“What does it mean to be radically inclusive?” I ask. That question embodies the spirit of the Church of Our Saviour. This church is not just a building. It is a network of faith communities. They are dedicated to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Our Saviour in Washington D.C. emerged from humble beginnings. In 1946, Gordon Cosby came home from World War II. He believed the Gospel was more than mere platitudes. His vision was to create a church. It would take the teachings of Jesus seriously.
Seven people responded to Cosby’s call. In 1950, with just 19 members, they bought a brownstone. It was located at 2025 Massachusetts Ave. This building served as their headquarters. It was also a place of worship until 2008. This was when Gordon Cosby retired from preaching.
The 1960s brought significant changes. Members of the church became aware of poverty in D.C. They saw the dire situation for children at Junior Village. They also recognized the needs around the newly established Potter’s House. This awareness led to a strong call to action. Church members wanted to be in community with the poor. They wanted to be with disenfranchised people. Many ministries formed in the 1970s and 1980s. These ministries responded to this call.
In 1976, the church made a significant decision. With 120 core members, it intentionally divided. It formed six worshiping communities. Now there are eight. Each community has its own call. Each has its own leadership. Each also has its own cluster of mission groups. These mission groups became the source of the church’s ministries. They form when people are called to address a specific concern.
Many of these missions grew. They became independent nonprofits. They broadened their base of service. Four tenets guide the Church of Our Saviour. These tenets explain the incredible works of social justice. They have blossomed over the past 70 years.
The first tenet is call. The church believes everyone is called to do something. People should use their God-given gifts. The church community helps individuals find their calls. It nurtures them.
The second tenet is gifts. The church believes everyone has gifts. No one has all the gifts. The church helps each person identify their gifts. It helps them find a place to use them. Gifts range from preaching to hospitality. They also include organizational skills and humor. All gifts are welcome. All are needed.
The third tenet is the inward/outward journey. Church ministries are sustained by this commitment. Daily Bible study is essential. Meditation and prayer are also important. Spiritual reports are shared. Weekly mission group meetings take place. Working together makes these mission groups the primary place for spiritual formation.
The fourth tenet is community. Each worshiping community has its own flavor. It has unique music, word, and sacrament. All celebrate the inward/outward journey together. They claim their piece of God’s unfolding creation story. They encourage and hold each other accountable. Although the missions may be hard, there is joy at the core.
The Church of the Saviour is radically inclusive. It is an ecumenical Christian community. It is made up of eight small churches. It is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The church believes in diversity. Each person is an image-bearer of God. Each is equally valued and loved. All are welcome to join in worship, fellowship, and ministry. Each person has an essential role. They bring God’s love, justice, and mercy to the world.
The Church of the Saviour offers an alternative approach to church. This approach improves Christian discipleship. It recovers the vitality and power of the early Christian community. The church emphasizes integrity of membership. It values the ministry of the laity. It fosters communal intimacy and accountability. The community breaks into smaller congregations. This ensures intimacy and accountability. It forms mission groups. These groups consist of 2 to 15 members. They gather around a shared sense of vocation.
Through the writings of Elizabeth O’Connor, the Church of the Saviour has become influential. It has informed movements. These include the missional church movement and the Emergent Church movement. It has also influenced the New Monasticism movement. The Church of the Saviour is more than a church. It is a movement. It is a call to commitment. It is a journey inward and outward.