On Saturday, April 1, 2017, I had the privilege to lead a retreat for the candidates and inquirers for ministry of the Presbytery of New York City. Committee members also attended the retreat which was held at Broadway Presbyterian Church.
Together we explored why followers of Jesus work for justice by engaging in issues of public policy and corporate policy. We remembered that the separation of church and state does not mean the separation of our faith from the processes by which decisions that influence all of us are made.
Thanks to JC for the photo.
See you along the Trail.
“Though we observe injustice in too many corners of the world, we, as a church, do not always give voice for those who are suffering. We excuse the injustice or blatantly or boldly ignore the injustice. This is because we forget we belong to God, not that God belongs to us. When we forget that an undefiled faith is a faith of justice, we live as if God belongs to us and God stands on our side, rather than figuring out where God stands and being there with God.”
I returned to New York for a long weekend. It involved staying with my son Sean and my grand puppy Henrik, leading a workshop for the Committee on Preparation for Ministry of the Presbytery of New York City, and preaching at First Chinese Presbyterian Church.
“Racism imprisons us. Then why must we now abide an ongoing system wherein African-Americans are killed in the streets by government sanctioned law enforcement agencies, on video, without provocation or recourse? We seem blind to our imprisonments.”
“What does it mean to follow God in working to end structures that curtail and limit material, social, and spiritual freedom? What does it mean transform social norms, cultural values, and institutional arrangements that unjustly incarcerate people? How can we reimagine our use and consumption of resources so that every person can have what they need to thrive? How can we become co-conspirators and collaborators with others in following God in ushering in the ‘kin-dom’? How can we be open to new ways of worshiping, preaching, and teaching to proclaim with integrity the year of the Lord’s favor?”
“I am a realist and of the conviction that our God is purposeful and transparent. Time and again when righteousness or justice was in danger, God would reveal God’s self through prophets as an attempt to reestablish what is right and to call her creation back into the fold.”
“The Belhar pushes the church, as she confesses, to be present in the lives of others beyond formal gatherings and policy-making engagements. Belhar calls the church to come to know itself, to actually love the neighbor, and set captives free.”
“Jesus calls us all in the church to love one another, a sign by which we are identified as Christ’s disciples. This identifying sign is so important to our witness! Let us use the precious gift of time given in this holy season to lean into Jesus’ teaching and learn more of Jesus’ love, that we may reconcile with one another, even–especially–at the table.”
Along the Graybeard Trail 