By Steven Norris
We have seen no shortage of conversations around diversity in the past few weeks. So many of them have been negative in tone and disparaging in content. As I preached this past Sunday, I told the story of how I used to lead a Bible study in a local prison in North Carolina. In that particular facility, about a dozen of us would meet in the “community room” on their unit. We would sit in a circle, place the scripture in the center (both literally and figuratively) and try to study together.
I told those men each week that I needed them as much as they needed me. I was not there to be the “Bible Answer Guy.” I was there as a fellow apprentice of Jesus, seeking to know him better and become more like him. “We need each other,” I told them. “Because of your background, upbringing, and experiences, you are going to see things that I’ve missed, and I may see things that you have missed.”
In seminary, a professor once held a book out to our class, then asked a series of students to describe what they saw. One student talked about the cover image. Another described a stack of papers sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard. Another described a series of words and a barcode. Who was correct? They all were. Each angle provided a different perspective bringing us closer to the whole. I deeply believe that the church is at her best when we honor the diversity of God’s creation. If we want to experience “the whole counsel of God” that Paul describes in Acts, we need those who see differently.
Personally, I need women who are going to help me see through feminine eyes. I need older folks who will help me see through the eyes of wisdom and experience. I need young folks who help me see through the eyes of idealistic passion and zeal. I need urban folks and rural folks, rich folks and poor folks, married folks and single folks, activists and contemplatives, those with and without formal education, and those who experience the world through different languages than I do. I need all variety of folks to help me see all of Jesus.
I share the conviction of Andy Stanley that “circles are better than rows.” The real work of spiritual formation takes place in the context of relationships as people gather in deepening levels of vulnerability and commitment. Such relationships provide the means by which we can “encourage one another on to good works” (Hebrews 11:24-25) and experience the ongoing work of sanctification. They can provide a loving and grace-filled place to confront our blind spots and teach us to better love God and neighbor.
It can be an uncomfortable experience, but I need folks who will call me out of my echo chamber and challenge me see Christ from a new perspective. After all, my goal isn’t to become comfortable, but to become like Christ. If I am going to do that, I need to be sure that I am seeing all of him.