The concept of diversity within the Adventist Church is more than merely ethnic.

It includes our dispositions, preferences, beliefs, and views of both today’s and tomorrow’s world.

Who are we?

And what does it say about Him whom we all claim to love, each in their own way?

Haitian native, Quebec-born,

West Indian;

Born in Asia, Africa, Europe,

. . . of immigrant parents,

. . . of native-born parents . . .
we are Americans . . .
. . . Australians, too . . .

We speak Spanish, we are Lusophones,
we speak Twi . . .
. . . or maybe French . . .

We are Black, we are White . . .

. . . and all that’s in between . . .

We believe in Jesus, await His return,
believe in our church, venerate Ellen White;

We believe in Jesus, await His return,
examine our church, question Ellen White.

We are Adventists, chosen people of the Book;
 we are Adventists, but Christians above all.

We love answers; they make us feel good!
They say we are narrow-minded:

“conservatives!” they taunt.

We love questions, turn critical eyes
on the church, on its message:

“liberals!” they scoff.

We think we are alone, the only men, the only women,
plain truth’s sole preservers;
sure as day that only from our ranks
will come, when He comes, the group of the redeemed . . .

We love humanity.
All are called in Christ,
yet we know that many from the flock,
many are still missing . . .
Their time has not yet come . . . !

We love things “classical” and all that “lifts us up.”
Drums, synthesizers, no! We could hardly use such
to worship the King; “like us” He cannot stand them!

We love gospel and celebration,
with drums, cymbals, bass, and guitar.
We rejoice in the Lord through our worship!

We love to hate the wedding ring.
We hate to love and see such intolerance!

We are “vegans.”
We’ll be “lighter”
on our flight to glory.

We eat meat,
if we must;
it will no way impair
our journey up there!

We’d rather see everything in this world go wrong!
We’re alive to every rumor

that might “hasten” His return.

We do all we can so that things might be better in the world far away and the world of today

We think only of heaven and see nothing down here!
This world, earthly living, hold none of our care:
We await His return!

We think of this earth and all that is there;
we are anxious to help, determined to care,
to make our world better, to make a real difference
. . . while we await His return.

We are loyal, sensitive, and fond of religion!
Passionate, by preference, about spirituality!

We love to “earn” our free salvation,
All we strive to do is keep the law

We love to exult in free salvation,
We’re ever connecting to His grace and to Him

How we love to study
Daniel and prophecy,
in order to bring others
to the plain truth!

We love nothing more than leading others to Christ, then helping them tame those doctrines and prophecies!

We are young, we are old . . . . . . We don’t know who we are

We want to be ourselves, and let others be themselves.. . . We just can’t stand their preferences!

We want to be ourselves, we want to understand others; their loves are their business!

For us, culture explains just about everything—whenever it suits us . . .

We could hardly care lessabout cultures around us.
Our culture is heaven, . . .
. . . though we know nothing of it!

And what if, in the end,

in spite of our differences

regardless of our opinions . . .

notwithstanding our preferences,

And what if, in the very end,

we should all realize

that we needed each other,
just as we are, and choose, and live . . .

And what if, in the end,

all transformed in an instant,
it became clear to us
that we had to accept,
whether White, Black, or other . . .
no matter the vision,

no matter the lure . . .

And what if, in the end,

we should all realize
we are all called to witness
of truth, love, and faith

to White, and to Black,
and to all else there is . . .

We shall be ready then,

ready for translation
with all the redeemed,

from wherever they be,

however they are,
White perhaps, Black maybe,

conservative, liberal,
legalistic, progressive,

traditionalist or contemporary . . .

Then, at last

we shall hear from His mouth,

from His heart and

from Him,

to us all,
all resembling, all assembled:
“I love you just as you are,
. . . With your you and in spite of it too!
I love you as you are
. . . And I love your neighbor, too!
It is I who created, loved you, and redeemed you,
It is I who called you,
White and Black and others, too. . . ,

It is I who wants you
. . . and I want your neighbor, too!”