Why we value “Diversity”
Our belief is that as local church leaders and congregations walk the ancient paths—as they move in step with God’s Spirit and experience the life Jesus offers—they’ll be changed and exemplify the following characteristics…
A working definition
We empower a diverse group of leaders from all people groups to plant churches in diverse areas because God values all people. Our leaders embrace humble equality as we pursue unity in diversity in our local contexts and in the life of our network.
A humble example
God’s creation resounds with diversity. Humanity displays—in perhaps the clearest and most profound way—the wondrous diversity of God’s design in creation. Similarly, a congregation can only flourish when unity is fused with diversity. For Harbor Network, this means that we celebrate diversity in at least four areas: the places God sends our churches and pastors, the people God brings into our family, the practices in our local churches, and the preferences of our pastors and churches on non-essentials.
In America, diversity is naturally going to lead to conversations on race and reconciliation. Over the last two years, we’ve added several church plants led by minority leaders. You’ll find these churches in diverse areas like Oakland (CA), Norfolk (VA), and Cincinnati (OH).
Our churches are growing to embody diversity in language and ability as well. In Owensboro, Kentucky, Gospel Community Church is reaching the deaf community, with a lead pastor who simultaneously preaches in both English and American Sign Language.
Some simple behaviors
Harbor Network wholeheartedly embraces the pursuit of unity in diversity in our respective local contexts and in the life of our network. We recognize that leaders are being formed and shaped into the likeness of Christ across human-made lines. Within our foundational doctrinal core, we embrace ethnic, generational, cultural, and expressed theological diversity.
We are wholehearted in that we examine our stories, contexts, and communities that shape our worldview. We ask good questions to discover where we might be able to practice conviction and imagination in our desire to collaborate with God in the welcoming, inviting, equipping, and sending of all peoples into whatever contexts God calls them to.
We eagerly spark friendships across lines. We look for leaders and helpful guiding voices from a range of ages, generations, genders, cultures, geographical settings, and ethnicities. Our network recognizes that this is a part of our holistic development, discipleship, growth in Christlikeness, and reflection of the reconciling power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Harbor Network leaders and churches seek to grow in the practice and conviction of diversity with humility, patience, and eagerness. We pray while embracing the necessary actions in our local contexts and in the life of the network for the transforming work of renewal. This renewal comes from those who are different from us, but who sit at the table with us. This is a preview, a foretaste of the heavenly table that Christ has prepared for his own.
We recognize that we have an opportunity to be home for those with diverse stories and who desire to experience a glimpse of God’s diverse kingdom in a local context and in our larger fellowship of churches. We desire to be models and examples of gospel centrality wedded with the convictional practice of being a diverse people, a welcoming network for people from different backgrounds with a shared desire to plant thriving churches.
We listen to the distinct stories of each church and its leaders. While there are diverse stories and leaders, we engage with one-another with humble equality. We welcome connecting and partnering with other pastors and churches in our network that are local, regional, rural, urban, suburban, small, medium, large, English speaking or those who worship in other tongues or styles. We long for this kind of diversity, both for our good and enjoyment, as well as the glory of God in planting thriving churches.
Scriptures to reference
Genesis 1
Ephesians 2:11-3:13
Acts 17:26
Galatians 2:11-14
Revelation 7:9-12
Matthew 28:18-20
Resources to explore
The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Tatum
Divided by Faith by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith
Let Justice Roll by John Perkins
Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church by Soon-Chan Rah
Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.
United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity by Trilia Newbell
Dignity by Chris Arnade
No Little Women by Aimee Byrd
Casey Smith is a native Midwesterner who works as Harbor Network’s Communications Director. He also works as the worship pastor of Trinity Community Church, a Harbor Network church in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to joining Harbor Network, he managed banking centers for Bank of America and worked with Acts 29 in the US and Western Europe.
