Welcome at The Table

 "If we are controlling the guest list, then it's not the Lord's table." Sarah Bessey

Our church partners with a local day care center. One of the current needs of the daycare center is reading help for their school age children.

I love that our church has a "see a need, meet a need" philosophy and so a committee was formed. Volunteers were found. And a literacy program was began. Training was completed. Supplies were bought.

Last week I had the opportunity to meet my group of 2nd and 3rd graders. I read them one of my favorite books - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.

Books are a great way to form connections. As I read the book, I stopped and asked the kids questions.

We ended the book by thinking about how Alexander responds to his very bad day.

He complains. He throws a fit. He has a very negative attitude.

I asked my new friends -was this helpful?

What could Alexander have done instead?

We talked about what we can do when we have a bad day.

One of my new sweet friends said "We can go to church."

I love that he has a positive relationship with church. He currently views church as a safe place. A helpful place.

A place that makes a bad day better.

A place where he feels welcome at the table.

I hope he always feels this way.

I want this for all the kids in our community. I want them to feel welcome and wanted at the Lord's table.

Because it's not MY table.

It's His.

Unfortunately I have found that many churches are making decisions on who is on the guest list at dinner.

People who are so focused on having a "biblical life" that they have lost living a life based on the character of God.

I challenge you to consider - if EVERYONE is welcome at your church - are they there?

If you look around the pews on Sunday morning, do you find people who are just like you?

Or do you find people from different walks of life, people who vote differently, people who look different?

Mama Warriors, this month as many people take the opportunity to celebrate Pride month - I challenge you to take a moment and educate yourself on the statistics that surround LGBTQ community, specifically the youth, and church.

Why is it that LGBTQ youth that attend a religious church are more likely to commit suicide? Like a double risk?

Why is it they don't feel welcome at the table?

Is it our table to decide?

*Today's boundary - if you are ugly or quote scripture at me as a weapon, I will unfriend you. If you feel a child is better off killing themself than being welcome at church as an LGBTQ youth , we will not agree. *