Christianity

All posts tagged Christianity

ALL God’s People

Rachel Billups, lead pastor of New Albany UMC near Columbus, Ohio
and former senior pastor of Ginghamsburg Church

The church should be safe space from the “-isms” of racism, sexism, ageism, and classism that foster everything from fear to hate crimes. But too often we faithful church attenders can be as divisive in our actions and attitudes as an unchurched neighbor with a Confederate flag decal on his car window. We allow fear to trump faith. We fear those who don’t look, speak, act, vote, love, or believe the same as we do. 

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Mike SlaughterALL God’s People

Living Generously

LIVING GENEROUSLY

Following Jesus means being God’s hands, feet, voice, and bank account for the oppressed and undeserved. How do we start to live out of the abundance of God’s kingdom versus adopting the fearful and selfish scarcity mentality of the unjust economies surrounding us – economies where the rich do get richer as the poor grow poorer?

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Mike SlaughterLiving Generously

Covered in the Dust of the Empire

Matt Miofsky and Rachel Billups discussing “kingdom politics”

Was America great to begin with? -Mike Slaughter

It’s hard for folks to engage in conversation about what is or isn’t true when it comes to the founding fathers or American history. – Rachel Billups

One of my favorite images is that of people who follow the Rabbi so closely that they are covered by the Rabbi’s dust. Now I see people in our cultural milieu who are covered in the dust of the empire. – Lisa Yebuah

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Mike SlaughterCovered in the Dust of the Empire

So, is the Bible THE “source”? Maybe not.

Lisa Yebuah, campus pastor of Southeast Raleigh Table, a multi-site campus of Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Christians of all stripes or denominations would generally agree that the authority of Scripture is the basis for our faith, lifestyle, and missional calling. Yet we become complacent at best, or stone-throwers at worst, when we worship the Bible rather than the Living Word through whom all things were made. After all, Jesus didn’t leave us a book of rules defining the parameters of God’s will for all ages. Jesus gives us his living presence. The Holy Spirit is dynamic, moving, and expanding our understanding of God. God doesn’t change (see Hebrews 13:8), but our understanding of God does – or at least should. When did the Trinity for so many of us become God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Bible? 

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Mike SlaughterSo, is the Bible THE “source”? Maybe not.

Ever Google “Christians are”? Ouch.

Matt Miofsky, lead pastor of The Gathering UMC in St. Louis, MO

People are looking for something different! I am convinced that we are living in a time of seismic spiritual transition in the church. God is doing a new thing! Old institutional religious systems of governance are passing away. Denominational walls are falling down. Christ will be seen in the midst of a counterculture community, emptied of self, living immersed in God’s love. 

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Mike SlaughterEver Google “Christians are”? Ouch.