When we read about the first band of Christ followers selling their possessions and “distributing the proceeds to all, as they had need,” (Acts 2:45), we clap our hands, lauding such noble sacrifice, but snicker under our breath, whispering, “Now that’s a bit too much!” We eye their sudden dispossession as fanatical, what uncouth cults do: they sell everything and go up to the mountains because they are cocksure of Jesus’ return date and time. We have (and have had) many Christian-freaks/fringes who abandoned human society to welcome the end of the world, only to return poorer. Here we are, 2,000 years later, and the human society is still humming, and money still matters, so let’s live out our faith in “decency and order.”
While there’s been a lot of talk about diversity and inclusivity, the one conversation that is needed is how often diversity is mistaken for inclusivity. The two are not the same.
A group of us representing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) were present at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, in September, where “Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity” was the theme.
Many people understand the church from the concept of community: a group of believers with a heart composed of faith that embraces liberation, welcomes diversity, preaches God’s good news, and has love, compassion and care for people in need. However, the church’s history shows us that there has been a continual struggle to be that community that practices God’s good news.
Union Presbyterian Seminary Associate Professor of Old Testament Dr. Safwat Marzouk has received a grant to examine how theological education can become more intercultural in substantive ways beyond just assigning diverse readings.
As he began to talk exclusively with unchurched people, Dr. Tom Bagley heard the same thing again and again from people who were spiritually curious about God and faith: They wanted nothing to do with the church because of its hypocrisy, judgmentalism and exclusivity.
When migrants began arriving in large numbers, the Methodist Church Milan started discussions about how to create a culture of welcome. But members didn’t just talk. They are living fully within their own creation that has become a model for like-minded congregations around the world.
