One fall, I attended a church service in Germany with my husband’s family. I do not speak German, but this church had devices for such individuals with translators to help during the service. I have attended international services before, but they have been in English. This was the first time I was on the receiving end of being offered a way to belong. It was nice to know what was going on. And while my husband and in-laws tried to include me during the after-church gathering, I found that I was still on the outside, but so was my daughter with disabilities.

A group in Galatia had much bigger problems in the early church. Paul addressed this dividing line that the Jewish congregation made. He quickly reminded them that in Christ, there were no dividing lines. The key word is “in.” He pointed out that though the roles and statuses differed, they were “all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). This meant that God saw them all as equal and belonging.

Today’s church looks different, but is it? Depending on the church you attend, ramps and rails or translator devices may give access to the church and service. Maybe even there are programs for children with disabilities. These tools and programs offer access, but do they offer inclusion, belonging, or community? Belonging requires more than programs and a “welcome committee.” It requires vulnerability to enter into the life of another, to allow them to enter your life. True belonging requires a commitment. But if we are “all” “in” Christ and united, shouldn’t we also look for those in the marginalized areas?

It’s easy to serve the marginalized, but true belonging is to allow them to serve you. My experience was nothing compared to what those in Galatia were experiencing, nor can I compare it to people who are consistently marginalized. But, as a parent of a child with disabilities, I have learned that serving people who are marginalized and being served by them erases the dividing lines and allows for true belonging to be present. And it is when true belonging is part of the DNA of the church that not only equality, but also unity is accomplished.