Raleigh
A triune coalition of Mennonite Churches organized this evening with the help (and venue) of First Baptist Church. A great pack of folks came out. It took the crowd a while to get warmed up. But our friend said, “the Mennonites will just sit and listen quietly, but then they’ll leave the event and start a thick and effective initiative over the next twenty years.” It was very ecumenically satisfying to see the local Catholic Worker folks partnering up with the Anabaptists. Shane and Chris took some time to talk with two religious reporters–one from “The Mennonite” magazine and one from nearby Catholic Worker who syndicates to various Catholic presses. (maybe we’ll get his details later.)
Afterwards we had a wonderful troop of people to talk with. One came up and said something along these lines, “I’m one of those people…you know, stationed over at Ft. Bragg. And I’ve been thinking about this all very much, deeply considered a different path.” We talked more and prayed for him. We hope to hear more of his story as it unfolds, and as he seeks to follow Jesus and his costly call to love one’s enemies.
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July 24th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Hey Chris and Shane,
Wonderful to have you and the Psalters and all your team come to NC. THANKS, for getting on your bus and rolling around the US in the love of Jesus, our King.
Having only picked up your book a week prior, I had already been campaigning a little heavily for a particular presidential candidate
.. but was broadsided by the truthfulness of your message. It’s truly NOT going to come down to Nov. 4th… it’s going to be how we live prior to and after the election. Thanks for being modern day prophets here in speaking the truth unabashedly… being Christian is not about sticking a fish on your car or wearing a WWJD bracelet. It’s really living a life of love. The vignettes you provided of Kingdom-oriented Christians were so inspiring… it was Christians simply “smelling and looking” like Jesus in the way they radically and relentlessly loved. Two verses in Scripture that come to mind… “For the love of Christ controls us,” (2 Cor. 5:14) and “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor 16:14, my old RSV version Bible).
Thanks for spurring us North Carolinians on to love and good works… my hope and strong hunch is that many local churches can “think anew” so that we follow our King right into the dark places in our communities (and the world at large)… loving and doing a whole lot of good! And, with the help of the Spirit of Jesus, we’ll see this effective work sooner than 20 years out! (with all due respect :>)
July 25th, 2008 at 4:23 am
One additional reflection… your friend is quite wise in saying that “thick and effective” ministries do often take years in the making… versus enthusiastic spurts of volunteerism, do good-ism, etc. Maybe since I’ve worked in inner city Durham with Latino teens whose lives are in constant risk of being snatched up by gangs (and for all the lives of those oppressed and downtrodden), I just have a burning in my heart to see these ministries spring up sooner than later.
July 25th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Chris, Shane, Jay, Scott & friends:
I want to second Amy’s words of thanks for the work you all are doing, energizing churches and our culture with the gifts of hope, imagination and passion you have brought on this tour. NC was glad to have ya!
…and Mennonites too need reminders of the reasons they have to shout and sing loud!!
grace and peace as you finish out this trip