Perhaps the idea of Jesus having already forgiven me is much preferred to the experience of actually being forgiven — the exposure, the helplessness, the realization of repentance that this free gift requires in order to be received.
Systems are made up of policies, which are in the hands of politicians, who are elected through partisanship, which puts us all in our silos. So this stuff is hard, and it feels bad.
I think the church is the perfect place to reclaim Mothers Day. To put down our wallets for the day and instead spend some effort making the world a bit more habitable for those who will come after us. What’s more mom-like than that?
The Restorative Practices for Congregations Training helps church members and leaders better engage in conflict and build healthier, more restorative relationships in their congregations.
Here’s the thing: while the image for justice in our culture is a set of scales, the image for justice in Scripture is a river (Amos 5:24). A broad, flowing, living, rolling, sustaining, beautiful river.
How has your congregation responded to the presence of immigrants in your community? To Synod's decision on the Migration Report? To the political conversation about immigration?
What voice do you have that others may not? Can you vote? Can you call your legislator? Do you have a platform where you can be a truth teller?