January 30, 2006

"The Open Door Must Open Both Ways"

Our motto for the United Methodist Church, at least in our Igniting Ministries campaign, is "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." I hear lots of people wanting to debate about the "Open Doors" part of that motto, with some saying that we need to be careful how we open the doors and let people in, because some of "those people" might come in. Others are saying that our motto is hypocritical, because we are not really open to everyone, and we actually close our doors to keep some people out.

While that debate is important and needs to continue, I believe that we have missed the whole point about "Open Doors." If our doors are truly open, they must be open both ways. We must open our doors to welcome everyone with Christian hospitality, teaching them about the transforming love of God in Jesus Christ, and helping them to become disciples of Jesus. But our doors must also be open for our congregations to go out of the church, to go forth into ministry beyond the church. Simply sitting inside our comfortable churches, including many which look like fortresses, and waiting with open doors for people to enter is NOT the true meaning of being United Methodist people. Even worse, when we sit inside our churches and argue about who is worthy to enter and join us, we are avoiding the call of Christ to go and make disciples and to be in ministry to the world.

I am reminded of an experience in my first year as a District Superintendent when I went to every Charge Conference and asked for a report on their plans to engage in outreach to their communities. In one church the only report given was the statement by one grouchy member who said, "We unlock the doors on Sunday. If they want to come, let them come." Surely that is not what we mean by "Open Doors" is it?

This past Saturday I was privileged to share in a more healthy experience of "Open Doors." I was asked to lead a Bible Study at Broadway UMC in Indianapolis for a group of laity from that church and the Castleton UMC, before they went out in pairs to visit and share with the changing inner-city neighborhood around Broadway. Then next month we will do it again at the Geist campus of the Castleton church, where laity will again visit in pairs in that suburban neighborhood. I was really impressed with the courage and commitment of those laity who signed up to go in pairs and visit in those diverse situations. I think their model of going in pairs -- both as individuals and paired as two congregations working together -- is a healthy way to be a church of "Open Doors."

All of our churches need to have "Open Doors" -- open to welcome those who enter and also open to go forth to serve God beyond our churches.

from Bishop Michael J. Coyner

Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church
"Making a Difference ... in Indiana
and around the world"

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