Celebrate The Diversity of Seasoned Believers

The Old Testament writer reports on how generations of old responded to God or failed to respond. Paul points out that we are many and we experience Christ in different ways. We are given these experiences of grace so we can contribute our perspectives to help one another and to up build the church.

In Christ we are made one. We are united into one body. Unity involves diversity. Unity is not uniformity. Because of our unique life histories we have different graces that the Spirit gives us. Jesus teaches that our unity is manifested in our willingness to serve and to let others serve us.

None of us is sufficient in and of our self. God has made us so as to need each other.

The inclusive church welcomes the insights, perspectives, gifts and graces of each generation and each generation type. Membership in the church is intergenerational. It is the covenantal response of generations that unites us as one family through the Spirit.

The Spirit makes the church, the family of God, an inclusive body – a celebration of diversity.

Today in the name of religion many don’t trust diversity. We want everyone to think and behave as we do. Those who are different or who don’t conform to our expectations we tend to demonize.

This addiction to uniformity is a worldwide phenomenon. We see it played out in many Islamic countries and we see it played out in our churches and denominations. Our mainline denominations are being torn apart because there are leaders who tolerate and encourage diversity. The church whose motto is “reformed and always reforming” is in danger of becoming the church conformed and always conforming.

God brings many parts together so the whole will be greater that its parts. Togetherness brings about synergy; it’s creating a work that is greater than anything we could expect from individuals working separately. It’s a transforming power that can remake each of us and transform the whole world -- generation to generation -- into one holy orchestra where many parts join together to honor and praise our God who makes us one.

"Thy Kingdom come, O Lord;

Thy will be done on earth,

Even as it is done in heaven."