Will the Real Progressive Christians Please Speak Up?

By: Deshna Ubeda

Hi friends,
So, in my work for TCPC over the last 3 years- I have noticed that most progressive Christians do not really like to talk about their beliefs.  The comments on our TCPC Facebook are minimal though there are a large number of "friends;" when I am looking for articles I basically have to become a private investigator searching the world for hidden progressive Christian authors that aren't white-male-over-50; and in conversations one generally hears only two sides of the Christian perspective- those that think its a bunch of outdated crap and those that are trying to save the world, one soul at a time.

Now, before I go on, let me first say, that I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.  I grew up in a progressive Christian church and I didn't like to talk about it either to my fundamental Christian friends- (they would just tell me that Jesus loves me and they are worried about me burning in Hell for eternity) or to my non-religious friends, who generally just cringe when the word Christian is said.  I also have to confess that when someone asks me what do I do for work, my answer is usually, "Oh, I just work for a non-profit." And then I hope they don't ask me the name.  Which they usually do, so then I have to muster up my courage to say the words CHRISTIANITY.  The hard part is not jumping into a long confusing explanation that usually goes something like: "I'm not religious at all and I don't really relate to Christianity but I believe that Jesus was an amazing teacher and that his teachings have been grossly misinterpreted, stolen for the use of fear and power, and this organization is about promoting an approach to Christianity that is based on his true teachings from an educated point of view not from a misunderstood dogmatic point of view.  I am happy to support anything that stands in opposition to the tyranny, violent, unjust, exclusive, and ignorant fundamental Christianity."  Or something like that.  At which point they either say, "oh... cool" or "interesting" or just "hmmmm..." and I hope that I haven't offended anyone on either "side" of the spectrum. 

At our last board meeting, there was a large group of us standing in line for lunch and we told another customer to go ahead due to our large number.  She smiled, surprised (it was in California, after all, where people are constantly trying to get ahead) and one of our board members (a young woman pastor of all people) said, "Yes, we are nice- we are progressive Christians!" proudly.  Every single one of us, immediately shied away and acted like we had no idea what she was talking about.  We were embarrassed- not by our beliefs- oh no- but by the fact that so few people have any idea what progressive Christianity is and so we assume that they immediately associate it with fundamental Christianity.  We are NOT one of them, we want to shout in defense.

One of the challenges is that followers of progressive Christianity haven't really even agreed on what it is.  After all, being progressive means constantly being open to change and new awareness.  God, wouldn't it be easier to just hand those people that ask "what is progressive Christianity?" a heavy, well read book and say- "this is what we are and this is what we will always be. This is THE truth."  But progressive Christians are not known for taking the easy route.  In fact, we are trying to stand up to 2000 years of dogma and 50% of the population.

We began with determining what we aren't.  We are not fundamentals, we are not exclusive, we are not dogmatic, we are not bible thumpers, we are not ignorant, we are not brainwashed, we are not afraid, we are not haters, we are not closed minded.  Slowly, we are letting go of the comparison and becoming, birthing, and re-birthing who we are separate from that negative association.  We are compassionate, we are inclusive, we are educated, we are open, we are searchers, we are peaceful, we are earth friendly, we are social justice supporters, we are Jesus' students, we are walkers...but NOT, at least not yet, talkers.  Yes, there are a handful of scholars and theologians who have helped birth this movement that are continuing to talk about it and there are even a few of those that are women but far too many of us, pastors especially, do NOT talk about it.  They, we, are afraid.  Afraid of being misunderstood, afraid of losing friends, afraid of losing church members, afraid of being associated with all that we aren't. 

At a recent workshop that I helped organize, a group from a congregation attended and was very excited about the changes they could make to modernize their worship, to clarify their beliefs, and to hopefully draw younger people to their church.  But as they walked out of the workshop, I heard the pastor say, "Did you hear Ethel, she was really upset about changing things too much...Do you think the rest will feel the same way?  I mean, I can keep wearing the skirt if that makes people more comfortable..."  She was really worried.  Maybe they would lose the over 70 year olds to the change when the pastor really started talking or, gasp, wore pants.  But guess what?  Over 70's is what our churches are going to be left with if we, as progressive Christians, don't let go of our fear, muster our courage and say the words proudly, "I am a progressive Christian! This is what I believe and I am excited to tell you about it because it has changed my life for the better!" 

So, I am asking for your help.  Please, will the real progressive Christians Stand up and Speak up?

Together we can help the world see a different Christianity, one that is based on compassion, inclusion, justice and peace.

Comments

[AllInTheNameOfProgress]

Yes, I will stand up and speak up. I have been contributing to the message boards on www.tcpc.org. Right now we are discussing several interesting topics and doing an online discussion of "The Shack".

In my own church, I have helped a group create church cards with a modified version of the 8 points on them. I am on an alternative worship team, and I have been a proponent of missional worship and tried to increase discussion and support between people. Sometimes my ideas are beaten down, but they usually rise up from the ashes, like a phoenix.

My kids will tell you I'm always telling people about my faith, although I don't really do that enough, in my opinion.

