We often hear phrases like, “The church exists for people who are not yet in it” when the empty seats don’t bother us. One of the things expressed in such instances is that we must not forget about ‘reaching out to others’. This clarion call to being warm and welcoming should not only be about inviting people to church. It must be about making sure everyone is included.
I dare say, that in our thinking, ‘making sure everyone is included’ tends to be limited. We think about things like welcome, making sure that no one feels awkward or unwelcome. Don’t get me wrong; these things are important. What I’m referring to are other aspects of ‘normal church life’.