(Imagine A Church) Colorblind But Not Colorless

The church has been hiding behind

Stained-glass ministries for too long

And stained-glasses dictate the color of the light

That shines through and we live behind the tinted windows

Of our comfort zone

Imagine a church that looks like God

Colorblind but not colorless

And the rest of the world can actually see

Themselves in it

‘Cause they begin to see the faith as real and not counterfeit

Imagine my transparency impacting another life

‘Cause they relate to the complexion of my heart

Not my shade of black or white

Because pain can minister to pain

Hurt can relate to hurt and love

Doesn’t distinguish the hue of a man

‘Cause pure love itself is only hu-man

Jesus taught that one

Imagine a culture of discipleship

Extending a hand to mentor the man next to you and vice versa

Imagine all of America answering this altar call

‘Cause the church overcame its spiritual inertia

Imagine if I would nurture

the same world that Jesus died to save

According to grace

The umbrella that protects with no partiality to race

Imagine if I presented the world a church

That any and every non-believer would embrace

‘Cause they all would see a face…that looks like them

“It might not work!”

Well Christ didn’t make excuses so don’t hand me that

A church without diversity is a church that’s handicapped

If we truly want change

We have to be change and not react to the change

That’s already in action

But the church is afraid of the change it’s supposed to make happen

And the world is a greater attraction

‘Cause it’s making change along color lines

Just without the moral attachment

Even though the deadline has passed

It’s not too late for Dr. King’s prophetic dream to come to pass

In the pews and the pulpit

Satan has made diversity look like the culprit

For too long

Imagine a church that’s colorblind but not colorless

‘Cause where we worship has come down

To who looks like us

So Sunday morning has become a family reunion

Well whether we like it or not

God says “Guess who’s comin’ to dinner!”

My Dream of Destiny will be a reality

Because my church will be colorblind but not colorless

© Phillip Allen 2008

Thanks for your prayers. The week was great. There were a few interesting moments, but overall… awesome!

With the last minute flurry of details upon us, let me ask of behalf of our entire team…  Please keep us in your prayers.  Not only will our team be building this school, several of our group will also be ministering to an orphanage that we have connected with in the last year or two.  I can’t wait to show you pictures of what God is doing.

Why do I think this?….  more and more people are talking about it.  More and more churches are focusing upon it and more and more people are beginning to write about it.  For instance this past week I was interviewed by a researcher and author from Marymount University in Virginia.  This gal is a professor in the Theology and Religious studies dept. and is working on a book about the rise of intentional Multi-Ethnic  churches.  This is so wonderful if you ask me….  for we are a diverse nation.  In fact as I write this post I am sitting at a McDonald’s waiting  for Griffin to finish at a birthday party.  Talk about diverse:  There are three white people in the store- me and two other employees.  A nice Latino family just left and the last eight people who walked in were either Indian or African - American.  Diversity happens at Walmart, it happens at McDonald’s.  It should happen every Sunday in God’s house.

While Rick and Mindy are at CIY this week with our students, Rick’s Mother ~ Chelle is here hanging out with Mylan. Rochelle May Gonzalez Pe Benito Marcum is her full name. She came to America from Iloilo City, Philippines in 1968. She gained her US Citizenship in 1996. Christie and I were able to have her over for dinner tonight and now see why Rick is so awesome. And yes, Rick has a great father… but his nanay, (mother)~ she’s awesome!

11 Observations of Bold, Godly Leadership for 21st Century Churches

1. They seek God’s will through His Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.
2. They have a spirit of fearlessness/boldness.
3. They have a desire to build the Kingdom, not please people.
4. They have a powerful sense of destiny, mixed with humility.
5. They have a personal commitment to observable ministry, missions, stewardship, and servitude.
6. Their leaders work together in unity.
7. They make bold decisions based on vision of God and need of culture.
8. Their decisions always involve faith, not sight; even more so when there is no money.
9. There is trust between elders and pastoral staff.
10. There is no micro-management at any level.
11. They dare to do the impossible daily, as the church did in the first