Uniqueness

If we were enjoying a cup of tea together could you tell me what gifts your culture brings to God’s family? Wondering why this matters?

At the Harvest Conference last weekend I sat in a break out group of White students in the Reconciling all People’s track some of whom had struggled to answer this question at a meeting of their multi-ethnic chapter a couple weeks before. I was blessed with an opportunity to help these students begin to discover the gifts they bring. Why would we do something like this with students?

We believe that like in every other area (flowers, landscape, animals, etc.) God created diversity in part to show his beauty, creativity, and fullness. One of the things that prevents us from appreciating or growing as a multi-ethnic community is when parts of our community do not understand the gifts or perspectives they bring. This can both restrict them from bringing their whole selves to the table and also shut down creating space for other gifts because the primary culture of the fellowship is seen as “normal” or “this is how everyone acts and thinks”.

It is often White students that struggle most with this question of uniqueness of their culture. One helpful resource that I have used in my journey of discovery is Being White. In it are great questions and guideposts that aid in this journey. Using it I helped these students take another step in their journey towards truly being a part of a multi-ethnic community.