The Space Between. Matthew Braddock

change? What first steps would you take to move your faith community in that direction?

      For Active Contemplation

      What words are used to begin your worship experience in your faith community? Is it more than, “Good morning”? Are there any expressions of your community values – anything that reorients you in the direction of love? Craft some brief statements that express the norms of your community’s faith and action. Consider using them in your own personal devotional practices, perhaps as a breath prayer or mantra.

      For Contemplative Action

      If your faith community does not have a social action covenant, consider going through the process of formulating your mutual commitments in writing. A simple process of covenant construction is in Appendix A. Sample covenants from the congregation at which I serve can be found in Appendices B, C, and D.

      12 “The Confession of 1967” in The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Part I: The Book of Confessions (Louisville: Office of the General Assembly, 2003), 9.18.

      13 Walter Eichrodt, Theology of the Old Testament, vol. 1 (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1961), 38.

      14 Quoted by Charles H. Bayer, A Guide to Liberation Theology for Middle Class Congregations (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1986), 93.

      15 John Bright, The Kingdom of God (New York: Abingdon, 1953), 28-29. Obey literally means “to hear.” The English words “obey” and “obedience” come from two Latin words that mean “to hear thoroughly.”

      16 Eichrodt, 39.

      17 See Mark Lau Branson, “Forming God’s People,” http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=2456.

      18 Gil Rendle, Behavioral Covenants in Congregations (Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 1999), 47-48.

      19 Philippians 4:8.

      20 See Romans 11:17-21.

      21 William L. Holladay, Long Ago God Spoke: How Christians May Hear the Old Testament Today (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1995), 37-38.