DIVERSTIY MEANS means we discover God in a community that celebrates differences. Humanity bears the divine image collectively, in our diversity. The variety on display in creation expresses divine delight and generosity. The witness of scripture warns that sameness and insularity prove dangerous; they can lead toward idolatry and a desire to embrace oppressive norms. Often the promises of God come to fruition outside the circle of what was familiar or expected. A community that cultivates diversity—while recognizing and valuing the particularity of all its members—therefore demonstrates a commitment to hearing and discerning the word of God. There are many valid ways of describing diversity and people’s identifying attributes. We commit ourselves toward diversity in all segments of our organizational structure not as an abstract or romanticized value. Nor do we consider diversity as something defined merely by categories or statistics. We are first and foremost committed to individuals who in their shared diversity image God.
A CHRISTIAN PRACTICE: Vocation. The Holy Spirit connects us as members of a diverse community, which finds its center in Christ and no other norm. In that diversity we discover a multitude of God-given gifts and callings that connect to differing beliefs, cultural backgrounds, religious experiences, and life journeys. In those gifts and callings, God equips and accompanies us. God thus commissions us as witnesses whose presence, speech, and deeds can make a difference in the world, not only in our professions but in all facets of life and their respective vocations. Just as each person has innate dignity as a child of God, so too the multiple and diverse vocations active among our community have worth, for Christ sustains them to bear fruit.
~ from Luther Seminary's Calling to ABIDE