Why do we need this conference?

One of my mentors said Your system is perfectly designed to yield the results you are now getting.

Let s think of the results we are now getting in terms of church attendance interest of younger generations ability to change with times collaboration across denominational barriers agreement on agenda

Let s think of the results we are now getting in terms of - the health of the planet - the well-being of the poor and vulnerable - the amount of peace, well-being, safety, reconciliation, and security felt by all people (especially children)

If we want better results, instead of saying, Try harder, let s look at our system design.

At the core of our system is a story

Perfect Eden Perfect Heaven Fall Into Original Sin Fallen World Salvation Atonement Hell

Platonic Ideal Platonic Ideal Fall Into Aristotelian Real Aristotelian Real Atonement, purification Hades

Pax Romana Pax Romana rebellion barbarianism civilization development assimilation Torture Death

Pax Romana Pax Romana rebellion barbarianism civilization development assimilation Torture Death This is a totalizing metanarrative - an us-them story that legitimates domination, supremacy, racism, enslavement, exploitation, colonization, genocide.

Christendom Christendom rebellion barbarianism heathenism paganism secularism relativism salvation/atonement/redemption conquistadores, colonization civilization, culture war Eternal Conscious Torment in Hell

is there an alternative way of understanding our story?

sdrawkcab gnidaer Rick Warren, Billy Graham, Charles Finney, John Wesley (or Calvin), Luther, Aquinas, Augustine, Paul, Jesus reading forwards Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Moses, David, Isaiah, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Mary, Jesus ----- >

Exodus: Liberation & Formation

Exodus: Liberation & Formation Genesis: Creation and Reconciliation

Isaiah: Peaceable Kingdom - Justice and Mercy Exodus: Liberation & Formation Genesis: Creation and Reconciliation

Isaiah: Peaceable Kingdom - Justice and Mercy Exodus: Liberation & Formation Genesis: Creation and Reconciliation Not a totalizing metanarrative - But a multi-narrative that creates a story-space (not a storyline) in which a million good stories can emerge.

G e n e s i s C r e a t i o n Isaiah: Peaceable Kingdom - Justice and Mercy Exodus: Liberation & Formation

G e n e s i s C r e a t i o n DESTRUCTION Isaiah: Peaceable Kingdom - Justice and Mercy VIOLENCE DOMINATION Exodus: Liberation & Formation

G e n e s i s c r e a t i o n Isaiah: Peaceable Kingdom - Justice and Mercy Destroying the world? Abandoning the world? Healing the world? Exodus: Liberation & Formation

heaven self church world hell

heaven church world self

world church God s will on earth as in heaven. God s beauty, goodness, truth, justice, peace, joy self

God s will world church self on earth as in heaven. Was Jesus message an evacuation plan or a transformation plan?

Here s how to go to heaven when you die or Here s how to join God in the healing of the world?

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come, he said. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! Follow me! Mark 1:15 ff

Here s how to go to heaven when you die or Here s how to join God in the healing of the world?

Conventional View Emerging View The Human Situation: What is the story that we find ourselves in? Basic Questions: What questions did Jesus come to answer? Jesus message: How did Jesus respond to the crisis? God created the world as perfect, but because our primal ancestors, Adam and Eve, did not maintain the absolute perfection demanded by God, God has irrevocably determined that the entire universe and all it contains will be destroyed, and the souls of all human beings except for those specifically exempted will be forever punished for their imperfection in hell. 1 Since everyone is doomed to hell, Jesus seeks to answer these questions: how can individuals be saved from eternal punishment in hell and instead go to heaven after they die? How can God help individuals be happy and successful until then? Jesus says, in essence, If you want to be among those specifically qualified to escape being forever punished for your sins in hell, you must repent of your individual sins and believe that my Father punished me on the cross so He won t have to punish you in hell. Only if you believe this will you go to heaven when everyone else is banished to hell. 2 This is the good news. God created the world as good, but human beings as individuals, and as groups have rebelled against God and filled the world with evil and injustice like a terrible disease. God wants to save humanity and heal it from its sickness, but humanity is hopelessly lost and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, wandering farther and farther into lostness and danger. Left to themselves, human beings will spiral downward in sickness and evil. Since the human race is in such desperate trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this question: what must be done about the mess we re in? The mess refers both to the general human condition and its specific outworking among his contemporaries: living under domination by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus says, in essence, Other people and groups including your own religious leaders - are leading you farther and farther astray. I have been sent by God with this good news that God loves humanity, even in its lostness and sin. God graciously invites everyone and anyone to question and reject what they have been told and instead follow a new path. Trust me and become my disciple, and you will be transformed, and you will participate in the transformation of the world, which is possible, beginning right 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

