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Dan Robinson

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http://oachurch.com

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Jesus welcoming children including a child in a wheelchair - church for all at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA

Finding a Family: Why Church Accessibility is Great for Everyone

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By: Daniel Robinson, Missions Coordinator, Open Arms Community Church

In today’s fast-paced and often isolating world, many people crave a sense of belonging, a place to connect, and a community to call home. For centuries, churches have served as havens for spiritual nourishment and community-building. But how accessible are these spaces to everyone, really?

For too long, the doors of many churches have been metaphorically — and sometimes literally — closed to those with disabilities, those from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds, or even those simply unfamiliar with the traditions of organized religion. Making churches truly accessible is not just a moral imperative; it’s a benefit to everyone, fostering inclusion, diversity, and community strength.

The core teachings of most faiths emphasize compassion, inclusion, and love. For Christians, this is exemplified in Jesus’ ministry, which centered on embracing those marginalized by society. Churches, as the hands and feet of such teachings, must reflect this ethos by breaking down barriers that prevent full participation. Whether it’s a lack of ramps for wheelchair users, the absence of sign language interpreters, or services held in inaccessible formats, these barriers send an implicit message: “This isn’t a space for you.” Creating an accessible church means more than meeting legal obligations; it’s about extending the invitation of community to everyone. When someone who is blind can follow along because of braille hymnals, or when a family with a nonverbal child feels welcomed because of sensory-friendly services, it deepens the ties of fellowship. This inclusivity also strengthens the entire community. People of all abilities and backgrounds bring unique perspectives and gifts. By making church accessible, the congregation becomes richer, more vibrant, and more reflective of the world it aims to serve.

Accessibility often gets framed as something that’s “just” for people with disabilities, but the truth is, everyone gains from it. Ramps aren’t only useful for those in wheelchairs; parents with strollers and older adults with mobility challenges appreciate them, too. Captioning on screens doesn’t just help the hard-of-hearing; it benefits those in the back row or anyone trying to follow a dense sermon. Moreover, investing in technology like livestreamed services or multilingual resources opens the doors to those who might never have stepped into a sanctuary before, from the curious seeker to the homebound parishioner.

Making churches accessible takes effort and resources, but it’s an investment in people — and what better cause is there? That’s exactly the vision driving Open Arms Community Church as they prepare to launch their Church for All: Building Community and Accessibility capital campaign. With their move to a new location in downtown Bradford, the church is seizing the opportunity to create a space that embodies their commitment to inclusivity and hospitality. The campaign aims to fund critical improvements such as wheelchair-accessible entrances, updated restrooms, sensory-friendly worship spaces, and technology enhancements like hearing assistance devices and livestream capabilities. By prioritizing accessibility, Open Arms hopes to transform their new location into a welcoming haven for everyone in the community, no matter their abilities or background.

When churches commit to accessibility, they embody the universal message of love and acceptance. They become more than just buildings; they become places where anyone and everyone can find family, belonging, and purpose. And isn’t that what church should be? A place where the doors are always open — figuratively and literally — to all who seek refuge, connection, and hope.

This Giving Tuesday, join Open Arms Community Church in building a Church for All — a space where everyone, regardless of ability or background, can feel welcomed, valued, and included. Your generosity can help fund wheelchair-accessible entrances, sensory-friendly worship spaces, and other critical improvements that will open our doors even wider to the entire community.

Make a difference today and give the gift of inclusion at openarmscommunitychurch.org/churchforall. Together, we can create a church where everyone truly belongs.

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The Power of Belonging: God’s Invitation to a Family

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There’s a powerful message in the idea of “belonging,” and it’s something that, for many of us, can take years to truly understand. It’s easy to overlook, especially when we feel disconnected or like we’re not fully part of something bigger than ourselves. But belonging is a theme that runs deep throughout the Bible and our lives.

We all have those moments where we feel like we don’t belong. Whether it’s walking into a room where no one knows us, or sitting in the middle of a crowd yet still feeling isolated. It can seem like a lifetime before we find the place where we truly feel at home. It can take time and persistence—sometimes even years—to find the people who will help us see the world differently, who will help us understand that there’s something deeper than the superficial or the fleeting.

