Drawing the Circle Wide: Embracing Imago Dei and Peacemaking

Today’s reflection centers on the call to draw the circle of God’s love ever wider, to make room for all, and to live out the radical inclusivity that is at the heart of the gospel. I shared two powerful moments from my own journey—one of heartbreak and one of hope—both marked by the song “Draw the Circle Wide.” In 2019, after a painful decision by the United Methodist Church to become less inclusive, I found healing in a church that boldly proclaimed welcome for all, especially the LGBTQ+ community. Then, in 2024, I witnessed the church finally take a step toward greater inclusion, and again, the community gathered in a circle, singing with joy and conviction. These experiences remind us that our calling is not to shrink the circle, but to expand it, always making more room at the table.

This week, as we mark Transgender Day of Remembrance, we remember and grieve the lives lost to hatred and violence, especially our transgender and gender-expansive siblings. Each person is created in the image of God—Imago Dei—precious, beloved, and irreplaceable. When harm is done to anyone, it is harm done to the image of God. Our prayers and our actions must reflect this deep truth. We are called not just to love in word, but to love in deed: to create communities of safety, dignity, and belonging, where no one’s humanity is up for debate.

Scripture calls us to be peacemakers, not merely peace-lovers. Peacemaking is active, costly, and sometimes uncomfortable. It means standing up, speaking out, and interrupting harm wherever we see it. It means refusing to let fear or hatred decide who deserves safety or belonging. Our United Methodist social principles remind us that anything that degrades God’s image is sin, and anything that affirms it is holy. We are called to resist evil not by mirroring it, but by transforming it with fierce compassion and holy disruption.

To follow Jesus is to be relentlessly for life, for peace, and for human dignity. It is to show up, to speak up, and to build a world where every person can live freely and without fear. Every act of justice, every moment of radical welcome, every time we defend the vulnerable, we proclaim the gospel and reveal Christ’s heart in us. May we be bold and tender, courageous and compassionate, as we draw the circle wide and live as peacemakers in a world that desperately needs it.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Draw the Circle Wider, Not Smaller God’s love is expansive, not exclusive. We are called to continually widen our embrace, making room for those who have been marginalized or excluded. This is not just a matter of hospitality, but a reflection of God’s own heart—a circle that grows every time someone new arrives, ensuring that no one is left out of the community of grace. [21:40]
• 2. Every Person Bears the Image of God Imago Dei is not a metaphor but a declaration: every human being, regardless of race, gender, identity, or story, is a living reflection of God’s goodness. When we harm, exclude, or demean another, we do violence to God’s image. Recognizing this truth compels us to honor, protect, and affirm the dignity of all people, especially those most vulnerable. [49:10]
• 3. Peacemaking Is Active and Costly Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not just peace-lovers. Peacemaking requires action, courage, and sometimes discomfort. It means interrupting harm, challenging injustice, and creating conditions where all can flourish. True peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice and safety for everyone. [52:19]
• 4. Resist Evil with Fierce Compassion We are not called to mirror the world’s violence or hatred, but to transform it through holy disruption and stubborn love. Evil wants us to be numb, silent, and hopeless, but we resist by showing up, speaking out, and defending the vulnerable. This is how we overcome evil with good and reveal Christ’s heart in our world. [55:31]
• 5. Communion Is a Table for All The table of Christ is radically inclusive—no barriers, no prerequisites, just an open invitation to all. In sharing bread and cup together, we enact the truth that God’s grace is for everyone, and we commit ourselves to building a community where all are welcome and all are fed. [67:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [18:47] - Encountering Radical Welcome in Atlanta
• [20:07] - A Church Becomes More Inclusive
• [21:40] - Drawing the Circle Wide at Crossroads
• [22:37] - Transgender Day of Remembrance Litany
• [24:38] - Community Prayers and Joys
• [29:14] - Food Pantry and Radical Hospitality
• [31:19] - Prayer for Connection and Love
• [35:03] - Offering and Announcements
• [42:40] - Social Principles and Jedi Group
• [43:44] - The Reality of Fear and Injustice
• [45:14] - Overcoming Evil with Good
• [47:09] - Imago Dei: The Image of God
• [49:10] - Honoring God’s Image in All
• [52:19] - The Cost of Peacemaking
• [55:31] - Resisting Evil with Good
• [57:04] - United Methodist Witness and Solidarity
• [59:03] - Interrupting Harm and Building Community
• [61:13] - Prayer for Courage and Peace
• [62:11] - Confession and Assurance
• [63:32] - Great Thanksgiving and Communion
• [67:44] - Communion: A Table for All
• [82:28] - Closing and Whistle Distribution

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV) — > Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
> So God created man in his own image,
> in the image of God he created him;
> male and female he created them.

Matthew 5:9 (ESV) — > “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Romans 12:21 (ESV) — > Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 1:26-27, what does it mean that every person is created in the image of God? How does the sermon describe the importance of this truth? [[49:10]]
2. According to Matthew 5:9, who does Jesus say are blessed, and what does the sermon say is the difference between being a peacemaker and a peace-lover? [[52:19]]
3. In Romans 12:21, what is Paul’s instruction about responding to evil? How does the sermon connect this to our actions in the world? [[55:31]]
4. The sermon shares stories about churches making their “circle” wider. What are some specific ways the church in the sermon did this? [[21:40]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that “Imago Dei is not a metaphor but a declaration.” How might this change the way someone views themselves and others, especially those who are different from them? [[49:10]]
2. The pastor describes peacemaking as “active, costly, and sometimes uncomfortable.” Why do you think peacemaking is described this way, and what might it look like in real life? [[52:19]]
3. The sermon mentions that “anything that degrades God’s image is sin, and anything that affirms it is holy.” How does this idea challenge the way we treat people who are marginalized or excluded? [[50:04]]
4. The pastor talks about resisting evil “not by mirroring it, but by transforming it with fierce compassion and holy disruption.” What does it mean to resist evil in this way, and why is it important? [[55:31]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon calls us to “draw the circle wider, not smaller.” Who in your life or community might feel left out or unwelcome? What is one practical step you could take this week to make more room for them? [[21:40]]
2. The pastor shared about Transgender Day of Remembrance and the importance of honoring every person as made in God’s image. How can you show dignity and belonging to someone who is vulnerable or marginalized in your daily life? [[22:37]]
3. Peacemaking is described as “active and costly.” Is there a situation in your life where you need to speak up or stand up for someone, even if it’s uncomfortable? What might hold you back, and how can you move forward with courage? [[52:19]]
4. The sermon says, “We resist evil not by mirroring it, but by transforming it with fierce compassion.” Think of a recent time when you saw or experienced harm or injustice. How could you respond with compassion and holy disruption instead of anger or silence? [[55:31]]
5. The table of Christ is described as “radically inclusive—no barriers, no prerequisites, just an open invitation to all.” How does this vision of communion challenge or inspire you? Are there ways you can help make your church or home more welcoming? [[01:07:44]]
6. The pastor shared a story about a mirror with “Imago Dei” written on it, helping someone feel truly seen for the first time. Is there someone in your life who needs to be reminded they are made in God’s image? How can you encourage them this week? [[47:09]]
7. The sermon says, “To follow Jesus is to be relentlessly for life, for peace, and for human dignity.” What is one area where you want to grow in showing this kind of love and courage? What support do you need from your small group to take the next step? [[57:04]]