Published on June 11, 2024, 12:39 am

The discourse around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been growing in recent years, and its magnitude is such that it has intruded upon various sectors of society – including the religious space. A notable example is the case with Johnson Bowie from Victory Church, who recently delivered a sermon where he dwelled on the topics of DEI. With a perspective that aligns more with woke ideologies than biblical fidelity, Bowie exemplifies an emerging issue within Evangelical churches struggling to strike a balance between promoting diversity and maintaining religious integrity. This is real news which needs to be addressed from a Christian worldview.

In his sermon, Bowie lamented over his observation of predominantly white church staff. Asking for changes can be understood; however, suggesting such establishments to “burn your website down” strays away from productive dialogue and borders on melodrama. His comment betrays a deeper misunderstanding of what a church’s purpose should be – extending beyond the appearance of inclusivity to primarily serve as spiritual leaders for their community.

Bowie also revealed an exchange with a white pastor during his sermon, claiming that having an all-white staff is inherently hypocritical when juxtaposed against hiring the most qualified person for the job irrespective of race or ethnicity – not necessarily so if there aren’t cognizant acts of bias in play. This claim points towards manipulation rather than understanding – symptomatic of some DEI advocates who prioritize appearances over genuine qualifications or spiritual calling.

Most controversially, Bowie asserted that hiring for diversity qualifies as a “gospel issue.” Such statements are not only erroneous but also borderline offensive to fundamental gospel principles centered on faith and repentance, rather than adhering to arbitrary diversity quotas. Despite this stance, Bowie suggested he does not support affirmative action – yet another perplexing contradiction.

Ultimately, the priority should be finding those who love Christ and are called to these positions. Hiring individuals based solely on exterior attributes ostensibly “to make a statement” results in elevating ethnic diversity to a level of significance unaligned with biblical teachings. Therefore, Bowie’s call for change, while well-intentioned, appears misguided when paired with an overemphasis on outward appearances as opposed to inward character and spiritual calling.

Consequently, it’s crucial to be aware of such developments because stories like these are shaping our religious institutions. As trusted news outlets, it becomes necessary to advocate for important discussions that discern between promoting diversity and preserving religious faithfulness. We need to continue interrogating the happenings within Evangelical churches where DEI is often misconstrued or disproportionately prioritized over maintaining commitment to Scripture and traditional religious values.