2 questions: Conventional View Emerging View From Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a The Human Situation: What is the story that God created the world as perfect, but because our primal ancestors, Adam and Eve, did God created the world as good, but human beings as individuals, and as groups have rebelled against God and we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness, Revolution of Hope that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and contains will be destroyed, and the souls of all human beings except for those specifically exempted will be forever punished for their imperfection confused, like sheep without a shepherd, wandering farther and farther into lostness and danger. Left to themselves, human beings will spiral downward in sickness and evil. What are the in top hell. 1 global Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we re in? The mess refers both to answer? punishment in hell and instead go to heaven after they die? How the general human condition and its specific outworking among his problems? can God help individuals be happy and successful until then? contemporaries: living under domination by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus message: How did Jesus respond to the Jesus says, in essence, If you want to be among those specifically qualified to escape Jesus says, in essence, Other people and groups including your own religious leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? sins in hell, you must repent of your individual sins and believe that my Father punished me on the cross so He won t have to punish you in hell. Only if you being forever punished for your with this good news that God loves humanity, even in its lostness and sin. God graciously invites everyone and anyone to question and reject what they have been told and instead follow a new farther astray. I have been sent by God What does the believe this will you go to message path. Trust me and become my disciple, of Jesus heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the good news. world, which is possible, beginning right 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. say to those problems? 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

Top Global Problems: High Noon (20) Conventional View Emerging View The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but Situation: What is the story that we find ourselves in? but because our primal ancestors, Adam and Eve, did not maintain the absolute perfection demanded by God, God has irrevocably determined that the entire universe and all it human beings as individuals, and as groups have rebelled against God and filled the world with evil and injustice like a terrible disease. God wants to save humanity and heal it from its sickness, but humanity is hopelessly lost and United Nations contains University will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, (15) the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, exempted will be forever human beings will spiral downward in punished for their imperfection sickness and evil. in hell. 1 Basic Questions: What questions did Jesus come to Since everyone is doomed to hell, Jesus seeks to answer these questions: how can individuals be saved from eternal Since the human race is in such desperate trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this question: what must be done about the mess we re in? The mess refers both to Copenhagen answer? Consensus punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and (10) its go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus message: How did Jesus respond to the crisis? Jesus says, in essence, If you want to be among those specifically qualified to escape being forever punished for your sins in hell, you must repent of Jesus says, in essence, Other people and groups including your own religious leaders - are leading you farther and farther astray. I have been sent by God with this good news that God loves your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin. Millennium Development that my Father punished on God graciously invites everyone and Goals (8) the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new believe this will you go to path. Trust and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the good news. participate in the transformation of the world, which is possible, beginning right 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, PEACE plan plus Eastern (5) ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

United Nations University: The State of the Future Top Fifteen Challenges: How can 1. sustainable development be achieved for all? Conventional View Emerging View 2. everyone have The Human sufficient God created the world as perfect, God clean created the world as good, water but without Situation: What is the story that we find ourselves in? but because our primal human beings as individuals, and as ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups have rebelled against God and not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save conflict? God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness, that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, 3. population growth exempted and will be forever resources human beings will spiral downward in be brought into punished for their imperfection sickness and evil. in hell. 1 Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this balance? questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we re in? The mess refers both to answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination 4. genuine democracy happy and successful emerge until then? by the Roman empire, from and divided into authoritarian various competing sects. Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and regimes? crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin. that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they 5. policymaking be punish made you in hell. Only if youmore have been told and instead sensitive follow a new to global longterm perspectives? 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the good news. world, which is possible, beginning right plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 6. the global convergence 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the information message. The popular Roman and Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline liberal Protestant communications technologies work for everyone? 7. ethical market economies be encouraged to help reduce the gap between rich and poor?

8. the threat of new and reemerging diseases and immune micro-organisms be reduced? 9. the capacity to decide be improved as the nature of work and institutions change? Conventional View Emerging View The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but Situation: What but because our primal human beings as individuals, and as 10. shared values is the and story that ancestors, new Adam and Eve, security did groups have rebelled against strategies God and reduce ethnic we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness, that entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and conflicts, terrorism, and the contains will be use destroyed, and of confused, weapons like sheep without a shepherd, of mass the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, exempted will be forever human beings will spiral downward in destruction? punished for their imperfection sickness and evil. in hell. 1 Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the 11. the changing status Jesus come to be saved of from eternal women mess we re in? The mess help refers both to improve the human answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into condition? various competing sects. Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and 12. transnational crisis? organized being forever punished for your crime farther astray. I have been networks sent by God be stopped from sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin. that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they becoming more powerful punish and you in hell. Only sophisticated if you have been told and instead follow a new global enterprises? believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the good news. world, which is possible, beginning right 13. growing energy demands be met safely and efficiently? 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 14. scientific and 2 This technological reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. breakthroughs The popular Roman be Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant accelerated to improve the human condition? 15. ethical considerations become more routinely incorporated into global decisions?

