This Sunday I will be teaching on our role as followers of Jesus and how it relates to our political context. Things aren’t what they used to be, “We aren’t in Kansas anymore Todo!”
Our nation is now more than ever a post-Christian context. Being a follower of Jesus is no longer the common ground we have as Americans. What does that mean for us now? It is a challenge we must rise to and not retreat from.
There is a section in the Evangelical Manifesto pages 14-18 in particular. http://www.anevangelicalmanifesto.com/manifesto.php that give us some challenges in how to relate politically in a new and challenging way.
A Civil Square is a place where we as followers of Jesus can engage in the political arena on a level American field of conversation. My faith is a part of who I am as an American. That faith is one of many in America, but it is one. Take your faith seriously and don’t back down from who you are as an American Citizen.
However, this is America, and we value the freedom of “all religions.” That has a high price tag. Don’t take that for granted either! Not all nations are so inclined to value this freedom to worship as we choose.
Archive for June, 2009
One Nation Under God
June 30, 2009Renovare International Conference
June 28, 2009
Richard Foster and the Renovare association have long been near to my heart. Richard has proposed a balanced strategy of spiritual growth around six streams of historical faith; contemplative, charismatic, evangelical, incarnational, social justice and holiness.
This approach has always been helpful to me as someone who sees great diversity in the spiritual reality of inclusiveness. As a pastor of an inter-denominational church this approach is huge. All these aspects are important and highly important in a balanced spiritual life.
It was amazing to see Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson and John Ortberg on the same stage! What a great historical moment! The theme was “The Jesus Way” taken from Peterson’s book.
Some great take homes for me were; “The Kingdom is not at risk!” “Slow down to speed up!” “Spiritual growth must be hand crafted.” “Formation and Mission are of necessity connected.” A great word describing spiritual growth is “apprentice.” Not a new thought, but some of the new resources available helping carry this out are exciting. James Bryan Smith and the new IVP series looks very very promising.
A new and fun word was “simplexity” from Will Mancinni. Keeping things simple in the complex nature of our environment. A guppy is more complex than a star! Size isn’t the issue so much as the nature of systems that bring life.
God is a “mystery” and churches are to be “puzzles.” A puzzle has all the pieces and when connected show a great picture of the kingdom. Make sure you are clear in what you are showing to your community. Clarity is huge.
John Ortberg’s message on the role of the Holy Spirit in the Jesus Way was awesome! He introduced a new process of spiritual formation in development called Monvee (Latin for my life). This is a web based way of creating hand crafted spiritual formation plans for people in your congregation. I am excited about this for MCC!
Stephen Machia did a real powerful job of helping me see that it is the “rules of life” that help keep us grounded when the ground is shaking around me! These rules of life are really daily guides for building a life. Get them right and you will get life right. Some lessons from St. Benedict applied to some challenges we face today was a great “ancient future” kind of moment for me.
Lots to reflect on, great spiritual feast, sort of like the feasts we regularly had on the Riverwalk! San Antonio was a great place!
