My father drilled into my thinking an awareness that the Church is often behind the government when it comes to embracing justice issues. Today, I had the privilege of introducing the Briars in the Cotton Patch | Documentary to a group of UCC volunteers from Indiana out at Koinonia Farm. Each time I see Faith Fullers work, it reinforces for me Dads observation. Reading the FB/news today, I see frustrations expressed within the community of our Mennonite brothers and sisters. In spite of positions taken by the UCC, The Presbyterians, and the ELCA, fear of division seems to be at the root of our Mennonite church family holding onto discrimination when the winds of change are blowing across the land. I hate the story of King Solomon and his willingness to sacrifice an innocent life to uncover the truth of love and compassion. The risk seems too high. It turns my stomach. But faith in the outcome has been long celebrated by our tradition as wisdom and gives us insight to the importance of the greater good and commonwealth. The courts and some of our denominational leadership are indeed out in front of our Christian membership. But faith and hope in the truth of love and compassion is still the compass that should guide us. Faith in grace is more powerful than fear, but for many of us, harder to rely on. It is not our go to instinct. Thank God for Solomons wisdom and the promise of the rainbow. The Koinonia community was willing to die for their principles. Fortunately, that fear never came about and many of their once seen as controversial values are taken for granted as the norm for a majority of our country. Im so proud of our friends at First United Methodist Church in Americus. They once barred our African American neighbors from worship. Now they are not only housing our work teams they host a thriving Hispanic church. They, along with First Baptist Church have agreed to host the next Clarence Jordan Symposium. The message is clear. The new reformed and reforming church will survive the feared split. #lovewins
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 01:38:22 +0000
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