8 Millennium Development Goals: 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. 2. Achieve universal Conventional View primary Emerging View education. The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but Situation: What but because our primal human beings as individuals, as is the story that ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups have rebelled against God 3. Promote we gender find not maintain the absolutequality filled the world with evil and injustice and empower ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness, that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into women. except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, exempted will be forever punished for their imperfection human beings will spiral downward in sickness and evil. in hell. 1 Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate 4. Reduce child Questions: What hell, Jesus mortality. seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we re in? The mess refers both to answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination 5. Improve maternal happy and successful until then? health. by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God 6. Combat HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin. that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new diseases. believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the good news. world, which is possible, beginning right 7. Ensure environmental sustainability. 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant 8. Develop a global partnership for development

Copenhagen Consensus Top 10 Global Problems Conventional View Emerging View 1. Hunger and The Human malnutrition God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but Situation: What but because our primal human beings as individuals, and as is the story that ancestors, Adam and Eve, did we find not maintain the absolute ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, God has irrevocably determined that the entire universe and all it 2. Climate change 3. Conflicts contains will be destroyed, and the souls of all human beings except for those specifically exempted will be forever punished for their imperfection in hell. 1 Since everyone is doomed to hell, Jesus seeks to answer these questions: how can individuals be saved from eternal punishment in hell and instead go to heaven after they die? How can God help individuals be happy and successful until then? groups have rebelled against God and filled the world with evil and injustice like a terrible disease. God wants to save humanity and heal it from its sickness, but humanity is hopelessly lost and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, wandering farther and farther into lostness and danger. Left to themselves, human beings will spiral downward in sickness and evil. Basic Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this questions did question: what must be done about the Jesus come to mess we re in? The mess refers both to 4. Financial answer? Instabilitythe general human condition and its specific outworking among his contemporaries: living under domination by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and 5. Water and Sanitation How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin. 6. Subsidies and that my Father Trade punished me on God graciously Barriers invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the 7. Population/Migration good news. world, which is possible, beginning right 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 8. Communicable Diseases 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant 9. Education 10. Governance and Corruption

Rick Warren s PEACE Plan 1. Plant churches to combat spiritual Conventional View Emerging View emptiness The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but Situation: What but because our primal human beings as individuals, and as is the story that ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups have rebelled against God and we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness, 2. Equip servant that the entire universe and all it leaders but humanity is hopelessly lost and to combat contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, exempted will be forever human beings will spiral downward in punished for their imperfection sickness and evil. in hell. 1 corrupt leadership Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we re in? The mess refers both to answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination 3. Assist the happy poor and successful until then? by the through Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves humanitarian your individual aid sins and believe humanity, (poverty) even in its lostness and sin. that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the 4. Care for the good news. sick world, which is to possible, beginning combat right disease 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman 5. Educate Catholic version the might say, You must next believe in the teachings of the church generation and follow its to instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant combat ignorance

spiritual emptiness corrupt leadership poverty disease ignorance hunger and malnutrition climate change conflicts Financial Instability Water/ Sanitation subsidies/trade barriers population/ migration communicable diseases education governance/ corruption hunger education gender inequality child mortality maternal health environmental sustainability ethnic conflicts terrorism weapons of mass destruction organized crime networks energy demands clean water population growth authoritarian regimes

spiritual emptiness corrupt leadership poverty disease ignorance hunger and malnutrition climate change conflicts Financial Instability Water/Sanitation subsidies/trade barriers population/ migration communicable diseases education governance/ corruption hunger education gender inequality child mortality maternal health environmental sustainability ethnic conflicts terrorism weapons of mass destruction organized crime networks energy demands clean water population growth authoritarian regimes FOUR GLOBAL CRISES

