Plenty of people identify with a religion because they were “born into it”. But no church I’ve ever been part of has been composed of only people who were “born into it” or baptised into it.

I’ve known teenagers and adults of all stages who have decided to join Jesus and a church – with absolutely no family attachment to Christianity. People who were not “born into it”. Similarly, some who were “born into it” have chosen to leave church too.

In our current political citizenship crises, we’ve learned that one can be a foreign citizen by mistake. Pollies on either side have discovered they belong to other nations. Others have had to prove they’ve given up foreign citizenships to show their genuine allegiance to Australia.

By contrast, you can’t be a Christian church goer by mistake. Or even by default.

When foreigners are naturalised, they swear allegiance to the Australian people. Christians pledge that Jesus is universally the boss.

There is a strong element of individual responsibility. You are not restricted if you were born into some other religion. And, conversely, nobody can force you to be a Christian.

That’s good news. Because it means you’re welcome.

St Paul’s Anglican Church meets on Sundays at 9am with kids church. All welcome.