God's Diversity

Actually, I used to agree with my non-Christian friends and I wondered why we have so many seemingly different denominations. Over the years I've come to appreciate denominationalism as I came to realize that God's family has an incredible amount of diversity. A recent discussion brought me to an even greater appreciation of that fact.

A ministry support group had some discussion of having members wear name tags during Sunday morning services. One pastor mentioned that the "official" name tags used by his members had been stolen during a break-in. To replace them, members were making their own using stickers and felt-tip markers. He observed that the switch to hand-made tags seemed to make some visitors feel more welcome since all of the name tags were now the same. I was tempted to tell him that the theft of the name tags might have been for a spiritual reason, but then I realized we need churches that use name tags. God who loves us enough to provide churches who use name tags for people who want to wear name tags.

He loves us enough to provide a "blue jean" church for those who feel comfortable wearing blue jeans.

He loves us enough to provide a "Cowboy Church" for cowboys who want to worship Him in their own special way.

He thinks enough of us to provide a church were people who want to jump up and down on the pews are allowed to jump up and down on the pews to worship Him.

He loves us enough to provide churches where people are quiet and contemplative for those who feel the need to be quiet and contemplative to worship Him.

He loves us enough to provide cathedrals of great architectural beauty for those who want to worship in a building with great physical beauty.

And He even can take a lowly hog house and turn it into a place to worship Him. (YUP, there is a Free Will Baptist Church near my home that renovated a former hog house into a church).

I talked to a friend recently who was part of a Bible study group for ex-smokers. I suggested that the group consider forming a church. Better still, how about a whole chain of churches for ex-chain smokers?

There is even a Biblical basis for denominations. In the Old Testament, God's people were divided into tribes. While we have our minor differences we are all worshiping the same God.

Are you part of God's family through the grace of Jesus? God has a tribe of Christian believers just for you.

If you're interested, there is more information about:
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Keith Todd runs a marketing, advertising, and corporate relations firm in Paducah, Ky. In his spare time he is a freelance writer and humorist.

Today's Daily Wisdom post was edited by Keith Todd, moderator of theSermon Fodder list which offers Christian humor and modern day parables forenjoyment and for use as sermon illustration material. To subscribe go to http://www.sermonfodder.com or drop an email note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com