We Are the ChurchSample

We Are the Church, and We Are a Place to Belong In the book of Acts, we meet an Ethiopian government official who wants to learn more about God. Philip answers his questions and tells him about Jesus. Then the official asks if anything is stopping him from joining God’s family. This man is from a different nation and grew up with different beliefs and traditions. He only just heard about Jesus. Philip has no idea what this man has done in the past or what skills he has. So is he qualified to follow Jesus? Hopefully the answer is obvious: Yes. That’s because God lovingly created every human being with innate value to Him. He also gives each of us different kinds of skills, passions, and experiences that can help other people. So anyone can be a part of the Church, no matter our past beliefs, background, knowledge, or abilities. This official from a distant land gets a warm and immediate welcome into God’s family. And then we never hear about him again in the Bible—but it’s likely that he shared the good news of Jesus in his home country of Ethiopia and had a lasting impact on the growth of the Church there. This is one example of the Church getting it right. But there are a few examples in Scripture of people letting differences exclude others. On one occasion, Peter showed favoritism to his fellow Israelites while excluding others. In another passage, Paul needed to correct believers in Colossae because wealthy people excluded those with fewer resources. In the Church, everyone is equal and has a part to play. But the world tries to convince us that some people are better, worthier, or more significant than others. We also face the temptation of surrounding ourselves with people of similar beliefs, backgrounds, and life stages. So we need to pray and encourage one another to let go of comfort, favoritism, and pride. One way to overcome temptation is by reflecting on the stories of Jesus. He made a habit of giving outsiders a place to belong. He included people everyone else had written off, ignored, or exploited. Jesus cared for them with dignity and respect. For Jesus, there was always room at the table for someone new—regardless of their reputation, appearance, or past. We are the Church, and we get to create places for people to belong—especially people who feel like outsiders. So who are some people who might feel like outsiders today? And how can we show them honor, dignity, and compassion? Challenge : Be the Church by considering who might feel like an outsider and need a warm welcome. Which people or groups might feel like they don’t belong? Ask God to show you how you can help them feel included, needed, and cared for.