Pentecost Among Us

I’ve read the Pentecost story in Acts 2 many times, but this year something different stood out for me. Until that day, when the Holy Spirit blew through that room with the disciples waiting expectantly, many, many devout Jews were left out. This annual festival was a big event on the Jewish calendar, and it drew the faithful from many places and cultures. It never occurred to me before that these people came, possibly year after year, and probably couldn’t understand a word that was said.

This realization reminded me of when I found out that some of the seniors at the church where I’ve been preaching for a while now had been faithfully attending even though they couldn’t hear. Some finally tried out the assistive hearing devices we have and joyfully told me that they now can hear everything I say. I was thrilled for this news, but so saddened and amazed that they kept coming even though they couldn’t fully participate. Their love of God and sense of duty brought them each week, but they couldn’t experience or fully understand the worship service.

Pentecost enabled all of the pilgrims in Jerusalem to hear someone speaking in their language and not only to be offered hospitality and inclusion, but to also find out about Jesus’ death and resurrection for the first time. Those who were not locals, who perhaps looked different, who spoke and acted differently, to that point had shown up out of duty and obedience to God, but perhaps never understood a word said. Acts 2 changed all that, and because God specifically included them in this miraculous event, the church grew by leaps and bounds.

I spent last week watching livestreamed sessions of the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s General Assembly, our denomination’s annual meeting. We’re pretty diverse, and it took some work to get to a point where everyone was truly able to hear and understand the ‘other’, whether because of cultural or theological or other differences. There had to be room made for listening as the court grappled with gay marriage and ordination, as well as the legacy of residential schools. This inclusion and listening to understand is hard work and comes more easily to some than others. But without it, people do not feel valued or heard or part of the family. If we want to honour the gifts of the Spirit we have received and to live out the legacy of Pentecost, we need to be ready to make the effort.

As I thought about this, and removing barriers from full participation for all who are faithful and may grow to be faithful to Christ’s church, I realized that there is much we need to consider. There are physical barriers to participation like not having ramps or lifts/elevators for those with limited mobility, as well as the need for railings. There are barriers for those who can’t see or hear well, either from relying too heavily on printed material or spoken instructions rather than a mix that people can follow. These are fairly easy to spot. But there are also less apparent barriers, like an over-stimulating environment for someone with autism or not taking into account known food allergies in what is served or the attention spans of children and their ability to reach sinks or see around adults in front of them.

Perhaps as we seek to fulfill the vision of Pentecost to include and welcome everyone into the Church the most significant barriers are to those who are currently outsiders. If these people have a church background, they still will benefit from good signage to know how to find washrooms or the nursery or hall for coffee. More and more people have little to no church background so for them the bulletin might as well be written in Greek. We can never assume that even those who have been coming for a while know why things are done or what the liturgy means. They may be like the faithful pilgrims in Jerusalem, along for the ride out of love for God but not knowing what it all means. We need to keep revisiting our language, our accessibility and our genuine welcome of all who are seeking and who recognize that God is moving and that Christ’s followers aren’t drunk on new wine. Pentecost was for those who are usually left out, not the in crowd. Our ministry should reflect this.

I’m so grateful that the Church was born and that I’m a recipient of its gifts. This past weekend I was at a youth bake sale at my home church, and then at funeral visitations honouring two faithful men from different denominations. The church is diverse so that every single person can find a spiritual home that speaks their language and that allows them to come close to Christ.

I thank God for this diversity and for what holds us together. I thank God that no matter what church I enter I usually receive a welcome and find some common language and understanding. I thank God that my experiences in other denominations have helped me to build bridges between people.. May we be faithful in sharing the Good News with clarity and sensitivity and in ways that let others know that they are welcome and included.