United: God's Vision for Diversity
In this second of a two-part series, we hear from my guest, Trillia Newbell, author of United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity.
Q: What would you say is the clear benefit of diversity?
A:By building into diverse relationships, we display the reconciliation andredemption of Christ to a world that is broken and divided. True unity is foundfirst through being reconciled to God and then to each other. To walk in thatunity arm in arm with people of every tribe and race is to declare to the worldthat Christ’s blood is enough for the fight for racial reconciliation.Additionally, diversity displays a true understanding of the grace of God.Personally, God was working in me what I believe is clearly displayed throughScripture—diversity benefits the church, displays the last days, demonstratesthe power of the gospel, and glorifies God. Q: Friendships with women who were different than you wereinstrumental in living out your desire for diversity.
A:Yes. My longing for diversity was being fulfilled not because God had broughtin more black people (though I would have been thrilled if that had been thecase), but because He had united me with people who were unlike me. God knew mydesire for diversity and graciously provided Lillian (Chinese) and Amy (white).Lillian grew up in the United States with Chinese missionary parents. Amy grewup outside of Chicago in a Christian home. And then there was me, a black girlfrom the South. Amy, Lillian, and I got to know each other deeply. We becamefriends. Our differences didn’t pull us farther from each other; rather, theyunited us. God employed our differences for our benefit and mutualencouragement.
Q: To a church that desires to have increased diversity,what suggestions would you offer?
A:I was taught by leaders whom I respect that it is okay to have a desire fordiversity in music, activities, and the general environment. It is okay tothink that, overall, the music, activities, and general environment shouldconsider the entire congregation. Did you catch that? I’m not justsaying music; it’s the activities as well. My church had wonderful events, butthey were often geared toward one audience. If your church is truly seekingdiversity (in any way), your activities must be diverse. This includes theactivities for women. As we begin to view members of our churches as members ofGod’s family and thus as members of our family, our prejudices begin tocrumble. Racial reconciliation is not only possible; it’s a must because we arethe very family of God. That’s astounding. We are created equally. When Christcalls us to himself, He does not look at who we are in terms of ethnicity, nordoes He call us because of who we are in any other way except that we are deadand in need of new life. We are equally saved. As a result, our churches shouldbe the most gracious environments on the planet. More than any other place, thechurch should be more open to and excited about having people unlikethemselves. This gracious environment must begin in our hearts. We have to lookto Jesus and ask for grace to emulate His grace.
Q: What about building diversity within your own family?
A:A practical way to begin building diversity in your church is to build itwithin your family through teaching and learning about different cultures andethnicities throughout the year. Learning the history of other culturescan assist you in understanding the perspective of other cultures. Asyou learn with your children, don’t limit your knowledge to textbooks andmini-biographies. Get creative and cook a new meal. Or introduce your family tothe culture and music of those who are different from you. Invite otherChristians into your home for lunches, dinners, or parties. Include members ofyour church or your neighbors. Find those who are different from you, take aninterest in their lives, and invite them over for a meal.
A:A practical way to begin building diversity in your church is to build itwithin your family through teaching and learning about different cultures andethnicities throughout the year. Learning the history of other culturescan assist you in understanding the perspective of other cultures. Asyou learn with your children, don’t limit your knowledge to textbooks andmini-biographies. Get creative and cook a new meal. Or introduce your family tothe culture and music of those who are different from you. Invite otherChristians into your home for lunches, dinners, or parties. Include members ofyour church or your neighbors. Find those who are different from you, take aninterest in their lives, and invite them over for a meal.
Q: But the importance of diversity ultimately goes back tothe Bible.
A:Yes. Seeing the importance of diversity in Scripture should make us want toexplore how we can emulate this today. Ultimately it’s all about His glory onthis earth and reflecting Him to a broken world. I hope you’ll also be capturedby what I believe is God’s vision for diversity. Again, for me it goes back toGod’s Word. I find that the picture given for churches seems to be one made upof multiethnic, multicultural, and economically varying individuals. Diversityis worth having, because diversity is about people, and people are worthfighting for. If God is mindful of mankind, shouldn’t we be (Psalm 8:3–4)?
A:Yes. Seeing the importance of diversity in Scripture should make us want toexplore how we can emulate this today. Ultimately it’s all about His glory onthis earth and reflecting Him to a broken world. I hope you’ll also be capturedby what I believe is God’s vision for diversity. Again, for me it goes back toGod’s Word. I find that the picture given for churches seems to be one made upof multiethnic, multicultural, and economically varying individuals. Diversityis worth having, because diversity is about people, and people are worthfighting for. If God is mindful of mankind, shouldn’t we be (Psalm 8:3–4)?