There is not question that this type of ministry requires sacrificing our preferences. “Consuming Jesus” is very helpful in showing how devestating a consumer mentality is to diverse community.

Given how prevalent the consumer attitude is in American culture, I think the place to begin is in regular preaching and teaching that shows an alternative way of living. It’s important to remember that most folks in our churches have little or no memory of a diverse Christian community. We have to give examples and allow people to begin experiencing it.

I would add the importance of showing how reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel. We don’t strive for a diverse community because it’s fun or trendy but because we know that being reconciled to God and to each other is at the core of the Gospel.

As someone else in ministry who has been thinking a lot about the race and class divides in the church, and how it has been at play in the churches I have been a part of. The most solid conclusion I come to, which seems to go along with Consuming Jesus, is that at some point, I and other people in leadership may have to make sacrifices of our own preferences, etc for the sake of us seeing the realization of a truly diverse, united church.

Could you comment a little on how(or if) you see this idea of sacrificial leadership playing out in the lives of leadership at New Community Covenant Church?