i've been thinking a lot about tree metaphors for how we relate to each other in the church. A few weeks ago I participated in a spiritual retreat at Amigo Centre with other youth pastors. As I walked through the woods, there were several times that I came upon two trees near each other that had very different growth patterns. One had a main trunk, with branches spreading out far above. The other had common roots but grew in multiple trunks out of that one root system. So often we think of the perfect tree as the one with the single trunk, but I also felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to recognize the beauty of the other tree.
Within the broader Anabaptist stream there is a movement beginning, a branching, that is larger than an institution. In the past there has been fragmentation, but this movement is guiding us forward together through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is rooted in the active power and presence of Jesus Christ in our lives today. It is truly multi-cultural, with an embrace of energetic and passionate worship. It seeks the miraculous healing and transformation of God in our world. I believe the Holy Spirit is the one that is drawing this together and and He is calling us to repentance, confession, prayer and worship. It has a high view of Scripture. It is radical in it's love for all people, choosing nonviolence.
I also want to say what it is not. It is not a movement that seeks to align with secular political movements on the left or the right. It is not about endless arguing about ethical choices. It is not a basic ethic of living that is devoid of a real connection with Jesus Christ. It is not centered in our educational institutions, it is rising up from the pew. It is not about gutting the theological and ethical aspects of our shared beliefs to make a place for the Swiss-German children of our leaders who have aligned with secular political forces. It is not about staying comfortable in our traditions and customs.
Political manipulations and votes and resolutions may seem to be at the forefront right now, but it is the active power of Jesus Christ that is moving this movement forward. I am excited to be a part of it.
-John M Troyer
Within the broader Anabaptist stream there is a movement beginning, a branching, that is larger than an institution. In the past there has been fragmentation, but this movement is guiding us forward together through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is rooted in the active power and presence of Jesus Christ in our lives today. It is truly multi-cultural, with an embrace of energetic and passionate worship. It seeks the miraculous healing and transformation of God in our world. I believe the Holy Spirit is the one that is drawing this together and and He is calling us to repentance, confession, prayer and worship. It has a high view of Scripture. It is radical in it's love for all people, choosing nonviolence.
I also want to say what it is not. It is not a movement that seeks to align with secular political movements on the left or the right. It is not about endless arguing about ethical choices. It is not a basic ethic of living that is devoid of a real connection with Jesus Christ. It is not centered in our educational institutions, it is rising up from the pew. It is not about gutting the theological and ethical aspects of our shared beliefs to make a place for the Swiss-German children of our leaders who have aligned with secular political forces. It is not about staying comfortable in our traditions and customs.
Political manipulations and votes and resolutions may seem to be at the forefront right now, but it is the active power of Jesus Christ that is moving this movement forward. I am excited to be a part of it.
-John M Troyer
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