Although they had lived and worked together as a multi-generational family, Jacob and his uncle, Laban, had a conflicted relationship. For years, they had tricked and cheated each other. When Jacob finally moved away, he and Laban set up a boundary, calling upon God to guard their safety by keeping them apart from each other. To be at peace with each other, they needed both physical distance and emotional space (Genesis 31:43-55).
Creating good boundaries is a sign of hospitality. For congregations, this can include requiring background checks for those who work with children or vulnerable adults. Recognizing the limits of hospitality can also protect us from taking on impossible or inappropriate tasks. For instance, a congregation committed to accommodating community organizations may choose not to provide space to organizations whose values conflict with their own.
Sometimes people with difficult family situations need this kind of space for awhile. What are ways to respect that? As you think about your congregation, where are its boundaries and limits?
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “All are welcome” by Julie A. Kanarr in the May 2018 Gather magazine.
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