Everyone Welcomed?

We are in the tenth chapter of Acts, verses twenty-three through twenty-eight. It is a story of diversity. According to the text, Peter, a Jew, traveled to Caesarea. When he arrived, he was greeted by Cornelius, a Gentile. That fact alone is shocking to their world because Jews and Gentiles never mixed. However, the story is a little more complex. Cornelius considered Peter a celebrity, so he fell at Peter’s feet. It was his way of honoring Peter, but Peter reminded him of the big picture. Both men are equals. Because both men were created by God. It was not just true of their time. It is true of our time. That is an easy point to understand, but it is not an easy point to apply. That fact has been illustrated time and time again. Let me give you one example.

One of the great iconic figures in American history is Confederate General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870). There is an old story about Lee near the end of his life. He was in Washington DC. On Sunday morning he decided to go to church. It was Communion Sunday, so Lee went forward for the elements. As he was waiting to be served, a black man knelt beside him. Some in the congregation were shocked. An onlooker said to Lee later, “How could you do that?” Lee replied, “My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross.” May we never forget that point.

Everyone is the same internally. Everyone needs forgiveness and salvation. Everyone needs love and acceptance. Everyone needs hope for a better future. However, that does not mean everyone in the world is the same. Our world is extremely diverse. Our world is filled with all kinds of people. There are various races. There are various generations. There are many nations, so there are numerous political views. There are the extremely wealthy and the homeless. There are males and females. There are various sexual persuasions. There are the limited, and people who are whole. When you mix all those things together, one thing is perfectly clear. There are as many kinds of people as there are people. The church must be diverse to speak to our diverse world. The problem is the church has always struggled with diversity.  

History tells us Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) read the Gospels seriously during his student days. At one point he even considered becoming a Christian. He believed the teachings of Jesus were the answer to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So, one Sunday, he decided to attend a Christian service and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with “his own people”. Gandhi left the church and never returned. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus, but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior. Maybe that story is the story of the church today?

Maybe the thing you love about your church is the same thing that frustrates God about your church. Our churches are filled with people who are basically the same, but God is always looking for a diverse church to minister to our diverse world. In the text for today, the Gentiles added some diversity. How diverse is your church? Let me ask you these four questions.

How many races are represented at your church on an average Sunday? I hope the answer isn’t one.That may be fine with you, but God is looking for diversity. God needs a diverse church to speak to our diverse world.  

How many generations are represented at your church on an average Sunday? Through the eyes of God, the higher the number, the better. The church was never meant to be a senior citizens center or a childcare facility. We need all generations. The church is the last place where all the generations mix. God needs a diverse church to speak to our diverse world. 

How many political views are represented at your church on an average Sunday? Does everyone in your church hold politically conservative views? Is everyone in your church politically liberal? Do you think the President is doing a great job? Do you think the President is the worst one in American history? God needs a diverse church to speak to our diverse world.  

How many theological viewpoints are represented at your church on an average Sunday? Are there any theological liberals in your church? Are there any theological conservatives in your church? Do you know of anyone who promotes civil religion? It used to be called pluralism. The only thing we must agree upon is Jesus. God needs a diverse church to speak to our diverse world. 

It goes directly back to the scripture lesson for today. In the early church, everyone was the same, Jewish. Then came this story. Peter had the audacity to bring in not just a new person into the church, but a new kind of person into the life of the church, Gentiles. That was a good thing because the world was filled with Gentiles. We are Gentiles, non-Jews! The church must be diverse to speak to our diverse world. Can I be honest with you? Diversity has never bothered me. 

One of the reasons I could work with anyone is, I went to high school with everyone. I am a proud graduate of Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio. I didn’t think much about it then, but I do now. Every portion of society was represented at Warren Harding in the mid-1970s. There were students with white faces and students with black faces. There were students who came from white-collar homes and students who came from blue-collar homes. There were students who spoke only English. There were students who spoke English and Spanish. There were students who spoke English and Greek. There were students who were being raised by their parents and students who were being raised by their grandmas. There were students who came from the richest part of the community, and students who came from government owned housing. There were preacher’s kids and children whose fathers or mothers were incarcerated. There were students who had a bright future, and students who had no future. At Warren Harding in the mid-1970s, every part of society was represented, and no one really cared. I experienced diversity daily. It was the norm. It was expected. We laughed at schools where everyone was the same. I got a wonderful education in Warren, but the most valuable thing I learned was how to tolerate others. When I get to heaven, I am going to thank my parents for not sending me to a school where everyone was the same. The diversity I experienced as a teenager made me a better adult. I was prepared for this diverse world.

Several years ago, I was celebrating my birthday. My daughters were still at home. It is the custom in my home that the birthday person gets to pick the restaurant for the celebration. Since it was my birthday, I got to pick. I usually shy away from chain restaurants and pick a restaurant that is locally owned. That year, I decided we were all going to Charlie Staples, on W. Rayen Avenue in Youngstown. I love those ribs because they are cooked with a “cup of love”. That is the tag line they use in their advertising. As the day got closer, I got more excited. I could taste those ribs.  

When the day came, I was the first one in the car. When my daughters got in the car

they asked me, “Dad, where did you pick to have dinner?” I said, “Charlie Staples; their food is prepared with a cup of love.” As we drove to the restaurant, the quieter the back seat grew. As I left my white world and drove into the city, they weren’t talking at all. Then a small voice in the back seat asked, “Are we in the hood? Are we going to die?” Those words cut me to the heart.

I had deprived my children of something my parents gave me. My children had never experienced diversity. They were raised in an all-white community. They went to an all-white school. In their school everyone spoke one language, English. We went to an all-white church and all their friends were white. All their extra-curricular activities were filled with white faces. The only thing they knew was white. The only thing they knew about the non-white world was what they saw on television or heard from racist white people. As I ate my birthday meal, I was ashamed. I felt like a failure as a parent. I always knew they should have gone to Harding. I learned the most valuable things in life at Warren Harding. They weren’t close to entering a society where people were different from them. I am glad they grew up to be wonderful, open-minded women despite me. Can I ask you a question? 

How comfortable are you with diversity? Are you going to spend the rest of your life surrounded by people who are just like you? Are you brave enough to experience something new? God needs a diverse church to speak to our diverse world. Never forget the old American proverb, “Variety is the spice of life”.