive to understand more about them and who they are.
A diversity team can take one step further and inform the pastor of anything he needs to address in his Sunday sermon. It's one thing for a church to be in prayer for an area of the world from which they're normally disconnected; it's quite another for the pastor to implore his congregation to pray, give, and volunteer their time to help those in need. This will spotlight urgent needs and let them know that their church highlights not only the world's events but also cares about the people in their congregation.
Unfortunately, the world associates the idea of diversity with a political agenda or gives diversity another negative association. Yet, diversity can bring to light not only issues with which people can pray but also highlight the backgrounds of people in their congregation. If people want to feel more connected and feel like a community, highlighting people of different backgrounds and learning from their cultures is a great way to do that. By forming a diversity team, churches can not only see the different populations represented within our congregation but also the specific strategies and programs that help people become more aware of the people who sit next to them in the church pew, and of the needs and traditions of people around the world.
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