“Everyone welcome!”
It’s a popular slogan, seen almost everywhere, blazoned across church signs and ads, the message suggesting “that means you, you AND you” - no exceptions, no crossed fingers, no “only if you dress properly, say the right things, know your place or otherwise play the game.”
It makes sense, too, and is exactly what you would expect in God’s living room, a place where, in the words of Peter Schools’ hymn (based on John 13:35), “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
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Why then, when The Barna Group[1] asked young Americans (ages 16-29) for the words or phrases which best describe Christianity, did 80 percent of young churchgoers and 91 percent of non-Christians, reply, “antihomosexual?”
“Judgmental” and “hypocritical” also made the charts.
“Everyone welcome but…?”
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Unfortunately, that is how too many perceive “the church” and Christianity.
Ouch!
“Anti,” it seems, gets more press than “accepting.”
Contrary to that far too prevalent perception, there are lots of completely welcoming congregations out there. I’m glad I know - and attend – one of them, a place where “Everyone welcome!” means just that and all people are accepted as wonderful children of God. My church, the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM), is, I’m proud to say, an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation.
And what, exactly, does that mean?
The words of the UCCLM’s ONA Statement, say it well: “As an Open and Affirming Christian congregation, the United Church of Christ of La Mesa believes that God loves and accepts every person. We respect the many and varied faith backgrounds of those who worship with us. The ministry of Jesus included all people, even those excluded by society. With God’s guidance, we covenant with one another to serve our community by welcoming all people without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, social or economic status, physical or mental abilities, heritage or race. All are welcome at the Table and into the full life and ministry of our church.”
That means you…and you…and you!
Welcome!
UCCLM is located at 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942 (619-464-1519, www.ucclm.org, office@ucclm.sdcoxmail.com). We have two Sunday services – 8:30am in Friendship Hall, 10:00am in the Sanctuary.
[1] An evangelical Christian Polling firm based in Ventura, CA
