Inclusive Language
Diversity & Disagreement
(coming soon)
Creating Safe Space in Our Churches
Inclusivity
What does it mean for a group or
a church to be 'inclusive'? Who is welcome in your
church? Many of us believe that our churches are
inclusive, that everybody is welcome, that there is
a place in the pew and at the table for any soul
who wants a seat. But is this really true? Take a
look around your church. How are the people
similar? How are they different? Are people of
different races and cultural backgrounds involved
and active in the membership and leadership in your
church? Are people of different socioeconomic
levels sharing presence and power in the community?
Are women and men serving equally in church offices
and the life of the church? Is there an awareness
of the wide spectrum of sexual and gender
identities that comprise the human community? Is
the life and leadership of your church open to gay,
lesbian, transgendered, and bisexual persons as
well as 'straight' folk? If you answer no to any of
these questions, why?
An ideal inclusive community is one in which every
person is welcomed, seen, valued, and included in
the language, story, power structure, and
activities of that community. One of the major
struggles within our denomination in recent times
has been about how much inclusivity is good and how
inclusive God calls us to be as a church. Some
people believe that God calls us to welcome all
people -- black, white, male, female, gay,
straight, and many more-- into the life and power
structure of the church. Others believe that God
sets out strict rules about who is 'in' and who is
'out' in terms of church leadership and full
membership.
As you consider how inclusive you think the church
is called to be, consider these questions for
thought and discussion:
- How are the people in our church alike?
- Who would 'stick out' in our church if they came in on a Sunday morning? How would they be treated?
- What is the difference between an overt message and a
- How does the way we talk about God and people in our worship and church life communicate who is welcome and who is not, either subtly or overtly?
- Does our church use inclusive language in worship and church events? If not, why not?
- Who serves in the official ministry and in leadership roles in our church? Who is excluded, either officially or unofficially? Who is 'allowed' to serve, but perhaps not elected or appointed or encouraged to do so? Why?
- Can you imagine anyone who might be 'uncomfortable' in your church? Who and why?
- How inclusive should a church community be? Why do you think this?
- Are there problems or challenges with becoming more inclusive?
- Where in the Bible do you find stories of people being included or excluded? What does God do in relation to these people?
- If you wanted your church to become more welcoming of different kinds of people in your language, story, power structure, and activities, what would you need to do? Who would have to give up power? What and who would have to change?