In this Christianity Today article, Dr. Arthur L. Satterwhite III explained—
Diversity, equity, and inclusion should matter to us because they are the outworking of a critical truth embedded deeply within the Christian faith. The truth is that despite our differences, we were all made equally in God’s image and ultimately belong to God and to each other.
“Christians Should Lead the Way in Diversity and Equity: Our faith encourages us to give unto others the same sense of belonging we have received.“
Rev. Samuel Son, manager for Diversity & Reconciliation of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, noted this:
The three values of DEI as marks of the Church create a critical perspective to discern where our churches have strayed from their mission to be a community where all belong and used to justify and protect white privileges.
‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ are not trends. They’re fundamental Christian values (Presbyterian News Service)
Churches with Staff for DEI
There are churches now that staff for the work of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), sometimes known as DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging)—
Tymon Haskins, DEI Director for Churchome (Kirkland, Washington)
Will Wilson Jr., Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Elevation Church (Matthews, North Carolina)
Barbara Curtis, Diversity & Engagement Director at Lakewood Church (Houston, Texas)
Multiethnic Church
A different way to develop a church culture that welcomes all people is what’s called a multiethnic church (some prefer the term multicultural or multiracial.) Here’s a directory of self-identified multiethnic churches: multiethnic.church. Sociologists define a multi-ethnic church as one where no one ethnicity makes up more than 80% of the whole—the 80/20 rule. But, Dr. Korie Edwards has remarked “The Multiethnic Church Movement Hasn’t Lived up to Its Promise.”
Aside: Is it by chance, or coincidental, that the acronym DEI happens to be the same word in the Latin phrase, Imago Dei? Oh, say yes and amen, that the church would be a known as a place of belonging of all people who bear the image of God, yes?