Although taking personal responsibility for things has its place, sometimes I wonder if we under-estimate the extent to which the systems in which we are situated influence how well we do at living up to our higher aspirations.
So let’s say you want to strengthen your local progressive faith community and get active there. What needs to happen to ensure you’ll do better? I suggest doing the following:
Advocate at every level for a four day work week.
Also, establish a Universal Basic Income
And of course, shift to a single-payer health care system
After those three, then:
Everyone in the congregation drops one advertising-funded social media platform and instead joins the church’s paid media platform (like Discord).
Normalize meetings where everyone just sits and listens to a great album, or sings ancient songs together, or plays in a rock band.
Teach on the regular that corporate worship (because it focuses on God) is the most anti-capitalist of activities
Also remember that the cross is political, a sign of the radically anti-authoritarian freedom we have in Christ
Intentionally implement regular group use of at least one medium that existed prior to electricity: I recommend postcards, hymnals, bibles, or smoke signals.
Somewhat regularly, travel as a congregation to worship with a community that doesn’t speak your community’s primary native language
If you can, move into the neighborhood so you can walk. If you can’t, start carpooling and offering rides to neighbors and fellow parishioners. Set up a meeting with the mayor and ask them to extend bus service to your location. Electric buses.
Make church one of the places where kids can just play freely.
A disciple of Saul Alinsky. Socialist propaganda has NO PLCAE IN THE CHURCH.