Issue 82 -- From the Editor (Project Arctos)
Dear Readers,
What does treating others empathetically, cherishing and letting go of the past, rethinking the driving force behind our Christian evangelical methodology, and remembering to feed Godʼs sheep have in common? Theyʼre all elements of this edition and part of what I believe God is calling us as the Church towards.
Too often, our “Christian” beliefs mirror the world’s methodologies even if they are unlike the ways of Christ. In a desire to see people converted to Christ and to see our culture changed, we can easily treat the world like a capitalist project—maximizing efficiency for conversions (in sales terms, getting people to buy our product), asking forgiveness later (the ends justify the means), and treating people as cogs in a machine for the greater vision of the company (people are replaceable). Similar to fish swimming in water, we do life in our cultures and often cannot make sense of the world outside of those cultures.
However, in this topsy turvy, turbulent world, I believe a lot is about to be shaken up in how we understand our faith. But some things will remain. And what cannot be shaken is of the Kingdom of God (see Hebrews 12:28). And so what are these things that remain?
Our writers hint at these things in their writings, and I hope you can see the thread of the Kingdom as it weaves in and out of their articles.
Tiffany asks us about our empathy. Do our leaders need empathy? If so, what does it look like to examine, choose, and train our hearts to have empathy for others? Are we looking for the next Billy Graham, the next powerful speaker, or are we looking for people faithful to Christ and His ways?
George reminds us that the past can be beautiful and cherished but also something that should not hold us down. Our home is not here, but while we are here, we have a calling and remain for the sake of others (see Philippians 1:21-26).
Maria asks important questions about how we build the buildings we gather in to worship and what that reveals about our hearts. Are we hearing God first and seeking to glorify Him or are we just trying to bring people in? Thatʼs not to say that bringing people in does not glorify God, but where are our hearts in this and where is God in this process?
And finally, Lilia leads us in a devotion on the call Jesus gave Peter when He reinstated him: to feed and shepherd His sheep. How can we be faithful to Christ, even in the midst of such turbulent times?
In all these things, I invite you to walk with the Spirit in discerning what you read. This isn’t about being all or nothing but about wrestling with God as we live life. Our walk with God is not a book of rules but of a covenant with God who saved us and who loves us. Being Godʼs people, we are not defined by our power or even our empathy, but because God is with us (see Exodus 33:15).
In a recent doctor’s appointment for my young daughter, the doctor asked us if our daughter looks to us in new and scary situations. In turbulent and scary times, where do we look? Do we look to established rules and procedures and best practices? Or do we look to our heavenly Father who cares for us?
May the words in this edition encourage you as they encourage us—to walk closely with Christ in the midst of a world that still groans as it looks forward to His return.
In Christ
Jonathan
P.S. Have thoughts on this edition or ideas for future editions? Weʼd love to hear from you! Reach out to us by emailing:he***@***********os.com.
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