If we are in a room that looks like us, sounds like us and/or thinks like us, we may be good people. We may even do good things. But… we are not the Kingdom of God.
– Dr. Chuck Poole, senior pastor, Northminister Baptist Church, Jackson, MS

Like all good Baptist preacher types, I attend meetings. I go for many reasons including the need to be challenged professionally and spiritually. At one such recent meeting during closing worship, Dr. Poole offered the above commentary. It made me pause.

I like diversity. I thrive on inclusivity and enjoy differing voices. One of the things that continues to thrill me about Lynchburg College is its openness to spiritual diversity, including the right not to follow a specific tradition, but… Dr. Poole’s comment made me pause and then ask some hard questions.

Who do I spend my time with? Do I thrive in a room of differing voices or do I pass judgment? Do I pontificate my opinions and positions or do I eagerly hear others? Do I consider the positions of others of equal value or do I consider them to be “misfortunate and misguided?”

Which then led to additional questions such as: What might I learn about my role as campus pastor if I chatted with a physics professor? What might happen if I intentionally sought opportunities to connect with academic services and hear their “why” behind what they do? Have I ever even asked someone outside my department for input on my position?

Which led to more questions, questions I can ask on behalf of an organization and have zero ability to bring to fruition: what might happen if an exact science professor became a part of the Center for Spiritual Life (CSL) planning team? What might happen if a CSL staff member was included in academic advising or marketing or the PA/DPT long-range planning? What might happen if a member of res life was included in a conversation about course offerings? What might happen if…?

When we surround ourselves with people who look, sound and think like us, we miss the mark. Something goes undone, unchecked, unimagined. Who might we become if we intentionally seek input and conversation and community with voices other than ones like our own? What might we profit if different voices are brought to the table?

In a little over a month our campus will once again be filled with lots of people. As we prepare for the new year, it is a good time to ask hard questions. It is a good time to rediscover the “why” behind what we do. It is a good time to attend meetings and read books. (May I recommend Simon Sinek’s book Start With Why?) It is a good time to pause and consider what might happen if every time we need to make a decision, craft a plan, or imagine something new, we invited different voices into the conversation.

See you soon LC. Be blessed…professionally and spiritually.