When I look at the church, what gives me hope?
I believe that in this season of unprecedented challenges—the pandemic, political upheaval, racial uprisings, unceasing grief and violence, and more—many American churches have been faced with their long-standing idols. The severity of disruption in our churches forced us to re-examine both the identity and the purpose of local churches, and invited repentance from our over-reliance on buildings, programs, budgets, and tradition to define who we are and how we live in this world. In this moment, I am hopeful because I see a season of reformation in the American Church, as Jesus-followers strive to extricate our faith from oppressive theologies, capitalistic and nationalistic impulses, and violent practices, to instead live out the radical, self-giving love of Jesus. I truly hope that our churches will not “go back to normal” after this pandemic and believe that the true, good, and beautiful way of Jesus can be a healing balm in our world that is aching to imagine a better way.
Erina Kim-Eubanks, Commissioned Lay Pastor, PC(USA)
Co-Pastor of Bethel Community Presbyterian Church (San Leandro, CA)
IG: @erinakimeubanks
Medium:@erinaspeaks
Read what others are saying:
- Church + Boldness = Hope – Bridget Eileen Rivera
- Church + Latinx Millennial Christian Leaders = Hope – Alexia Salvatierra
- Church + Change = Hope – Darren Calhoun
- Church + Clarity = Hope – Lauren Grubaugh
- Church + Marginalized Voices = Hope – Soong-Chan Rah
- Church + Openness to Different Voices = Hope – Randy Woodley
- Church + Stifling the Spirit = Hard to Hope – Myles Markham
- Church + God’s faithfulness = Hope — Nikki Toyama-Szeto
- Church + Gracious Spirit of God = Hope — Al Tizon
- Church + Recognizing God’s Presence = Hope — Kristyn Komarnicki
- Church + Embodied Faith = Hope — Brandi Miller
- Church + God’s perfection = Hope — Shane Claiborne
- Church + Stifling the Spirit = Hard to Hope — Myles Markham
