It struck me as I drafted my sermon: when the risen Jesus Christ appears, Doubting Thomas is already in the room.

I experienced the above realization while preparing a sermon for a livestreamed service of Beyond the Walls. This service, originating out of Toronto, Canada, provides inclusive online and hybrid worship. The congregation includes members and seekers fellowshipping through Community of Christ (formerly RLDS). A couple months ago, Pastor John Hamer invited me to give the sermon. The theme would be Grace & Generosity, and the focus scripture would be John 20:19-29—the story of Doubting Thomas.

I invite you to watch the sermon here, which I’ve cued up to include the centering hymn, “As the Deer.” Then the focus scripture is read, followed by my sermon (20 min. approx):

I regard Thomas to be the main character of John 20. I needed a way to tie Thomas’s story into the theme of Grace & Generosity, which are part of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles. This brings me back to how I started this post: Jesus arrives after Thomas is already in the room.

By midway through Chapter 20, Thomas alone has yet to see the resurrected Jesus Christ. He refuses to believe until he can see Jesus and touch the wounds. Here is how I put it in the sermon:

“A week after the resurrection, the disciples gather again behind closed doors. Jesus arrives fashionably late. When he does appear, I find it significant that Thomas is already in the room. Thomas is not made to wait outside until he confesses belief in a specific doctrine or swears loyalty to current leaders. The circle is drawn wide enough so that Thomas—with his doubt—is welcomed.”

The timing of Thomas receiving his special witness holds all sorts of implications for people who identify with Mormonism and the Restoration. We know how Mormonism looks in our day, but how did early Christians operate when the Church was barely yet a church? How does the process of disciples meeting in John 20 compare to the process of being admitted to worship meetings today?

Questions for Discussion

  • If you watched the sermon, what are your reactions to my treatment of Thomas and doubt? What did or did not speak to you personally? Why?
  • What role does doubt play in your religious experience?
  • If you were the Apostle Thomas, how would you react to the other disciples claiming to have seen the resurrected Jesus Christ?

A Word on Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles

Grace & Generosity, paired, constitute one of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles. In short, the document offers guiding principles for members considering how best to live their faith. It is rich in worthy priorities with practical potential. Comparing it to guiding Latter-day Saint publications, you might place it somewhere between the Articles of Faith and the Proclamation on the Family. It’s well worth the read.

Beyond the Walls bills itself as “Inclusive Church.” Women can hold the priesthood, as can LGBTQ+. All are welcome. Case in point: how else did an agnostic like me get invited to give the sermon?