Churches are exclusionary by their nature even the well-meaning ones.  This is a problem because God is not exclusionary and the main function of the church is to reflect God’s nature.  We like to say Christ died for everyone and we probably even believe it but it’s difficult to live out in our everyday lives.

 We have certain expectations for how people should look and act in church.  We’ve seen some of these expectations change in the last several years.  No longer do pipe organs and “Sunday best” clothing dominate church culture.  Now, you’re just as likely to see guitars and blue jeans.  But that’s only part of what I’m talking about. 

We still sort people into generalized groups for Bible study classes and group events:  married couples go here, parents with small children have this get together, ladies meet for coffee and conversation, the men’s outing is mountain biking.  Now there’s nothing wrong with groups of people with similar interests.  In fact, they can be very good.  It’s helps the young married couples learn from older married couples and parents challenge and support each other to raise Godly children.  Women need relationships with other women and men need relationships with other men. 

The problem with groups is that they can’t possibly encompass everyone.  Where’s the group for Amber, the divorced, single mother of two and who’s going to watch her kids while she’s there?  What about Bob and Carol who can’t have children and can’t afford to adopt?  What about Alan who’d rather read a book than work up a sweat.  What about me?!  I love mountain biking!

Groups aren’t bad on their own but they tend to fall along traditional lines in a society that’s more and more non-traditional.  As people experience new challenges they need the support of a church even more.  Churches who are passionate about loving people will have to try new ways of organizing Bible studies and events so they are inclusive to people who aren’t so easily categorized.

If we love others as Jesus did we have to be just as concerned with people who don’t fit tidily into our categories as the ones who do.  What group do you wish you could be a part of?