Finding Community

There is something exciting but scary about joining a new community, or even checking one out to see if you even want to join it. Sometimes people are already tightly-knit. Or maybe you’ve been burned by previous church communities.

I know that I’m always careful when visiting a new church, too.

I remember what it’s like to sneak in after the opening of the service, sit in the back row, and sneak out when it feels like they’re wrapping up, in case they wouldn’t really like me if they knew who I was.

I wonder if I can be “out” with them. I want to know I’m not going to be bombarded with too much marketing if they get my contact information (or at least that there’s an unsubscribe button). I want to feel like the group contributes to good community building and charity and not unethical organizations if I’m going to give my tithe money.

Mostly, I want to know that anyone can be in any leadership or group regardless of who they are. I don’t want to be in a denomination who wouldn’t allow my sister to preach because she’s a woman. I don’t want a church where my cousin can’t give his testimony as a recovering alcoholic. I don’t want to hear that my aunt can’t lead as a deacon because she’s a lesbian.

I also don’t like hearing that people aren’t allowed to question or disagree with the viewpoints of the preacher or group leader and have an open, respectful conversation about it without being berated. I have heard too many people with sound ethics and strong theological beliefs silenced in the name of “traditional values.” I thought love for all and freedom of speech in respectful dialogue were good values!

I think I’ve told you more things that our community is not than what they are by now. Although, hopefully that helps some.

---

Yes, several people will introduce ourselves to you when you join us for the first time. If you sit in the back and leave early, we won’t chase you into the parking lot. Yes, there is a check-in kiosk where you can choose to give us some contact information. You can enter as much or little as you want, and you don’t have to use it if you are unsure about us (emails have an unsubscribe button that’s easy to find). Yes, there are many other LGBT+ people in our community. No, you wouldn’t be the only straight ally, either. Yes, there are other children and teens. We’re working on building children’s programs currently and would love suggestions or participation if you’re a parent!

And speaking of us taking suggestions, our community is relatively new as it is currently organized. We are trial and erroring a lot of things. You are welcome here, and since we aren’t too set in our ways so far, you could personally have a great impact on how we work! We are interested in what charities you support, what activities you enjoy, and what theological opinions you have.

When I look at a church I’m interested in joining, I look at the “about us,” “our beliefs,” or, “sermons” pages on their websites. I want to see that a group has reverence for the Bible alongside welcome for all kinds of people.

I want to read about Jesus being at the head of the church, but also see that they payed enough attention to the Gospels to know that He taught us not to use religion as a means to demean or exclude anyone (and got pretty angry at the religious elitists who did).

Second Harvest Food Bank sorting is a great way to give back to the community.

I want to see that that church is involved in ethical endeavors, not just a happy looking country club with a cool show once a week—although I love our worship team, and they do have some great talent!

If you are wondering if you’d fit in in our church community, check out our website, maybe listen to a sermon on our YouTube channel (usually about 35 minutes into the service), and if you still aren’t sure, you may absolutely email or call me with the contact information on our staff page. I know what it’s like to be nervous to visit a new church, and I won’t pressure you. Yeah, selfishly, I hope you would join us, but I also know that being in the wrong place is hard. I want you to find the right place, even if it’s not ours, so I will help you to find a place to be spiritually nourished, even if it’s not with me. We can talk without judgment. Really.

---

I want to attach our welcome statement to this message, and there are pieces of our mission and vision statements in it, too. If you want the quick version of the “about us” section, this is what I say at the beginning of every sermon:

            Welcome to The Circle Community Church. Welcome to all who need hope or offer hope; those who need healing or are offering healing. Welcome to single people and to families of all kinds, be that traditional, blended, biological, or chosen. We celebrate the love you’ve found in the world no matter how that looks. Welcome to people of all backgrounds, colors, cultures, abilities, orientations, identities, expressions, affiliations, or lack thereof. You don’t need to fit a mold to belong here. We honor the Image of God in you, and we commit to walking with you as you grow, question, rebuild, or begin again in faith. Here, imperfect journeys are embraced. We are shaped and reshaped together with God’s help, while creativity, authenticity, and grace guide our lives as a community. So, no matter who you are or where you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome…

            …and then everyone in the congregation says, HERE!

            That’s who we are. If that aligns with how you believe that Jesus taught us to live, serve, and welcome, then I hope you will feel a little less nervous about trying us out. I recommend coming to a study, activity, or party listed on our “Events” page if you’d like to see what we’re like outside of Sunday morning. Or, you could join us immediately after service for Clay Conversations, which is kind of like Sunday School, but we all tell our opinions and stories on an issue in the sermon message/lesson from that morning instead of being led through a curriculum. We like to hear from and learn from each other, and you would be no exception!

Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

-Pastor Gavin