One of the things that I really loved about the Urbana conference was the ethnic and racial diversity of the participants. Whenever I walked through the convention center, or rode the elevator in the hotel, or ate lunch in a local restaurant I was exhilarated by the beautiful, multi-hued bride of Christ, his Church. Coming from the homogeneity and whiteness of Vermont, Bethany and I couldn’t help but notice, and take delight in, the reality that we were surrounded by a variety of people from Asian, African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and European ancestry. While I don’t know the actual demographics of the conference, it appeared as though we pale-skinned North Americans were in the minority. Which only reflected the global reality. As we worshiped musically in the large gatherings we sang praise to our Creator and Savior in at least five different languages. It was exciting to hear 17,000 voices singing to Jesus in Spanish, Kiswahili, Arabic, French and English! Others praised Christ in Japanese, Chinese and Farsi. Apparently God is delighted to receive a variety of expressions of praise! I’m pondering how this truth should influence our worship in a small, rural Vermont church.