Creating a Masterpiece

Language Ministries: Georges Boujakly
Friday, May 20, 2005

Anyone can play chopsticks with a few keys on the piano. But, if you want to produce a symphony, you need the whole orchestra. You need brass and strings, woodwind and percussion, blending to give us a cornucopia of sounds. You can't play a symphony on a few piano keys. Living in Color, Embracing God's Passion for Ethnic Diversity is a book written by Randy Woodley in 2001 and published by IVP. Randy is an American Indian who presides over Eagle's Wings Ministry in Kentucky. Through this ministry, Randy reaches Native Americans and others through Native culture. Randy argues persuasively that the church in America must reflect the intention of the Father from the beginning: a multicolored church.

An endearing quote from his book is this: "We would never give Picasso a paintbrush and only one color of paint and expect a masterpiece." Most churches in America are of one color or race or subgroup. Yet from the beginning of time God intended that ethnically diverse communities live together under the rule of Abba. There is only one Father and one Kingdom after all.

The reality is, however, that even homogeneous groups find it hard to relate without difficulty. You know the joke: If you have two Baptists you have three contradictory opinions. Many churches divide or alienate members over worship styles. How in heaven's name are we expected to be inclusive of other language groups and various cultures?

That's just it. We can't. It's not humanly possible. However, church is not a human institution only. We are directed by the Head of the church, Jesus Christ. The work of the church is divine: not a change in social status, or culture, but a change from which a new person is born from above. The God who thought up the church is divine. He put no racial or cultural boundaries on His people. But won't people feel uncomfortable with the colors, the smells and the looks of other cultures? Yes! But church is not about being comfortable. We feel good about ourselves when we go to Mexico to serve with Mexicans. But why don't we cross town to reach them? The God we serve is greater than the obstacles we face. With prayer and intentionality we can do what He asks.

I hope to live to see the day when the church in America will be multiethnic. May His will in heaven become our will on earth! There is enough color in HOKSBA to make more than one masterpiece. Is there a Picasso out there?