Enduring Principles Series: Unity in Diversity

For Further Reflection and Discussion

1. The author opens by using a tropical fish tank to illustrate the diversity in God’s creation. What other animals can you think of that display such grand differences while being united as a species? How can you apply the same sort of thinking to inanimate objects?

2. The author cites Jesus’ promise that disciples “will preach good news to the ends of the earth.” In your lifetime, how many countries have been represented by guests in your home or in your congregation?

3. Congregational diversity is a passion of the author. Yet most congregations in North America are not greatly diverse. How do our communities need to change for our churches to become more diverse? How do we as congregations and as individuals need to change?

4. The author says that unity in diversity is a good definition of community. Yet differing groups frequently are not united. What steps can we take as disciples of Christ to bring about unity among peoples, cultures, and individuals?

5. Think for a moment of the many ways that diversity enriches you. Imagine what your life would be if music, art, and drama were not influenced by a variety of people and different cultures.

6. The Enduring Principles call on people to listen patiently. How can this benefit us, even when we disagree sharply on matters before the church or between individuals?

7. Just as our diverse cultures bring new insights to everything from cooking to music, diversity in cultures also can bring insights about our Creator. In what ways would your Christian expressions differ if not exposed to various cultures?

8. Consider your own family tree. What influences did different cultures bring to your personal history?

—Greg Clark
Of the Herald Team

Discernment Activity

The diversity of gifts or talents is one way God tries to move us into loving community. In spreading different abilities among us, we are challenged to form community where each one can minister to the others, ultimately achieving the vision of communities of joy, hope, love, and peace. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in I Corinthians chapter 12 when he tells us there are a variety of gifts, services, and activities that all come from the same Spirit and are intended for the common good.

Parker Palmer, in Let Your Life Speak, shares his discovery that when we work out of our God-given talents we find fulfillment and expression of our true self. Toward this end we all share a responsibility to each other to be talent scouts, to encourage each other to develop and use our innate talents and abilities, even when they are radically different from our own. The following discernment is intended to help us to see with new eyes the talents in those around us. It is designed for two people to do together.

Select someone to participate with you. If there is not a mutually convenient time to actually be together, then do the discernment separately, but plan a time to share your experience with each other.

Go to a quiet place where you can be comfortable and uninterrupted for twenty minutes. Be intentional in transitioning from ordinary time to meditative time by taking two or three deep, cleansing breaths. Allow the concerns of the day to fall away as you move more deeply into the presence of God. Take a few moments to simply be with your Creator. When you are ready, ask to be able to see the other person as God created them. Ask to be granted a glimpse of the talents God bestowed on them. Be open to seeing them with new eyes. Staying relaxed, reach out with your soul in faith.

After your prayer time share with each other your experience. Perhaps you can affirm a talent already being used. Or perhaps you have perceived a talent just beginning to emerge. Remember to share with each other in a loving affirming way. Remember too, that the greatest gifts and talents in the world are of little use if they are not used out of love.

—Kathy Shockley
spiritual director