Taking a stand on unity
"I held the conviction that if anything could unite us amidst our differences, it had to be Jesus," writes Doug Basler.
Those serving “purple” churches today are doing so in an especially volatile political climate. As Tom Long recently wrote in his Outlook article, “The perilous and promising pulpit,” preachers are getting sharply attacked at the church door just for quoting scripture like “love your enemies” or “blessed are the merciful.”
Purple churches, with a mix of red Republicans and blue Democrats, are ripe for conflict. But they are also places of promise and possibility. Besides faith communities, where else in our society do people of diverse political perspectives voluntarily gather?
"I held the conviction that if anything could unite us amidst our differences, it had to be Jesus," writes Doug Basler.
"The authors ... beautifully model opening their lives to what God’s Spirit might be doing next, reminding us that God is never finished with us, with the church, nor with this yearning creation." — Patti Snyder
(Bohannon’s) strength is also in the sheer compilation of the useful and the puzzling drawn from paleontology, medicine, evolutionary biology, history and anthropology. — Rebecca Davis
Leanne Friesen is a “wounded healer,” writing from personal experience with enough distance to share both theological reflections and practical suggestions. — Amy Pagliarella
For anyone feeling hollowed out by the litany of grief that envelops our news cycles, family systems and church communities, there is plenty of grace to be gained from her bodily prayers ... invitations to contemplation ... and calls to an undivided life. — Emily McGinley
Scott Hagley suggests small congregations as places for cultivating communities of abundance and care, as common places for social healing and spiritual renewal.
Bobbi Kaye Jones writes the letter that she wishes someone had written to her.
Christ-centered, intentionally intergenerational, creative, hospitable and celebratory, this church isn’t easy, but it’s magnificent, writes Jenny McDevitt.
Is your church mostly blue, largely red or solidly purple? Whatever the case, pastoral theologian Eileen Campbell-Reed wants you to prioritize and ritualize your congregation’s grief to help you find your way in this new era of ministry.
Moving forward in the spirit of agape love can help allay dissonance and build the Beloved Community, Lesley Anne Earles and Debra J. Mumford write.
In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.
Whether you desire a new building or a new interpretation of Scripture, progress cannot be made if leaders are conflict-averse, writes Teri McDowell Ott.
Fourth Presbyterian Church’s “Deep Listening Dinners” focus on strengthening relationships, developing conversational skills and practicing handling differences in a respectful manner.
A Matthew 18 church is one where welcome is practiced, conflict is named, grace is extended, and God is present, writes Eliza Jaremko.
First Presbyterian Church, Livermore, partners with Kids Bike Lane each year to build bikes for under-served and at-risk youth.
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