I love the Christian movement.
I’m not giving it up.
I love the person and figure of Jesus.
I’m not handing him over.
I love the church and what it was created to do.
I’m not allowing systems of power, oppression, control, and exclusion to claim the bride as their own.
I love the body of Christ.
I won’t be discouraged by falsehoods when I see so many living true.
I love the tradition and the progress we’ve made.
I will hold the tension that exists when something very old is claimed by someone very new.
“What is the point of holding on to a faith tradition that has done so much harm?”
I’m asked at least once a day.
I understand the question.
God, help us.
Help us to outweigh the harm by being your active force of love in the world.
By asking for forgiveness for ourselves and the tradition we represent.
By embodying the way of Christ rather than the way of a politician or a preacher.
By dying to ourselves and our egos and living lives of servanthood, always last so that another might be first.
God, help us.
I love you and this church that was your idea.
Over the last 2,000 years, we’ve done so much good and so much harm in your name.
May the next 2,000 years be a better reflection of your heart.
And the 2,000 after that, even better.
God, help us.
I’m not giving up.