When the initial concept of the “new” Narthex emerged within the Young Pietists, a central desire was to gather contributions from a wide variety of voices. Whether the variety came in the form of age, gender, race, or other identity markers, a plurality of voices was desired to create a mosaic for the conversation on renewing justice in the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Our third issue of the Narthex seeks to establish why this need for diverse voices is so essential. Beginning with an article from the original Narthex (November 1984, 53-60), we take a look into the conversation about diversity in the Covenant 20 years ago. Vernon Wettersten’s article, although somewhat outdated in language, is a conversation piece for the respondents to consider where the Church is trying to live today. Adam Edgerly and Liz VerHage respond to Wettersten and offer their own considerations about why di- versity is important, not just to the Covenant, but even more to “Kingdom community.” Both writers see God as a creative artist who has formed a world where uniqueness is not to be isolated but woven together with others by the Holy Spirit to uncover the tapestry of beauty intended in creation. Adam offers a unique call to the Covenant to embrace its history and cultivate Third Culture churches.

There are still several questions to ask. The Covenant celebrates 20% diversity, but why is this statistic important? What does it mean to move from the identity of immigrant church to multi-ethnic? Is our immigrant history part of the reason for multi-ethnic growth? And, are we truly multi-ethnic? Hopefully this issue will provide the opportunity to discuss these questions further.

Peter Ahn, Alissa Walter, and others offer their views into why the Kingdom desires diversity, expressing their experience and interactions. The unifying message in this issue is that God has a mighty vision that throughout diversity the church will rise in unity, proclaiming the goodness of God and the presence of the Kingdom. Let us all embrace the uniqueness of others in order that – through the multitude – a harmony in diversity may emerge and John’s revelation may be uncovered: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

‘Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:9-10).

-"For God's Glory and Neighbor's Good."

Editors-in-Chief, Liz Mosbo VerHage & Kyle Small.