Dear Trinity, Jesus' grace. I've mentioned that my prioritized goal this year is the broad awareness and invitation for every Trinity member to consider walking in THE COMMON WAY: Following Jesus Together (Formerly known as the Rule of Life) this next year. The Theta Community has been walking this way together since 2019. We realized that this intentional way of formation also involved counter-formation. Paul writes to the Romans about counter-formation. “Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12.2). This Sunday we will be reading about Jesus preparing his followers for their important non-following. We can't follow two masters. We can't walk in two ways simultaneously. Formation in the way of Jesus necessarily means counter-formation from the ways of the world. Here are how the 8 ways of formation are also counter-formation.
Way of Grace is a way of resistance to the culture of easy cancellation, easy ghosting, easy blocking, easy no-contact. It also resists the idea that every arena should be a meritocracy, where the valuable are valued and the vulnerable are silenced.
Way of the Cross is a way of resistance to the culture of grasping, repressing, and self-salvation tactics.
Way of Word and Prayer is a way of resistance to a culture that is full of words and conversations that are more marked by human promotion and propaganda instead of Divine promise. Other words destroy or set on fire, God's word creates and gives life.
Way of Reconciliation is a way of resistance to a culture that “gets over it” through blame, self-justification, weaponized apology, and outrage.
Way of Rest and Work is a way of resistance to a culture that values production over all things (workaholism) that swings to amusement as escape (sloth).
Way of Welcome is a way of resistance to a culture that is increasingly tribal, xenophobic, and polarized, and recognizes that the gospel comes with a house key and a “Welcome Home!”
Way of Life Together is a way of resistance to a culture that is increasingly lonely, individualistic, and private, and simultaneously dehumanized and impersonal.
Way of Commissioned Living is a way of resistance to a culture that prioritizes self-fulfillment, self-enhancement, self-care at the expense of mission, service, and self-giving.
Come and be counter-formed and formed by Jesus-together!
Sign up here for the upcoming weekend, exploring The Common Way and ending with an invitation to joining a community committed to this way—this year.