The Challenge of Diversity in Inner City Churches in London – Part 2

What is the biblical way to build a culturally and socially diverse community? I can see three biblical values that I think we would all agree with in principle. With the Holy Spirit’s help, hopefully we can grow in them.

Accept (or welcome) one another as Christ has accepted (or welcomed) you for the glory of God (Romans 15:7).

Acceptance of one another in Christ is non negotiable and possibly the theme that holds Paul’s letter to the Romans together. All have sinned, all are justified by grace, all are included in Christ, all have received the Spirit, all are one family in Christ (Jew and Gentile) – therefore we are to accept one another. Sin is not acceptable but everything outside of sin is acceptable! Failure to enforce a child’s homework regime, not reading books (including your Bible), not understanding the preach on Sundays, not being willing to employ a babysitter outside of the family for midweek activities, not giving by standing order, reading the Sun newspaper, talking during the church meeting and publicly commenting, wearing your money rather than saving it, smoking, wearing tattoos and body piercings, not being able to drive, doing the lottery rather than playing golf are on the most part not sin driven and are therefore acceptable behaviour – these things are not to be frowned upon or seen as inferior in the Church. Are you an accepting church? Or would people who choose to live their lives like this find themselves on the fringe, isolated and with no one to talk to in your church?

As it is there are many parts yet one body (1 Corinthians 12:20).

One body many gifts – all are gifted so I need everyone. I am not the answer to all as I need others, I am not superior to anyone but have an equal part to play as all do. That means no one is a ‘project’, though some might need more care and serving. Despite this, they too have a part to play – and a ministry to me. I need them because I need their gifts as much as they need me even though they practice some or all of the above list. No longer do we speak over people or interrupt their conversations because we believe deep down that they are inferior to us – nor do we go quiet because they are well spoken and appear cleverer, or have a better-paid job than we do. We are all redeemed sinners with the same Holy Spirit, all in the same body, all dignified by Christ alone.

Prefer one another – count others more significant than yourselves(Philippians 2:3).

A price all have to pay for diversity: sacrificial preferring. So the preaching is less academically stimulating so that all can access it, helping those who do not have English as their first language as well as the less academic thinkers – oh, and that affects worship too in understanding the lyrics of songs. The church meetings become less like school and more like family. But probably not your standard middle class family. It’s one where people talk loudly, crack jokes and fidget without the headmaster’s stony glare! If school puts many off then let’s pray church is less like school and more like the temple of the Holy Spirit. He is the one that unites us, not our conformity to a certain view of life. To prefer one another means no class or culture predominates but that Kingdom values set the tone. The ones I’ve outlined above might help with the diversity challenge. Post your responses below!