Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Recently, I was asked why I always begin my Tidings articles, and all my articles for that matter, with the greeting of “Sisters and Brothers in Christ”? This person conveyed they had never seen anyone do anything other than “Brothers and Sisters in Christ.”

My response was simple (at least in my opinion!). By making a slight change in the wording of something that we all are accustomed to, I hope to make people think differently about what is said. When we use “Brothers and Sisters,” in that order, we are consciously or unconsciously, reinforcing old stereotypes of the male being superior as the male pronoun is used first. This is done in many ways in society. Traditionally, we say “Husband and Wife” or the husband/male is addressed first on a letter, i.e. “Mr. Tim and Vicky Krick.”

I believe this does have an effect on us when we see it over and over. It reinforces a view of male superiority. I am not saying it is responsible for that, but it is a remnant from an age (that still exists in many ways) in which the male is more important and should be in the more dominant role. I make the subtle change in the greeting as it helps to remind me (and I hope all of us) of the equality that God has bestowed on everyone and to help me to live into it.

As I write this, I am now thinking if there is even a better greeting that I could or should be using. One of the things I learned this past year from going through the Reconciling in Christ process, is that we live in a very binary society, but gender is not as binary as we once thought. Meaning, while I am trying to be more inclusive in the greeting, some could read it knowing they do not fit into either of the two categories that are represented by “Sisters and Brothers” (namely female and male). Perhaps a better greeting would be “Siblings of Christ” or “To all Children of Christ.” This is more encompassing and whole. I think you should be on the lookout for one of those greetings in the future.

In the end, no matter how you identify, I hope we are place that communicates to you that you are loved. That you hear and come to trust that there is nothing that you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. God loves you. Period.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim