Progressive Christianity is a relatively new term that might not exist today without the work of ProgressiveChristainity.org. In 1994 when the Rev. Jim Adams (shown at right), then the rector of St. Mark’s Church on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., founded the organization as The Center for Progressive Christianity there “was no known organization, scholar, or church leader publicly using the term, ‘progressive Christianity.'” Within eight years, the term was regularly used “by scholars, the media and other Christian organizations, not only in this country, but in the Western world as a whole.”
Early on the organization crafted a document know as “8 Points,” which sought to describe progressive Christianity (the original version is available on their website). The current version with links to brief study guides for each of the eight points follows.
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean we are Christians who…
- have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus.
- recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God’s realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us.
- understand the sharing of bread and wine in Jesus’ name to be a representation of an ancient vision of God’s feast for all peoples.
- invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable (including but not limited to): believers and agnostics, conventional Christians and questioning skeptics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope; without imposing on them the necessity of becoming like us.
- know that the way we behave toward one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what we believe.
- find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty – more value in questioning than in absolutes.
- form ourselves into communities dedicated to equipping one another for the work we feel called to do: striving for peace and justice among all people, protecting and restoring the integrity of all God’s creation, and bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of his sisters and brothers.
- recognize that being followers of Jesus is costly, and entails selfless love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of privilege.
So What?
Whether these points resonate with you or not, they do provide a helpful characterization of what it means to be a progressive Christian in the year 2011. I invite you to click through and learn more about any point that is either unfamiliar to or uncomfortable for you.
For all
- When did you first become familiar with the phrase “progressive Christianity?”
- What individuals and which denominations do you associate with it?
- Do you believe progressive Christianity in America will grow or decline over the next ten years? Why?
For those who are not progressive Christians
- Which of the eight points match your own understanding of the faith and which are at odds with your perspective?
- What are some significant contributions progressive Christians have made or could make to the wider family of faith?
- Do you partner in ministry with progressive congregations? If so, do you have limits on what types of partnerships you feel are appropriate? If not, why have you not sought to work together in creative ways with these sisters and brothers in the faith?
For those who are progressive Christians
- Are there any of the points with which you disagree? If so, why? Are there any points you feel essential to characterize your faith that are not listed? If so, name them.
- How does your congregation market itself as a progressive parish to prospective visitors?
- Do you partner in ministry with theologically conservative congregations? If so, do you have limits on what types of partnerships you feel are appropriate? If not, why have you not sought to work together in creative ways with these sisters and brothers in the faith?