By: Jenny Brady

Recently, I have been wrestling with a difficult question – how do we safeguard humanity in diversity work? It seems counterintuitive. Diversity is about people. People are human, so humanity is inherent in diversity work. But often, we strip diversity of its humanity. Too many of us have a bad habit of robbing those who are different from us of their humanity. We ask them to keep the parts we are comfortable with, but alter the aspects we would rather not engage with, even when they pose no threat to biblical standards. This happens when we see people more as objects, diversity props, than actual humans.

If we truly want to pursue biblical diversity, we have to understand that we do not get to put any terms or standards on it other than biblical standards. We do not get to ask anyone to fit themselves into any parameters other than those given to us by God in His word. Asking people to conform to our boxes of cultural comfort, even if it is intended to help them integrate more seamlessly into our community, flies directly in the face of biblical diversity. Biblical diversity is not seamless. It is challenging and requires compromise and engaging in healthy conflict resolution. Because of this, many believers do not actually want diversity. They want the diluted, safe facade of diversity. But biblical diversity is not safe. It calls us to growth, risks, learning, and unlearning – all of which require checking our egos. Biblical diversity, at times, asks more from us than many people are willing to give. It often costs us our comfort, our long-held opinions, and our pride. But it shapes us into more loving, kind, Christ-like believers who can celebrate diverse community rather than be fearful of it. 

God has made us for community. But community does not equal uniformity. Communities are made up of people with different outlooks and abilities all operating together for the same goal. This is God’s desire for the Church, His community, which is why He created people with variations in color, ability, gender, culture, experience, and so much more. We are to be a body, composed of different components that work together to function best we are able¹. Diversity of parts is essential to true harmony. God knows this. He does His best to explain this to us². And He is no doubt disappointed when we fail to understand it, instead trying to force a beautifully diverse group of believers to all conform to one set of arbitrary norms. Let’s be clear – as believers, we are all called to adhere to biblical standards. But imposing standards beyond those outlined for us by God, for our own comfort, is idolatry fueled by pride. It is direct disrespect to God and the uniqueness He has bestowed upon every person He has created in His image. Biblical community is a place to belong, as God created us, rather than a place to fit in.

Diluting diversity also robs others of opportunities to learn and grow. It is only when we are engaged with people different from us that we can learn from others. I recently had a parent say, “I would love to help share what it looks like to be black. I would also love to learn how other families do life.” Shouldn’t this be one of the ultimate goals of diversity? To learn from each other and the unique experiences, gifts, views, and strengths God has given each of us. The arrogance required to believe it would be better for other believers to conform to my way of viewing the world rather than for me both to learn and grow by fellowship with one another is nothing short of sinful.

As leaders in our institutions, it is vital we ask ourselves a question that can be difficult but is necessary to ensure we are helping foster a diverse community modeled after Jesus’ own heart. Are we creating spaces where people are able to bring their authentic selves and belong? Or are they pressured to change, hide, or stifle aspects of themselves to fit in? If we honor each other’s humanity when we engage with one another, we are doing our ultimate job of showing people more of God and who He is. However, if we ask people to forsake God-given aspects of themselves in order to safeguard our own comfort, we are illustrating to the world values dangerously contradictory to God’s own. We must prioritize humanity in diversity work, or we do more harm than good.

__________________________________________

1.     1 Corinthians 12:12-30

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.

Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!

2.     Romans 12:4-8

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.