This summer I found myself sitting in a folding chair in the Arkansas heat chatting with someone who had once gone to church but no longer did. We were both helping with a camp for LGBTQIA+ youth hosted by our congregation. We had spent a good amount of time discussing the basic fundamentalism and strictness endemic to so much of the Christian church in our region. Her experience of this conservative kind of church had driven her away… and yet here she sat at the back of a church property discussing religion with the pastor.
There are churches around that seek grace and mercy for the "outcasts, marginalized, and victims of prejudice" in our country -- and do it in the name of Jesus. I don't believe that is exclusively political or of this world as opposed to heaven. Some label them "progressive" or "liberal". I would call them "faithful to their calling", or maybe "prophetic and honorable". It's possible to have one foot in this world and one foot in the KoG. That line of understanding is often called "realized eschatology" by theologians. I' convinced that's what the Bible teaches: We pray that the KoG come on earth as it is in heaven as we go about our lives aligned with God's good and gracious will. Best I can tell, your church does that, Clint.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The heaven is the spiritual realm while the earth is the physical realm. In communion we are all part of the company of heaven. Stop looking for a “progressive” church that is a political term looking at the physiical not the spiritual. Look for a loving church any church may have individuals who are offensive consider the church’s entire ministry. Finally the church should be a blessing to its members but at the same time members should be a blessing to its church. Ask can my membershiip be a blessing to the church? Jesus was criticized for His tolerance of others. Can we really expect it to be better for us? Follow out Savior’s example . God bless!
There are churches around that seek grace and mercy for the "outcasts, marginalized, and victims of prejudice" in our country -- and do it in the name of Jesus. I don't believe that is exclusively political or of this world as opposed to heaven. Some label them "progressive" or "liberal". I would call them "faithful to their calling", or maybe "prophetic and honorable". It's possible to have one foot in this world and one foot in the KoG. That line of understanding is often called "realized eschatology" by theologians. I' convinced that's what the Bible teaches: We pray that the KoG come on earth as it is in heaven as we go about our lives aligned with God's good and gracious will. Best I can tell, your church does that, Clint.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The heaven is the spiritual realm while the earth is the physical realm. In communion we are all part of the company of heaven. Stop looking for a “progressive” church that is a political term looking at the physiical not the spiritual. Look for a loving church any church may have individuals who are offensive consider the church’s entire ministry. Finally the church should be a blessing to its members but at the same time members should be a blessing to its church. Ask can my membershiip be a blessing to the church? Jesus was criticized for His tolerance of others. Can we really expect it to be better for us? Follow out Savior’s example . God bless!