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JustFaith Meetings: An Update from Mayflower's weekly study group: JustFaith JustFaith is more than a study group, it is a transformational experience. We live in the richest country in the history of the world and most of us are the beneficiaries of the American global economic system. Yet millions in this country see none of these benefits. We live in a country whose founding fathers developed a system of government dedicated to "peace and justice for all." Yet millions in this country have no peace and no justice. Oklahoma is the center of the "Bible Belt" with one of the highest percentages of professing Christians in the world. Yet we have one of the highest divorce rates and incidents of spousal abuse, we incarcerate people at an alarming rate, have the highest percentage of women in prison and although we are not a border state, have the most oppressive immigration laws in the world. Most of our Justgroup thought we knew about poverty, discrimination, injustice and oppression - but it took only a few sessions in JustFaith for our blindness to be healed and for us to see the enormity of the problem and the opportunity to make a difference. April 16 we completed an extraordinary book by author and theologian Walter Wink entitled "The Powers That Be." In this clearly written 200-page book we identify what is unique about the Christian message and how that message is the key to a transformational change that will ultimately bring an end to injustice and oppression. Wink points to Scripture that explains exactly why we have poverty, injustice and oppression and exactly how Christ points "the way" to healing and justice. We also had a reading from "Cloud of Witnesses," a collection of essays on courageous Christians compiled by Jim Wallis and Joyce Hollyday. April 16 we read a short essay on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I would suggest that some of Bohhoeffer's writing such as his "Letters and Papers From Prison" written from the Nazi concentration camps, show the inspiration of God that would make them appropriate for reading along side the Gospel as part of our Sunday service. Each of us in the Mayflower JustFaith group is trying to do our part to become aware of the issues and to work for solutions. We are energized and inspired by the collective efforts of all who faithfully care for the poor and vulnerable. However, we also realize that we need many, many more people to join in this work of building God's kingdom - a just and peaceful kingdom. Each of us is called to follow in Jesus' footsteps, and each of us is called to invite others to join us on this path. JustFaith does take a significant investment of time and effort, and many hesitate to engage in a process that is thirty weeks long. But the fact is that most people are starved for a deep spiritual experience. How about you? Are you starved for a deep spiritual experience? A JustFaith group is forming for next Fall. For more information about the next JustFaith class that will begin in Fall of 2008, please contact karen.spradlin@sbcglobal.net Please contact Karen now. We have started a list, and the class size will be limited. Michael Soderstrand |
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