This topic sparked for me two primary questions: that of serving and that of deserving.
Our first question is this: whom does our radical welcome serve? Is our increased attentiveness to inclusivity a function of our desire to grow, or our desire to grow others? Truly, is this effort about making ourselves feel better, or about reaching out to our neighbors so that we may all make better lives?
Our second question is this: do we deserve to extend a radical welcome? We often take it for granted that others would join our ranks if only we would welcome them properly. But are we deserving of their presence? Does our faith have something to offer this world that other traditions do not? If we cannot answer this challenge in the affirmative with honesty and confidence, perhaps we would do well to focus on deepening our message alongside merely disseminating it.
Please: continue the conversation.
I think you answered the first question, we can all make better lives by reaching out, and listening for greater understanding of our neighbors through radical welcoming.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean by, do we deserve to extend a radical welcome? Extending a radical welcome is easier for some than others. For many it takes work. So to ask if you deserve hard work is perplexing to me. I don't know if we assume that others will join our ranks just because we welcome them. Perhaps the radical welcome gives others the opportunity to explore Unitarian Universalism, after which some may decide to stay and others may continue on their faith journey. Who are we to say that what we have to offer the world is better than what another faith community has to offer the world. This is a personal matter. I am happy when others decide to stay and covenant with us. It gives us the opportunity to deepen relationships with each other and make new friends. By expanding our ranks we can have a greater impact in the world
just with common sense economies of scale. With many hands often the load is lighter. Growth also helps the church provide more thought provoking programs to expose members and friends to new and perhaps more meaningful life adventures. This in turn deepens our relationship to the Holy and helps to foster a Cycle of Growth and Compassionate living.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Brian.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify the second question: I am not asking whether we deserve to work hard, I am asking whether we are deserving of the hard work.
Here's the difference, in my mind: when we expand our ranks, we draw people who might ordinarily be somewhere else. What do we offer that merits their being "here" as opposed to "there"? As you rightly suggest, it's personal. We're not insisting that anyone join our ministry; and we're not luring them with threats of hell or exclusive promises of salvation. But if we are to grow, and if we are to have a "greater impact in the world," is it not our responsibility to live up to that influence - to live into and out of a vision of "Compassionate living" that is worthy of the effort it entails?
"With many hands often the load is lighter" - but will it be deserving of the many hands that carry it?