Behave. Believe. Belong.

The title above more or less sums up the attitude of Christians or should I say churchgoers towards one another. 

It is not uncommon to experience one of the below in an African church:

1. You are not allowed to enter the church because you don't have the right clothes on. Your offense could be any one of the following - A lady wearing trousers in a non-trouser wearing church, not covering your hair in a
2.  hair covering church, or wearing sleeveless clothes in a sleeve-requiring church
3. You are allowed to enter the church, but segregated somewhere and not allowed to go close to the altar; which implies that your offering will be collected, but you cannot partake of the Eucharist should you wish to do so

There are many arguments for and against why churches have certain rules, but this article does not seek to address that. However what needs to be pointed out is that these things take away something fundamental from churches, that they are 'supposed' to be places where all are welcome and can feel a sense of belonging.

Most churches require first that you behave, in other words follow the rules of engagement before you can get a leg in, literally. Once you have demonstrated that you can follow the rules, then you are allowed to practice your belief. Success at the first two means you belong. If you don't get either of the first two right, then there's no place for you here (scripture passage sound familiar?).

The correct thing is that we welcome all as they are, trusting in God's power to transform their lives so that a sense of belonging leads to belief in the one whom they have sought, and the transformation that follows thereof leads them to behave.

Belong. Believe. Behave.