DC Diversity Statement

Imago Dei, the foundational principle for understanding human nature, is based on the belief we are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1: 26-27) and have equal dignity, value, and worth.

All human beings are replicas of the invisible, triune God. The diversity, uniqueness, and worth of every person reflects his glory and is part of his eternal design for humanity. As a result of the fall, however, we are no longer in proper relationship with God. But by faith in Christ, we are renewed in the image of God and restored to enjoy fellowship with Him, including service to others.

Therefore, we commit to: 

• Encouraging dialogue on diversity as part of God’s plan and honoring the dignity, value, and worth of each individual.
• Challenging and preparing students, faculty, and staff to engage with the realities of our diverse community and society.
• Praying for and participating in the work of the gospel that, as it is proclaimed, many from every tribe and tongue might be called into fellowship with God.

God commands us to seek reconciliation, restoration, and forgiveness (2 Chronicles 7:13-14). As a school, there have been times when people of color and those from different socio-economic backgrounds have felt marginalized, dismissed, or left out of our community. We lament these instances. We pray as David did that the Lord would know and forgive us if there is any unclean way in us (Psalm 139: 23-24) knowing that we cannot discern our own hearts (Psalm 19:12-13). We also confess and seek the Lord’s forgiveness for every instance when we have been indifferent to the suffering of others (Matthew 5:4). 

Therefore, we commit to: 

• Acknowledging our past and present offenses without excuse.
• Seeking and praying for God’s sanctifying work in us that we may become a community that increasingly loves like Jesus.
• Creating a culture that pursues conflict resolution, where each member is willing to listen, quick to repent, and quick to forgive when necessary.
• Fostering an environment in which constructive feedback is welcomed, valued, and addressed.

God is love and his creation and plan for redemption reflect his love (I John 4:7-21).  As His image bearers, we are commanded to love God and imitate His sacrificial love for others (Colossians 3:14; John 13:34; I John 4:19).

With Jesus as our example and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we are called to count others as more significant than ourselves (Phil 2:3-4). As God’s love and grace works its way in our hearts, our community is strengthened to walk together in humility and brotherly love (Romans 12:10). Deep brotherly love is an act of obedience wrought by the transforming power of the Word through the Spirit (I Peter 1:22). Self-sacrificial love is the pattern the Lord Jesus Christ left for us all (I John 3:16). 

Therefore, we commit to: 

• Responding with compassion to those who are hurting just as the Good Samaritan did.
• Loving all brothers and sisters in the Lord such that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) and the fellowship and unity of believers might be evident to all.
• Ensuring that our curriculum, steeped in biblical worldview, explores the history of God’s redemptive plan for all peoples and the work of common grace throughout history and in the world.
• Seeking and praying for God’s sanctifying work in each of us that we might be known for how we love one another, practice hospitality, and foster a sense of belonging for everyone in our community.

Christ has received us into the nearest and dearest relationship to Himself as adopted children in the family of God (Romans 15:7). In the same way, DC should be an inclusive community for people of all races and socio-economic backgrounds to feel a sense of belonging as valuable members of this community. We affirm the unique talents, gifts, cultures, and perspectives of all community members, and we joyfully invite all individuals to exercise their gifts for the benefit of the family of God (Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:12-31). 

Therefore, we commit to: 

• Policies, procedures, practices, and behaviors that reflect the racially diverse and socio-economically inclusive community we aspire to be.
• A sense of belonging for all members of our community so that no one feels isolated or excluded.
• Drawing on the diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives of our community members to enhance learning and advance the DC mission.
• Continuing to build our financial resources so that students from underrepresented ethnic or socio-economic backgrounds will have increased access to a DC education.

God is righteous. He reveals this reality through Christ’s redemptive work, in the life of the church, and ultimately in the coming new heavens and new earth (Romans 3:21-26; II Peter 3:13). God also reveals His righteousness in our world through common grace and through the Spirit-impelled labors of believers (Micah 6:8). As bearers of God’s new image, we should promote God’s justice for all people in the world, and as Christians, we have the Spirit wrought power to do so (Psalm 99:4). The gospel is the only true power for justice, and it must be the very thing that compels us to Spirit-filled work with all of our being for the good of our neighbor.

Therefore, we commit to:

• Building a community that treats all members in a fair and equitable manner.
• Encouraging our students to be active in their local church and engaged in their broader communities as they seek to turn from evil in themselves and fight against the consequences of sin and evil in the world around them.
• Promoting biblical justice throughout our community life together.

Having been made in God’s image, we appreciate racial and socio-economic diversity as a vehicle through which we see His creativity and glory on display. All peoples are invited to join the family of God as part of God’s redemptive plan (Gen. 12:3). In Revelation 7:9, we see a glimpse of the great multitude of worshippers consisting of adopted sons and daughters from every nation, tribe, people, and language. From the beginning to the end of God’s Word, it is clear that His plan of redemption has always included a beautiful tapestry of ethnicities coming together to sing His praises.

Our shared commitment to Christ unites us in striving to know, understand, love, and serve one another. In John 17, Jesus prayed for all who would believe in Him; that they would be one - enabling the world to see Jesus in our unity and love for one another. This prayer includes everyone at DC as we seek to embrace racial and socio-economic diversity, live in unity, and walk humbly with our God. 

Therefore, we commit to: 

• Being a community that welcomes racial and socio-economic diversity and is unified by our union with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Embracing our differences so we can learn from one another.
• Demonstrating our value for varied leadership perspectives by recruiting over time board members, administrators, faculty, and staff who reflect the racial and socio-economic diversity of our student body.
• Expanding mentoring opportunities for minority students.
• Ensuring that board members, administrators, faculty, and staff recognize the importance of our racially and socio-economically diverse community and are equipped to foster a culture of Christ-like sacrificial love for all students.