The problem with telling our stories is that they take time. People hear "___ Christian" and often that is all they want to hear. When people say, "You go to church?" in a judging tone, I reply, "It's not what you think... and let them know how I think my church is different." Often I say, "I am not a traditional Christian." and that gets people a little interested.

[billmc]

For me, I try to stand up and speak up about progressive values, but I'm somewhat reluctant to loudly proclaim the “Progressive Christian” moniker. Please don’t misunderstand, I come from a strong Christian heritage and I value the teachings and way of Jesus immensely. But whereas the word “progressive” makes people curious, makes them wonder what I mean, the word “Christian” often shuts people down or brings to their minds assumptions about me that are probably not true.

Right or wrong, in the English language “progressive” is a forward-looking word and the word “Christian” tends to point to the past. I suspect that when many people hear the words “progressive Christian”, the name sounds like a contradiction in terms, kind of like “military intelligence”. So I sometimes wonder if I really want to continue to use the word “Christian” because Christianity has been both a blessing and a bane to humanity.

I wish I could find a short, easy way to let people know that Christianity has provided me roots, but that being a progressive person is giving me branches. I cherish my roots in Christianity, but I also discovered that I needed to grow beyond the limits that the Christian religion sometimes sets upon our personal and social lives. And I wonder if the word “Christian” has been to over-used and ill-defined to describe what we are. Can we redeem the word, the label? Or is it a case that no matter what we might say, people are going to hear what they want to hear and think us just “more of the same”? Would we do better to proclaim our values rather than our labels? Or do we need both? These are questions I ask myself, questions that I haven’t even been able to answer to my own satisfaction, let alone to the satisfaction of others.

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Hey! I'm seventy and a progressive Christian. I'm sure you didn't mean to be agist BUT it sounded that way. Many over seventies are interested in change, but cautious about it. We know life is fragile so we tend to hang on to what we know. Where an 18-yr-old may say anything different! We say, same! Do we play violent games? Not as a rule because we have learned the truth about violence, that it begets violence, cruelty, injustice - so we steer away from conflict as well, especially women, who want things to be nice, peaceful, happy. This is not bad, anymore than my granddaughter's body piercings and tattoos are bad. It is the natural order of things. But oldies can be sh*t disturbers too. Oldies can be pretty much anything. Me, I've left the institutional church because I see no hope of real changed because of the 30- & 40-somethings. They're the ones hanging on to the manger. They're the ones who want to stay rooted in history because they want their children to learn what they learned. Oldies have heard the story enough and sometimes are looking for more.

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Hi Betty,
Thank you so much for your comments. I, of course, did not mean to sound ageist at all. I am friends with a number of older people and find that you are right- it is often them whom have the courage to stand up for what they believe, to demand change when needed. Many of the leaders of the progressive Christian movement are in their 60's and 70's. But, you yourself said you left the church because you see no real hope of change and that is exactly the issue I am speaking of here- it seems the churches, in general are afraid of change. And church leaders are often afraid to say what they truly believe because it may sound too radical. Maybe they make the same assumptions that I did- that the older people in their church- often their financial supporters- don't want change and will leave. Maybe, if they asked, they would find that that is exactly what the "elders" want. Or maybe they will find that those who do want change have already left- like you...?
Thanks again!
Peace
Deshna

[Reece W. Manley]

Of course we will speak out! How quickly we will do so! But, respect the journey those of us who are coming from the traditional to the progressive must change.

I recently was rejected by TCPC as being "too traditional" in that I used some pronoun conjuction problems in my works.

I thought on it for a time to see where my heart is and it is, indeed, progressive. I believe in the love, light and peace for all. It is taking some time to learn not to say Father, espcially when the Creator is much more like a daddy.

www.spiritthinking.net

[Annagoetz]

So happy to read this article, Desh! You couldn't have expressed my thoughts better--as well as the others here who have commented...I, too, have always been reluctant of labeling myself a Progressive Christian for the same reasons as yours and as described by billmc. Perhaps a new label is necessary, at least until the stigma that is associated with the label Christian has died down. But then again, it seems the only way for that to occur is to face the fear. I think I can do that, one soul at a time ; )

[Seekingsophia]

Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts. I too have felt the pressure to speak softly when discussing my progressive faith in public. Example, on a flight I sat next to a lovely young man with whom I stuck up a conversation. Over the course of our couple of hours as seat neighbors we came around to talking about what we do. When I shared that I am the Circuit Rider for a progressive Christian organization (The Beatitudes Society) it seems we began to speak in hushed tones. The same hushed tones were carried through the rest of the conversation as we talked about being gay and lesbian Christians.

My new friend had no idea that Christians like this existed and he started to cry. We've since (back in our southern home town of Atlanta) stayed in touch and even met for drinks. He is planning on visiting our little UCC church and we are both grateful for the friendship we have made.

I look back at that flight occasionally and remember with sadness and guilt that as we sat confined in the air with strangers all around us the words we hardly could breathe were gay, lesbian, Jesus or Christian. None the less, in our halting expressions of our truths we came to know one another, our selves and even God a little better.

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Seekingsophia- thank you for sharing your story. Just think how you have changed that one person's life just by not being afraid to share your perspective. keep it going, my friend!