8 Steps to Add Church Diversity Right Now
When I think about Heaven, I think about the worship. We will all be together, worshipping in unity and singing, “Holy, holy, holy.” There will be no racial divides, generational divides, or gender divides. So, how do we bring the kingdom of Heaven down to earth? How can we experience that same unity in worship now? The answer is not a simple formula we can follow but a mindset and heart posture we must develop. Diversity requires intentionality. So, if you’re wondering how to create diversity in your worship intentionally, consider these 8 steps:
1. Eliminate Preferences
We all have preferences—some of us like Rock music, while others enjoy Pop music. There are too many options to know where to start in terms of musical style. However, one of the mistakes many worship leaders make is putting their personal preferences above intentional diversity. There are plenty of people in your congregation who will enjoy the same styles and songs that you do, but there are also many others who may not.
So, when it comes to song selection, vocal styles, and band styles, be intentional about including many and not just your personal preferences. Your style choices will come naturally, so you must be deliberate and specific about adding other styles and options.
When you select songs, don’t just choose the songs that you personally enjoy. Choose specific pieces in the message you want people to hear or the declarations you’d like your whole church to sing. Don’t just think about musical style, but be intentional with the diversity of message and lyrics.
2. Include Many Voices
We already talked about eliminating personal preferences. The most significant way to combat that is to include many voices in the process. Don’t just add in people who will fight for their personal preferences, but consider people with a passion for diversity. This will help you in your pursuit. You want to work with people who are moving towards the same goal. Be intentional with the people you involve in the process.
When scheduling your worship teams for the weekend, consider diversity. This goes beyond racial differences and can include gender and generational representation as well. Try to avoid an all-female 20-something worship team for the weekend. Consider the representation week after week, both in style and visually.
3. Ask (Often)
Ask for the input of many people, and do it often. Find out if the church sees diversity in your worship or if there’s an area that could be focused on for improvement. We won’t get it right all the time, but being intentional in asking for frequent feedback will help you see your own personal leanings and blindspots more effectively. When you gather feedback, be sure to include different types of people. To better understand, you can look beyond the normal diversity categories and even consider life stage demographics. For example, a 24-year-old dad with two kids may have a different perspective than a 24-year-old grad student. Consider all people and all possibilities!
4. Teach Others
For a leader to intentionally create church diversity in their worship is a great goal. Even better is for the leader to teach that to their teams and the congregation. You want the church to capture the heart and passion for diversity so they can help build a culture that supports it. In cultures that honor diversity, you’ll experience people celebrating different styles or preferences rather than criticizing them. Diversity is refreshing because it is at the core of the heart of God. Remember to teach it at every opportunity as you work towards a more diverse worship service. You can teach it by modeling it, teaching it in team settings, one-on-one coaching and conversations, and preaching it to the congregation.
5. Create Community
Galatians 3:28 (NLT) discusses how we are all one in Jesus. It says, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We are all one in the Kingdom of God. So, our worship teams can be unified and diverse all at the same time. In order to foster a diverse worship environment, we must start with our leaders and worship team. They need to be together in community, rather than highlighting their differences. Do life together, spend time with one another, do more than just serve on a Sunday but be intentional about the community you’re building. Whatever culture you create in your team will also come out in your worship. Learn to connect personally despite your differences, because that will help you connect with the church congregation.
6. Choose Leaders Wisely
Church diversity takes a lot of work. It requires a lot of time, energy, and commitment. So, you want to find leaders for your team(s) that will also walk that out. Be on the lookout for leaders with a heart for diversity, and then they will be aligned with your intentionality. When possible, choose leaders with diverse representation.
7. Look At Other Churches
Are there other churches that are successful in creating church diversity in worship? Reach out to meet with them and learn from them. You can also watch their services online and learn from their worship teams. Remember, collaboration creates diversity, so don’t be afraid to look and ask questions outside of your church. If other churches in your local area are doing well, attend one of their services. Diversity doesn’t come without intentionally learning, growing, and working together with as many resources as possible.
8. Pray Continually
This is not the last resort but should be a constant posture as we work towards intentionally creating diversity in worship. Diversity is in God’s heart, so we need to pray daily for His help. God will give us the wisdom and clarity we need along the way. As we pray, we must ask him to show us our blindspots so we can work towards true diversity.
Revelation 7:9 (NLT) says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” This is a picture of Heaven – diverse and standing together. We can see that in our worship services today. As you consider these steps to create diversity in your worship intentionally, remember to listen to the voice of God along the way. He will show you how to include others, when to shift, and what to reconsider each step of the way.
