Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


'Lean into the suffering of the world'


Shane Claiborne invited Baptists 'to make a fresh commitment to lean into the suffering of the world' in his address to the Assembly on Friday night

Shane Claiborne800 2

Speaking live from his home in Philadelphia, Shane shared a number of reflections from Luke 10: 29-37, the parable of the Good Samaritan, in a 20 minute talk. 

He said Jesus came to show us how to live, to teach us how to love - the Kingdom of God is something we are to bring here on earth. That means that as well as being, concerned about the transformation of hearts and conversion of souls, but we can also have a theology that engages the world. 

He pointed out the this story would not have happened if people hadn't walked down the street where people get beat up. The gravity of the Gospel pulls us towards the pain. 

He highlighted the inconvenience of interruption. Everyone in the story probably had other things to do. Many of us have very little room for that interruption to take place. 'So let's leave space for interruptions.'  

A 'scandalous' aspect of the story was that the heroes are not the people of religion - while the Samaritan may not have had his theology right, 'he had his compassion right'.

Shane also pointed out we know very little about the person in the ditch - except they are a child of God, made in the image of God. 'There life matters!' 

But after you lift so many out of suffering - you also need to begin to reimagine the whole road to Jericho - and look at the underlying causes of injustice. 

'Invite us to make a fresh commitment to lean into the suffering of the world. Allow our schedules to be interrupted by the pain and suffering of love and around us.'

Listen to the address here from 56.35.  

Baptist Times, 15/05/2021
    Post     Tweet
Publishing milestone as first Dyslexia-Friendly Bible completed 
For the first time ever, the whole Bible has been made available in a dyslexia-friendly format
Churches defend integrity over asylum seeker welcome at Select Committee
The Biblical motivations for why Baptist churches are supporting vulnerable asylum seekers – and the difficult ramifications at being featured in the national press for doing so – were shared with MPs
Fresh Streams to host prayer and fasting gatherings for our Baptist movement 
Churches and church leaders in relationship with Fresh Streams are hosting 11 prayer and fasting gatherings across 10 Associations on Thursday, 14 March
New church planting programme at St Hild
In conjunction with Asbury Seminary, USA and the Centre of Church Multiplication in London, the St Hild Centre for Church Planting is launching a professional doctorate programme in Church Planting in Post-Christendom Europe
Churches to champion voter registration 
As a General Election approaches, a new initiative has launched that will equip local churches to increase democratic participation through registering people to vote
Inter Faith Network to close 
The Inter Faith Network for the UK Board has announced the closure of the charity due to withdrawal of government funding
     Latest News 
    Posted: 26/02/2024
    Posted: 08/12/2023