When it comes to corporate worship in the gathered Church, one of the questions I am asked most frequently is ‘How do I create more diversity?’ On the surface, I do not think it is a bad question. Because really what people are asking, seeking, and desiring is for their Churches to resemble heaven - where people from every tribe, tongue, and nation worship before the throne of God (Rev 7:9).
But I have a two-fold dilemma with this question. First, when most people speak of diversity they have failed to realize the diversity already present within their congregations. Second, when people say they want a diverse church, what many mean is they want ethnic representation in their church. Most of us are unaware, or unwilling to do the hard, continued work of diversity and instead settle for representation.
Dilemma One: Missed Diversity
Merriam-Webster’s defines Diversity as the condition of having or being composed of differing elements. That means if your church has men and women, young and old, mature in the faith, and new believers, differing socioeconomic brackets, those from different denominations, varied families of origin, the intelligent and the simple, employed and unemployed, married and unmarried, those who are well and those who are sick, and on and on, you are in fact a diverse Church. Charles Spurgeon said, ‘When we get annoyed by the church’s empty seat, we are guilty of sinning against the filled one.’ I believe this is true with diversity as well. Should we fight for diversity on all fronts, including ethnic diversity? Absolutely. But let us also be aware, and grateful for the diversity with which God has already entrusted to our communities as we lean into becoming a community that grows in its reflection the glorified Bride of Christ.
Dilemma Two: Settling for Representation
The Church in America has slowly, painfully been coming face to face with the reality of racism which is enmeshed in our country, and sadly, in our churches as well. We must continue to own, confess, and bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt 3:8), as individuals and collectively as the Church. There is a temptation I feel in myself, and have seen in the majority culture - to desire the appearance of ethnic representation, without having the cost which is associated with true diversity. If we are truly serious about living as a diverse community, that will require a continual process of dying to self - empowering others with influence and authority, considering others greater than ourselves, surrendering our own preferences, making space, and celebrating the image and gifts of God by those who look, think and serve in ways that may seem unfamiliar.
Diversity in Corporate Sung Worship
My experience tells me that pastors often look to corporate sung worship as a unifier in the desire for diversity. Music is often touted as a ‘universal language.’ Which may be true to an extent until you look at Church history along with its so-called ‘worship wars.’ Viewing music within the gathered Church as a silver bullet to a sustained, embodied diverse community is as arrogant as it is naive.
So what are we to do as worship leaders and liturgists - especially those of us that find ourselves in may appear a monolithic culture - to foster greater diversity within our realm of responsibility within the Church? Here are a few ideas…
Have men and women co-lead together. Trading-off leading songs, transitions, prayer, and Scripture readings.
Find outside songs. It can be easy to pick from the same pool of songs all the time: ‘oh, I like/trust this church, or these writers, I’ll use everything they put out.’ Find songs outside your tribe. Songs written by women. Songs from other countries and other centuries.
Using ‘high’ and ‘low’ language. Whether it is with hymns or prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, archaic language gives us the ability to hear, pause, and learn something outside of the normal pedestrian ‘low’ language we use in everyday conversation.
Instrumentation. Are there musicians in your church who play an instrument or in a style unfamiliar to the normal Sunday gathering? What would it look like to thoughtfully incorporate those aspects into your gathering?
Invite others in. Whether it is to help plan special services, or in the normal rhythm of weekly services, allow others to help shape, lead, and serve.
Observe context, yours, and others. When you think about your context, what a handful of things you think are unique to your team, and gathering? What about areas of growth? Who are the churches and leaders who are serving their specific context well? What could you glean from those churches and leaders that could be applied to your own?
As with all formative practices, fostering diversity within the corporate worship space is a lifetime pursuit. Lasting transformation is only possible when our hearts are first, and continually surrendered to the sanctifying work of the Spirit. So let our hearts be transformed, so that we have the stamina, intention and desire to see our churches reflect the glorified Body of Christ. For His glory, and the good of the world.