How can we apply the lesson of diverse backgrounds in our church community? The Varied Company Jesus Chose Matthew 10:3 — “Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus.” • Within that simple list, the Lord gathers fishermen (Philip, Bartholomew), a former government collaborator (Matthew the tax collector), and men whose very nicknames hint at strong personalities (Thomas the doubter, James the Less, Thaddaeus the courageous). • Jesus deliberately placed people who might never have eaten together at the same table—yet all received the same call, “Follow Me.” • Their backgrounds did not vanish; rather, each life story became evidence of Christ’s transforming power. Why Their Diversity Matters for Us • Scripture never treats background as accidental. Acts 13:1 catalogs leaders from Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean in one church. • 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 reminds us that “the body is one and has many parts.” Each part retains its God-given shape while serving one purpose. • Galatians 3:28 affirms equal standing at the cross: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” • These texts affirm that varied life experiences, when surrendered to Christ, enrich gospel witness and sharpen mutual growth. Practical Steps to Embrace Diversity in the Congregation • Highlight testimonies. – Set aside moments in services or small groups for members to share how Christ met them in their unique stories. • Mix ministry teams intentionally. – Pair newer believers with seniors in the faith, teens with retirees, blue-collar workers with professionals, mirroring Jesus’ mixed band of disciples. • Hospitality without favoritism (James 2:1-4). – Rotate home groups geographically and economically; invite those who cannot reciprocate (Luke 14:12-14). • Teach the whole counsel of God together. – Encourage Sunday-school teachers from different life stages so children and adults hear truth through multiple voices united in doctrine. • Celebrate cultural variety while guarding doctrinal unity. – Music, dress, and food may reflect diverse backgrounds, but preaching remains anchored to the inerrant Word (2 Timothy 4:2). • Serve side by side. – Community outreach projects break down social walls faster than potlucks alone. Shared labor fosters shared love. Guardrails That Preserve Unity in Truth • Ephesians 4:3-6 urges us to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” grounded in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” • John 17:20-23 records Jesus praying that believers “may be perfected in unity” so the world believes. We must never prize personal preference over gospel clarity. • Regularly affirm core doctrines—Creation, Fall, Redemption, Return of Christ—so diversity is framed by unchanging truth. Encouragement for Daily Life • Look at each believer as a living proof of God’s creativity and grace. • Expect sharpened character: differing perspectives reveal blind spots and cultivate humility (Proverbs 27:17). • Remember the end-goal: Revelation 7:9 pictures “a great multitude… from every nation and tribe and people and tongue” worshiping the Lamb together. Every time your local church reflects that scene in miniature, heaven draws a little nearer. |
    |