Steph is chatting with Efrem Smith about his role as President of ‘World Impact Incorporated’ and how his upbringing has impacted his calling to see reconciliation and unity within churches and communities currently divided along class, political or racial lines.
Listen in to hear how this passion for diversity and reconciliation has impacted Efrem’s ministry decisions. He also shares steps we can take to encourage greater diversity within the church.
Bible verses:
2 Corinthians 5
Steps for reconciliation in leadership:
1) Deepen our personal relationship with God. Declutter our lives enough to have intimacy with God. Begin to get a heart for what He cares about.
2) Investigate and meditate on the multi-ethnicity of Jesus.
3) See people who are different from you as opportunities to extend God’s kingdom and love, not as threats.
4) Learn to see ourselves and others as God sees us - our true identities. Dismiss the lies and false information the world gives us about ourselves and others.
5) Refuse to be happily entrenched in your own viewpoints, traditions and comforts. Listen to others and learn how to hear what others are saying even when we don’t adopt their viewpoint.
Resources:
Check out Efrem’s books:
New release: Killing us softly
The post black and post white church
Jump into a life of further and higher
Discussion questions:
Where are you happily entrenched in your default political / racial mode? Where have you ignored or pushed away opportunities to engage with others who are on different political or racial lines to you? Take some time to repent.Read John 17:20-21. Do you have a heart to see a united, reconciled church? Take some time to pray and ask God to ignite His passion for unity and diversity in your heart and to give you opportunities to help influence others in this area.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and discuss the following statement: ‘white people have a choice to engage or disengage with racial diversity, whereas black people don’t have that choice’. How can the church and us as individuals practically engage with differences in the church and have ministries and messages of reconciliation?
Come and join us at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox
Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast
Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast
Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
