Space for Grace: Creating Inclusive Churches

'Inclusive' is a term that is most closely associated with questions of human sexuality, but in relation to theology and to local church life it has many more dimensions which this book explores. Like so many others, the church of which Giles Goddard is rector was, fifty years ago, almost exclusively white, middle class and male-led. As the local community became more diverse, change was inevitable. Theology has followed rather than led this change and this book reflects on what inclusive theology is starting to look like in practice .Including stories of people who have either been instrumental in this change or who have stayed faithful through its various stages, it explores key questions for every local church: embracing the evangelical, orthodox and liberal and seeing beyond labels, treating everyone as equal before God, sharing leadership and responsibility, recognising that freedom needs limits, drawing people from the margins to the centre, and managing change. Theological reflection follows each story and an honest appraisal of the practical impact of change.

About the Author :
Giles Goddard is the Chair of the Inclusive Church Movement, Rector of a parish in South London and an Area Dean in the Diocese of Southwark.

Review :
'This highly readable book examines why inclusion matters theologically and how it can be put into practice in a parish context. Biblical reflection is interspersed with the personal stories of members of a very diverse congregation in South London and scenes from their life and worship together. How divine grace can touch and transform 'ordinary' people and places, like the light shining through stained-glass windows on the book cover, is vividly portrayed. Loving welcome and overcoming of division are central to the Bible, argues the author, not in the sense that 'anything goes' but rather that opportunities can be created for spiritual growth. Attention is drawn to the radical implications of recognising all humans as created in God's image, following the Christ portrayed in the Gospels, and St Paul's image of the church as a body all parts of which should be cherished. Giles Goddard recognises that Christian churches have often seemed out of touch with society and unaware of the harm caused by exclusion, but is hopeful about the future, based in part on his own experience as a Church of England parish priest, and that of many other worshipping communities. He does not gloss over the challenge involved in opening up leadership opportunities to women, members of ethnic minorities and openly gay or lesbian people, as well as reaching out to meet the needs of neighbours in one of the most economically deprived areas in England. Yet this is more than a description of a diversity and outreach programme. A strong sense of joy in worship comes across, and of the church's mission to live out the love of God which it proclaims. At times the pace is almost too fast, and I wished when reading the book that there were more space to explore issues and debates surrounding inclusion. Yet this would have resulted in a far longer work, with fewer readers, and on the whole I think the author manages to cover a lot of ground without being superficial. I also wonder if he fully conveys the power of the human urge to 'purify' communities or find scapegoats which can wreak such havoc, and in which religion can become mixed up with largely unspoken and disturbing aspects of personal and social behaviour. To create and sustain inclusive churches may sometimes involve swimming against a strong current. Overall, however, this is a helpful and moving account of what inclusion might mean in practice, and why it should matter to Christians concerned with bringing Scripture, tradition and reason to bear on the challenges confronting the world today. While focusing on the Church of England's experience, it is also relevant to Anglicans elsewhere and members of other denominations, especially those in urban areas. It is suitable not only for those already convinced of the value of being inclusive but also those who are fearful that it means a watering-down of the challenge of the Gospel. It may also be of value to students of religion who are interested in understanding more about contemporary Christianity, beyond the heated debates about the theology of sexuality which so dominate media coverage, or more academic discussions about whether religious observance is going up or down! Certainly this book conveys something of the flavour of vibrant worshipping communities which seek to be open to the Holy Spirit and, despite their own imperfections, create space for God's grace to heal and renew.'