All are welcome!

Matters of Faith

By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor

Parker/Beagle/Fontana United Methodist Churches

Scripture (NRSV):  Galatians 3: 26-29, “for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”.

I continue to be amazed that so many houses of worship still exclude Jesus’ followers and pursue a policy that counters God’s word that all are one in Christ Jesus and all are welcome in God’s house. In a previous post, I noted that in the past, I had been refused communion, that my baptism had been discredited, and that my being a previously divorced person disqualified me from serving on a church board.

I have been condemned by family members because of my affiliation with the United Methodist Church. And I have been rejected and criticized for being a member of our denomination’s diversity, equality, and inclusivity (DEI) team. Despite these criticisms, I have approached these conflicts with the firm conviction that God loves me and that he welcomes me into fellowship with other followers of Jesus Christ.

I might add that despite the conflict and rejection that I have received from others, I still believe that nearly all churches that identify themselves as Christians or godly, are in fact, members of God’s universal kingdom. And, I firmly believe that everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior is entitled to a seat at God’s banquet. And through Christ’s death and resurrection they are guaranteed everlasting life.

I have also come to believe that we are all called to serve a loving God regardless of our skin color, sexual orientation, or financial status. God calls us to be servants. God calls us to love and care for others. God calls us to be a member of Christ’s church. We are called and saved simply by our faith in a loving and risen Christ.

I cannot imagine telling my granddaughter that she can never be a church leader because she is a girl. I cannot imagine telling my son that he is not welcome in God’s church because he is gay. And I cannot imagine telling any of my children or grandchildren that God doesn’t love them because they are poor, political, or attend the wrong church. What I can and do tell them is that God absolutely loves them without fail. I tell them that we are all one in Christ Jesus, that Jesus died for each and every one of us, and that we are always welcome in God’s house.

I am deeply appreciative of a loving God who, through Jesus Christ, has forgiven me and released me from the bondage of sin and condemnation. This is a freely given gift from God, available to everyone. The only requirement is that we simply ask for God’s love and forgiveness.

My open challenge to anyone who disagrees with me is to simply ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?" Would Jesus deny someone love and grace because of their gender or race? Would he be less forgiving of those who are somehow different than the rest of us? Or would he open his arms and receive those who want a genuine and loving relationship with him? I believe that God has made it perfectly clear that Jesus died for all of us and we are all welcome in the house of God. Simply accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and inviting him into our life is all that’s required.

I invite you to invite Jesus into your life. Do this with the assurance that God loves you and will provide you with the life and a purpose that is both remarkable and exceptional in its simplicity and power. To know that we are okay, that we have a purpose, and that we a member of the most powerful household in the universe, is a great and wonderful thing. God loves us.

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If you are seeking a church family to join you in your journey with Jesus, I encourage you to consider attending our church services at the Parker, Beagle, and Fontana United Methodist Churches. Our service times and details are listed below. Please know that when you attend, you will be provided an enthusiastic worship service and the fellowship of fellow believers. 

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We will have Sunday morning services during the month of June at 10 a.m. at the Beagle United Methodist Church.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of July at 10 a.m. at the Fontana UMC.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of August at 10a.m. at the Parker UMC.

We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month.

All are welcome in God’s House.  Come and celebrate the risen Christ.

Dr. Bascom Ratliff  (913-710-5748)

Pastor: Parker/Beagle/Fontana 

United Methodist Churches