Values for the Church & Her Leaders (part 4): Inclusive

A fourth value of biblical leadership within the church is that of being inclusive.  To summarize: “There are no prerequisites to grace and love.”  This value goes hand in hand with all of the others and could have very easily been a sub-category of missional or community, but in my opinion this is one that should be distinguished on its own.  Inclusive is an understanding that the message of God’s grace is for everyone, and it is also the recognition that no one should ever be excluded from the community. Christ-followers are called to tear down the walls of separation that this culture has built to divide us from one another. God’s beautiful and upside-down grace is offered to all people in all places and at all times; therefore we are called to love people and offer them grace no matter what wrongs they have committed.  This is not the condoning of destructive behavior, habits, or lifestyles; but the conviction that God’s grace can change lives.  Our calling is to follow the model of God who loved us before we ever chose to respond to him.  God is patient with people “wishing that all will come to repentance.”  We are invited to choose love over judgment.[1]

The rest of this series can be read here.