Intentional Diversity? CRC Synod 2005

It is exciting to note the push towards diversity occurring in the CRC and the attention given to the panel of ethnic advisors. It also is exciting that there has been a study committee to try and boost the number of minority delegates to Synod. The very fact that Synod is asking all classis to develop and submit a blueprint for intentionally involving ethnic minorities in the life and governance of the church by 2007 is especially encouraging.

We are beginning to move in the right direction...or are we.

As I look at the page concerning this story in the Banner I notice there are 2 pictures of people from Asian descent and a white pastor. Where are the African Americans? In fact, as I flip through the pages of the Banner and read all about intentional diversity I see only two pictures of African Americans. One picture is of Rev. Bob Price, a delegate from Chicago and the other is of the one African American person whose part of the dining hall staff at Trinity Christian College.

In fact, towards the back there is a whole section of pictures of dark skinned people in an effort to show the poverty the World Missions works with. They are Africans, not African Americans, but because there is all this talk about diversity and very little African American representation, does the magazine perpetuate the false stereotype that black people are poor and need our help? That is to say, if we are talking about being intentional, then we must be careful how we present people in our magazines, because when our children pick up the magazine, the images of black poverty are reinforced. Alone it really is not that big of a deal because parents can talk with their children about it, however, when the same images are constantly reinforced on the Evening News and other forms of media (consistently providing negative images of African Americans over positive ones) our opinion of people are being shaped.

Meanwhile, churches are moving out of neighborhoods because the community has turned primarily black. They say its for more space, that they outgrew their old facility and yet I doubt any effort was made to find open space in the places they moved from (which there happened to be plenty). Even if the excuse for space were legitimate, the opportunity for both ministry, evangelism and becoming a multiethnic church the way the CRC denomination is asking churches to become are reasons to stay that far outweigh reasons to leave.

If space is a problem, plant another church (another initiative that the CRC denomination is strongly encouraging) and quite finding ways to excuse your prejudice and fear.

There are many things that divide America and the CRC in the issue of race and more specifically white and black relationships. But if God is asking for restorative justice as the Synod has agreed he has, then it is not only about prison ministries and the criminal justice system, but a lifestyle that seeks to restore relationships. Restoration must be sought between white and black America and the CRC stands at a significant time in its history to lead the way.