From the Pastor - "Inclusivity" September 2015

Dear Friends in Christ,

What is the church?  The church may be considered in terms of our location, nature, redemption, shape, ministry, and mission.  According to Everist and Nessan in Transforming Leadership, the church may also be described in terms of its inclusivity. 

They suggest that the church is “a company of strangers” and should resist being a closed circle.  It needs to be a safe place for newcomers to be themselves. 

Life together is not based on liking one another, but on the capacity to share a common place, common resources, and common problems.  The goal is not to turn newcomers into people “just like us,” but to encourage them to face their fears as newcomers.

According to Parker Palmer (one of the sons of Trinity), the church should be a community where scarce resources are shared and abundance is generated, where conflict occurs and is resolved, where opinions become audible and accountable.  If we pursue such a life as the church, then people will feel empowered and embark on new projects.

We may need to practice extra grace with some people, for our sake more than for theirs.  It is important to acknowledge the obstacles in our own hearts.  Some are afraid of people with disabilities or special needs.  Others are frustrated with someone with a different accent.  As a congregation, we have begun to talk more openly about welcoming people of different sexual orientations and gender identities, which may make some people uncomfortable. 

An inclusive church sees each person as an important and necessary part of the whole Body of Christ.  Wholeness is the goal, not conformity to a certain ideal.  The Body of Christ is not whole unless all people are using their gifts to serve.

1.  What are our fears about the stranger?

2.  How can we provide enough hospitality to show an interest in one another?

Inclusivity.  That’s church.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Brian C. Smith