Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.”
Diversity at Wesleyan School
Wesleyan School seeks to cultivate a diverse and unified community in which every individual is known, loved, and valued as a uniquely created image-bearer of God. This pursuit is founded in Biblical truth, guided by Kingdom values, and empowered by gospel hope. Our ultimate aim is to glorify God by displaying his love for the world, magnifying the power of the cross, and reflecting the body of Christ.
Vision
At Wesleyan, our pursuit of diversity and unity is firmly rooted in our mission to be a Christian school of academic excellence. This means, first and foremost, that our vision for diversity and unity is founded on the truth of scripture, guided by Christian principals and beliefs, and empowered by the hope of the gospel.
Secondly, our vision strives for academic excellence by challenging and nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of every student in hopes of developing responsible stewardship in our changing world. As such, our vision for diversity and unity is not based on political agendas, secular theories, or cultural trends, but on the long-standing mission of Wesleyan, the unchanging character of Christ, and the wisdom of the Old and New Testament.
Secondly, our vision strives for academic excellence by challenging and nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of every student in hopes of developing responsible stewardship in our changing world. As such, our vision for diversity and unity is not based on political agendas, secular theories, or cultural trends, but on the long-standing mission of Wesleyan, the unchanging character of Christ, and the wisdom of the Old and New Testament.
Why should a Christian school pursue diversity and unity?
Wesleyan school pursues diversity and unity because:
List of 4 items.
-
Diverse and unified communities display Christ’s love for the world.
It’s nearly impossible to overstate the importance of unity. Not only is it the central theme of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples in John 17, it is the means by which the world understands the love of Christ. If we, the body of Christ, are brought to complete unity, then the world knows that Jesus was sent by God and knows the extent of Christ’s love for the world.
“…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-17 -
Diverse and unified communities glorify God by loving his people.
Jesus says the two greatest commandments are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and to “love your neighbor as yourself,” and John reminds us in 1 John 4 that love of God and love of neighbors are one and the same. If, as the Westminster Catechism says, the “chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever,” then loving our neighbor is essential to that end. Ultimately, our work in diversity and unity is an effort to love and glorify God by loving our brothers and sisters. But love is not only a feeling of affection, it is a selfless pursuit of others interests. This is the kind of love that brings true unity and brings God glory.
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:19-21
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:1-4 -
Diverse and unified communities magnify the redemptive power of the cross.
The first step towards unity is breaking down the barriers that divide us. Prior to Christ this barrier took the form of a physical divider – gentiles and Jewish people worshiped in physically separated parts of the temple. This physical division was representative of much deeper practical, cultural, social, and religious divides between two very different groups. But the cross of Jesus brings peace and reconciliation, breaks the dividing wall, kills the hostility, and creates one new man in place of the two. The blood of Christ brings unity where there was once division.
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands – remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” Ephesians 2:11-16
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-29 -
Diverse and unified communities reflect the kingdom of God and the body of Christ.
Breaking down the barriers of division is only the first step towards Biblical unity – followers of Christ must be characterized by more than simply a “lack of hostility” toward one another. The Kingdom of God is a place where people of every “nation, tribe, people, and language” feast together in celebration of the King. The body of Christ is made up of individuals with various gifts, abilities, perspectives, backgrounds, and personalities working toward a shared goal. There is beauty and strength in diversity.
Therefore, the ultimate goal for the kingdom of God and the body of Christ is unity from diversity so we might mutually benefit from the uniqueness of each individual image-bearer of God.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:12,19
“I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11
Who to Contact
List of 5 members.
In Practice
Wesleyan’s Christ-centered vision for Biblical diversity translates into action designed to cultivate a heart for others and for Christ in not just our students, but also the adults in our community. Diversity initiatives include programming incorporated into students’ and employee’s regular school days as well as elective offerings in which students, employees, and parents can choose to participate.
List of 5 items.
-
Students: Courageous Conversations
Lower School
T.I.E.D. Together (Teaching Inclusivity and Embracing Diversity) Together
The purpose is to glorify God by teaching children how to view themselves and others as our Heavenly Father does – as His children who were created intentionally in His image.
Middle School
Students in middle school participate in R.E.A.L. Talk (Restorative, Education, Awareness and Leadership) as a way to model courageous conversations. REAL Talk includes dedicated programming during the school day with follow-up discussions (when applicable) in faculty-led small groups called Pack Groups.
High School
G.R.A.C.E. is a culturally diverse group of students who exist to enhance, discuss, and support the cultural diversity at Wesleyan School. The goal is to create an atmosphere that promotes and supports all aspects of the G.R.A.C.E. acronym. Additionally, we seek to celebrate and appreciate the wonderful diversity of God’s Kingdom through prayer, dialogue, and various activities. The name represents the diversity of our school, as well as the impact that each can make on the Kingdom of God.
Let’s Do Better is a student led organization committed to helping others through service and engagement in our community. The mission is to create impactful and enduring change by engaging the next generation of leaders. -
Students: United for Christ Leadership Team
United for Christ Leadership Team is comprised of students in grades 4-12 who will develop schoolwide activities, as well as partner with other school groups that will enhance the communities understanding and awareness of diversity at Wesleyan as well as foster equity and unity with the foundation of Christ’s love for all. -
Faculty and Staff Professional Development
Wesleyan faculty and staff actively participate in ongoing professional development. These workshops, small group discussions, and other opportunities cultivate growth and knowledge of Wesleyan employees and enhance awareness around diversity to support relationships with students and colleagues as image bearers of Christ.
Professional development opportunities take place throughout the year and include, but are not limited to:
Professional Development- Cultural Awareness: Gaining understanding through conversations
- Facilitating Critical Conversations
- Teaching Tolerance
CEDA – Christian Educators Diversity Alliance- Christian Educators Diversity Symposium
-
Community Outreach
ABC – A Better Chance
A Better Chance helps academically talented students of color access the best educational opportunities for middle school and high school.
Reach for Excellence
Reach for Excellence prepares students for challenging college-prep programs and high schools of their choice. The program requires hard work, commitment, and discipline, but the rewards can last a lifetime. Reach for Excellence sets its students on the right path for success in high school and beyond. -
Parents and Families
Wesleyan Parent Diversity Council
The Wesleyan Parent Diversity Council supports the Wesleyan mission statement which emphasizes our Christian beliefs and values, ensuring diversity, equity, unity, and belonging for all. The Wesleyan Parent Diversity Council seeks to collaborate with all partners to increase awareness and consciousness to promote a sense of belonging for every family. At Wesleyan, we believe our faith is embodied in every aspect of the Wesleyan experience so that our students are adequately prepared to thrive in a diverse global community and world.
The Center for Civil and Human Rights
As an affiliate partner with The Center for Civil and Human Rights, we are afforded the opportunity to enhance learning in the classroom with resources which are catered to the mission of our school and our vision for diversity. Through this partnership, faculty have access to materials to use in lessons, Center staff are available to support the classroom experience and programming on Wesleyan’s campus, and a discounted membership rate is available for Wesleyan families.
