About a year ago I expressed my agitation concerning a national church planting conference that I thought had a glaring lack of diversity. The lineup they had was awesome! Every speaker was qualified and anybody that went to that conference was sure to learn a ton…from the best, white male church planters in the country.
In retrospect, I wish that I had reached out to the leaders of that conference before writing the blog post above. I meant what I said, but connecting with them would have been more mature on my end.
A few months after I wrote “White Male Church Planters Conference -Part I”, I rather humorously wrote Part II after learning that my own organizational conference pretty much looked the same. Again, I made the same mistake and should have reached out to my leaders and expressed my thoughts privately before going public.
It obviously takes me too long to learn lessons, but I finally learned that lesson :-)
So…guess what…I am now speaking at the White Male Church Planters Conference alongside a female pastor and several female leaders, an awesome Asian-American pastor/author/church planter, a Latino leader that I admire, and more. To say that I’m proud is an understatement. Here’s the lineup. It’s one of the best I’ve seen for a church planting conference.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t want to exaggerate my influence in this, but I am elated that leaders are getting the point that a diverse conference is a better conference. It will not only reach more people (I will bet you anything that this is the best attended conference they’ve ever had), but it will provide everyone that attends with a richness of perspectives that will enhance the quality of the time.
I can’t wait actually. Registration is deeply discounted right now and I would love for YOU to join me there. I am clearing off my schedule to be there from start to finish and would love to help you out in any way I can.
So -plenty of other White Male Church Planters Conferences still exist…but this isn’t one of them! Pretty cool in my book.
{ 6 comments }
This is rich with love!!! I'm ecstatic.
Look forward to seeing you here at MLC!
I feel like you are giving into the man, but that is a good thing.
You brought about awareness that needs to be spoken about.
Congrats on the speaking engagement and I hope that other conferences take the lead on this as well.
Now if only the church can get the hint.
Congratulation Shaun
So excited about the positive change! I read your first blog and totally agreed with your perspective. It's great that you saw the problem and then get to be part of the solution. And I'm very excited that our Church leaders (at large) are becoming more open-minded and forward-thinking, rather than just being comfortable with their norm!!!
Great lineup! It still looks very white (Swedish). Ya..you betcha! A change of heart/perspective can also happen when you get invited to speak. So, don't sell out and keep your voice heard. Diversity is a must! God is amazingly diverse. You will bless many 4 HIM!