Brave Church

Elizabeth Hagan, in her book, Brave Church, believes that churches can be places where honest conversations happen, even on difficult or ‘hot button’ issues. If… churches decide to be brave. There are pitfalls and we are well aware of those pitfalls in our contentious and divided time. But brave churches learn how to listen to one another. Brave Churches learn how to speak to one another- in honest and respectful ways.

Northside Drive was a brave church this past Sunday afternoon. Around 15 folks gathered to discuss Christian Nationalism and the film God and Country. Only a foolish pastor would try to talk about religion and politics in church, right? But our discussion was balanced, respectful and engaged. By no means did we all agree but around the circle we listened to one another, we affirmed one another, and we encouraged with one another. In the end, we found a way to discuss the perils of Christian Nationalism without name calling and without finger pointing.

How can we have a conversation like this with people who disagree with us, we asked? It is a good question- we all have friends and family members who see the world from a different place. How can we take ‘Brave Church’ into the world? The focus is the same: listen, affirm and encourage.

Church should be the place where we can explore difficult topics, where we can offer our stories and listen to the stories of others. Our time this past Sunday afternoon discussing the film God and Country was a great encouragement. May we continue to be a ‘brave church.’

We will continue to be a ‘brave church' when we gather to hear Amanda Tyler, the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, on Sunday, September 8 at 4:00 in our sanctuary. Amanda Tyler is speaking to our church and the broader community as part of the McComb Lecture series. I encourage everyone to register on our website: northsidedrive.org. The cost is $15 per person. This Sunday, we will have promotional materials for you to take and share.