Plurality: The Solution to our Segregation (Diversity: Part 3)
If you have come with me this far, I hope you will agree that diversity is essential to the Body of Christ and at the present we as the Body are suffering from our uniformity. In this post I want to suggest a solution to our present segregation. What is it going to take to put the Body of Christ together again?
Our lack of uniformity typically arises from the image and perspective of a single head pastor. If a pastor is black the congregation is typically black. If the pastor is white then the congregation is usually white. If a pastor is a vocal conservative or a vocal liberal the congregation will typically refect his views. There are exceptions of course but the principal appears to hold true. A single image and perspective draws a like-minded crowd.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing the pastor of descrimination. As an individual the pastor simpy cannot consistently reflect more than a single perspective. He can only present authentically the views and opinions he holds.
The solution to our segregation then is to open up our pastorates to a variety of perspectives. Instead a single pastor our churches should be lead by a variety of pastors. Why can't churches have a black pastor and a white pastor, a liberal pastor and conservative pastor, a young pastor and old pastor, an intellectural pastor and a goofy pastor? Why shouldn't the leadership reflect the diversity that we desire to see in our congregation?
A pastor who is surrounded by a diversity of co-equal pastors will be more timid in the perspectives he presents. When a pastor is a monarch (single ruler) he may feel free to rule his congregation as a king. Diversity in leadership calls the pastor to account and causes us to rely upon the scriptures rather than our own opinions.
Not only do I beleive this the solution to our present segregation I also believe it is more consistent with the teaching of the New Testament. I encourage you to do a little digging on this subject. Start here for good biblical analysis on the Plurality of Elders.
Our lack of uniformity typically arises from the image and perspective of a single head pastor. If a pastor is black the congregation is typically black. If the pastor is white then the congregation is usually white. If a pastor is a vocal conservative or a vocal liberal the congregation will typically refect his views. There are exceptions of course but the principal appears to hold true. A single image and perspective draws a like-minded crowd.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing the pastor of descrimination. As an individual the pastor simpy cannot consistently reflect more than a single perspective. He can only present authentically the views and opinions he holds.
The solution to our segregation then is to open up our pastorates to a variety of perspectives. Instead a single pastor our churches should be lead by a variety of pastors. Why can't churches have a black pastor and a white pastor, a liberal pastor and conservative pastor, a young pastor and old pastor, an intellectural pastor and a goofy pastor? Why shouldn't the leadership reflect the diversity that we desire to see in our congregation?
A pastor who is surrounded by a diversity of co-equal pastors will be more timid in the perspectives he presents. When a pastor is a monarch (single ruler) he may feel free to rule his congregation as a king. Diversity in leadership calls the pastor to account and causes us to rely upon the scriptures rather than our own opinions.
Not only do I beleive this the solution to our present segregation I also believe it is more consistent with the teaching of the New Testament. I encourage you to do a little digging on this subject. Start here for good biblical analysis on the Plurality of Elders.
posted by Matthew Miller at 9:10 AM
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