Welcoming

Last week I sat down to dinner with a group of young adults from DAYA, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta's young adult organization. We had a lively conversation about being young in America today, starting a young adult ministry from scratch, and living as part of the Episcopal Church during a tumultuous moment in its history. 

One of the group's leaders talked about how the slogan "The Episcopal Church welcomes you" has come to define the Anglican Communion in the U.S. I got a crash course in Episcopal theology and polity, but what struck me most was hearing these young leaders talk about how their church's affirming, inclusive approach has shaped their ministry. What started as a small group of new friends wanting to continue the community they formed on a retreat is now becoming an established ministry in the diocese, supported by their bishop. But the challenge in moving from a group of friends to a wider ministry is, of course,the broadening of the welcome.

DAYA strives to live out its church's slogan, welcoming all those who come seeking - whether committed church-goers or non-believers. Sounds ideal and wonderfully Christian, but the tough reality arises when members of the group, coming from very different standpoints, disagree strongly on certain points - theological and otherwise. DAYA's leaders are striving to rise to the challenge of navigating their group through these waters, allowing everyone the time and place to speak their voice. 

One of the leaders put it thus: "Episcopalians are taught to question everything, to always be thinking about and challenging their faith. So even when we disagree in conversation, we have to get to a point where we realize that we're not going to argue the other person into our position. My goal for the group is that we always leave the conversation as friends. Even if we really disagree with someone, we still let them know that we care for them and support them, no matter where they are on their journey."

Young adults are craving community and real relationships; we hear this lament over and over. But the diversity of beliefs, perspectives, and life experiences of today's young people demands that ministry to their needs take into account their varied positions on the journey of faith. How can our churches reach out to those who are questioning, those who cannot even name the faith they seek, and welcome them as Christ? It is a real challenge to extend our ministries to those who will challenge us in turn, but I believe that as church we are called to do more than "saving the saved" - we are called to model Christ's loving, unconditional welcome to all.