Celebrating the Diversity of God’s Kingdom

As part of our small group’s recent study of the book of Romans, we explored Paul’s profound message: the gospel is not inherited or achieved, but received through faith in Jesus. Paul dismantles the temptations of both Jewish and Gentile believers—heritage or effort—and points everyone back to God’s grace. Salvation is a gift, creating a new family where unity and interdependence transcend ethnicity, culture, social status, and personal preference.

Diversity Is Not a Problem to Solve – It Is a Gift to Celebrate

In Romans 16, Paul closes his theologically rich letter by highlighting the diverse community in Rome. Jewish and Gentile believers, men and women, people of influence and humble backgrounds—all are celebrated as essential to God’s mission. Paul doesn’t create diversity; he recognizes and honors it as a natural outcome of the gospel.

This mirrors the Chicagoland Collective, where 18 networks reflect the city’s diversity: large churches, MicroChurches, English- and Spanish-speaking communities, urban and suburban ministries, and leaders from varied cultural backgrounds. Chicago’s diversity is a gift—if we have eyes to see it and hearts to celebrate it. The Kingdom of God is bigger than our preferences, and our networks must reflect that reality to advance the mission.

Recently, I met with leaders in the Fox Valley—a Hispanic pastor, an African American pastor, an Asian leader who moved from India due to persecution, and a white leader with global network experience. Their collaboration embodies the unity and diversity God calls us to embrace.

Mission Moves at the Speed of Trust

Paul’s greetings in Romans 16 are deeply personal. He doesn’t just list names; he describes relationships built on trust, sacrifice, and shared mission. These are transformational, not transactional—brothers and sisters laboring together, not tools for a task.

At the Chicagoland Collective, we emphasize being “friends on mission.” Trust isn’t built through organizational charts or emails but through shared meals, honest conversations, laughter, prayer, and time together. Yet, many ministry gatherings exclude bi-vocational leaders—those working full-time jobs while serving their churches. These leaders often face unique challenges, and we must intentionally create spaces for them.

For example, Shelley, a full-time therapist, started a church in an assisted living facility for adults with disabilities. She couldn’t attend a daytime gathering, but when we adjusted our schedule, she joined 30 other bi-vocational leaders for a conversation on unity. The stronger our relationships, the stronger our collective witness.

Every Expression of the Church Has Something to Contribute

Paul celebrates not just diversity and relationships but also the unique contributions of every believer. Some opened homes, others risked lives, and some served faithfully behind the scenes. No role was insignificant.

This truth applies today. Every church—whether discipling 25 or 2,500—has something valuable to offer. Yet, leaders of smaller churches sometimes feel intimidated in rooms with larger congregations. That’s not the way of Jesus. The Kingdom measures faithfulness, not attendance. When we celebrate each church’s unique contribution, we stop competing and start collaborating.

A pastor recently shared his experience planting a network and incubating another church. Though his congregation is small by some standards, his faithfulness is invaluable. The Kingdom values obedience over size, and every church has something to teach.

Opening Our Eyes to What God Is Already Doing

As we pursue the vision of seeing 16% of Chicagoland churches become multiplying churches, Romans 16 reminds us: the future won’t be built by one church, network, or strategy. It will be built by a diverse collection of faithful men and women saying yes to Jesus in their contexts.

Our call is to pay attention—to notice where God is already at work, celebrate His movement, honor the people He’s using, and build friendships across differences. The 16% vision requires us to see the neighborhoods, languages, cultures, and communities where the Holy Spirit is moving.

Across our networks, I see pastors encouraging one another, churches planting churches, MicroChurches forming in neighborhoods, leaders gathering for prayer, and believers serving their communities. The movement may feel small in places, but the impact is real. Lives are changed, communities are reached, and disciples are made. Together, through the beautiful diversity of God’s people, the mission of Jesus continues to move forward in Chicagoland.