The Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Report | Diversity
“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol God, all you peoples! For great is God’s steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
— Psalm 117:1-2, NRSV
As we continue in our reflections on QCF’s report on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) practices, we arrive at the Diversity section of the report. We asked community members about our “Big Tent” at QCF and whom they noticed residing at the center and the margins of this big tent. A summary of what we found can be read at the bottom of this page.
As I reflect on the diversity represented within our community, one of the questions I am pondering is this: How does a Big Tent (i.e. a diverse community) bring glory to God?
Consisting of 2 verses, Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm and shortest chapter in the Bible. While it is the shortest Psalm, it packs a big truth and reminder to us all - God’s love is for all people. The Psalm does not say some nations or some peoples, but emphases the word all to show that there are no exclusions to who God’s love is for.
However, there are times where I am reminded that it is easy to love those who see everything the same as you, and difficult to love those who see things differently than you. Even within the LGBTQ+ community.
The God to whom we call out is calling us to tear down the walls and actions of “us” and “them”. When we tear down these walls, we are able to learn from one another. Learning from one another does not mean that we change one another to be the same, nor does it mean that we are putting ourselves in places or situations that can cause us harm. It means to open up our eyes to see the fullness of the image of God in others. If we are all made in the image of God, then we need diversity to be as full of an image as possible.
During my time at Q Christian Fellowship, I have learned the most from the members of the community who are nothing like me. I’ve learned more about myself from watching the boldness of others. I’ve learned more about friendships and relationships from those who have different sexual ethics than I do. I’ve learned more about the fullness of God from those who have a different theology and spiritual practices than I do. None of that could have ever happened if I had only surrounded myself with people who are exactly the same as me. It is through the big tent that I come closer to God, each and every day.
OAD Report Executive Summary Excerpt | Diversity
In the third thematic area, “Diversity,” interview participants spoke about the diversity seen in societies at large and the diversity within the QCF community. They shared a range of terms describing who resides at “the center'' of the QCF community, including but not limited to “white,” “gay,” “men,” “people of color,” and “able-bodied.” Additionally, they shared a range of terms describing who resides at “the margins” of both society at large and the QCF community, including but not limited to “racial minorities'' and “people of color” within society at large, and including but not limited to “disabled people,” “trans/nonbinary/gender-expansive people,” “racial minorities,” and “people of color” within the QCF community.
We recognize that we are a diverse organization, made up of thousands of people from all over the globe. In and through our Big Tent, we observe God’s kin-dom growing and flourishing on earth. We also recognize the ways in which systemic structures of racism and discrimination are reinforced in our community through personal and structural actions. We continue to pursue diversity which reflects the fullness of God’s community and emphasizes a symphony of diversity rather than a unity built out of conformity.
