Hello my friends,

I want to share something on my heart that recently gripped my heart during my studies of Cross-Cultural Principles. During my studies I realized that one of the most difficult problems of missionaries today is that we struggle to embrace the diversity of different cultures. We struggle with this because of our mindset. This mindset which stems from ethnocentrism is the biggest hindrance to effective cross-cultural ministry. We have been doing things one way for so long that when something different is seen we cannot wrap our minds around it. Therefore, we often attribute negative connotations to the differences.

However, let me say this about diversity. I believe that God is a God who uses diversity to grow His church. There were many differences between the Jews and the Gentiles. but the Jews got so caught up in the traditions that when God did something different, it was hard for them to grasp. Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) the Lord says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” God wants to do something new through those whose hearts are truly after Him. He is not looking on the outward appearance, but He is looking at the heart. There is much we as the children of God can learn from each others differences.

In conclusion, we need to be more kingdom minded when it comes to diversity among people and the church. Jesus embraced the differences and went against the traditions of the culture to demonstrate God’s love for all people from every nation. This is one reason why the religious leaders opposed Him. Therefore, let us embrace the differences and allow Christ to birth and grow His church rather than trying to do things how we always done them.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

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• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
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• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

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