When Our Words Signal a Members-Only Club

Fifteen years ago, when we were new to Lincoln, my husband and I tried out a few churches before eventually settling on a largish congregationin town, namely because it was big enough for me to get lost in the crowd. After all, I wasn’t exactly a model church-goer. I wasn’t even sure I believed in God. Stepping across a church threshold after a twenty-year hiatus was a big enough step for me.

Early on weattended anew member orientation. The class went smoothly, and I was tentatively interest...