I'm a long-time reader and lover of both of your blogs, but I pretty much never comment... so here goes:

This is something I've been thinking a lot about lately. We've been a part of a multicultural church for the past four years (www.seattlequest.org) which was from my estimation, maybe 50% white, 45% asian, and 5% black. We learned a LOT while we were there just in terms of awareness of our own whiteness, cultural sensitivity, etc... We've recently moved back to the South, and our church here is pretty much all white other than a handful of black people. And it drives me crazy.

The demographics of Evangelicalism are changing around the world, and whites are becoming the minority. I think it's important that we engage our faith through the lens of other races and cultures, and it's essential to Jesus' message of the Kingdom. One day we will worship around the Throne with people of every tongue, tribe, and skin color, and part of how we can live into that reality and usher His kingdom on earth is to worship side-by-side with those who are different than us. Cultural differences are real, and a truly multicultural church would be a painful process of each group dying to itself in giving-up things that are important in order to welcome the other. And, I do think white churches might hold a little more responsibility to do that since we are the ones with the most power and influence in our country.

My current church is located near a low-income black community, and I really wish it would take steps to not just "minister" to them, but to welcome them as neighbors by intentionally hiring black pastors, incorporating gospel music, etc... But it would involve a great sacrifice of power, theological focus, and our own white cultural preferences. It would be painful, and I'm not sure if it would ever happen for that reason. Another option would be for a white congregation to partner with a black congregation for the purpose of wanting to learn from them and stand in solidarity. To ask the question, "What is like to be black in this city? What is it like to be you?" Even if they're not worshipping together regularly, doing it on occasion and building relationships would be a big step.

I think the church should be the front-runner in these conversations, and it's really sad that most of us aren't. But I do believe racial reconciliation is a primary mission of the church and is a way that we can live into the reality of the Kingdom. One day we will worship alongside one another in complete harmony, and while there are some very real and difficult hurdles to that right now, working them out in submission and humility to each other is to participate in the Kingdom on earth.

So yeah, I think it's really important, but it's not happening where I am, and I'm wondering if there's something I can do about that.. =) Btw, two people who have been helpful for me to learn from are my pastor Eugene Cho, Dr. Soong Chan Rah, and Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil. Thanks for having this conversation!

Thank you so much for posting this list! I must be really out of the loop, I didn't realize there were so many beautiful and affordable options for giving gifts that support such amazing causes. I'm definitely going to purchase several of these and will be asking for jewelry from isanctuary from my family. Thank you!!!!

Well, I might be that mom in 20 years who's still clinging to the boot cut jeans despite how embarrassing it might be to my kids! In fact, I'm actually still quite a fan of the flare, my newest pair of jeans was from Target and is really low-cut and has a pretty defined flare bordering on bell-bottom--and I LOVE them! I'm also a fan of the trouser jean, those are always flattering. May I please direct everyone's attention to the awesome blog whose purpose is to give moms like us a bit of a clue how to incorporate fashion into our everyday lives: www.aintnomomjeans.com.

Just read that IM post about women in ministry and thought it was pretty ridiculous. To me, it just perpetuates the stereotype that women who aspire to ministry positions are power-hungry, selfish, and seeking their own glory. I mean, telling us to read less Joel Osteen? How condescending. I usually love IM contributors, but this was just totally ridiculous.

You know, I feel like my church does a pretty good job in this area. At least in terms of giving women equality in leadership positions, having a voice, honoring giftedness, and seeing these things as an issue of justice. www.seattlequest.org
This is the first time i've ever been in a church like this (grew-up in the complementarian camp), and I can't tell you what an influence it's had on me. Of course we ALL have a long way to go in undoing the gender inequalities we've always experienced, but I have never felt so honored as a person and empowered to follow God wherever He leads me in ministry as I have since being in this church. For the first time in my life, I don't feel limited by what I can't do as a woman. Of course the Church as a whole has a really long way to go, and there's always going to be injustices on an individual level, but there ARE people out there who are doing their best to create a culture of equality and respect. Seek those out for your daughter, and become an agent of change! =)

Well, I'm proud of you for having such a gracious attitude toward everyone there who didn't offer you the same. And I think you bring-up a good point... that I should really focus on being more open about what I've learned... I think it's going to take a lot of time in prayer and thought to get some kind of coherent framework behind it, but that is a big part of what I want to be more honest about on my blog. Thanks for the encouragement, I'm going to think about this. =)

I don't know all the ins and outs of the EC, but one of the things I value most dearly is the ability to listen to the opinions and beliefs of others with a true openness to being changed by it. I guess you would call that openmindedness.... and it doesn't sound like there was any of that going on where you were! It sounds like one of those talks that churches give about different religions/cults in order to indoctrinate you on exactly where each group goes wrong. I used to love that stuff, totally ate it up. But now, it just reeks of close-mindedness and judgement, and it really bothers me, especially when it's other believers they're talking about. What you said was great... and I bet not one person stopped to ask you more of your thoughts before you left...?