I got a call at church the other day that got me thinking. I greeted the caller and they said they had a question about volunteering at Family Promise, the program that houses those experiencing homelessness in local houses of worship for a week at a time. We had a week of hosting coming up and they wanted to know if they could volunteer since they weren’t a member. I’ve been around here long enough to know most of you by name, if not by sight, and I said, “But you are a member.” They responded, “Oh no, not anymore, we haven’t been to worship in a year.” That got my attention and I fumbled for a response. I said “Sure you are” and went on to answer their specific concerns about volunteering. As is often the case, I felt like I didn’t give the best response in the moment and ruminated on it until I finally came up with what I should have said.
Yes, our church has a constitution that defines what is involved in being a member of our congregation. It’s about a page long. There are different kinds of membership, details on becoming one, staying one, the privileges and responsibilities of membership, and even words about being removed from the church roster. You can find a copy of our constitution on our website if you’re curious about these details. While I might joke about how boring those rules are, they serve a key purpose in the running of the day-to-day operations of the church. It would be hard to be in church leadership if you don’t attend regularly. The generosity of your time and finances help us provide exceptional worship moments, educational events, and outreach programs.
I see a difference though, in membership in our church, and membership in God’s loving family. My caller may not have been here in a year, but God still loves them, and we will always welcome them to live, share, and celebrate with us. Wherever your affiliation or congregational membership lies, God's purposes for your life can be lived out in a whole spectrum of ways and places.
Have you been absent for a while? We’re here to share God’s love with you. Circumstances haven’t allowed you to donate? We’re here to share God’s love with you. Have you found another congregation with a worship style or theology that suits you better? Great! Please let us know that you have moved on. Have you been told by someone or some congregation that the circumstances of your birth don’t allow you to be a member? We’re here to share God’s love with you, no questions asked. Have you been told that who you love doesn’t allow you to be a member? We’re here to share God’s love with you and your partner.
The mission of Lord of Life Lutheran Church is to “live, share, and celebrate with all people, God’s love in Jesus Christ.” How we do that comes in all sorts of ways, just like membership, participation, and generosity look different from person to person.
Yours in Christ,
Cara