Shaping a diverse church
In this interview, Serena Tiburtini explains why diversity is a mission for churches and what her vision of an inclusive church looks like.
more ...Mission Diversity – For a more diverse church
Churches talk about openness – but how diverse are they really? The Mission Diversity project of the European Region of the World Student Christian Federation and the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany addresses the often invisible forms of racism in everyday church life and empowers young people to create safe spaces and initiate change.
Mission Diversity reveals the often hidden mechanisms of discrimination in church spaces – not to assign blame, but to clarify key questions: Where does exclusion arise? Which structures prevent equal participation? And how can church spaces be designed so that there is room for everyone?
The European project organizes focus groups and participatory workshops in which allies (privileged individuals who show solidarity with and support marginalized groups) and marginalized voices engage in dialogue. By sharing experiences and perspectives, patterns of discrimination become apparent, enabling concrete processes of change to be initiated.
One focus is on empowering young people as agents of change. They are given theoretical knowledge and practical tools to actively shape change in their churches.
Mission Diversity is not intended to be a one-off event, but rather the beginning of a long-term commitment to open, diverse, and inclusive church communities.
Mission Diversity Meetup
On 19 October from 12:00–13:00 (CET), our live online talk and discussion will explore how the language we use shapes the way we see the world.
Together with Barbara Heer, Head of the Women and Gender Staff Office at Mission 21 , we’ll take a closer look at a guide to inclusive language and discuss how it can help foster a more inclusive world.
Join us, share your thoughts, network, and become part of a community that creates inclusive spaces.
Talk about Diversity
What does diversity actually mean for the church — today and in the future? In our interview series, we hear from people who are working to build an inclusive church from a variety of perspectives. They share their personal experiences, challenges, and visions — and show why diversity is not a marginal issue, but rather at the heart of the church’s mission.
Together, not against each other
Diversity is a broad and complex issue—how do churches approach it? Irene Diller gives valuable insights on this difficult matter.
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More than words
The way we speak and write has a direct impact on the world we live in. In this interview, Barbara Heer explains how and why.
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Mission Diversity is a joint project of the European Region of the World Student Christian Federation and the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany – supported by Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church of Italy.
