![](\"https:\/\/jesuschrist.uk.com\/paintings\/images\/033.jpg\")
<\/a>When it comes to certain kinds of diversity, there is no limit. The church of which I am a member, Crooked Creek Baptist Church<\/a>, has been racially integrated since it was founded<\/a>. <\/p>\n
When it comes to\u00a0other kinds of diversity, it seems that it may be a challenge to have any kind of integration at all. Can people who prefer to worship with hymns, those who like something in the genre of rock, and those who prefer country ever worship together?<\/p>\n
OK, so that last point was sarcastic (even if it contains a grain of truth). And whereas the first point may seem self-evident to many, it is clear that even today some churches have not actually achieved racial integration. That too deserves attention.<\/p>\n
But in this post I want to focus on matters of theology and practice, because the Parchment and Pen<\/a> blog recently asked \u201cHow Theologically Diverse Should Your Church Be?<\/a>\u201d I found the post disappointing, since its tone is regularly\u00a0sarcastic\u00a0where a genuine answer would have been possible. <\/p>\n For example, take the question (and rhetorical question\/answer) \u201cIf I were to allow someone who believes in infant baptism to be on the staff, what do we do? Dunk adults at night, sprinke children at day?\u201d Why could a church not consist of individuals with different views on baptism? Why could a church community not celebrate together with those who are baptized as adults and those who choose to baptize their children? Why is it apparently so hard for some people to say \u201cI personally think things should be done another way, but I understand why you prefer to do it this way, and I can offer you\u00a0community, friendship, support, encouragement and celebration, while continuing\u00a0when occasion presents itself to discuss the things we disagree about\u201d?<\/p>\n On related topics, Homebrewed Christianity has a series \u201cStuff Liberal Christians Like<\/a>,\u201d and the Episcopal<\/a> Church<\/a> struggles with different visions<\/a> of the church\u2019s exclusivity and\u00a0inclusiveness, unity\u00a0and diversity. Some Evangelicals are seeking dialogue with Muslims<\/a> where others don\u2019t know enough about Islam to do more than repeat stereotypes. And Evangelical concern for the environment<\/a> is not a contradiction in terms, although here too there is ongoing disagreement.<\/p>\n And some react to diversity in the manner illustrated in this cartoon from NakedPastor<\/a>:<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.nakedpastor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/own-spiritual-path_4.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/tracker\/7622297540113836091-8295706023868158499?l=exploringourmatrix.blogspot.com\")
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