What is the difference between a church and a sect? That question is not so easy to answer. For most people the term “sect” evokes rather negative associations. One often hears: A sect is a religious group that turns secondary issues into main issues. This is, of course, a rather subjective approach, because who determines what is essential and what is not? Others claim: Sects are the lice in the church’s pelt. Sects are mainly characterized by their critical attitude towards the “established” churches, without contributing anything significant themselves.

The famous sociologist Max Weber gave a definition that, over time, has been used as a basis for many other descriptions. Weber said that the church is a religious organization in which membership is determined primarily by tradition. In most cases one becomes a member of a church by birth. In a sect, on the other hand, membership is the conscious choice of the person joining the group. Many denominations reject such a definition, especially those that do not practice infant baptism, but baptize people who have asked to be baptized.

Often the word “sect” is used primarily for religious groups that are quite aggressive in their recruitment strategies and/or are strongly influenced by a powerful, charismatic leader (in which case one often tends to speak of a “cult”). Probably the most important characteristic of a sect is that their adherents are convinced that they are in sole possession of the Truth.

In practice, it is not always easy to draw the line between “church” and “sect”. Some religious communities are undergoing a development whereby they slowly but surely shed their sectarian characteristics, and, as a result, are no longer labeled as a “sect.” This has happened in many areas of the world with Seventh-day Adventists. In some countries Adventists are still widely regarded as sectarians, but on the other hand, there are also more and more countries where Adventism has gradually become a respected, Protestant denomination.

Last Saturday there was an interview in my newspaper with the Belgian Cardinal Jozef de Kessel, who has now been archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels for several years. The 73-year-old Catholic Church leader is recovering from colon cancer, but his personal situation has not taken away his positive spirit. He emerges in the interview as an optimist, but also as a realist, and with a strong faith. He acknowledges that the Catholic Church in Belgium is decreasing in size, but firmly believes that “a more modest church” can be more “faithful to itself” and to its vocation in the midst of today’s secular culture.

What particularly struck me in the interview were de Kessel’s comments about sects and sectarian characteristics. According to him, even a large church can in many ways be sectarian. The bishop is looking for a “confessing church” that is carried forward by an inner core of active believers . . . But the church must remain open and avoid being focused on itself.”

The interview concludes with a statement that I would like to quote in its entirety: “In a sect, you know exactly who is inside and who is outside. Moreover, a sect does not tolerate dissent. If you disagree with something you can go. So, you can be a majority church with sectarian traits, and you can be a smaller church with an open mind. It’s nice when the door of a church is open. When you enter, nobody asks: what are you doing here, why are you sitting here, why are you walking around here? Are you a believer or a non-believer? We must be a church that is open and welcoming, without imposing itself.”

A small church that is open! A church that is not just focused on itself, but knows the problems and the language of the secular world around it. A church that warmly receives people without imposing itself. Where you can disagree with one another. Where you are welcome.

Yes, I feel at home in such a church. And I want to continue to do what I can to move my church in that direction.