Americans have become less involved with religious institutions, but this has not made them less religious. Instead, Americans have channeled religious fervor and instinct into politics, resulting in new partisan religions. Against these new religions stand Jesus charting a path forward for his followers in the tension between submission and subversion. 

In election seasons, it is easy to find ourselves marked by animosity, disagreement, and hopelessness. The discourse around our nation is steeped in insult and outrage. But the way of Jesus is to be marked by love, service, hospitality, and peace, qualities that offer a hopeful alternative to our city.

When it comes to prayer, we all struggle. We feel guilt for not praying more. We feel uncomfortable about praying in front of others. Despite our struggles, Jesus invites us to pray. He invites us to understand prayer not as an obligation but as participation in his coming Kingdom. Jesus teaches his disciples a prayer that has come to be known as the ‘Lord’s Prayer’.

We buy shoes, makeup, clothes, weight loss strategies, house, and photo editing apps, but we find that we aren't any closer to answering one of the essential questions of life—what is beauty? To a world that is asking the question of what is beautiful, we as Christians get to say beauty is not only essential to the Christian faith but also has a name—Jesus.

From Jesus’ healing ministry to the work of modern missionary doctors, a consistent feature of the church's work in the world has been to care for the sick and needy through hospitality, which is both a practice and a posture centered on loving the stranger.

A common problem with a topic like justice is that it evokes many definitions, ideas, and experiences. The desire to "do justice" resonates within all of us, yet frequently, we merely contribute to the echo chamber with our posts. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to do better. It can be difficult to do justice if we are unclear of how God defines it. But we will find that the Bible gives us everything we need: motivation, joy, and mercy to participate in a Just life for Kansas City.  

We are all looking for connection, relationships, and friendship, yet, somehow, we can't find it. Jesus's example is a life of friendship; Jesus ate, drank, talked, celebrated, walked, and just dwelt with his friends. Jesus chose to do it with others, from the mundane to the extraordinary. In his example, we commit to presence, serving, and vulnerability.

The United States is predominantly identified as an individualistic culture, in contrast to the collectivist cultures seen in many other parts of the world. Elements of individualism have been a part of American society since its early colonial days. But as apprentices of Jesus, we should prioritize togetherness– for ultimately, the people of God are family.

There is no such thing as a perfect church or ideal community because there is no such thing as a perfect people. And yet Christ still invites us to participate in it. The good news is that on the other side of this idealistic or dream community is true unity around the person of Jesus and radical servanthood.

Despite its failures, the Church is still Jesus’s chosen plan for healing the world. The Church is called to serve as the best example of what God can do with the human community, specifically through unity and presence.