Like you, I am concerned about the deep and deepening divisions in our country. A friend recently commented that “our society is seething”, and the upcoming election is like pouring fuel onto the fire.
Like you, I’m not really sure what to do. What does it mean to be an instrument of peace in 2024? Every day I write a handful of outraged social media posts…but usually delete them. There is a time to speak up in protest, and I will continue to on occasion, but I don’t want to simply add to the anger.
And like you, especially if you are a person of faith, I am utterly heartbroken by the way our fellow American Christians are often fighting for ideas and policies and institutions that are the antithesis of the Way of Jesus. We all fall short, over and over. We all need Grace. But certain parts of the modern Christian community seem overtly and proudly anti-Beatitudes. Lord have mercy.
And so this fall, Pastors, Priests and Guides is partnering with a motley crew of leaders, authors, theologians, justice-advocates, pastors, priests, and peace-loving brothers and sisters to explore “Practices to Prevent a Civil War”. The central question asks “What are the communal and private practices that can form us into the kinds of people and communities who make Civil War less likely, and make God’s dream for our world more possible?”
The episodes are short because listening to content isn’t nearly as important as putting it into practice. Ideas alone rarely transform us. But an idea that invites us into new patterns and daily rhythms can change everything. And so we begin by asking each guest how they are thinking about our country this fall in light of the election and all the that swirls with it. And then they teach us one practice—either personal or communal—to form us in the way of Christ. By the end of this year, we’ll all have a new toolbox of soul and world-changing practices.
When we talk about “preventing a Civil War”, we mean that literally, at least in part. Our country is dangerously divided and openly hostile toward the other side, however we define “the other side”. And while both sides can be irresponsibly inflammatory, one of the current candidates has still refused to admit he lost the last election, and we all saw what happened on January 6th. Dangerous days may be ahead.
Beyond a literal Civil War, much of this journey will engage the divisions and violence currently bubbling inside each of us. Of course our social engagement matters, but only when it flows from an inner life anchored in peace and hope and love for our neighbor. Fr Ron Rolheiser once noted that “Many movements in history based in truth failed because the energy powering them was ugly.” May we never become those who shout about peace with war in our hearts. May we never become communities who love to be right, but rarely choose to love. We must become the peace we long to see in the world.
Will you join us in these peace-making, soul-shaping, formative practices?
Public theologian Brian McLaren invites us to get in touch with our holy anger. Episcopal priest Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers offers four insightful questions to have conversation across difference. Poet Drew Jackson teaches us a contemplative breath prayer. Author Shauna Niequist challenges us to get off the internet and invite someone to our table. Our very own Shane Claiborne leads us to get the log out of our own eye before we mess with our neighbor’s eye. Spiritual director Nina Barnes guides a practice of compassion. And that’s just the first six episodes. Over the next two months, please join us to continue to explore, learn, stretch….and above all, put Jesus’ peace-making, neighbor-serving, enemy-loving Way into humble and courageous practice.
Grace and peace,
Aaron Niequist
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- The Beyond Retreats Substack has all the episodes:
https://pastorspriestsandguides. substack.com/ - Here is a link to Pastors, Priests and Guides:
https://www.pastorspriestsandguides.com
Aaron Niequist is a liturgist who leads Pastors, Priests and Guides — retreats for church leaders of any Christian tradition who have not given up on the broken but beautiful Church. Holy space for healing, solidarity, and re-imagination. The next retreat is November 18-20, 2024 in Malibu, CA. Registration is open! https://www.pastorspriestsandguides.com
