The term "politics" comes from the Greek word "polis," often translated as "city" but refers to the ways in which people live together, made decisions, and structure their lives. Christ called the Church the Body of Christ, and he taught a way of living together, making decisions, and structuring our lives to reveal the Kindom of God. Unfortunately, just as the word "evangelical" is believed by many to have been hijacked by society, so "politics" have been hijacked by concepts of party affiliation, rather than a common good that seeks good for all. The church is always political because God uses the church to shape lives and faith to reveal what it's like to live by Christ's witness, but it is never supposed to be partisan. We will look at how we might open our eyes, minds, and hearts to see and recognize where worldly influences and powers are intertwined with our own lives, and reflect on how in seeing them, Christ can reveal alternative perspectives and actions that move us beyond ourselves. To be shaped by love to be love, as what "John Howard Yoder calls "the Body Politic," that has been established to offer an alternative way of living that changes the world one person at a time.
1. Ask God to help you become poor in spirit and take on the mindset of a servant. Ask Him to guide you in ways you can serve others. Ask God to help you pay attention to the needs around you this week and to help you see those who are...
If you are finding yourself guilty of serving another master besides God, confess to Him this week that you need help with your way of thinking about worldly idols - money, status, power, food, yourself. Ask for His...
Ask God to open your eyes to how generous you really are. Ask Him what areas you need to improve in and to prepare your heart to begin giving Him your best in those areas. Ask God to help you gain trust in Him to step out in...
Knowing how we are to love our enemies can be hard to discern sometimes. John Wesley, the founder of our Methodist movement, gives us some guidance in this area. I invite you to read Section III of his sermon, Upon Our Lord’s Sermon On The...
In our season of “kick-off” events marked by our Ministry Celebration today, we begin an annual journey for our church. It is time to reengage or simply engage in deeper ways, as vacations are over, and school and...
From Sandwiches & Sacred Conversation broadcast on Thursday, Sept 6, 2018.
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In this worship series, we have encountered the work of Rev. Tish Harrison Warren which has challenged us to see God’s presence in our lives, even within our “ordinary” moments. This week we reflect upon the topic of rest...
From Sandwiches & Sacred Conversation broadcast on Thursday, August 30, 2018.
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I invite you to spend some time this week noticing when you are waiting for something. Write down what you might be longing for as you wait. How do you perceive God is at work in you and through you as you wait?
Having patience and waiting...
From Sandwiches & Sacred Conversation broadcast on Thursday, August 23, 2018.
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This past week our pastors had the blessing of an interview with the author of Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life, Rev. Tish Harrison Warren. In conversation, she suggested the idea of considering a “liturgy...
From Sandwiches & Sacred Conversation broadcast on Thursday, August 16, 2018.
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