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"THAT'S the Church I envision and that's the church I see in this new world."

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"No one hurting needs to hear how bad they are, how horrible their behavior, how they're going to hell. For some, they're already there. They need to hear they are loved and have value to be worth seeking to change their lives according to their understanding of God through the Holy Spirit.

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"And I see a Church that leads by living a good life rather than talking about it's accomplishments, leaving the judgement to God and living into supporting others as they struggle with their own issues, sins, addictions, fears, etc.

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"I see a church that lives into Jesus' call to love one another no matter who The Other is because we are all God's children, and a Church who does it joyfully.

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"...hydroponic community gardens fed with passive solar light, even a pool (don't laugh - I've seen the brilliant Baptist plans that justify a pool to teach marginalized kids to swim by way of the water baptisms they anticipate performing).

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"I see a Church that is shedding it's Akron Plan and re-envisioning itself as a community space with a worshiping sanctuary at its core, leaving multi purpose room for classrooms, yoga, theaters, health clinics, therapist's offices, shelters, food banks, thrift shops...

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"...and even worship on occasion with people of other faiths in an effort to share our own, not worry about losing our numbers to others.

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"I see a Church in which we stand firm to our Trinitarian Doctrine, but have enough trust in the Holy Spirit to befriend other denominations and faith traditions, love peoples of other faiths...

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"I see a Church that sees color, sees identity, sees heritage and wants to celebrate it instantly, not build a five year plan to begin to talk about making space to welcome others so the Church won't die.

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"I see a Church that is sinful yet, but lives into the hope that God will refine it with fire and make us better - more holy, more compassionate, and more wise.

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"I see a smaller, healthier Church rising from the ashes, one that is welcoming to all people, one that provides safe harbor for the broken, the hurt, and those afraid.

I see a Church growing into it's liturgy, living into it, providing a place of belonging for all people.

🧵 "I see the US Church in a state of revolution.

I see the Church pruning itself, freeing itself of those who choose judgement over love, condemnation over grace, and control over respect for agency and the imago Dei.