Several years ago a congregation that was not too far from the congregation I was serving at the time built a new facility. I was not surprised to learn that the new facility was going to be large and state-of-the-art – but – I was curious about one thing. The plans for the new facility included a family life center – complete with bowling alley, restaurant, and a number of other incredible amenities – also – the members of the congregation were going to be charged a substantial annual membership fee to use the center. I inquired of a colleague – who was also a friend – what the thinking was that led to the inclusion of this portion of the building plan. My friend responded, “The desire was to build something that would keep the members of this congregation from needing to mix with and be with the people in the outside world.” I remember thinking at the time – that is in interesting response to Matthew 28:19 to go into all the world and make disciples.

In retrospect it seems to me that this and many many other examples of exclusive behavior by communities of faith is primarily based on fear – fear that the promises of the Gospel are actually not really true – fear that it is difficult to actually believe what we say – and declare – that we believe.

It seems to me – sadly – that much of the recent and current stress and divisions in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are based on the same fear. There is a fear that God actually is calling us to live in communion with people with whom we disagree – people who are not the same as us – or – people we find disagreeable. I have found from talking with people that much of that fear seems to be based on the idea that God is calling us beyond our own comfort zone – calling us to act in a way that means that we are no longer in charge – calling us to be open to God’s new creation – calling us to actually believe what we declare with our words that we have believed for years and years – even prior to the time of our birth.

As I have read and studied I have never found any portion in the biblical witness that would assure me of God only expecting to leave me in a comfortable living situation. I have learned that we are assured that we are never alone but never that we will have the pleasure of life as we would choose to determine it if we were in charge of all that is and will be.

Once again, I am reminded of Robert Shaw’s comment that we declare that we believe in an all powerful and all knowing God – but – that we live in a manner that demands that that same God has had nothing to do since day six.

Again I say – love always includes and actions and words that exclude are not done or offered in love but in fear.