Another Kind of Christian

I am unapologetically Christian. While I have deep respect for other religions and do not believe Jesus is the only way to God, I find his life and teachings, death and resurrection utterly compelling. As difficult as it sometimes is, I’m committed to trying to follow him, which for me, means to try to live and love and die to myself like him. I believe the good news Jesus came to reveal is that we are God’s beloved children, loved beyond our wildest imagination, and that nothing--not our rejection of that love, not our poor choices or bad behavior, not even our death--can separate us from that Love. It is full of grace for one and for all, whether we choose to receive it or not. I would love for others to come to know the depth and breadth of that Love and Grace in which we are held, and I happen to believe it will grow more by attracting folks to its beauty than by trying to scare people out of unbelief.

All that said, it can feel hard to claim Christianity these days. A dear friend of mine told me it was harder for her to come out of the closet as Christian, than it was to come out as a lesbian. I could understand and relate. Why? Because so many people who call themselves Christian seem to live lives antithetical to the gospel, even justifying hatred and violence in the name of Jesus. We sing, “They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love,” and yet some of the most foul, dehumanizing, cruel words and actions come from people who say they love Jesus.

It does not compute. And while I believe we are all imperfect and hypocritical and that God loves “those people” as much as anyone, I believe that disconnect is a huge barrier for many to embrace Christianity. Why would they accept a religion, or at least one version of it, that pits science against faith, that justifies racism, sexism, and homophobia, that fails to protect God’s creation, that spews hostility and judgment, when they say they follow a Lord who tread lightly on the earth, spent his time with the outcasts, taught mercy and nonviolence, who willingly gave his life in love rather than defending himself?

Is it any wonder so many people have left the Church, identify as “spiritual but not religious” or “none” on surveys about their religious life? If we bemoan that the Church as we know it is dying, it would behoove us to take a closer look at ourselves. Are we Christ-like, or at least trying to be? Do our lives reflect the love, mercy and generosity of our God?

I believe there is another way to be Christian, that the way of Christ still offers one of the most powerful hopes and visions for our broken world. But we may have to push past or shed some of what we were taught, or what we have ingested from cultural Christianity. Many of us have to go through a process of deconstruction and disorientation to find a faith that holds true, that we can claim and proclaim with integrity. There is no quick fix or easy path. It can be hard and painful to leave our childhood faith or faith community behind, to set out for a new way to believe and belong. And yet, something like the Promised Land, like resurrection life, like Love that is in and beyond all things, awaits us, is worth all the wilderness wandering, grieving and dying we must do along the way.

If you are searching for a more authentic and intentional way to be you, I hope Deep Waters can be part of your spiritual care team.

Most people who seek out spiritual direction, who come to Deep Waters groups, retreats, and workshops, are seeking another way to be human and faithful to God. Deep Waters intentionally offers space, community and spiritual wisdom and practices for sorting out what you really believe, and for shaping a life that aligns with those beliefs and values. It honors that each of us have a particular soul and spiritual journey, and yet we can still find community, a unity that does not require uniformity. We can be uniquely ourselves AND be together, loving and supporting each other on the way.

Each June, I love offering a small group that makes these intentions explicit. The Another Kind of Christian Sacred Circle invites us to share our own spiritual journeys with one another and to explore writings that expand and deepen our understanding of what it means to be Christian. This year, I’m delighted to explore another book by Father Richard Rohr, a Franciscan monk, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM, and prolific writer and teacher. I can’t even begin to describe the impact Rohr has had on my own faith journey, and I’ve met countless others who feel the same way. Perhaps you’ve been moved by his work, or are hungry for such transformation?

I invite you to check out the group descriptionoerman.com/another-kind-of-christian and join us if you’re interested. I would love to seek and find another way together.