America is more diverse than ever according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Between 2015 and ’16, every race and ethnic group grew — with minority populations leading the way. Does your church reflect these trends? Maybe not. After all, people usually gravitate toward those who are more like them.

But there are some advantages to increasing the diversity of your church. Not only is it a mandate from God to include all people in His calling (Matthew 28:18-20), but it will also make your church better. Below are four ways growing in diversity will benefit your church.

1. More Talent, Skills and Gifts

More diverse people will bring a greater variety of gifts. It’s just a fact. When you include people from different cultural backgrounds, you open your talent pool to musicians who have studied different styles, to speakers with different emphases, and to leaders who have faced different challenges.

Diverse congregations are much more creative. They know what it takes to cast a wide net because there is more representation within their midst. If you want to increase your creativity, make sure you are increasing your diversity.

2. More Open Doors

The world is coming to America’s doorstep. When your church is more diverse, those who are visiting, immigrating or just working in the country for a while will be more comfortable coming inside. That means a wider front door.

The more diverse your church is, the more clearly you can see God’s image on display.

You should always be looking for ways to increase the number and type of disciples your church is making. That means reaching out to people from different cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, races, socioeconomic levels, and age groups. The better represented each group is in your church, the better equipped you will be to attract even more.

3. More Sensitivity to God’s Heart

God created human beings in His own image. From Adam and Eve sprang all the people of the earth — with our various races, languages, personalities, passions and perspectives. The more diverse your church is, the more clearly you can see God’s image on display.

That will also increase the sensitivity of your heart for God’s people. You begin to see them not as demographics, but as precious souls in need of a Savior. And there’s no better way to view another person than that.

4. More Helpful Perspectives

By having a more diverse church and staff, you will have a wider perspective to see the problems of your community and the needs in your world. It will take intentionally listening to those perspectives. But when you do, your church will be better off for it.

Though you may not realize it, failing to interact with people who are different from you limits your ability to communicate, lead and evangelize. Prayerfully broadening your scope will increase your capacity to disciple all kinds of people, meet their needs, and help them apply God’s Word to their lives.

Growing in diversity takes intentional effort, but the advantages are well worth the investment. God has placed you in your community for a reason. Take steps to bring into your congregation the diversity you see outside the church walls.