Sometimes churches don’t tell the truth. I’m sure it isn’t conscious or done with malicious intent, but sometimes they misrepresent themselves. I tend to have this thought every year at this time, when discipleship groups get started again after the summer break. I’ve listened to churches promote them for years, and often my response to their catchy slogans is “That isn’t true.”
The slogans that provoke that response are the ones that say there are groups for everyone. That generally means there are selections for different ages, for men and women, and meetings at different times of the week. It doesn’t mean there’s at least one that’s physically accessible for people with illness or disability or that there’s an online connection option. “Everyone” doesn’t tend to mean me, or those like me. These are some of the slogans in that category:
There’s a place for you
We’ve saved you a spot
Our doors are wide open
There’s another category of slogan that doesn’t cause me to think “That isn’t true,” but to respond with “I can’t.” Those are the invitation slogans. Some examples:
Come as you are
Come grow in grace
Be part of our family
Find a place of connection
Join the fellowship
There are many of us who would join you if we could. How do we do that? Can you make a way? When we hear those invitations, it feels like we’re standing in a group and someone is inviting everyone else to a party, but leaving us out. It’s awkward. It’s painful.
A final category is the “statement of truth” slogan. I can agree with them, but don’t have any idea how to act on the agreement. For example:
We’re better together
We need each other
Life isn’t meant to be lived alone
My internal response is “I know that, but I can’t address it without your help.”
Is your church telling the truth about being open to all? Are you inviting people in with one hand, but keeping them out with the other? Are you acknowledging needs but not meeting them? Maybe it’s time to make some changes.