What is your vision for the Church in the 21st Century? – by Garnett Foster
View Responses by:
Andrew Kukla
Christian Iosso
Neal D. Presa
Lisa Larges
A church that
- Lives by the hard stuff of the gospel, seeking to be faithful to Jesus’ way that is very contrary to the values of our culture.
- Reflects theologically and biblically on the hard issues that faces it, both internal and in the social arena.
- Engages differences in creative ways, willing to learn from those of other political persuasions, cultures, races, and classes – and even enjoys being pushed to think differently.
- Is willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel.
The Rev. Garnett Foster retired two years ago from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary where she served as Director of Field Education and Ministry Placement. She now lives in Chicago and works as a consultant for the Presbytery of Chicago.
View Responses by:
Andrew Kukla
Christian Iosso
Neal D. Presa
Lisa Larges
Note to the Reader: This week on ecclesio.com, we feature five Presbyterians’ responses to the first question posed to a wide and diverse group of respondents by the GA Special Committee on the Nature of the Church in the 21st Century. We encourage you to engage with these respondents, offer your own thoughts, and be in touch with us at submissions@ecclesio.com to offer your answers to the Committee’s questions, which can be found here.
I like these four points, and I particularly like the fourth that seems to create a bridge to my absolute favorite part of the PC(USA) Book of Order, “The Church is called to undertake this mission even at the risk of losing its life, trusting in God alone as the author and giver of life, sharing the gospel, and doing those deeds in the world that point beyond themselves to the new reality in Christ.” (G-3.0400)
I wonder in point three of the absence of naming other religions in this list of other social/political/natural diversity classifications that have the potential to be divisive. It seems to me this is great need for the church to have a voice that holds onto our own identity and integrity but also acknowledges and engages in inter-religious conversations (without fear and defensiveness) and in ways that will deepen our own faith/faithfulness.
In this century the church is going to have to wrestle with the divisions that are tearing at the fabric of creation and are only increased by the great spiritual traditions of the world, including our own. I am reminded of words (I consider them prophetic words) from John Philip Newell, “Until there is peace in the house of Abraham, there will be no peace in the world.”
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