Uniformity or Unity in Diversity?

‘Cultivating and nurturing a culture of inclusion’, has been the vision and mission, of the parish where I am serving, for the past three years.  We arrived at this statement during the interim period and through deliberate and focussed discussions, dialogues and assessment of the congregation, neighbourhood and the city.  I am delighted and humbled to note that we have taken concrete steps to realise this vision in our own time and through our own efforts.

While we have made significant progress through the re-configuration of the sanctuary and  to being open to learn about human sexuality and mental health issues, we must not stop or believe that we have arrived, rather we should remember and live out the words of a traveler on a snowy evening, ‘I have miles to go before I sleep, I have miles to go before I rest’.  This simple yet profound line by Robert Frost reminds us that our journey with God and his people is without end and whenever we think we have arrived – God shows us yet another way to reach out to the world and (in our case) continue to cultivate a culture of inclusion.

As you know, our business meetings, at the parish, diocesan level and beyond, make decisions by following a rule of simple majority voting on a resolution.  In some cases, like financial reports etc., that is the only way to move forward and to give legitimacy to the reports.  However, when it comes to the doctrinal or missional issues and plans, I believe simple majority does move us forward but either leave or suppress the voices, conviction and faith of those who voted against it.  As a result, dissenting voices (both who won and who lost a resolution) can suppress, ridicule and trounce upon the theology and the faith of the other in order to either malign or convert to their way of thinking.  This was and continues to be the case in an ongoing debate and saga with regards to the equal marriage.

This desire to convert and to malign the other and to walk away from dialogue and conversation, in my opinion, is a symptom of a much larger problem with our understanding of ‘unity’ of the body of Christ.  Unfortunately, ‘uniformity’ has been equated with and presented as the fundamental principle and foundation of ‘unity’.  Uniformity at all cost has hurt the church more than we would like to know and acknowledge.

The church has never spoken with a uniformed voice.  The Acts of the Apostles highlights the way early church resolved the issues and disagreements among the apostles and the disciples.  They resolved it by speaking out and in some cases poaching members from the other groups but never losing sight of their purpose and mission in the world.  And their purpose and mission in the world was to preach the Gospel and to live out the commandment of Jesus to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked and to visit the sick and the prisoners.  In other words, diverse voices and opinions found common ground and vision to be the church in a hurting and unsettled world.

‘Inclusion’ means that we will include everyone regardless of our differences and agreements with them and will equip them to serve God and his people to the best of their abilities.  It also implies that our unity is in our diversity.  It also demands listening ears and discerning hearts so we can learn and sojourn with one another regardless of our theological positions