Why aren't there more African Americans in the UPC or the leadership of the UPC???

[berkeley]

I'll be honest here, I'm NOT color blind. I used to love living in a melting pot, but now I'd opt for the salad bowl.

[Joseph Miller]

Are yall aware that Bro. Wayne Francis is the promotion director and was nominated for GYP at General Conference but with drew his name because he had not been ordained a year yet.

[Steve Epley]

Since the 20's when most of the whites left the PAW and formed other groups the intergration has been very slow. I do NOT believe a 'white' & 'black' church is the will of God.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

I'll be honest here, I'm NOT color blind. I used to love living in a melting pot, but now I'd opt for the salad bowl.

With the fruits and vegetables?

[Joseph Miller]

Originally Posted by pelathais

With the fruits and vegetables?

or is that fruits and nuts?

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Since the 20's when most of the whites left the PAW and formed other groups the intergration has been very slow. I do NOT believe a 'white' & 'black' church is the will of God.

Your statement could be taken many different ways, care to clarify?
A multi-cultural church requires Godly wisdom and leadership, but it is a glorious sight to behold.

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by crakjak

Your statement could be taken many different ways, care to clarify?
A multi-cultural church requires Godly wisdom and leadership, but it is a glorious sight to behold.

amen to that, dt

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by crakjak

Your statement could be taken many different ways, care to clarify?
A multi-cultural church requires Godly wisdom and leadership, but it is a glorious sight to behold.

Totally agree.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

As others have said, if you truly desire a multi-cultural church you should reflect it in who is in leadership positions. (board members, musicians, song leaders, teachers, ushers, etc.)

Which comes first, the leaders or the members? Those with a vision will pick the leaders first! JMHO

You are still keeping count.

All that should be reflected in leadership is a heart full of His Word & Godly wisdom.

There is no escaping quotas and keeping count with statements like the one quoted above. Mindsets like the one above put people in positions because of some imagined need to demonstrate equality in numbers.

Equality is demonstrated in moving beyond the numbers game.

Keeping count doesn't change the heart of the people any more than putting long sleeves on someone changes the inward condition of their heart.

One cannot demonstrate their equality with a census. One demonstrates their equality with a daily walk.

This boils down to some indwelling need to "prove" how un-racist one is by placing leadership into place that "reflects" the population of the church.

Any leadership put in place should "reflect" a love for the Word & Ways of God. Nothing more. Nothing Less. Any stipulations on leadership beyond that has lost view of the prize.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

You are still keeping count.

All that should be reflected in leadership is a heart full of His Word & Godly wisdom.

There is no escaping quotas and keeping count with statements like the one quoted above. Mindsets like the one above put people in positions because of some imagined need to demonstrate equality in numbers.

Equality is demonstrated in moving beyond the numbers game.

Keeping count doesn't change the heart of the people any more than putting long sleeves on someone changes the inward condition of their heart.

One cannot demonstrate their equality with a census. One demonstrates their equality with a daily walk.

This boils down to some indwelling need to "prove" how un-racist one is by placing leadership into place that "reflects" the population of the church.

Any leadership put in place should "reflect" a love for the Word & Ways of God. Nothing more. Nothing Less. Any stipulations on leadership beyond that has lost view of the prize.

You are misunderstanding what I'm saying!

If God has called you to have a multi-cultural church, he will provide the leadership.

If you want more blacks in your church, look for some blacks that are qualified for certain leadership positions. If having more blacks is not a priority for you, don't worry about it! This doesn't mean you're racist!

Having blacks in leadership positions sends a message to other blacks in your congregation and community that you value them.

I'm sorry, but when I attend a church that is over 1/4 black and see NO blacks in leadership postions, it bothers me in my spirit!