Instead, he humbled himself while lifting up the lowly. As Lord, Jesus could have modeled a hierarchical, domineering power. Yet Jesus' words in Matthew and his postures in his own earthly ministry indicate there is a powerful subverting of systems of hierarchy that the world most often turns to. Too often, the hierarchical, domineering, self-interested patterns of power are not challenged as they ought to be by the Church, but embraced and perpetuated - at times, even with "theological" support. This is not what God desires for God's people. It may not be hard to understand why - we grieve that cases of abuse of power are far too frequent in the Church today. We are committed to reimagining power structures for our church. It will not be so among you." Matthew 20:25 "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. We offer who we are as gifts. We see how God is bringing life around us, in our neighborhoods, work places, families, and in this church, and we join in what He is doing.We become a different kind of community as we practice a way of life together: reconciliation, being with the least of these, thanksgiving, prayer, and justice. We change and grow as we respond to God’s work in our lives.
We also "unroot" ourselves from less healthier soils, like the lies and false narratives that often keep us from connecting with God and one another. We let our roots go deep in the soil of liturgy, prayer, and community. And we are received by God into this community, just as we are. More than this: we believe Jesus is growing gardens of new life all over the earth! The life that he is growing in our community is just a piece of the whole. And we learn to live in ways that are just, true, and beautiful. Because when we encounter God, our lives are reordered in His presence. All that we do as a church family is centered on our longing to be with the God who Jesus Christ makes known to us. It nurtures, sustains, and grows life - even in unexpected seasons and places!Īt Life on the Vine, our ultimate hope is to live connected to the presence of the Triune God, because God's presence is life itself. Have you ever stepped into a greenhouse on a cold, winter day and sensed the warmth and humidity of air that brings life to the plants inside? We think of God's presence like that life-giving warmth and water.
0 kommentar(er)
