Since I branded this blog “diverseCITY”, I thought it would be appropriate to talk a little about diversity in the church and how it can affect our worship experience. First, let me tell you that I am an avid supporter of diversity in the church. I don’t believe in having completely caucasian churches or completely African American churches. I believe in what the Bible tells us. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:12:

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.

I’ve been to many churches in my life and I happen to prefer churches with more energy for Christ. I call them “pew jumper” churches. These churches typically happen to be made up of mostly African Americans. I need churches like these to keep my soul filled with the Holy Ghost instead of sitting in a church where everyone just sits and nearly all of the congregation falls asleep at some point during the sermon. You’ll recognize these churches by their need to have a “Starbucks type” coffee bar inside the church along with a mainly Caucasian rock style worship band and the majority of the congregation is of Caucasian decent.

Now, please don’t think I’m picking on any one denomination or style of church, just making a point. When I go to church on Wednesday and Sunday, I want nothing more than to be fired up for The Lord and the Pentecostal African American style churches do it best for me.

I believe churches are becoming more diverse in general as time goes by, which is outstanding because we’re all the same in the Eyes of God. My belief and understanding of the Bible is that God wants us to be diverse, not separated or segregated if you will. The wonderful people in our church welcome us with open arms. It feels really good to walk in and get a hug from one or more of the Pastors and other members of the congregation. We always walk into a Godly, warm atmosphere where we’re always welcome and I believe all churches should be that way but unfortunately some are not.

We recently left a “mega-church” to attend the one we’re currently members of because the warmth and Godly atmosphere was there, were it had not been in our previous church. The pastor at our previous church would read maybe one verse from the Bible and then speak mostly about money and finances the rest of the time, then he would almost literally run from the pulpit to his Lexus and buzz out of the parking lot before anyone had a chance to speak with him. The reason I’m telling you this is to tell you that I believe the atmosphere in a great church starts with it’s congregation. People of all races and backgrounds worshiping in one location is enough to make even a grown man shed a tear or two.

I sincerely hope your church is the right one for you and you’re not just going through the motions. You should be hugged and loved by others in your church and if that isn’t happening, maybe your church just isn’t diverse enough.