How can SIM more effectively embrace and be strengthened by diversity? How can we empower each partner to contribute their best according to the gifting God gives them?  How can we create a culture of inclusion leading to a sense of belonging?

Our partners come from widely differing backgrounds. They bring with them incredibly rich yet diverse perspectives from their individual experiences, cultures, denominations, theological traditions, and more. Female and male; younger and older. Hearing these voices is critical. But given our poor listening skills, we have to be intentional about listening – it’s not easy or common.

Jesus challenged his followers to listen in order to experience new ways of thinking about the changed world [kingdom?] that He was bringing. He told his disciples: “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” lest they be “ever hearing but never understanding” (Mark 4:9,12; NIV). Listening that leads to understanding is a skill, but more than that, it is an attitude. Diversity requires deep listening, from the heart.

We need this in SIM among our partners. So how well are we listening, to God and to each other? SIM is no stranger to research. A deep dive into a major 2023 organisational study that listened to the opinions of SIM leaders shows that diversity has increased significantly in recent years. Statistical data supports this. One female leader reflecting on her experience of mission echoes this:
 
“I love having this incredible opportunity to work alongside people. I love the diversity. I love the joys and the struggles, what it is to be working alongside people very different to myself and what it is teaching me about myself. I think it’s just that incredible knowing that I’m in step with what God wants me to do, and therefore he is taking me places I never would go on my own.”

In SIM we are seeing a growing awareness of the difference between diversity and inclusivity, some of the gaps between inclusion and exclusion, and what happens when we exclude people from sitting at the table, even unintentionally. One leader puts it this way:
“When talking about diversity, you don’t always get the heart of the issue. You won’t necessarily get the very vulnerable comment of ‘Why do I feel I don’t belong!’”

“I don’t think we’re very intentional about identifying and developing our women leaders … yes, we do identify and develop leaders, but to what extent are we really investing in our women leaders as women? What would it look like for us to do that better?”

On the other hand, another leader takes a long-term perspective:
“You know when I look back over 30 years, we’ve come a long way. It’s not that we have arrived. We will never will. Being inclusive is a journey. The more we talk and the more we dialogue, will help.”

Partners who struggle with the dominant language used in their teams may not be included, while being too old or too young can also serve as a barrier. Assumptions about shared understandings based on Western philosophies and so-called “universal theology” add to the challenges of increasing diversity in SIM. In general, there is a limited awareness by both men and women of the extra barriers faced by women leaders.

As SIM moves forward, with various people inside and outside our organisation pointing out our blind spots, it’s clear that any one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. At the heart of this is grace and God’s kingdom justice. We want to see every partner with access to opportunities to participate fully and grow spiritually, whatever their background. We are all responsible to enable all God’s people to exercise all the gifts that God has given, for all areas of service to which God calls SIM. We honour God and enhance SIM’s purpose by creating environments that welcome every believer without distinction.

The result is wakeup call for each SIM partner, leader, ministry team and governing body to, firstly, listen attentively to learn from God and each other. Secondly, to ask questions, to be asked, and to story tell. Thirdly, to recognise, uphold, and act upon our growing commitment to move beyond diversity to inclusion and belonging. Finally, to embrace and draw collectively and individually on the gifting God has given SIM. As one leader puts it:
“To me as a leader, what is important to me is willingness to listen to your colleagues. I always feel you must learn to listen to hear their heartbeat, to especially hear their struggles and then to constantly think about how you can create a working environment whereby everybody feels appreciated.”

— Diane Marshall