Book details
Compelling Convictions
A fresh look at our core values
In the twenty years since a group of Brethren in Christ pastors, educators, administrators, and laypeople first met to identify ten core values for the North American church, much has changed—including the continuing decline of the church in the west; dynamic social movements for racial, gender, and economic justice; vast advances in technology, and a worldwide pandemic.
With so much happening on both the national and international stages, it seems vital that we as Brethren in Christ prayerfully reflect not only on our core values and their application, but on how those values might help our churches engage a dramatically new social context. Are these values merely sentimental slogans? Or do they constitute compelling convictions, genuine guiding lights orienting us and motivating our mission in a rapidly changing world? The answer to that all-important question depends largely on how we use them. In this forward-looking book, essays from Brethren in Christ pastors and leaders from across the globe call us into the future of the church—to unleash our creative energies, roll up our sleeves, and put these core values to good use.
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...Introduction Terry Brensinger and Jordan Brensinger
1. Experiencing God’s Love and Grace, Antonio Gonzalez
Respondents: Chinyereugo and Oludamilohun Adeliyi, Darrell Winger
2. Believing the Bible, Christina Bosserman
Respondents: Dave Downey, Maria Perdomo
3. Worshiping God, Alan Claassen Thrush
Respondents: Ericka Henry, Sindah Ngulube
4. Following Jesus, Danisa Ndlovu
Respondents: Perry Engle, Sibonokuhle Ncube
5. Belonging to the Community of Faith, Rob Douglass and Naomi Smith
Respondents: Santiago Espitia Fajardo, Brian Ross
6. Witnessing to the World, Erica and Jonathan Lloyd
Respondents: David Miller, Bijoy Roul
7. Serving Compassionately, Lynda Gephart and Hank Johnson
Respondents: Thobekile Ncube, Drew and Millyellen Strayer
8. Pursuing Peace, José Otamendi
Respondents: Enock Shamapani, Zach Spidel
9. Living Simply, Scott MacFeat and Ryan Stockton
Respondents: Warren Hoffman, Levison Soko
10. Relying on God, Joshua Nolt
Respondents: Stephen Badiger, Kerry Hoke
For Further Reading
Notes
Contributing Essay Authors
The Editors
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Praise for Compelling Convictions
“This remarkable book tells the story of the Brethren in Christ not as a dusty denominational history but as a living testimony to God’s revitalizing Spirit. Focused enough to capture the essential biblical values that unite, it is also comprehensive enough to convey the scope of God’s global church. Full of practical wisdom and written with enthusiastic urgency, this book will inform and inspire you to worship God afresh and to participate in Christ’s mission with renewed vigor.”
WALTER KIM, president of the National Association of Evangelicals
“Many voices in gracious conversation, poignant stories and examples of how core values translate into practice, and a powerful blending of Anabaptist and Pietist spirituality. This is a rich resource, not only for the global Brethren in Christ community, but for any follower of Jesus willing to exhibit the ‘generous curiosity’ about discipleship, mission, and church that the editors commend.”
STUART MURRAY, founding director of the Centre for Anabaptist Studies and author of The New Anabaptists
“This new collection of essays aptly demonstrates how the ten Brethren in Christ core values that were first articulated in North America translate well in different cultural contexts. With an international cast of contributors, the essays explore historic Brethren in Christ theology and practice, emphasize the church as a worldwide community, and tell the real-life stories of fellow believers around the world who have faithfully lived out the core values. Together, these essays offer a richly textured mosaic of cultures bound together by a common mission to share the good news of Jesus with the world.”
HARRIET SIDER BICKSLER, editor for the Brethren in Christ Historical Society and editor of Shalom! A Journal for the Practice of Reconciliation
“Compelling Convictions is a gift for the Brethren in Christ church and for the world! While our Brethren in Christ core values represent timeless biblical priorities, these fresh reflections written by brothers and sisters from around the world will encourage, inspire, and challenge us to consider how we apply these values to our lives today.”
HEATHER BEATY, bishop of the Brethren in Christ Susquehanna Conference
“Written from an Anabaptist perspective, Compelling Convictions provides values that inspire and encourage individuals to act with creative faith in the present-day world. The discussion includes voices from the global BIC church, engaging us in our unique contexts without creating boundaries that include or exclude people. I highly recommend this book!”
CÉSAR GARCÍA, general secretary of Mennonite World Conference
“Creeds, catechisms, confessions, and core values have long been recognized as statements that unify the church around central pillars and beliefs. This book carries on that important tradition in providing a guiding light for the global BIC family. Against a backdrop of polarization and fragmentation in our world, the writers have articulated and affirmed these cherished values that hold us together.”
TODD LESTER, director of leadership and global programs for Be In Christ Church of Canada