Diversity

Status

It is evident in our world today, based on how we see creation, that we serve a God of diversity.  Now, what do I mean by diversity?  First, let’s look at the dictionary definition.  The definition of diverse is showing a great deal of variety; very different.  Let me just preface this to say, what I am writing is in no way political.  I’m not talking about gay versus straight, etc.  The purpose of this article is to see diversity from a Scriptural perspective and the use of the diversity of gifts as it applies to the church. 

I don’t think it’s necessary to break down all of the different cultural differences as it doesn’t matter to my purpose in writing.  However, in the United States, we have people living here from all different countries.  My goal in this article is to discuss diversity in relation to status: single, married, married with kids, married with kids grown, grandparents, and divorced.  This is a general breakdown.  Due to our different positions in life and our experiences, this means we have different gifts we can offer the church.  God has positioned us in different stages in life so that we all have something to offer to the bigger picture.  Marriage is an example of Christ and the church.  A single person can best show us how to relate to God because He is their sole source, while not having a spouse to answer to. 

God has also given us different gifts within the church. 

 “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.  Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.”  1 Corinthians 12: 12-27. 

Diversity in Small Group

We are doing a disservice to our small groups if we are constantly separating the gifts out.  For example, when community groups are just a singles group or just a married with children group, etc.  What purpose does this serve when we only communicate, minister to, and pray for people that are just like us?  We then put a limit on what the Spirit has to offer us. 

It is NOT up to the small group leader to be the jack of all trades.  This is worth repeating.  It is NOT up to the small group leader to be the jack of all trades.  When we meet together in small group it isn’t the leader’s responsibility to have all the answers.  We are all supposed to be leading each other and contributing each of our gifts to the group. Otherwise you set yourselves up for leader burn out.  Trust me, my husband and I have been there.  So what is the function of the small group leader?  The small group leader needs to remain flexible based on the dynamic of the group.  The leader’s job (now I’m not talking about pastor as that is totally different) is to facilitate discussion and an ushering in of the gifts, so that the Spirit can perform through each person individually.  The leader encourages the diversity of gifts and allows them to flourish within the group.  It is important that leaders remain open to who is in the group and what they have to offer.  And it’s the leader’s job to make sure everything remains in balance with the Scripture and that order is established.  Leader, if you are not gifted in raising kids, it’s okay.  Maybe someone else in your group is.  And even if they aren’t, you can still be an encouragement to that family to remain united and teach them how to walk deeply in the Spirit.  Leader, that is for you.  Show us all how to walk deeper in Christ. 

There are times I've almost felt second class, that my children are an annoyance rather than a blessing from God.  My husband and I have worked really hard to raise our children to be disciplined and to behave well and show respect.  By all means they are not perfect.  People have made us feel like we can’t be part of the “club” because we have children.  If only you knew how much that hurts in the church.  I am positive God did not intend that.  I look at a child and I am reminded about the innocence of their faith and how innocent our faith in Christ can be.  These children are the future church.  They need discipleship too!  Singles, I need to be around you so I can be reminded who my First Love is.  Parents with kids grown, I need to be around you so I can learn from your experiences as a parent.  Singles, you need to be around me, so that I can be a witness as to what to expect out of marriage and parenthood.  


God gave us a beautiful gift!  He gave us the church!  He gave us diversity in the church, so that we can see different aspects of who He is.  When we are about what Jesus is about, we can function as community, with Christ at the center.  We can miss it if we isolate ourselves to only those like us.  I don’t want to miss it!  Do you?