4 Crises: Planet Poverty Peace The Human Situation: What is the story that we find ourselves in? Basic Questions: What questions did Jesus come to answer? Jesus message: How did Jesus respond to the crisis? Conventional View God created the world as perfect, but because our primal ancestors, Adam and Eve, did not maintain the absolute perfection demanded by God, God has irrevocably determined that the entire universe and all it contains will be destroyed, and the souls of all human beings except for those specifically exempted will be forever punished for their imperfection in hell. 1 Since everyone is doomed to hell, Jesus seeks to answer these questions: how can individuals be saved from eternal punishment in hell and instead go to heaven after they die? How can God help individuals be happy and successful until then? Jesus says, in essence, If you want to be among those specifically qualified to escape being forever punished for your sins in hell, you must repent of your individual sins and believe that my Father punished me on the cross so He won t have to punish you in hell. Only if you believe this will you go to heaven when everyone else is banished to hell. 2 This is the good news. Emerging View God created the world as good, but human beings as individuals, and as groups have rebelled against God and filled the world with evil and injustice like a terrible disease. God wants to save humanity and heal it from its sickness, but humanity is hopelessly lost and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, wandering farther and farther into lostness and danger. Left to themselves, human beings will spiral downward in sickness and evil. Since the human race is in such desperate trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this question: what must be done about the mess we re in? The mess refers both to the general human condition and its specific outworking among his contemporaries: living under domination by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus says, in essence, Other people and groups including your own religious leaders - are leading you farther and farther astray. I have been sent by God with this good news that God loves humanity, even in its lostness and sin. God graciously invites everyone and anyone to question and reject what they have been told and instead follow a new path. Trust me and become my disciple, and you will be transformed, and you will participate in the transformation of the world, which is possible, beginning right People 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

Planet - we re sucking out resources faster than the planet can replenish Conventional View Emerging View The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but Situation: What but because our primal human beings as individuals, and as is the story that ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups have rebelled against God and them, and we re find not maintain the absolute pumping filled the world with evil and injustice out toxins ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness, that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, faster than the exempted planet will be forever human beings will spiral can downward in detoxify punished for their imperfection sickness and evil. in hell. 1 Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this them. Poverty questions did Jesus come to answer? Jesus message: How did Jesus respond to the crisis? questions: how can individuals be saved from eternal punishment in hell and instead go to heaven after they die? How can God help individuals be happy and successful until then? Jesus says, in essence, If you want to be among those specifically qualified to escape being forever punished for your sins in hell, you must repent of your individual sins and believe that my Father punished me on the cross so He won t have to punish you in hell. Only if you believe this will you go to heaven when everyone else is banished to hell. 2 This is the good news. question: what must be done about the mess we re in? The mess refers both to the general human condition and its specific outworking among his contemporaries: living under domination by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus says, in essence, Other people and groups including your own religious leaders - are leading you farther and farther astray. I have been sent by God with this good news that God loves humanity, even in its lostness and sin. God graciously invites everyone and anyone to question and reject what they have been told and instead follow a new path. Trust me and become my disciple, and you will be transformed, and you will participate in the transformation of the world, which is possible, beginning right Peace 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant People

Planet Poverty - a smaller and smaller Conventional View Emerging View The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but percentage of Situation: What people but because our primal human beings are as individuals, and as is the story that ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups have rebelled against God and we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness, that the entire universe and all it contains will be destroyed, and but humanity is hopelessly lost and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into accumulating a larger and larger except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, exempted will be forever human beings will spiral downward in punished for their imperfection sickness and evil. in hell. 1 Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this share of the questions world s did questions: how can individuals question: wealth what must be done about the and Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we re in? The mess refers both to answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. opportunities, Jesus message: leaving Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, more Other people and and more How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God sins hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves your individual sins and believe that my Father punished me on humanity, even in its lostness and sin. God graciously invites everyone and people farther and the cross so He won t have to farther anyone to question and reject what they behind. punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in transformation of good news. world, which is possible, beginning right Peace 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant People

Planet Poverty Conventional View Emerging View The Human Situation: What is the story that we find God created the world as perfect, but because our primal ancestors, Adam and Eve, did not maintain the absolute God created the world as good, but human beings as individuals, and as groups have rebelled against God and filled the world with evil and injustice ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save Peace - an unstable God has irrevocably determined planet humanity and heal it from its sickness, and that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, the souls of all human beings wandering farther and farther into except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves, exempted will be forever human beings will spiral downward in punished for their imperfection sickness and evil. growing gap between in hell. 1 rich and poor Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we re in? The mess refers both to answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his intensify tensions can God help individuals between contemporaries: living under domination races, happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God religions, nations, sins in hell, you must repent parties, of with this good news that God loves regions, your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin. that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will etc., with catastrophically banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the dangerous good news. world, which is possible, beginning right weapons in play. 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant People

