Our Church Is Not A Club
The laity... living in the world as an integral part of it, is the primary body through which the reality of the phrase "the Church is service" has to be manifested in all spheres of secular life: the Church has to show in her own life and attitude towards others the evidences of the redemptive order which is in Christ an operative fact: Christ the Lord is also Christ the servant: the Church which is the lord of all life is also the servant of all life, and the lordship is shown only through the service.
The world wants to see redemption: it is not interested in being talked to about it. A church which is not outward looking... has ceased to be a church as the Body of Christ and has instead become a club for the benefit of its members.
... Douglas Rhymes (1914- )
As Pastor John Luoma has said many times, the church is the only institution which exists primarily for the benefit of those who are not members.
We who have found the living word of God and the small corner of the eternal Church that is St. Stephen must serve those who have not found God.
We can't close the door on those who have not found the love of God that sustains live itself.