by Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast, Conference Minister, August-September, 2005
Monthly Reflections from The Pacific ~ News and Events of the NCNC United Church of Christ

CREAKING AND STRAINING AT THE WELCOME TABLE...

Words of encouragement and support for those ministering "in the fields."

There has been some creaking and straining of the welcome table among our hospitable churches over this past year. Those tensions have surfaced when, for example, a member with a severe personality disorder plays out his internal drama amid the congregation, polluting the community, tainting the pastoral leadership. Or, even, when a Buddhist or an atheist wants to become a member of the congregation. How can the welcome table hold up? Within the past few months I have spoken with pastors of 3 churches who have members—or seekers of membership—who are registered sex offenders. How can the welcome table hold up?

“No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here?”

As Randi Walker explained to us, at the Annual Meeting, the first task before bringing a guest into hospitality is discernment. And discernment is called for when a Buddhist or an atheist wants to become a member of the congregation—discernment by the congregation of what the congregation is. Is this is congregation of Christians? Is this a Christian congregation that allows non-Christians to be members? Is this a congregation united for mission as Christians? Is this a congregation united for mission as Christians, into which non-Christians are welcome? Discernment, before hospitality is granted.

Practically speaking an important offshoot of the congregation’s discernment is a vow of membership which reflects the congregation’s identity and its expectations of members. That vow of membership—which appears in the bylaws—which are a theological document—is the basis for continuing discernment of whether a member is keeping faith with such values as working for the advancement of the Gospel, strengthening and building up the Body of Christ, honoring and respecting fellow members.

It helps to be reminded of the prophetic aspect of hospitality: listen to the guest, then act. I met with one of the churches which had discovered that a new and frequent visitor was a registered sex offender. The congregation heard from the visitor about his criminal record and about his search to find a worshipping community. The parents of children in the congregation raised their concerns about the safety and well-being of those children entrusted to their care. And the church as a whole contended with the demands of hospitality. There is perhaps no more radical example of hospitality than that of welcoming a child into your life. Whether the child is born to you or adopted, whether she comes to you as an infant or a 10-year-old, you, in the Biblical manner Randi had described, “wash her feet, feed her, and take on responsibility for the guest’s life, even over your own.”

So, part of the discussion this church undertook was one of discernment with regard to the sex offender as potential guest. But they had already welcomed him, and they courageously took the step into radical hospitality. They listened to him. Then acted.

What was he seeking? A worshipping community. They listened more deeply to his unspoken wish to not again commit a criminal act. They responded that they would not allow him to be exposed to temptation—or to potential violation of his parole—by being around children. They had sought the council of the Insurance Boards representative, so they knew the legal responsibilities which they had. They banned him from the church grounds whenever children were present, and, when last I heard, they were setting up an adults-only worship service at which he would be – welcome.

Listen and act in faith, my friends. We are all God’s passing guests, invited into the world for God knows what reason. Yet we affirm that God IS still speaking. And let it be said of us that we are still listening, with all humility, to the truth and mystery of the Holy One’s message.

                                                                                                     ~ Mary Susan

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