As they neared the end of a time of training and team building at the Presbyterian Center and online on Friday, more than two dozen of the class of 2023-24 Young Adult Volunteers got to hear stories of both inspiration and encouragement from a panel of Louisville-based faith leaders and advocates.
When a Korean-American church celebrates its 70th year anniversary by opening with a Native American (Elona Street-Stewart, the Co-Moderator of the 224th General Assembly) telling the story of her people in Turtle Island thousands of year before it became United States, the destruction that came with Christian mission in Turtle Island, and the impossible gospel-bloom from the dust (the storyteller is a Christian Native American!), at first it’s difficult for your brain to adjust. It all seems darker, but it’s not.
While there’s been a lot of talk about diversity and inclusivity, the one conversation that is needed is how often diversity is mistaken for inclusivity. The two are not the same.
When we read about the first band of Christ followers selling their possessions and “distributing the proceeds to all, as they had need,” (Acts 2:45), we clap our hands, lauding such noble sacrifice, but snicker under our breath, whispering, “Now that’s a bit too much!”
Many people — even many people of faith — think diversity and inclusion are the same thing.
They’re not, as the Rev. Samuel Son explained this week on “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast,” hosted each week by the Rev. Lee Catoe of Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice, and Simon Doong of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
Commissioners and advisory delegates at every General Assembly will tell you a highlight is worship, which is always thoughtful and inspiring, appealing to both the eye and the ear.
Recently, I attended an online conference titled, “Mental Health and Asian Americans: Context and Strategies for Faith Leaders” hosted by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary. I am still processing my emotions.
A revised 2023-2024 Mission Work Plan won approval Friday by the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board’s Coordinating Committee, sending the document along to the full Board for consideration next month and ultimately to the 225th General Assembly meeting this summer both online and at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
