Where should a church begin in the pursuit of diversity? How do you approach diversity within a church setting? In this video, Trillia Newbell explains practical ways in which churches can pursue diversity. Diversity often begins with leadership within a church and stems from the guidance of elders and leaders. These individuals are responsible for presenting the beauty of the kingdom to both children, and the older members of a congregation. In order for true diversity to be pursued, a church and its members must be constantly evaluating the very mission of a church.
- Leadership
- Hospitality
- Teaching the Children
- Evaluating Your Mission
Transcript
How Can the Church be More Diverse?
Some practical ways that a church can begin to pursue diversity, one would be the leadership. So if the leadership recognizes that there’s a need, they might preach on it. They might look at their leadership. Are all of their elders or all of the people who are standing in front homogenous? They might ask themselves those hard questions and then pursue diversity.
Talk about the kingdom and how beautiful it looks. For the congregation, and the pastors as well, you can invite people in your homes. Hospitality is such a simple way of building bridges and really showing the love of Christ to others. Bringing them to your table and getting to know your neighbors, loving your neighbors through hospitality, I think is a real practical way to do it. Another thing would be teaching your children. So teaching your children about the world and God’s creation and how He has created us, all made in His image, but unique and different and it’s a good thing. Differences are a good thing. They’re not a bad thing.
Evaluate Your Mission
I think, lastly, is evaluating your mission. We go make disciples of all nations, so asking yourself if you are going out, and then if not, what is hindering you? Is it busyness? Is it fear? So really evaluating your heart. I think evaluation is a practical step.
