It is important that we are faithful to the truth and use gracious words when we dialogue with those who push back at what we stand for or on what we have said. About a year ago, we had a visitor who was a corporate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) consultant. It “just so happened” that Sunday (I believe in divine providence) that in my sermon on being faithful in trials, I used an illustration of someone being called to HR for not meeting DEI standards of conduct. The following week I received an email from this consultant with a reprimand for “denouncing DEI.”
I know that many of you in the corporate environment face these issues and may feel the tension with DEI. I want to share with you my response to the visitor/consultant for an example of engaging pushback with grace and truth. I hope this example is helpful to equip and encourage those who face these matters at work.
Hello Dr. __________________,
Thank you for your email in follow-up to your visit with us at Grace Bible Church. It was our pleasure to have you worship with us. I am delighted that you felt warmly welcomed and included. I very much appreciate your observations about the culture of our fellowship – including making known to us the need of the one who was hard of hearing. We will address that issue in our on-going technological development for the benefit of all.
I am saddened by your experience in the corporate environment. Know that God creates meaningful opportunities through our suffering. I applaud you for your decision borne out of pain to rise up to equip leaders to “Embrace diversity, lead for inclusion, and navigate change with grace.”
If I may, I would like to address your comments about an element of the sermon. Indeed, DEI was mentioned in an illustration as a current standard in corporate HR. To say that I was “denouncing” it was something I found perplexing. Indeed, it is bedrock to our communication of the gospel that all people should be treated with respect. We believe it is because every person bears the image of God. Any structure in the corporate environment that promotes a culture of respect is to be lauded. The truth is, however, some standards of DEI involve behaviors that are contrary to God’s character and purpose. It is a reality that many of God’s people in the corporate environment are – on the authority of God’s word – in disagreement with certain lifestyles and behaviors deemed acceptable, even affirmed and championed, by DEI regulation.
Even so, disagreement with a colleague’s lifestyle or behavior is not tantamount to hate or oppression. One can still be loving, kind, and gracious while disagreeing. Yet because of their resolve to follow Christ faithfully in the public setting, they could be reported to HR for not measuring up to DEI standards because they will not affirm a colleague’s chosen lifestyle. That is not hypothetical, it is a sad reality and numerous examples can be cited. It is in such cases that God calls his people to live as people who are free and be distinguished by grace as followers of Jesus. That was the thrust of the message that you witnessed, hopefully it was not missed.
“Diversity” is a strong message of the gospel as the Church of Jesus Christ is comprised of all peoples. The gospel is not relegated to a particular culture or type of people. Partiality is clearly condemned in Scripture as it is contrary to God’s character. Anyone who treats another with disdain or disparagement ought to be confronted and given the opportunity to improve. But if “diversity” requires one to affirm behavior that is in disobedience to God’s purpose and design, we must gracefully decline. It would be wonderful if [your organization] could help the people of God who want to faithfully follow Christ in the public setting – the corporate environment specifically – graciously navigate the realities of DEI regulations that are contrary to biblical precepts. Could there even be room for advocacy?
If “equity” is “doing the work of providing resources based upon the individual needs of people,” then we can heartily agree that people who are truly in need ought to be cared for according to their need. Even as you witnessed, we could fill your day with testimony and example of people who have come to Grace and whose needs were met with gracious investments of time, energy, prayer, discipleship, and often with significant material aid. We also recognize that, by God’s design, all people have varying attitudes, abilities and aptitudes. But for them to expect equal outcomes would make the virtues of diversity itself, and personal accountability, meaningless. We are called to be good and faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and that especially includes our intellect and abilities for which we will give account.
I believe “Inclusion” is the concept the apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote, “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). So, “Everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and respected” is a biblical virtue. It is our ambition to be a compelling community of diverse people whose relationships are anchored in the gospel of grace. Where we may differ with DEI standards as discussed above is that not all behaviors deserve to be affirmed. We like to tell people who come to Grace, “Come as you are, but don’t stay that way.” God is in the business of transforming lives by His redeeming grace, and the measure of success is not societal mores, but the image of Jesus Christ. We are all a work in progress.
The word of God is our authority and must be brought to bear upon our lives. We are bound to the Scriptures. Our authority for life and conduct cannot be the always shifting societal trends. If the expectations of society in any authority structure run contrary to God’s precepts, then we must follow in the resolve of the apostles -- “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this. If you feel it necessary to have further dialogue on the matter, I would consider a friend-to-friend conversation most welcomed. If so, please do not hesitate to connect with me by phone or email and we can set up a time to sit down together.
Sincerely,
Rich Powell
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