God’s Invitation to Belong

I can vividly remember when I first started exploring faith. It was a time when I didn’t know how to pray and didn’t understand how the Christian community worked. I was frustrated when others would tell me, “Well, did you pray about it?” Because, honestly, I didn’t know how to pray. I wanted answers, guidance—practical help. But over time, through those same people gently nudging me toward God, I began to realize that belonging wasn’t just about having answers, but about opening my heart to a relationship with God and with others in His family.

The invitation to belong in God’s kingdom is one of the most beautiful aspects of the faith. He doesn’t just welcome us as strangers; He calls us His children. In John 1:12, we read, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” This is not just a title we carry like a badge. This is a relationship—one that requires acceptance and a willingness to grow within the family of believers.

The Church as a Family

Belonging to God means belonging to a larger family, a community that spans time and space, a family that supports, encourages, and holds us up in ways we never imagined. Ephesians 2:19 says, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” This passage reminds us that we are no longer disconnected; through Christ, we are members of God’s household. We are part of something greater than ourselves, something eternal.

Throughout my journey, I’ve faced dark moments, and through those times, the church family was there. I’ve received random messages or kind gestures from people who, unknowingly, met me in my brokenness. Those moments were not coincidences; they were God’s way of showing that He had placed people in my life to remind me of His love.

But there’s also the question: What happens when we belong in the wrong place? We can easily get caught up in the wrong kinds of communities—places where our belonging is based on temporary or superficial connections.

Belonging in the Wrong Place

In the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-8, Jesus explains the different types of soil where the seed of the Word falls. Some seed falls along the path and is eaten by birds, some falls on rocky ground and withers away, and some falls among thorns and is choked out. Only the seed that falls on good soil produces fruit.

We all know the feeling of being in the wrong place, of belonging somewhere that leaves us feeling empty. There was a time in my life when I felt a false sense of belonging at a bar. Everyone knew my name, the bartender knew my drink, and the regulars had a place set aside for me. But it wasn’t real. Years later, I can’t even remember the names of the people I spent time with there. The connection was fleeting, temporary, and ultimately empty.

That’s what Jesus was pointing to in this parable. Belonging to places or groups that aren’t rooted in something eternal, something real, will ultimately leave us scorched, withered, and lost. But when we find our belonging in God’s family, it’s a connection that multiplies, it grows deeper, and it lasts forever. Matthew 13:8 says, “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” That’s the kind of belonging that makes a difference in our lives.

Living Out Our Belonging

So how do we live out this sense of belonging in our daily lives? It starts with us. We need to cultivate environments where others feel accepted, where they feel like they truly belong. This means looking beyond differences and recognizing the inherent value of every person. Loving God and loving people—that’s at the heart of everything we do.

It can be difficult, though, especially when we encounter people who are different from us—whether in appearance, beliefs, or behavior. But if we want to create a sense of belonging, we have to start by practicing empathy. Romans 12:15 tells us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Empathy isn’t just about understanding someone’s situation; it’s about truly listening and being present without judgment. Sometimes, the simple act of listening can bridge the gap between isolation and connection.

In a world where everyone is busy talking about themselves, vulnerability can be a powerful tool for building real relationships. Sharing our own stories—the highs and lows—can create a space where others feel comfortable doing the same. James 5:16 encourages us to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Vulnerability doesn’t just build trust, it helps others know they are not alone.

We can also extend a hand to those who are on the outskirts—those who sit alone, who look or think differently. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Sometimes, a simple invitation to coffee or a kind word can make all the difference in someone’s day.

Creating a Culture of Belonging

As a church, as a community of believers, we are called to create spaces where everyone feels like they belong. We need to break down walls of division, whether they are walls of cliques, judgment, or favoritism. Let’s encourage inclusion in our homes, workplaces, and churches. Let’s celebrate diversity and create environments where everyone can thrive.

Romans 15:7 reminds us, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” If we want to live out the kind of belonging that God desires, we must accept others as they are, just as Christ has accepted us.

When we belong to God’s family, it’s a belonging that transcends time and place. No job, no relationship, no bar, no restaurant can give us the lasting sense of belonging that we find in God’s family. We are called to be a part of something eternal, a community of love, grace, and purpose.

God is inviting each of us to belong—not just as members of a church, but as beloved children in His family. And He’s asking us to extend that invitation to others. Let’s live out our belonging by reaching out, loving others, and building a community where everyone can find a place to call home.