Nearly half a month into 2015 the newness of a new year is fading. Those who made New Year’s resolutions are either beginning to let them go or firmly engaged in their pursuit in ways that are sustainable.
Tom Ehrich proposed a list of three faith trends for 2015 topped by “memories are fading.” Ehrich believes Christianity in the present and future will benefit by fewer and fewer Christians having memories of the boom time in American Christianity back in the 1950s. He has rightly identified a healthy and helpful trend that may well be accelerating. If we do not have to try to compare the present directly to that past (especially idealistic memories of what was happening then rather than real accountings), then moving ahead is much easier.
Cameron Trimble offered seven New Year’s resolutions for progressive churches. Her list includes “find your passion” and “dream bigger.” When the past is no longer a time people wish to reenact people are freed to discover their passions and employ those passions toward innovative ideas that are often initiated by big dreams. The same is, of course, true for congregations and even for progressive Christianity as a whole.
So What?
In a few years when we look back on 2015, I wonder what will stand out for us about progressive Christianity. It is my hope that we will remember it as a time of boldness – a season when many people and many communities of faith embarked on becoming who they understand God was calling them to be and to become. May this be the year of “yes” – yes to fully committing the resources required to being about desired changes.
- What key words do you hope will characterize progressive Christianity in 2015?
- Share one dream or goal you have for yourself as a progressive Christian in 2015.
- Share one dream or goal your congregation has identified and will work collaboratively to achieve in 2015.