“There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority].” (Galatians 3:28 Amplified Bible)
Here is a debate you can win! If you are ever asked is their diversity and inclusion in the church, just say, “Yes.” You will see it today in your sanctuary. It doesn’t matter if there is no mixture of ethnicity, no varying places of national origin, or even if everyone has the same racial identity, it is still true. There is diversity and inclusion in the church.
Dr. H.C. King defended that position by explaining the diversity in the church. He used a biblical example found in The Book of Nehemiah, as they were repopulating Jerusalem and the surrounding cities. He pointed out that there was diversity of roles, diversity of experiences, diversity of relationships, and diversity of spiritual maturity. The same is true in the church today.
Add the impact of the fact that the people repopulating in the text, they came from different households and surely were raised with different norms, distinct and different mores (binding customs or fixed ways of doing things),, and they were influenced, one way or the other, by the behaviors modeled before them; behaviors unique to their households. The same is true in the church today.
There is still more to add to your argument about diversity and inclusion in the church. The many members have various gifts, all enabled by the Holy Spirit, but yet it is true that while there are many members, there is one body.
The good news is that in spite of the diversity and inclusion of believers in the church, they function as one. Pray that one day in the various arenas of the secular world, and attitudes and opinions related to diversity and inclusion would be seen as a natural, Christ-like position.
Have a good day, as you are blessed by the diversity and inclusion at your church. Yes, there is diversity and inclusion in your church. Have a wonderful worship experience, Be blessed!
“For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (I Corinthians 12:12 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
Diversity goes beyond what you see when you look at a person. You mentioned many of those factors. Our church is filled with a diverse group of Bible studying Christians striving to be better.
Thank God that His love bounds us together as one! Thanks for faithfully responding! Be blessed!