Have you ever visited a community of faith and still been part of the “who is missing?” even when you are present. How often has a brave visitor risked and attended only to be treated as if they are invisible. You may have experienced this when you visit another church? Gone into a shop and been ignored by sales associates? Been at a function and no one engages, felt ignored in a restaurant when the server doesn’t come over? If we are not intentionally creating belonging for all, how can we say “all are welcome.” Look around and see who is being ignored. Showing up does not lead to being welcomed in, unless all those on the inside are focused on creating and building that community of belonging.
Invite your community of faith to really explore their typical rhythms and patterns of behaviours? When do you find yourself engaged with the “regulars,”? Observe behaviours before, during and after worship and other gatherings. Too often we discover “holy huddle” experiences where there are distinctive “insiders” and “outsiders practices, even though that “lived reality” is not what is desired. Are there parts of your building, tasks, or unwritten rules about who can do this or that? Who might be “in the kitchen”, “how things are done in their particular ways?” Perhaps you can draw the circle wide and invite others to join in, teaching others what is needed, and being open to shaking things up and doing things differently, inviting new ideas and opportunities. The holiday season often has extended opportunities for socialization and connection. Be sure to connect and share your family of faith invitations to connect. Carry those reminder invitations to share, take part in what is happening in neighbourhoods, or if it is all too quiet, start a thing. Need some ideas. Let’s talk about how to shine some new lights on opportunities, for all to belong.
