Comments on: Nathan Albert: “Belong, Believe, Become”

By: Mella

Mella — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:09:00 +0000

I’m trying to get a handle on what you are implying here, missioncov. Are you asking should those who have a different sexual orientation; and are either single or in committed, faithful relationships; and meet the other requirements of membership in the Covenant be admitted as members of the Covenant and as leaders in the church?

Personally, I say, “Yes. Yes, they should.”

That is what inclusive is.

Not, “Well, here is some coffee and cake at the coffee hour after church…now, go sit at that table over there and don’t participate in the life of the church beyond that, please.”

That is not inclusive.

By: missioncov

missioncov — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:03:00 +0000

Nathan,

I really resonate with your thoughts on grace. The challenge is when we seek to define what it means to “belong”. The challenge for most congregations is not in being hospitable – the challenge is what does all this mean when we are past the belong/believe phases and are seeking formal membership or leadership in the body?

By: Eva

Eva — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:05:00 +0000

Nathan, this is gospel. Thank you. This is how God treats us. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we (all of us) were still sinners Christ died for us.” Over and over Jesus meets people where they are, as they are. Thanks be to God. Where would any of us be if that were not so? We cannot earn grace, only receive it. So our role, is to love as we have been loved and to extend grace just as we have received it. Our role is to welcome all who come through the doors of God’s house to experience his love and grace just as we do. May we be reflections of that love and grace.

By: Rev. Johnny Agurkis

Rev. Johnny Agurkis — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Nathan,
I remember speaking with you about this at Ashram and couldn’t agree with you more. The model Jesus provides us in the gospels as he interacts with people (other than the religious “insiders” known as the pharisees) is always one of Belong-Believe-Become, and yet as a church, we continue to turn this around, into Behave-Believe-Belong as a means of choosing who we want in and who we want to keep out, as if we were the gatekeepers of God’s grace (and as if God’s grace was some sort of exclusive private club).
Thanks for your thoughtful role in this dialogue.
Peace,
Johnny