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Overview Oneness and Diversity We are ALREADY a More Diverse Church Diversity and Anglican Forms of Worship Encouragement to Parishes

THE WITNESS OF SCRIPTURE attests to the fundamental oneness of all created beings in the eyes of God. Made in the image and likeness of the Creator and having put on Christ in baptism, our ultimate end is as part of that great and diverse multitude assembled around the Throne of the Lamb. And yet, Jesus’ prayer that they all may be one has yet to be realised. Why is that?

And God made all of this. And loves all of this. The whole creation is almost endlessly diverse. God loves that, apparently. But some of us seem to hate it. I know that all this difference can seem overwhelming.

But why don’t we love it, like God does? Sin. That’s one of the words we have for it. There are places in our tradition where you can look to find something that will seem to hate diversity with us – like the story of the Tower of Babel. But there is another story that goes with that one, the Day of Pentecost. Which one of those two stories makes the angels in heaven rejoice? Pentecost, when all of the languages sounded together in harmony. And each one understood the language of each other. And it was beautiful. (“Living Hope: Our Identity and Mission in Christ,” Bishop’s Charge To Synod, 2020.)

In aspiring to become a more Diverse Church, we do not mean “diverse” in the same way that it is commonly used in the public sphere. It is not a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) ideology but a real embrace of God-given difference in language and culture that reflects a common goal of unity in Christ. That we are different allows for relationship and learning. And, of course, Jesus’ Great Commission draws no boundaries:

 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (St. Matthew 28:19-20a).