So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.
—Romans 12:5-6b
The variety on display in creation—plant and animal, land and sea, sky and space—expresses divine delight, generosity, and intent. God created a diverse world, including every human being ever to walk this good Earth. Scripture warns that sameness and insularity can be dangerous, leading to idolatry and oppression. Often in the Bible, God’s promises come to fruition outside and even in spite of our expectations.
In a world so often broken along lines of difference, our commitment to hearing and discerning the word of God calls us to cultivate diversity in community, recognizing and valuing the particularity of each member of the body of Christ. In thinking deeply this year about our ABIDE practices—Luther Seminary’s distinctive approach to accountability, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity—I am in awe of the unique gifts given to each of us, gifts that unfold as we practice our diverse vocations and as we are shaped as disciples of Jesus.
Luther Seminary is equipping leaders from all walks of life with a passion for sharing the gospel both in new spaces and in places where it has been preached for millennia. Our graduates go into the world to proclaim the good news in farming communities and suburbs and inner cities, in this country and around the globe.
I encourage you to read more about the tremendous diversity of gifts in our seminary community in the most recent edition of Story magazine.
- ‘See, I am doing a new thing’: How Luther Seminary alums are cultivating new communities of faith
- Bridging the gap: Chaplains serve as “the hands and feet of Jesus” in the world
- A journey of transformation: International courses and global internships prepare students to lead in a complex world
We are members of a diverse community that finds its center in Christ. In our diversity we discover multitudes of God-given callings that connect to differing practices, cultural backgrounds, religious experiences, and life journeys. This diversity in our vocations, Paul reminds us, is a gift from God.
May God give you grace to live out your calling and to lift up the vocations of those around you, however they are contributing to the body of Christ.
Peace,
Robin Steinke
President
Read other installments in our Fall 2024 series on Luther Seminary’s commitments to accountability, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity (ABIDE).