Resources for an inclusive Church
August 29, 2022
introduction by Rev Lindsay Cullen, Assembly National Consultant
Over the years, I’ve regularly been part of conversations where members or leaders of the Uniting Church have been asked about what they appreciate about the Church, or where results of a questionnaire or survey which asked that question have been shared.
Invariably, one of the top, if not the top answer is that the Uniting Church is valued for its inclusiveness.
That’s a great attitude and value, but inclusiveness isn’t just a state of mind — it takes work! Local congregations and faith communities need to wrestle with the ways in which they are genuinely welcoming to all the diversity of people in their local communities who may wish to explore spirituality or following the way of Christ.
At the same time, we need to be asking ourselves whether we are currently a welcoming and safe place for the diversity of people already within our congregations and faith communities.
The Transforming Worship Circle has been thinking about these important questions and is delighted to share these three simple resources with the Church, as a starting point for conversation, evaluation and meeting the challenge of inclusiveness in your communities.