On being a progressive person of faith

More and more, as I talk with friends, family members, and acquaintences I am hearing a similar theme about faith and spirituality:

-a deep sense of alienation and profound lack of authenticity in many churches and religious congregations today

-an increasing curiosity and hunger for a deeper sense of spiritual meaning and fulfillment

-exploration of alternative spiritual experiences, gatherings and practices

This trend has really fascinated me. The young adult generation of Americans consider themselves deeply spiritual, but often reject religion as "out-of-touch," "irrelevant," "too political," or somehow inauthentic.

Transformation, renewal and spiritual growth are what most people of faith strive for, but one of the major stumbling blocks of faith groups today is that all too often they have moved away from a sense being a community of people committed to a spiritual movement. Instead, all too many have turned back to a sort of survival mentality, of focusing on keeping a building open; only reaching out to people just like them; and not being willing to take bold risks to seek growth, renewal and new life. This phenomena is true across many denominations and faith groups over the past forty years in particular.

There are several unique types of congregations and spiritual gatherings that are growing rapidly and taking hold in many communities. The first is the surge of independent congregations- many of them ultra-Conservative, fundamentalist churches who have packaged themselves in culturally appealing wrapping, while all the while they force feed biblical literalism, intolerance of diversity, gender inequality, and sexual discrimination. This movement has sadly broadened the divide, in many ways, between progressive people with spiritual hunger, and those wanting easy, pat answers to deep existential questions of life.

A more promising movement is the Progressive Christian movement. Led by innovative minds such as Marcus Borg, Nancy Ammerman, John Shelby Spong, John Dominic Crossan and others, this movement embraces diversity, strongly emphasizes social justice, as well as living in the mystery and rich paradox of faith. It rejects easy answers, overly simplistic literalism and prescriptive approaches in favor of viewing faith as an organic movement of the divine rather than an institution.

The Center for Progressive Christianity is a grassroots organization committed to progressive faith from a Christian perspective that is inclusive of people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and faiths. Jim Adams, president and founder of the TCPC, helps promote what Marcus Borg describes as a new vision or new paradigm for the Christian faith. This perspective acknowledges the deep metaphors of the narratives of faith, while seeing faith as a journey of questions rather than one of false certitude or assurance.

Another movement, that, I believe, holds very promising possibilities for spiritual growth and vitality is the Emerging Church movement. This movement of progressive Christian evangelicals (yes one can be both progressive and a Christian evangelical), shares a new vision for experiencing the mystery of spirituality through the lens of the Christian faith.

There is a whole spectrum of belief within this movement, but there is a common vision for innovative approaches to spirituality as a movement of the Spirit, and a move away from prescriptive, literalist or reductionist approaches to Christian faith.

Some of the more innovative leaders in this movement are Brian McLaren of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Maryland, Dan Kimball of Vintage Faith Church in California, and Erwin Raphael McManus of Mosaic Community, also in California.

The common thread is an openness to innovation, creativity, and living in the experiential mystery of faith.

A third promising movement of faith is the progressive social justice movement of Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics, and founder of Sojourners. Wallis affirms that being a person of faith and being committed wholeheartedly to peace and social justice can go hand in hand.

As we continue the journey, let's keep the conversation going...

Peace in the name of all that is holy to you,


John