The Practice of Authentic Welcome
at Grace Baptist Church
Background
Every so often, it is important as a church to affirm and clarify our commitments to God, to each other, and to our community. In 2018 we, as Grace Baptist Church, identified Authentic Welcome as one of our core values. When we put pen to paper to describe our value we wrote, “Because we believe in God’s radical love for all creation as incarnated in the life of Jesus, Grace Baptist Church authentically welcomes all people to join a faith community in which we take part in God’s unfolding story and practice love of God and love of neighbor in our daily living. We continually seek the Spirit’s wisdom in commending the gifts of Grace for the transforming and healing of the world.
As we have practiced authentic welcome throughout our history, we have seen it take shape through the stories of God’s people. A centenarian describes Grace as a place she could come with her children as a divorced single mom way back when. Our senior pastors for the last 26 years have been women, and we’ve long supported, nurtured, and advocated for Baptist women in ministry. In their first visits to Grace, longtime LGBTQ+ members recall their uncertainty in crossing the threshold of a Baptist church, and finding welcome and embrace rather than judgment. We are genuinely interested in one another’s God-given gifts, and newer members of the community are invited to use their gifts for God’s good in our world.
As you read and reflect on the stories of Grace being a community of welcome to all and for all in the love of Christ, you may be wondering, “Why do we need to publish anything else on the topic?”
Read the opening line of this page again. Every so often, it is important as a church to affirm and clarify our commitments to God, to each other, and to our community. While we have been clear in our commitments to God and each other, we can be more clear to our community about who we are. While speaking up about where we stand can be uncomfortable and perhaps even bring forth fear, we should find solace in the words of Brene Brown who says, “Clear is kind.”
So in the spirit of being clear and kind, we bring forth to the congregation “A Practice of Authentic Welcome.” To celebrate and vulnerably express to our community who we are allows us to practice being our true selves— the beloved community of Grace, which God has molded and formed us to be. And so that we can make clear to our neighbors—who may be looking for solace, for peace, for community, for themselves, for love, for acceptance, or even for Christ—that here at Grace, they will find a community of people looking for those same things together.
You are welcome here.
Because the image of God is in every person, and because we believe at this time it is essential to be clear about our commitments, Grace Baptist Church makes this statement:
We believe that God authentically welcomes and values all people, and we seek to emulate that welcome.
Just as Jesus called all people and invited them into ministry, fellowship, and service, we, too, welcome and invite all people into the full life of this congregation. All people includes, but is not limited to, people of any age, race, ethnic or national background, physical or mental ability, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation, family or socioeconomic status, faith history, or life experience.
We are a church where it is safe to be your authentic self, to ask hard questions, to explore your faith, and still remain united in the love of Jesus. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you are always welcome at Grace Baptist Church—for you are part of God’s family.