“He isn’t really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 The Living Bible)
Have you ever heard people refer to a church based on its demographics or better said, based on labels, such as “the Black church,” “the White Church, “ “the church made up of old people,” “the church made up of mostly women,” “the Spanish-speaking church,” “the Asian church,” or the “African church?” I have! Contrary to such labeling, there is a local church in my city that got it right and named their church “The Blended Church.” They appeal to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, generational category along with specific, observed related traits (Traditionalists, Baby-Boomers, Generations X, T, and Z, etc.), national origin, gender, or economic status. And they minister to all of them effectively. There is a lesson is to be learned from this church. Our evangelistic efforts; our kingdom building; our outreach ministries; our worship formats can benefit from looking at such an example as it presents a case for diversity and inclusion in the church.
Yet, the best advocate and the best example of standing by diversity in the church is Jesus. He ministered to the elderly, the young, men, women, the rich, the poor, people of various skin colors, sick people, well people, persons with defects, disabilities, deformities, and disease, people stuck in traditions, people susceptible to the new truths He spoke, and the children. And He did that recognizing that He was sent to save the whole world. Jesus could not be charged with just talking about diversity and inclusion, but He walked the talk, as we say. So, as you engage in building up your local church and thus the universal church; as you develop your outreach, recruitment, and recapturing the strayed strategies, stop bypassing individuals who are not like you. The Lord desires that all come to the point of salvation. Finally, don’t overlook your own need to be constantly ministered to in the church because you have been in church since you were a toddler and are now a young adult. And don’t think you have learned enough to make it through life because of reaching the winter season of life; the senior citizen category. You cannot ever get enough Jesus, and Jesus wants to continue ministering to you and He has never changed His views on diversity and inclusion. It’s not a catchy thing to do, for Him. It’s a Christ thing! Okay, for you who are about to bring up an exception or let Satan stir up some discontent, let me clarify that Jesus would make distinctions between the righteous and the wicked, the children of the evil one in comparison of to the children of God because of their faith in Christ. Yet, keep in mind, He does not want any to perish. Go ye therefore into all the world and all who make up the composite called mankind and make disciples. He does not want any, once save to stop making perfect progress on this Christian journey. Embrace diversity and inclusion. It’s more than words that are popular during these times. It is more than an expression of a key value by, used by corporations to signal that they want to continue doing the right thing or at last, start doing the right thing. Embracing diversity and inclusion is for us too, the church. It is a mandatory mindset and a masterful tool that will foster growth in the church! Recall the words in the children’s song that says, “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.” Have a wonderful Thursday! Be blessed!
“Jesus came to them and said: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20 Contemporary English Version)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King