Jesus said follow me, but what does that mean?

In the 3rd Century CE, our ancestors found it necessary to discuss the complex idea of the “Trinity” as a means to differentiate themselves from a growing movement trying to pull Christianity into a polytheistic understanding of God. It is a concept that has confused and frustrated many over the centuries. It led to the schism between east and west, in the reformation Calvin executed those who preached against it, and in our own time, there are churches that require fully assenting to the concept of 3 in1 in order to participate in full membership of the church. But it is a concept that is missing in any true structured form within the text of the Bible. This leads some to reject it, claiming that there is too much baggage and frustration around it. But I really love the idea of the trinity, because in this confusing and hard to nail down idea we see the “Queering” of God. So join me and Missiongathering Charlotte as we dive into the Trinity.

Pentecost is one of those celebrations that can be so hard. Because the call of Pentecost is a call to action and imagination. Those frightened few gathered in an upper room still grieving the loss of what they thought could be were encountered by the coming of something new, something loud, something unexpected or planned for. In a moment when many of our own ideas of what could be are shifting, when many of our dreams have been buried in grief when it seems like nothing is ever going to change, this is a moment for the Spirit to get loud again. So join us as we seek a mighty Holy Wind to fall once again, to fill us with mystical purpose and vision for a kindom unlike this world has ever seen before.

We grieve with the families of those lost in the Buffalo and Uvalde shootings. We grieve for a generation of children who must grow up without a sense of safety in their own schools. We grieve for our nation, which has experienced over 200 mass shootings so far this year, and 27 in a school. We grieve that our politicians and lawmakers continue to allow this level of gun violence while focusing on stripping rights away from women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Thoughts and Prayers are useless if they don’t lead to actual action and liberation. Join us as we lament and gather our strength for the work ahead.

After yet another terrorist attack in Buffulo NY, Pastor Andrew has a message about how we got here and what we might be able to do to move beyond the lies of White Christian Nationalism and into a brighter future. Join us.

The need for control is at the heart of so much of what goes wrong in the religious world. The Apostle Peter thought that he could control the Spirit. He thought he knew to whom the Spirit would work through. But he was left surprised by the freedom truly found in her. This week we are going to dive into where it is we still limit the Spirit by trying to cage her up and how we can move into a posture of openness and freedom for ourselves and future generations.

There is so much we don't know about Jesus's Disciple Tabitha. But what we do know is she was not a prop or some background character. In an age where are trying to deconstruct a faith-based on patriarchy and colonialism, Tabitha's witness and ministry offers us new insight into what could be possible for the future of the church by looking to its past. Join us as we celebrate this mother of the faith.

John 21:1-19 has a story about a very awkward brunch Jesus throws for some of his friends after the resurrection. There are so many things that can be learned in these 19 verses that have a real impact on all of our lives today. Come and join us as we gather together this Sunday morning.

Anyone who says they don't have an agenda is trying to sell you something. But in the Gospel of John, there is an interesting pair of verses where the author lays out their agenda. As we continue our celebration of Easter, what agendas are we bringing into this time with us? Which agendas might we want to adopt moving forward? And what agenda will serve us as we begin the work of building something new together?

It is Easter 2022 and the Apostle Mary Magdelene has much to teach us about how we move into the new life beyond our sorrows. Join in the celebration and contemplation of that first Easter Sunday with all of us at Missiongathering Charlotte.