Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—is a South African philosophy that speaks to our interconnectedness, interdependence, and interrelatedness as humans. Our humanity is only fully actualized in relationship with others.

In a letter to the church in Corinth, Paul teaches this concept to a people accustomed to hierarchy, a caste system, exclusion, and separatism. This makes Paul’s work twice as challenging. Not only is Paul planting a new church with all the work that entails, but he is also guiding the people to a new way of being in community and leading a more excellent way of life.

It’s sad to say, but the church today is still working to figure this out. Oh, sure, most traditions are a lot further along than the early Corinthians were. However, far too many still find ways to exclude people who don’t look like them, don’t pray like them, worship differently, don’t fit the “norm,” are too “worldly,” too gay, too poor, too Black, not progressive enough, don’t have the right accent, live on the wrong side of town, sing too loud . . . are the “other” and don’t belong.

The church is to embody God’s love in the world. This starts by opening our hearts to build inclusive communities that honor all gifts, welcome all gifts, acknowledge all gifts, and affirm all gifts. This starts by honoring all people, welcoming all people, acknowledging and affirming the humanity of all people.