To Be And Do

BECAUSE

In this thought-provoking episode, host Philip Amerson reflects on the challenges facing church communities today, especially around the concept of “open doors.” Drawing upon personal experiences, urban insights, and the wisdom of Jane Jacobs, Philip Amerson invites listeners to consider the deeper implications behind hospitality, security, and belonging in religious spaces. Here are three key takeaways:

1. Rethinking Security in Sacred Spaces

Philip Amerson opens the conversation with an honest observation about how churches—once proudly defined by “open hearts, open minds, open doors”—have, in response to modern anxieties and the impacts of COVID, increasingly locked their doors and prioritized visible security. He describes the dissonance of being greeted by security personnel at church and wonders if a T-shirt reading “hospitality” or “welcome” might be a better fit. This prompts a crucial reflection on the tension between safety and genuine openness. Listeners are challenged to think about how their own faith communities balance caution with the call to be welcoming.

2. Community Eyes as the Ultimate Safeguard

Referencing Jane Jacobs’ urban theory from “The Life and Death of Great American Cities,” Philip Amerson explores the idea that neighborhoods experience less crime when more people are present and actively watching out for one another. He shares a powerful story from his time working in Harlem, where community members—uncles, grandmothers, neighbors—provided a web of protection simply by being aware and involved. This real-life example illustrates how churches can be safer and more vibrant by encouraging genuine community interaction, rather than relying solely on formal security measures.

3. Small Steps Toward Belonging and Openness

The episode closes with an encouragement to take practical steps toward unlocking the church—literally and figuratively. Philip Amerson suggests that transformation doesn’t have to be drastic; even opening the church on certain days or hosting community events can slowly foster a sense of belonging. He highlights the importance of overcoming fear and behavioral patterns that make churches exclusive, advocating instead for churches to become true centers of community. The concept of the “belonging exchange” underscores the power of joy, laughter, and welcome in shaping a healthier, safer spiritual environment.

Final Reflections

This episode is an invitation to reconsider what it means for a church to have open doors—not just symbolically, but in practice. By weaving together stories, urban theory, and practical advice, Philip Amerson challenges us all to create spaces where people truly feel seen, welcomed, and safe.

Greetings. This is Phil Emerson. Again. I'm wanting to finish some thoughts about open doors. And as I've said earlier, in the United Methodist Church, there's been this notion that we are a denomination of open hearts, open minds and open doors. Unfortunately, as the modern world has evolved and as we went through time of COVID and the sense of danger and the need to have more caution in our worship places, sadly, we've locked more and more doors. One of the things that I experience is going to one of my favorite worship places is a sadness my heart. When I get just inside the door and a big fella comes and painted across his chest, or the word is the word security.

And I'm thinking, well, that's one way to do it. But it's not exactly I thought I need to buy him a T shirt that says hospitality or welcome. Especially since just down the street, a block away, is a congregation that doesn't have that sort of thing. In fact, it welcomes a lot of street people, a lot of homeless in for a breakfast, and many of them stay for worship. It's a mindset thing. It's a framing of the reality that we face. The great writer Jane Jacobs wrote a book that was so critical to understanding the importance, importance of neighbor and neighborhood a few years ago, the Life and Death of Great American Cities. And in it she points out that crime rate and security was directly related to eyes and ears on the street.

And as more and more people were there, the likelihood that there would be crime dropped. It didn't disappear. And you don't have to tell me. I've lived and worked in dangerous places in large cities, and you need to be careful and cautious. Elaine and I many years ago worked in Harlem, and we had to walk the young people from Minnesink Townhouse, which was part of the New York City Mission Society, over to go swimming at City College. And I thought I was a seminary, and I foolishly thought I was the security. I didn't have it painted on my chest, but I was a white guy in Harlem and I was going to protect these kids. And one of my friends who was on the staff, an African American guy, laughed and he said, don't you see what's going on? Those guys you pass along who are sitting on the park bench talking, that's the uncle and the grandfather, and up there above, the woman who is shaking out the blanket or the other woman who is having coffee on the balcony, they're watching you and those children to protect them.

You see, the best protection we can have in our churches that are too often locked is for them to become centers of community. You don't have to do it all at once. You don't have to change everything. Maybe just make it Tuesdays and Thursdays will be open. But what can we do to change the behavioral patterns, the fear that shapes the way we do and understand church and begin to make it a place of belonging? That's why we call it the belonging exchange. A cup of joy and laughter for you today. Think about it.