Vision For Life

This week Autumn is joined by Katie, a long-time Fellowship Denver member who works as a community organizer for a grassroots not-for-profit lobbying organization in Colorado. Katie grants us an inside look at how anecdotal evidence in a particular community catalyzes what then becomes data-driven lobbying efforts that wind up as bills being introduced to the legislature.

Katie and Autumn also consider questions such as: How can I remain relationally rooted in God while actively serving others? How does advocacy work recognize the image of God in every person? How does the biblical idea of justice differ from our modern, cultural notion of justice?

We conclude our class on Politics by looking at big trends that are shaping American politics right now and asking: How does the gospel of Jesus speak in a unique way to these tensions? First, we see that America was founded on principles of liberty, protected by the rule of law (aka "classical liberalism"). Today, the stability of this liberal order is being stressed by illiberal forces on both the right and left–a resurgent nationalism (right) and a lack of confidence in liberalism to produce social justice (left). Then, we learn that this is happening at the same time that America is becoming more secular and politics is functioning as a replacement religion.

Presentation: https://storage.snappages.site/GCSXWC/assets/files/Politics-4-Trends-In-American-Politics-56.pdf

This week on the Vision for Life Podcast, we continue a theme from the class: how the gospel changes the way we talk politics. Pastor Dave Morlan joins Autumn and Hunter to discuss questions like: What do you do if you have a conviction and would like to persuade others, but you're afraid you'll be met with an angry reaction? What does it look like to pray for politicians you don't support or agree with? If our posture toward each other is just as important as being right, how can we grow in that posture? We also discuss how to know when you're over-consumed with politics.

In part 3 of our Vision for Life class on Politics, we learn about different "political cultures" inside American Christianity and how these different cultures are causing tension inside the Church.  We ask: In light of our cultural and political differences, how can we talk about politics in a constructive way?  We also take up the subject of voting, using Jesus' famous teaching, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's.”

Presentation: https://storage.snappages.site/GCSXWC/assets/files/Politics-3-Debating-Discussing-Voting-12.pdf

This week on the VFL Podcast, we discuss what it looks like to grow in political awareness–awareness of our own political stories and the issues of our day. Dave and Renee Morlan join Autumn and Hunter. They share insights into their upbringing and how politics were treated in their churches and families.

We also discuss the following listener questions:
• Should the church provide guidance on political issues?
• If our citizenship is in heaven, is political involvement still important?
• How do we deal with the fact that every political choice seems like a compromise?
• What are some current political issues in Denver and how do you stay informed of them?
• How do you engage people who have different political convictions, especially inside the church?

In part 2 of our Vision for Life class on politics we ask: how should Christians engage public politics?

We examine several common but misguided ways Christians have tended to engage and craft a more sustainable approach. We also ask: how should teaching in Scripture inform the public policies for which we advocate? Why is wisdom needed for most of our political choices?

Presentation: https://storage.snappages.site/GCSXWC/assets/files/Politics-2-Political-Engagement.pdf

This week, Autumn and Hunter sit down with two Fellowship Denver members, Blythe and Jill, who get to see aspects of state government from the inside. Blythe serves as Chief of Staff to Representative James Coleman, Majority Co-Whip. Jill chairs the board of Colorado Charter School Institute, a state board appointed by the Governor.

We discuss questions like: How can government create a platform for flourishing in a fallen world? How do they navigate the political atmosphere and work with people of all perspectives? How can we cultivate a new and better politic inside the local church?

In part 1 of our Vision for Life class on politics, we look at three foundations from Scripture that help us navigate politics. What do we mean when we say "politics?" Why does God ordain government? What purpose does good government serve? How is the Church also political?

Presentation: https://storage.snappages.site/GCSXWC/assets/files/Politics-1-Political-Foundations.pdf

Recommended Resource - How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Politics in a Divided Age by Jonathan Leeman
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400218446