Inclusivity in Diverse Congregations

Locals with expats

First-language speakers with second- and third-language learners

Mature Christians with new believers and seekers

Conservative and liberal interpreters of doctrine

Meditative worshippers with enthusiastic vocalizers with liturgical traditionalists

Contradictory political beliefs

Africans with Americans with Europeans with Asians with Australians with New Zealanders etc. etc.

Galatians 3: So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 12:4-5 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Group Work One Describe the make-up of your fellowship. Next, tell about a challenge to unity within that fellowship. This might come from many sources – church backgrounds, national/cultural differences, ideas about church goals, etc.

Group Work Two Describe a successful effort that your fellowship has made to bring better unity.

Group Work Three Do you think that your fellowship is unified on doctrinal questions, such as celebrating grace vs. seeking purity? If not, how does your congregation deal with such discrepancies?

Group Work Four Do you think that the worship service at your fellowship is effective for all/most of your attendees? If not, what seems to hold some back from thoroughly feeling immersed in the service?

Group Work Five Do you think that the “extra-curricular” ministries of your fellowship (mid-week Bible studies, women’s meetings, weekend retreats, or other activities outside of the Sunday morning service) help involve everyone? If not, should they?

Group Work Six The words “inclusivity” and “diversity” can sometimes themselves be divisive! Why do you think this is?

Colossians 3: and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.