Christian leaders make news headlines on a daily basis, but are rarely portrayed as open minded or inclusive. Jonathan Devin’s “Radical Preachers Buck Mainstream Christianity” tells the story of a growing interdenominational group of pastors known as Outlaw Preachers who are bound together by their shared belief in radical inclusivity. Founded in 2008, the group has grown to 300 members and recently held their first conference, which was attended by persons representing “eight states from California to New York” who are affiliated with “many denominations including the Disciples of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, and several nondenominational and interdenominational ministries.”
So What?
Devin spoke to several members of the Outlaw Preachers including Connie Waters who serves as Youth and Family Life Minister at First Christian Church in West Memphis. When asked by Devin about radical inclusivity Waters replied, “It’s hard to define.” Following that remark, she made an effort to provide her definition.
- What is your definition of radical inclusivity?
- Based on your definition, what percentage of local congregations in your community do you think deserve the label?
- Do you consider your local congregation to be radically inclusive? If so, what factors contribute to this component of your congregational DNA? How do newcomers experience it?
For more information about the Outlaw Preachers, visit their website, join them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.