SEEKING (THE) FAITHFUL WITNESS:
Convening for Discernment and the Formation of Ecclesial Imagination
DEAR INTerested Readers…
For my Culminating Project in Truett Theological Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program, I studied the dynamic of talking about "potentially divisive topics" within congregational life. During times marked by division and even, at times, by polarization, there can be an understandable hesitation to take up such topics. Jesus, however, told his disciples that they would be his witnesses. This is a public role in which they were to testify among the nations to his reign as Lord and thus suggests that the community that gathers in his name would inevitably have to speak about matters over which people disagree.
So, I wondered, if we thought about what it means to be witnesses of Jesus and allowed our understanding of that role to discipline conversations within the church about potentially divisive topics, what would be the result? Having completed my project, you are welcome to read what was learned by downloading a .pdf of my report. Please feel free to contact me at matt@maranatha-crc.com if you would like to discuss anything in it. And in any case, may the Lord continue to bless his church as it bears witness to his good and enduring reign.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Matt