Daily Bread

And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

It's astonishing that such radical inclusivity could cause anger to well up in Jesus' listeners. Yes, it was controversial because Jesus was essentially saying that he was a prophet who would not be accepted by his own people but that 'outsiders' would listen and respond to his message. But to get so angry at hearing this? What is it about us humans that we get so hot-under-the-collar when we hear of God including those we think should be excluded?

If you couldn't guess, Helen and I are radically inclusive. Here at FAB, we include those who are non gender-assigned at birth, include those whose sexuality does not match their gender, those in alternative lifestyles, and those who are in ENM (ethical non-monogamous relationships). We also don't exclude those who are outside the church — no matter who they are, what they have done, or their chosen lifestyle! Yep, we are radically inclusive, and at times our inclusivity seems to have got other Christians very upset indeed — even to the point where they shout at us, write to us, or socially shun us.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is clear that outsiders are welcome, and those whom the religious elite determine as 'out' are, in fact, 'in'. Helen and I get accused of hanging out with and supporting those whom the Church (capital C) often reviles, yet Jesus was accused of hanging out with drunks and prostitutes. I guess we're in good company!

It hurts when Christians label or exclude people, and I know several members of FAB have been hurt in this way, but let me assure you that you are welcome here, and Helen and I will defend your welcome, acceptance, and presence with everything we have! God loves you and we love you. Never give up being the person God has created you to be, and don't give up on church, because we are church. We are Fab!

Holy God
Thank you that you are radically inclusive
and call us all to be part of your kingdom,
no matter who we are or what we've done.
Help us extend your radical love to others
that they might also know
they are welcome and accepted.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.