Cultivation vs. Tokenization

The Experience

“Help Me Understand”, He Said.  

A few months ago, a leader asked me “Is it okay that I want more people of color to be deacons? We currently don’t have any. I keep thinking of this couple I know, but is it okay to just ask them?” This is a complex question, but also a simple one. As with most things we learn from Jesus, these types of questions usually require a version of “Yes, and…” as he invites us to examine our own hearts behind the question we ask. 

At face value, yes, of course, you can invite anyone into a role they are qualified for. But for this leader, it was evident he was reflecting on deeper questions: Will they be offended? Will it look like I am asking them just because they are black? Or in a moment of honest self-reflection: am I asking them because they are black? 

Instead of over-simplifying this opportunity and seeking to answer this question now, let’s back up and define a few terms. 

What is Tokenization?  

To “tokenize” a person is when they are used as a symbol or at face value, without honoring their true value. Pause there… use people… I’m already cringing. Before I make it sound too obvious, I have to pause and admit that it happens often within communities of faith. Moments slip by unnoticed and unchecked. Sometimes this is born of overt prejudice for others, but oftentimes it comes from a lack of awareness – unaware of our own intentions, or of the needs and true significance of others. So let’s start there, with awareness, and get some clarity around what it looks like. 

Oxford dictionary offers a more elaborate definition of Tokenizaiton (n.) “the practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to do a particular thing, especially by recruiting a small number of people from underrepresented groups in order to give the appearance of sexual or racial equality within a workforce.”  

 A little background, the word “token” originally means a “sign or symbol” and has been used within literature and finance to reference when something is reduced from it’s original form. You may even recognize in recent days in reference to digital assets, tokens, with the advent of Web3.  However, the term became applied to people in the 1950’s as a way to call out the superficial solutions that were being offered to placate protests against segregation and racism. In A Case Against Tokenization, The New York Times quoted Martin Luther King Jr. that  “The current notion that token integration will satisfy his people, says Dr. King, is an illusion.” 

The Paralysis

Back then, tokenization was a national epidemic. A way to appease protests without healing the true issue of racism and segregation that ruled our country. Today, could it be that some of the same mindsets and spiritual nature exists within our own communities? The heart of it - maybe you don’t know what to do, maybe you are afraid of the masses. But either way, if you can see a need for more than a “band-aid” solution, then maybe it is time to go deeper in your approach to diversity and belonging. 

We want to unpack this because there is a paralysis happening where people are challenged into action, but feel threatened by the possibilities and therefore default to inaction. Instead, we believe that followers of Jesus can embody confidence and clarity on topics related to diversity and belonging. Why? Because we have been given an operating system  that suprasses what the world can offer.. But we need to access it. 

The Healing  

What is cultivation? 

At Imago Dei, we believe that Cultivation is a healthy response to raising up leaders, of any background, because it involves true discipleship.  As you may imagine, the term “cultivate” started within agriculture as a way to cultivate (think: prepare, raise up, grow, nurture) soil and plants. Imagine seeds… that become plants… that produce more seeds. Sounding familiar? 

Scripture frequently uses this analogy of plants to better understand cultivating people. We notice opportunity: good soil, open hearts and the right elements to thrive. We plant seeds, finding the right type of see, or fostering gifts and talents that we see in people. We also provide the elements needed to thrive: a covering of safety, maybe more sunlight and rain, maybe nutrition of the word, the ecosystem of community. And ultimately, we watch people thrive to become who they were called to be. 

It’s About God’s work in His People 

If discipleship is the cultivation of believers, in all their beauty and complexity, why would we think that developing diverse people would require any less energy? When things are unfamiliar or intimidating to us, we tend to shy away instead of lean into the experience. Sometimes, its just hard to know how to lead or cultivate to someone who is very different than our home our work culture. Yet, for the same reason, this is an artful area of leadership development. The best leaders of the future will grow their ability to lead across differences - of communication style, gender, generation, language, race, ethnicity, etc. It is not for the faint of heart, but is essential to becoming the leaders the world needs. It is a bold statement, but the work of “diversity and belonging” truly rests within the heart of good discipleship.

In many ways, these key areas of discipleship are THE solution to toxic culture that we seen grow in many organizations today: stereotyping people, promote or demoting people for the wrong reasons. A wise leader once told me “a mentor will want to make your more like themselves, but a true discipler will want to make you into your best self.” As your church and community becomes more diverse, are you committed to learning how to cultivate those who are designed and called differently than you? 

Now what? 

Let’s get real - Where do you land? 

If you are still pondering what to do about this conversation, good news, we will be sharing a blog next week to help think practically. Four ways to Embody Cultivation and Stop Tokenization. But if this is already hitting home, we want to invite you in deeper, from wherever you are…  

For those who may have been hurt by tokenization in the past or present: we would love to walk with you toward any healing that may have not happened in your last community. 
For those who may be having fresh realizations as you read today: continue to check your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if you have ever tokenized our used someone unintentionally. Consider asking them for forgiveness. We invite you to continue on the journey of growing in self-awareness and others-awareness because you were made to be important part of the healing work that God is committed to. 

Reference: MLK on Tokenization - August 5, 1962, Section The New York Times Magazine, Page164