What a gift to know you are here and writing! I think Jesus inhabits this courageous middle place... radical, rooted, and reaching. I think of the story about the woman caught in adultery in John 8. The authorities asked him, What's it going to be, Jesus? And he dropped down to this humble place of writing in the sand. He seems to refuse the lines in the sand that we draw, rejects the premise. They drop their stones, and the woman leaves with a call to sin no more. I look forward to reading what you write in this "New Stone Age" we inhabit.
But increasingly, I am convinced that what people need most is something both simpler and harder to cultivate: a grounded, steady presence that is able to hold immense tension. A presence that is not easily swept up into the anxiety of the moment. A presence that can remain connected to others without being defined by their reactivity. A presence that is rooted deeply enough in God to engage the world without fear.
Thank you for writing this! I especially enjoyed the tree metaphor. I often think about this idea that you've presented in the context of my own relationships and network and how not everyone I interact with on a regular basis fits into the same "tribe" if you will. I also am currently discerning if I should apply to seminary/divinity school and I think about this topic in the context of working for a church or in academia someday. I would love to be the type of leader who represents Christ well to people of all viewpoints, whether that be students or members of a congregation. Seems like a challenge worth facing head on, and I appreciate your approach to doing just that!
What was the issue that provoked such a reaction? I don't think being vague is helpful in this day and age. I don't think the radical center is an apt description of biblical Christianity. I think on some things the bible codes right in our culture and left in our culture. For example I think the scriptures are pro life and pro traditional marriage and not for fluid genders. I also think the scriptures have concern for the poor and a respect for governing authority which codes left. That doesn't mean we are on the center it means we are right on some issues and left on others.
Hi Will. I agree with you that the Christian "platform" is not "centrist" per se, but at times aligns with one party with some issues, and the other party with others. But here, I am talking less about platforms and more about posture, how we cultivate communities that can hold diverse people with conflicting ideas and convictions together. PS- the issue I was talking about that morning was race, which in Richmond especially, provokes strong reactions across the board.
I guess that is fair. Curtis chang has developed a curriculum called the after party about taking through political disagreements. You might want to look into it if you haven't heard about it. I have heard you preach in race before and I don't find it objectionable. I think you are just suffering for righteousness sake which is what we should do
What a gift to know you are here and writing! I think Jesus inhabits this courageous middle place... radical, rooted, and reaching. I think of the story about the woman caught in adultery in John 8. The authorities asked him, What's it going to be, Jesus? And he dropped down to this humble place of writing in the sand. He seems to refuse the lines in the sand that we draw, rejects the premise. They drop their stones, and the woman leaves with a call to sin no more. I look forward to reading what you write in this "New Stone Age" we inhabit.
But increasingly, I am convinced that what people need most is something both simpler and harder to cultivate: a grounded, steady presence that is able to hold immense tension. A presence that is not easily swept up into the anxiety of the moment. A presence that can remain connected to others without being defined by their reactivity. A presence that is rooted deeply enough in God to engage the world without fear.
AMEN.
Thank you for writing this! I especially enjoyed the tree metaphor. I often think about this idea that you've presented in the context of my own relationships and network and how not everyone I interact with on a regular basis fits into the same "tribe" if you will. I also am currently discerning if I should apply to seminary/divinity school and I think about this topic in the context of working for a church or in academia someday. I would love to be the type of leader who represents Christ well to people of all viewpoints, whether that be students or members of a congregation. Seems like a challenge worth facing head on, and I appreciate your approach to doing just that!
Thanks Sean! Sounds like you would be a wonderful pastor, the kind we need right now!
What was the issue that provoked such a reaction? I don't think being vague is helpful in this day and age. I don't think the radical center is an apt description of biblical Christianity. I think on some things the bible codes right in our culture and left in our culture. For example I think the scriptures are pro life and pro traditional marriage and not for fluid genders. I also think the scriptures have concern for the poor and a respect for governing authority which codes left. That doesn't mean we are on the center it means we are right on some issues and left on others.
Hi Will. I agree with you that the Christian "platform" is not "centrist" per se, but at times aligns with one party with some issues, and the other party with others. But here, I am talking less about platforms and more about posture, how we cultivate communities that can hold diverse people with conflicting ideas and convictions together. PS- the issue I was talking about that morning was race, which in Richmond especially, provokes strong reactions across the board.
I guess that is fair. Curtis chang has developed a curriculum called the after party about taking through political disagreements. You might want to look into it if you haven't heard about it. I have heard you preach in race before and I don't find it objectionable. I think you are just suffering for righteousness sake which is what we should do