One of the most unique images in the Gospels is that of Jesus giving his final instructions to his disciples in the form of a prayer. He’s not preaching, so much as praying out loud, allowing his followers to eavesdrop.
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During our recent trip to the Mexican border, I was reminded of the importance of human to human contact. A number of pastors and lay leaders travelled from all over Texas to engage with refugees awaiting asylum hearings in the United States.
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Let the same mind be in us
But what did Christ
Understand
And plan
When he surveyed
The land
-scape
Of humanity
Around him?
This week, several MWF folk joined a pilgrimage to the Mexican border sponsored by Texas Impact, a non-profit focused on lobbying for humane changes in immigration policy.
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It feels as though our ancestors
Took our beloved Earth
Placed it on top of a mountain
And pushed it over an edge
There is a vision to be cast in parenting: a vision of how children should be raised, become self-sufficient, good-for-society people. As a parent, I believe it is my job to create said vision for my own children. I plan to do this in tandem with my husband, but I recognize that not all parents have the luxury of having a parenting partner.
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When my Mom (Denise Crane), who is a Leader in the Missional Wisdom Foundation, recommended I write about Christian Parenting, I thought How does a parent write about parenting? What makes me an authority on parenting? What makes me an authority on Jesus and what people have termed “following after Christ”?
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Imagine a table with a certain number of chairs.
What type of embodiments are envisioned here? Beyond the door frames being accessible, beyond a ramp situation being available, does the table allow a diversity of embodiments to approach and find welcome? Are there hurdles and obstacles for alternative embodiments to cross/scale/overcome?
Dillon Hargrave is the Literacy Director for Neighbors Along the Line and the Missional Wisdom Foundation's Newest Dispersed Community Communicator.
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As a woman who is often distracted by many tasks, I have felt belittled—almost shamed—by this story. If there is “only need of one thing,” then what are we going to do when the clean clothes run out and the fridge is empty and the ring in the toilet is getting so aggressive that the kids are nervous?
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Have you ever heard of the “gay agenda?” That phrase has been used as a threat and attempt to discredit queer folx and imply some sort of sinister intention behind our actions and behavior. However, if you ever ask an LGBTQIA+ person what their gay agenda is, you would find it rather boring. There is no secret. No vile intent. Our agendas consist of chores, dating, bills, binging on Gentleman Jack on HBO.
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At the same table
Jesus sits and dines
Takes bread and wine
With one(s)
He knows,
betray(s) him.
Dismayed,
And yet
He stays
And prays
lets the road ahead,
like this dinner with broken bread,
Unfold.
After all that had been absorbed at National Gathering 2019, all the friendships and connections nurtured, all the conversations and stories shared, all the good food and fun and creativity, all the time taken for reflection and intention, it becomes time to ask: how are we doing now, weeks later, as regular life has returned to us in full force?
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“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This quote from Lord Acton often is used as a warning when someone gains a position of authority or as an explanation when someone in power behaves badly. Power, it seems, is like fire—play with it, and you’ll likely get burned.
During each of the two National Gatherings, we have included a Taizé Worship Service. Our decision to include Taize is very intentional as that form of worship echoes many of the core themes and values of the MWF.
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“Who does God love?”
“A cheerful giver!”
The congregation’s vigorous response echoes around me as I sit terrified and transfixed. I watch people walk to the front to drop money into the offering plate held by my friend Angel.
In the breakout session, “Improv for Community,” we played 3 games from my experiences as an improviser. Through “7 Things,” we practiced the posture of supporting whatever emerged from the mouth of our peer in the circle, who was currently listing 7 things on some make-believe list, giving hilarious, simple, quick, ludicrous, wonderful answers.
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I must admit I feel like the least qualified person to discuss Missional Inclusion through the lens of Ethnicity. Who am I to think, as a white cis-gendered straight man, that I have anything to say? Do we need another white guy talking about inclusion? My prayer is that the audacity that is the gospel of Christ might give me something to say.
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