Planet Poverty Peace The Human Situation: What is the story that we find ourselves in? Conventional View God created the world as perfect, but because our primal ancestors, Adam and Eve, did not maintain the absolute perfection demanded by God, God has irrevocably determined that the entire universe and all it contains will be destroyed, and the souls of all human beings except for those specifically exempted will be forever punished for their imperfection in hell. 1 Emerging View God created the world as good, but human beings as individuals, and as groups have rebelled against God and filled the world with evil and injustice like a terrible disease. God wants to save humanity and heal it from its sickness, but humanity is hopelessly lost and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, wandering farther and farther into lostness and danger. Left to themselves, human beings will spiral downward in sickness and evil. Basic Questions: What questions did Jesus come to answer? Since everyone is doomed to hell, Jesus seeks to answer these questions: how can individuals be saved from eternal punishment in hell and instead go to heaven after they die? How can God help individuals be Since the human race is in such desperate trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this question: what must be done about the mess we re in? The mess refers both to the general human condition and its specific outworking among his contemporaries: living under domination People - In times happy and successful until of then? by the stress, Roman empire, and divided into humans various competing sects. Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves scapegoat vulnerable your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its people lostness and sin. to vent that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the their frustrations good news. and world, which is possible, fear, beginning right leading to 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. 2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its suffering and genocide. instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

Planet Poverty Peace People The Human Situation: What is the story that we find ourselves in? Basic Questions: What questions did Jesus come to answer? Conventional View God created the world as perfect, but because our primal ancestors, Adam and Eve, did not maintain the absolute perfection demanded by God, God has irrevocably determined that the entire universe and all it contains will be destroyed, and the souls of all human beings except for those specifically exempted will be forever punished for their imperfection in hell. 1 Since everyone is doomed to hell, Jesus seeks to answer these questions: how can individuals be saved from eternal punishment in hell and instead go to heaven after they die? How can God help individuals be happy and successful until then? Emerging View What if the purpose God created the world as good, but human beings as individuals, and as groups have rebelled against God and filled the world with evil and injustice like a terrible disease. God wants to save humanity and heal it from its sickness, but humanity is hopelessly lost and confused, like sheep without a shepherd, wandering farther and farther into lostness and danger. Left to themselves, human beings will spiral downward in sickness and evil. of faith is to join God to heal the planet Since the human race is in such desperate trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this question: what must be done about the mess we re in? The mess refers both to the general human condition and its specific outworking among his contemporaries: living under domination by the Roman empire, and divided into various competing sects. to care for the poor Jesus message: Jesus says, in essence, If you Jesus says, in essence, Other people and How did Jesus want to be among those groups including your own religious respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news that God loves your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin. to make peace that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and the cross so He won t have to anyone to question and reject what they punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple, heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will banished to hell. 2 This is the participate in the transformation of the good news. world, which is possible, beginning right for common good of all people, 1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too, plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories both religious and irreligious. This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman Catholic version might say, You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its instructions, especially those regarding sacraments. The popular mainline or liberal Protestant no exceptions?

That would be a Faith 365! Sundays would matter to equip us for Monday through Saturday: families neighborhoods jobs professions politics social media recreation education buying, saving, investing, spending affecting all of life, every day!

Faith for the Planet Faith for the Poor Faith for Peace-making For for the common good of all People

What would that look like?

Faith for the Planet Faith for the Poor Faith for Peace-making For for the common good of all People

Faith for the Planet Sundays: Mondays - Saturdays:

Faith for the Poor Sundays: Mondays - Saturdays:

Faith for Peace-making Sundays: Mondays - Saturdays:

For for the common good of all People Sundays: Mondays - Saturdays:

Our God, whose love makes us one family, May your unspeakable Name be revered. Here on earth may your commonwealth come On earth, as in heaven, may your dreams come true.

Give us today our bread for today. Forgive us our wrongs as we forgive. Lead us away from the perilous trial, Liberate us from the evil.

For the kingdom is yours and yours alone, the power is yours and yours alone, the glory is yours and yours alone, Now and forever. Amen.

Living God, we honor the original inhabitants of this land, from the Cahokia Mound Builders of pre-colonial times, to the Missouri and Osage tribes, to the Cherokees who passed through this region on the Trail of Tears.

We lament the injustice done to them by French, English, and American colonizers.

We seek to learn and cherish the unique story of this place - in war and peace, in disease and resilience, in struggle and celebration.

We honor the struggle of all people seeking justice and peace, and we seek the courage and wisdom to heal the wounds of the past and build a better future together. Guide and empower us in this healing work, living God. Amen.