So what are we inviting ourselves and others into? For those who’ve been out for a while, what are we inviting them back to?

…When we can step out of our institutional concerns, reconnecting with the essence of our faith, we remember the Way of life to which Jesus calls. Forgiving, respecting, granting grace and mercy, sharing our resources, extending ourselves for a greater cause, loving others who don’t look like us or behave the way we believe they should… were we to live this way a small percentage more often than we currently do, this world would turn upside down.

The seeds of cultural transformation, of the world tilting toward the better, of the kingdom of God, are right there in the Way of Jesus. When we go there, our hearts are strangely warmed, making us eager to partner with others pursuing this life worth living.

That’s what we are inviting people back to – the beautiful Way of Jesus. We don’t want to be museum staff, so focused on preserving the frame around the painting that we miss the wonder of the painting itself. We want to become artists ourselves, collaborating with God through the Way of Jesus, bringing the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.

When we are at our best, that’s what our churches embody. This worn and fragile world, filled with pandemic-weary people, doesn’t have the bandwidth to wade through our church issues before finding Jesus. They (and we) are desperate for a compelling and hopeful way forward, for the beautiful Way of Jesus…

from “Inviting Us Back to What?”