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The Church in Exile (Part 1): Our Modern Exile
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Psalm 137:1-4 & 1 Peter 1:1-2, 13-23
After the people of God suffer dislocation and exile at the hands of Babylon in the 6th century BC, exile becomes a key metaphor for how they understand their collective life in a challenging world, even long after they return to their homeland. For the Christian church today, exile remains a useful lens through which to view the challenges of faithful witness in a fast-changing world.
Bryant Anderson preaching.
Referenced in this sermon:
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (1937)
- Søren Kierkegaard, "Judge for Yourself! For Self-Examination" (1876)
Current Series: The Church in Exile
In so many ways it feels today that the American church is not what it used to be: in terms of its visibility and influence, commitment and participation, attendance and activity. Many will experience this as a significant loss and describe it as "decline." But perhaps a better metaphor for the experience of the church today is exile. And there are rich biblical resources for understanding the experience of God's people in exile. If we see this moment through the lens of decline, we can easily become disheartened; but if we understand ourselves as living through a kind of exile, then perhaps we can see this as an opportunity for meaningful growth and renewal.
Palms Presbyterian Church is a church of the Presbyterian Church (USA) located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. To learn more about us, visit us at palmschurch.org.
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By Palms Presbyterian ChurchSunday, April 26, 2026
Psalm 137:1-4 & 1 Peter 1:1-2, 13-23
After the people of God suffer dislocation and exile at the hands of Babylon in the 6th century BC, exile becomes a key metaphor for how they understand their collective life in a challenging world, even long after they return to their homeland. For the Christian church today, exile remains a useful lens through which to view the challenges of faithful witness in a fast-changing world.
Bryant Anderson preaching.
Referenced in this sermon:
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (1937)
- Søren Kierkegaard, "Judge for Yourself! For Self-Examination" (1876)
Current Series: The Church in Exile
In so many ways it feels today that the American church is not what it used to be: in terms of its visibility and influence, commitment and participation, attendance and activity. Many will experience this as a significant loss and describe it as "decline." But perhaps a better metaphor for the experience of the church today is exile. And there are rich biblical resources for understanding the experience of God's people in exile. If we see this moment through the lens of decline, we can easily become disheartened; but if we understand ourselves as living through a kind of exile, then perhaps we can see this as an opportunity for meaningful growth and renewal.
Palms Presbyterian Church is a church of the Presbyterian Church (USA) located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. To learn more about us, visit us at palmschurch.org.