How does a Church of England church become an inclusive church?

[fifteenpercentoff]

Does the vicar just say so?

The church leadership team have to agree to it, as I understand it. (sorry, I'm not Anglican and can't for the life of me remember the correct term for church leadership team in an Anglican church )

Eh? Is "inclusive church" an official Anglican term that I'm not aware of, or are we talking about inclusive in the normal sense of being generally welcoming and non-judgemental of people. I'm a Methodist, so I might be missing something!

If we are talking plain english, I'm tempted to say "by supporting every single church member in their discipleship, so that they follow Jesus' example of extending God's love to all".

Although it has to be said that his inclusiveness didn't necessary extend to religious fanatics, exploitative market traders, or greedy materialists. I have this sneaky feeling that he'd have been highly inclusive towards various groups that don't particularly feel welcome in church at present, though ... (controversial)

Hi AChicken; Inclusive church can be what you describe (and sounds exactly what it should be like, I like what you're saying ), to but it's also a group that started within the Anglican church but is open to all denominations; they have a website,should come up if you google.

'too' not 'to'. Oh dear. Roll on the weekend. Am losing all ability to remember anything or even spell correctly.

The vicar can just say so I guess, although any official statement about the church, what it believes, etc, tends to be in conjunction with the churchwardens and the PCC. To a certain extent, it depends on how controversial the inclusivity is, for example including people with disabilities SHOULD be fine

Ah - now I understand! Am surprised they don't have a "how to become an inclusive church" section on the website.

The URC has a similar campaign known as Radical Welcome / Zero Intolerance ( am getting confused which title they are using!) There is a defined process for congregations to work through, before making a committment to being a "Zero Intolerance" church. Seems like the inclusive church thing ought to involve a similar process. No point the Vicar saying "all are welcome" if the reality is that the church members take a different attitude.

I opened this, thinking the same as AChickenCalledKorma (must be a Methodist thing to think like that )

BackForGood have you come across this Wesley quote: "The Methodists alone do not insist on your holding this or that opinion; but they think and let think. Neither do they impose any particular mode of worship; but you may continue to worship in your former manner, be it what it may. Now I do not know of any other religious society, either ancient or modern, wherein such liberty of conscience is now allowed or has been allowed, since the age of the Apostles. Here is our glorying; and a glorying peculiar to us. What society shares it with us?"

To be fair, I'm not sure Wesley's tolerance extended quite as far as the issues that are before us these days. But I do think inclusiveness is in our DNA, possible more than many people realise.

No, not come across that before, but I think I will copy it out and use it in some future Church Council meeting when 'harmony' or 'inclusiveness' doesn't seem to be at it's strongest Thank you.

Another Methodist here with similarly Methodist thoughts!

Ooh, me niether.

AChickenCalledKorma I like the sound of the URC programme.

I understand the Methodist Church is also in the process of doing some work on their Equality and Diversity policy, and are going to produce a toolkit for churches to go along with it. Am sure will be v good.

Ooooh - an exclusive clique to celebrate how inclusive we are! I like your thinking ! All together now: "And can it be, that I should gain"

In the CofE "Inclusive Church" tends to mean churches that are LGBT-friendly, and welcoming to everyone. If they want to worship in different ways e.g. Methodist as well, that's called an Ecumenical church, I think.

Yes, 'Inclusive Church' with a capital I means LGBT-friendly.

I knew an evangelical curate who was looking for his first incumbent's post this time last year. He applied to a church that called itself IC, because he thought it sounded like they'd be friendly and 'be happy with me being black'.

:o :o :o

Shouldn't laugh really.

Yes, I occasionally attend an Inclusive Church for Choral Evensong. I wasn't aware of the 'formal' LGBT implications, but dh said it was obvious to him when he just glanced at their website, which stated that they are a "A Welcoming, Inclusive Christian Community".

(I knew it was LGBT-friendly, but I didn't realise you could tell just from that expression.)