Inklusive Kirche – Was heißt das eigentlich? Eine persönliche Spurensuche über Vielfalt, Ausgrenzung und geistliche Sehnsucht

Inclusive church – yes!
but what does that actually mean?

“How do you actually do inclusive church in Germany?”

Jo asked me at Iona. We attended a workshop together: Women and Spirituality.

I stumbled over my English – Yes – inclusive church – so: we have wheelchair access to the churches, everyone, regardless of disability, is welcome –

No, she replied – I mean, how do you do that with the inclusive church?

Uh – for the hearing-impaired, there are sometimes sign language interpreters – and for those with poor eyesight, there are also hymn books with large print. There are special services and activities for and with people with disabilities to support their inclusion.

Jo looked at me, questioning – I wasn’t sure if I had truly understood her.

I googled the Protestant Church in Germany and clicked directly on the translation programme:
„Protestant life opens its doors to everyone and takes special needs into account. The church and social services want to actively strengthen the participation of people with disabilities or other risks of discrimination – at all levels and in all bodies, until inclusion becomes a matter of course..“
And in the Catholic Church it is similar.

Yes, said Jo, but disabled people aren't the only ones who are discriminated against.

Now I was confused:

What does inclusive church mean in Britain?

The inclusive church embraces all groups—people who have been excluded, marginalized, and made unimportant and irrelevant. These people and groups are explicitly welcomed; they are not merely tolerated or occasionally visible, but are consciously addressed, emerging from silence and exclusion.

This naturally includes people with physical and mental disabilities, but also people of other ethnic backgrounds. It encompasses issues such as gender, poverty, sexuality, and even people with mental health issues. Inclusive churches welcome people—including and especially LGBTQIA+ people and immigrants—because all people are children of God.

Jesus was not white.Many queer people go to church and are not recognised as queer people in services or elsewhere.
Discrimination in the church against LGBTQIA+ or migrants or against people of color exists and is so subtle in Germany that it is not even mentioned.

And it doesn't just remain in the welcoming culture, but it also often results in social commitment against injustice and for social justice.

And suddenly my perspective broadened; with it came a sense of shame. I myself am queer, but before this exchange, I hadn't realized how little the church—and I, too!—welcomes people, how little inclusive I myself am. Even in sermons, I don't give examples of poor people, of people of other ethnicities, other cultural backgrounds, other skin colors, other genders, or other sexual orientations.

And for that, I could only thank Jo.

Inclusive Church in the UK

“Can I just be me?”

In this church, neither of them can.
The queer sheep must not be queer.
Jesus must not be Jewish, nor dark-skinned.

I long for a space, maybe even a church,
where everyone can simply be, without masks or fear.

We have now described the differences in the understanding of inclusive church between Germany and Great Britain. In many English-speaking countries—such as the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia—there are similar ideas of inclusive church as in Great Britain, which are often closely linked to the desire for social equality.

But why is inclusion important for Christians and people with a spiritual, Christian background? Stephanie, a Presbyterian pastor from the USA, writes:

Why is inclusion important?

“As I think about what the Church is called to be in the world - the Body of Christ, a reflection of the Kingdom of God - I think it's crucial that the Church reflects the diversity of God's creation in all its activities, leadership, and ministries.

If we put up barriers based on human-defined categories (race, sexuality, gender identities and stereotypes, disability, economic status, intelligence or education, and more!), we are placing our comfort and understanding above God's. And that is not our place.

I also recognize that we do not yet live in the perfection of God's kingdom, but in a world that is moving toward that fulfillment.

Majority dominant spaces and communities (white, straight, cis in my context) have not always been safe for people with minoritized identities. Therefor is sometimes a need for communities and gatherings that are culture-specific and safe spaces.

In my context, there are times folks from majority identities to be together to hold each other accountable and learn from each other about how to be more truly inclusive, and there are times people from minority identities to be together to provide support and healing."

Inclusive church – that is where the Kingdom of God can be felt among us.

Inclusive church – yes!
but what does that actually mean?

“How do you actually do inclusive church in Germany?”

What does inclusive church mean in Britain?

What does inclusive church mean in Britain?

Why is inclusion important?

CONTACT:

and:

Inclusive church – yes! but what does that actually mean?

“How do you actually do inclusive church in Germany?”

What does inclusive church mean in Britain?

What does inclusive church mean in Britain?

Why is inclusion important?

CONTACT:

and:

Inclusive church – yes!
but what does that actually mean?