UnitedI’ve just finished re-reading Trillia Newbell’s book, United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity (only $2.99 on Kindle today!). It’s an excellent introduction to the duty and delight of building more diversity into our lives and churches. I want to recommend it to you by highlighting ten major lessons I carried away from the book.

1. Biblical diversity is not about theological and moral diversity but rather national, ethnic, and cultural diversity.

2. Diversity is not just to be accepted but is to be pursued on a personal and ecclesiastical level.

3. Diversity happens best through building personal friendships with people not like us.

4. Although diversity is initially more uncomfortable than segregation, and there will be wounds and weariness along the way, there are many rich rewards.

5. Biblical diversity would not only enrich the church but also impact the world as the evident work of God.

6. The Church should be a gracious environment, open to and excited about welcoming people unlike ourselves.

7. Building diversity in the church begins with pastors who are excited about diversity, are willing to build it into their own homes, and make it a priority in the church.

8. Three simple steps we can to take to build diversity into our lives are: (1) Learning history; (2) Talking about diversity with our families; (3) Inviting others into our homes.

9. Just as Jesus sacrificed comfort and his personal preferences in order to unite His people and glorify God, so must we.

10. Biblical diversity looks impossible with men but is possible with God.

I believe this book has life-, church-, and culture-transforming potential. If the beautiful vision of this book ever becomes a widespread reality, I have no doubt we will be in the middle of a tremendous spiritual revival.

  • http://www.mangaenergy.blogspot.com/ Aaron kooienga

    I agree with everything you have to say here, but whenever I see a post on how The Church or we should encourage diversity I’m left wondering. “How is this supposed to be done in communities that are not deserve ethnically?” Or when we say culturally diverse what is meant by this definitions of terms and not fall into cultural relativism or simply latching on to the popular culture aspects of a minority culture thus descending into being condescending or Tokenism? .

    Or if like my church your’e essentially a small church plant with no minister currently and the main minority groups either tend to cluster together or their is a very real language barrier. It’s hard to pursue diversity when you don’t speak the same language or the people you would welcome with open arms would rather attend a church they are more “culturally comfortable”.

    I guess if anything speaking from my experience is I agree 100% with everything you have to say David it’s just how does a church plant (like my church) implement it? Than their is the question of “does all the talk of diversity end up having some one’s ethnic identity trump there identity in Christ?” How are we to balance the call for diversity with the teaching of Galatians 3:28?

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