ME, EXCLUSIVE? Part 8

These things are opposed to helping us be the healing Christ Centred Community that God has called us to be… AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS LOVING CHRIST CENTRED RELATIONSHIPS RELATIONAL CHRIST CENTRED EVANGELISM

DO YOU HAVE A DEFINITION OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION? EXCLUSION - The act of excluding, or of shutting out, whether by thrusting out or by preventing admission; a debarring; rejection; prohibition; the state of being excluded. SOCIAL EXCLUSION - Is the process whereby certain peoples are pushed to the margins of our society and prevented from participating fully by virtue of their social class, living standards, low education, inadequate life skills, race, disabilities and life experiences.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION? Some of the Long term effects of social exclusion are… Poor decision making leading to bad life choices More likely to be in unhealthy relationships More likely to use substances to cope with life disappointments Loneliness

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION? Some of the Long term effects of social exclusion are… Crime Lower education More prone to mental illness More prone to emotional issues such as depression, anxiety etc Hopelessness

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOCIAL EXCLUSION AT SPCC Some racial minority groups have found it difficult to fit in here at different times There has been racist remarks and actions Children with disability’s have struggled to gain acceptance Foster children struggle because their not from families like others

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOCIAL EXCLUSION AT SPCC Some people in the process of healing have felt unacceptable and not included Singles have experienced exclusion Single Parents both men and women feel conspicuous and excluded – often not invited to functions

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOCIAL EXCLUSION AT SPCC Some more simple ways… People receiving or not invites in groups Socio-economic status Dress codes or the Car I drive

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOCIAL EXCLUSION AT SPCC Some more simple ways… Closed circles No-one speaking to me People avoiding or turning away The frown or look of disgust

WHAT DOES CHRIST HAVE TO SAY? James 2:1-9 (NIV) My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say,

WHAT DOES CHRIST HAVE TO SAY? “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?... 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

WHAT DOES CHRIST HAVE TO SAY? Romans 14:1 (NIV) Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 15:7 (NIV) Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

HOW DO I RESPOND? Acts 3:19 (NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

HOW DO I RESPOND? Revelation 3:3 (NIV) Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.