Seeing FSW in the New York Times
“Ash Wednesday” by Rebekah Krevens
By Stephen Reeves
David Brook’s essay in the New York Times from February 4th is worth your time. “The Dissenters Trying to Save Evangelicalism From Itself” may not have a lot of new information for Christians paying close attention, but it is well done and full of hard truths.
Since I don’t cling tightly to the evangelical label, I’m not trying to “Save Evangelicalism From Itself.” I do agree that if there is hope for the church as we’ve known it in America, I think Christians, and white Christians in particular, must decide to make some changes now. I’m also convinced that the church in America doesn’t have to look like it has in the past for God’s will to be done on earth. In fact, perhaps a radically different church might do a better job of that.
I encourage you to read the full essay. While Fellowship Southwest includes folks who consider themselves evangelicals and others who do not, in several quotes I saw FSW, what we’re trying to do, and why I think the future is bright for our young, unique organization –
“Amid the storm, new coalitions are gradually forming, across many different kinds of Christians, among those whose eyes have been opened, who are rethinking old convictions, who are meeting and mobilizing in the hopes of renewing the evangelical presence in America.”
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“The next stage in the renewal is what you might call the social reorganization of American Christianity. Denominational differences are becoming less important. People who used to be in different silos have been prompted by the turmoil to find one another and seek common cause.”
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“These kinds of new connections constitute an important form of social capital that may turn out to be very powerful in the years ahead. Many of these dissenters have put racial justice and reconciliation activities at the center of what needs to be done.”
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“The future of the Christian church is not going to look like the past. Today many of the most dynamic sectors of the faith are in immigrant communities — in Korean, African and Hispanic churches, for example. In the decades ahead the American church is going to look more like the global church.”
This has been a remarkably painful time for many Christians in America. I don’t know what the future of the church looks like, but I’m certain it won’t look like the past. I firmly believe that God is in control and that no one should feel the weight of the future of Christianity on their shoulders. Right now, I’m grateful for a group of fellow pilgrims willing to put their heads down, cross old, useless boundaries and go to work promoting compassion and justice for our neighbors in our time.
Stephen Reeves is the executive director of Fellowship Southwest.