Inviting to Community without Distinction

I recently read an article by the leader of a evangelically minded group within the ELCA. (I would hope that we are all evangelically minded.) I am so glad this group exists and is getting positive attention from the wider church. I consider myself a partner with them in raising up the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world beyond the church. However, there are a couple of terms used by groups like this one that I can't seem to buy into: "unchurched" and "dechurched".

I will admit, I have used these terms myself, but the more I think about it, this is yet one more church word that creates "us vs. them" distinctions that divide and shame instead of invite and encourage. These words assume a superiority of class in being "churched" or a member of a church. I have observed that for many of people of faith, and in particular, the upper Midwest (as this is really the only Christian culture I know) we are much more comfortable and conversant in the language of "church" than we are in the language of "faith". It is easier to answer the question, "What's your church doing for your life and in your community?" than it is to answer "What's God doing in your life and in your community?" This is a critique, but one that I make with care and concern for the life of the church, the people.

There are great benefits to being "churched" like having a caring community around you, being prayed for, having a group of people to share in the joys and disappointments in life, being encouraged in one's walk of faith, having a place to ask hard questions, and connecting with God in community, among others. But, I urge those of us in the church to celebrate these things in such a way that we honor and respect those who have yet to experience the benefits and blessings of the living Go.

I haven't heard Jesus calling out those outside of the faith to be indoctrinated, I hear Jesus calling the world to find its uniqueness in the Risen Savior. I would argue that Jesus' hope for the world is not that we all join a church, but that we be the church in everything that we do. I hear Jesus invite those outside of faith to consider the ways of God and to follow them.

We have all been created in God's image whether we are "churched", "unchurched" or "dechurched", therefore are we not all brothers and sisters trying to find our way in the world and in the community of God?