The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best

book

by Rev. Dr. Irwyn Ince Jr., IVP Books, IL, August 2, 2020

Description

In "The Beautiful Community," pastor and theologian Irwyn Ince boldly unpacks the reasons for our divisions while gently guiding us toward our true hope for wholeness and reconciliation. God reveals himself to us in his trinitarian life as the perfection of beauty, and essential to this beauty is his work as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The gospel imperative to pursue the beautiful community unity in diversity across lines of differencerooted in reflecting the beautiful community of our triune God. This book calls us into and provides tools for that pursuit.

Features

Specific examples from people who have tried to integrate themselves into more homogeneous churches and struggled with real problems of not feeling at home
Tools and examples for fostering a welcoming community in congregations

Recommended Audience

Clergy and lay leaders

Cost

Purchase as book, e-book or audio book

Practical Applications

Use this book as a practical and theological basis while you develop DEI, community integration, and welcoming community programs within your congregation.
Carefully consider the biblical and theological imperatives of creating a "beautiful community" within your congregation by reading this book and discussing it with a group of congregational leaders.

Updated: January 08, 2025

About the Contributor

Miriam V. Quezada Mendez

Bilingual Associate for Resource Consulting

Miriam V. Quezada Mendez serves in the Center’s Northwest office in Crown Point as the Bilingual Associate for Resource Consulting, working to advance the Center’s mission to strengthen Indiana congregations by providing resources to the communities that make up the diverse tapestry of the Northwest region.

Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Miriam immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up on the East Side of Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Illinois College, graduating with a double major in Communications & Rhetorical Studies and International Studies with a concentration in gender and immigration equity.

Before joining the Center, Miriam served as the Director of Communications at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. In her tenure with the Parliament, Miriam worked closely with faith, community, and nonprofit leaders on outreach, engagement, and interfaith community-building efforts. She is an enthusiastic advocate for youth, Indigenous, and women’s voices in faith and civic spaces.

Miriam is a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, where she and her family attend weekly Spanish service.

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