How will they know we’re Christian? – Turning the World Upside Down.
Sunday, July 13th we continued our series on the Acts of the Apostles, looking to rediscover what the church was and what we’re called to be as the church today. We looked at Acts 17:1-10a; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and the city officials of Thessalonica who accused the Christians (and Paul and Silas in particular) of turning the world upside down – threatening the civil peace and preaching treason – by proclaiming that Jesus, not the Emperor, was king.
Together we brainstormed ways in which we are called through the gospel message of Jesus to turn our world upside down, challenging the worldviews, mindsets, and ethics of our world. Here’s the list that we made up transcribed from post-its to a simple list.
What did you think of this body prayer brainstorming? How did you experience it? What did the experience, and possibly looking at the list today, make you wonder about? Feel free to leave a comment below….
THE LIST
Make space for others: new people, different folks
Show up
Don’t hold back. The time is NOW
I’m 3rd mindset: God 1st; Others 2nd, I’m 3rd
Build community with people
Doing good deeds is all I need to do to be right
Help one person with anything!
Practice kindness in all things. And for all people.
Show kindness to those with whom we disagree
Manifest kindness, acceptance & gratitude!
Look for and trust in the goodness of others
Participate in a political revolution in the US
Break bread with gentiles/strangers/neighbors you don’t’ know.
Impeach Trump
Open our Borders
Feed the world
Lead with kindness and love
Love those who don’t agree
Be curious, not judgmental,
Justice
Practice kindness
Take a walk with a new person
Do not believer your angers
Vote
Practice kindness to all you encounter
Because a nation that acknowledges its past
Become a sanctuary church
We can share with others our experiences with God and how they have helped us
Class action lawsuits
Do something! (Take action)
Actions speak louder than words. Live your life as an example. Live with integrity.
Organize political action and resistance\do service
Always listen
pray
Be shining light
Forgive others
Openly be kind to others
Listen to others – to learn
Protest against injustice
Courage matters
Expect people to treat others as Jesus would.
Don’t withdraw from the news
Support strategic networks for justice
Pray – be let by the Holy Spirit – the Truth Teller
Courage matters
Protest as a church more against injustice
Your are enough!
Smile at a stranger
Protect the vulnerable
Love our neighbors as ourselves.
Resist wrong doing
Help each other the same – open minds & open hearts
Put a ”resist” sign in front of the church – “let us move to a better way.”
Keep your eyes open!
Do your best to forgive
Don’t’ forget to listen
Read and think about it.
Fri Night Meals
Blessings Bags
Laundry service for Blessing Bag customers
Share the truth of the word
Love unconditionally
Feed and nourish others first
Be kind and love one another.
Help people who need help. Feed, clothe, and love the homeless. Practice this every day and thank the Lord for your Blessings always.
Money does not equate to a person’s value.
Respond to people with love and kindness
Access to basic human needs for all.
Making “real community” come to life. Setting aside preferences for real needs. Let ourselves experience discomfort in order to show up for others. We’ve been sold a lie that individualism is strength and forget how to come together.
Truth matters
Provide veterans appropriate care – both physical and mental
Jesus is the way – the only way to live
Get help to the children of Gaza
Lower rents
Equality for all!
Repeating to Christian Nationalists that Faith is a gift.
Make music. Music speaks to every heart and transforms people.
Find our small acts and big commitments.
Show up in the Public Square.
Just saying no one is entitled to rule without consent.
All people are born equal to each other.
Jesus is king!
Be persistent in the defense of others
If you see something say something or write it or sing it. There is so much more to the world than the fake loud-mouth and his willing killers. Following love is bigger.
Reminding others: I/we/you are enough and I/we/you can effect change.
Believe you can make change
CAPC Oakland 