Full Inclusion

Inclusion and inclusivity are hot words at the moment. They can refer to accommodating those with a wide range of physical, behavioural or cognitive challenges to just being welcoming of those normally outside our group - those of a different race or faith background or orientation or even children and young families.

As I drove to a meeting yesterday I talked with a friend about the challenges of being fully inclusive in worship - of welcoming those who can’t control outbursts and who would be deemed as a disturbance by at least some. Those who fit in the least and who challenge us the most in terms of the kind of calm programs and services that many prefer have little status and seemingly little to offer faith communities. It can be easy, especially with shrinking volunteer bases, to not make the effort to adapt to their needs, perhaps even secretly hoping that they will realize that they’ve unsettled things and will not come back.

But our answer to those who might feel excluded and who can’t participate the way that most of us can has to reflect the One who we say that we are worshiping. Jesus’ example was to embrace the child, the sinner, the broken, those in need of healing and others who had been cast to the side because they didn’t fit societal norms and expectations. It takes enormous intentionality to make people with a wide array of ‘differences’ feel genuinely part of our congregations. It takes grace and willingness to recognize that we are more reflective of the Kingdom when everyone is truly welcome.

How do we achieve this? How do we welcome and care for those who struggle to meaningfully participate for a variety of reasons?

Look at your current congregation. Who is already part of your community who might struggle due to an impairment or being a parent of an active child or another reason that might be less obvious? Have some people observe how well the needs of these people are currently being met and, if the relationship is strong enough, have someone ask how you’re doing at including them. When do problems occur - at certain parts of the service, at transition times, when people are expected to read, or when there is lots of noise? What are their sensitivities and how can they be supported? Talk to parents and other caregivers about how best to make everyone feel comfortable. Also take the temperature of the congregation - how do others respond to these individuals and their families? What is the source of their response - ignorance, fear, lack of permission to worry less about decorum?

With the results of your observations, discuss with worship and program leaders how needs can be met. What tweaking would alleviate anxiety and exclusion from full participation? This could include everything from how communion is served to large print bulletins to a ramp to changing harsh light bulbs to using simpler language to finding someone who knows sign language to providing a quiet space for calming down.

Education is critical, both informing your leadership team and the larger community. Train ushers and teachers and other leaders in how to notice and respond with compassion to those who might need support. Be proactive and give specific information about individuals as permitted so that people can respond appropriately and with confidence to meet needs. As a leadership team commit to an approach that models openness, creativity, hospitality and grace. If helpful, gain insight from professionals who serve people with the kinds of challenges you are addressing. The understanding you gain will filter down to the rest of the community as people see love modeled. Gently help people to be gracious and to see the gifts that come when we embrace diversity and those who rely on support from us, displaying God’s power in what society often sees as weakness.

We are stronger when we make room for everyone. We may not always find it easy to embrace the other, and to adjust our actions, rituals and approaches for someone else. But when we truly recognize the humanity and the image of God in each person who comes through our doors, we are all blessed.