Jesus' kingdom is a welcoming kingdom; however, there are many ways that churches can unintentionally exclude people.

If the church's message regarding political involvement is simply centered on two issues—preventing abortion and homosexual marriages—then that church may exclude from participation others who believe that in addition, we have an obligation to provide healthcare for the uninsured, we desperately need serious immigration reform, and we need to care for our environment. Exclusion happens when we assume that everyone thinks just like us and especially when we caricature people whose political perspectives are different than ours. Erecting straw men from the pulpit and them knocking them down will turn off people who feel differently than the preacher does.

Exclusion can also happen when the majority race fails to pursue with intentionality a plan to racially diversify the church. Minorities need to see people like themselves on stage, in videos, and in leadership ...