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Following Jesus in nonviolent struggle for justice and peace, we love our neighbors and enemies as God loves us all, becoming a peace church to share in Gods work to save the world.

The Cry of the Wilderness

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On the eve of yet another dress rehearsal for “peace on earth and goodwill toward all men,” I wonder about the troops making ready for yet another deployment on foreign soil, tasked to kill or be killed. This is not the change I had hoped for. I wonder if in this season of hope, the hope of the moment is fading in yet another sacrifice on the altar of hidden agendas and escalating violence. Once again we enter another season of peace finding ourselves stuck on start. The guild of prophets is either silent, powerless to mobilize the public or meaningfully impact public and political policy. I am convinced more than ever that only outside agitation, commitment and devotion will lead to structural transformation that reflects the values of an authentic Christian faith.

The wilderness, my friends, is not an attractive place. There are few comforts. There are no places of certainty to lay one’s head and no secure holes in which to hide. It has no structure really by which it can safely identify its interest or elevate its cause. It has no reward system to speak of, so it does not often attract the best, the brightest or the bright.

The White House has its list of prophets that make up the established guild; the gatekeepers, to vet and council. The diverse factions on Capitol Hill access those religious voices that aide most when votes are needed and outcomes in doubt. The denominations have their established bureaucrats, polity and practice as well as routine attempts to sound relevant on issues of moment. The media has its list of political pundits with their religiously flavored rhetoric to serve up “spiritual” desert long after the main meal of public policy has been served and digested. We have the official voices sanctioned either by familiarity, media access or denominational office. Government has its voice. Religious hierarchies have their voices. The media has a virtual buffet of standard fare from which to choose; properly vetted for political correctness and/or trite predictability. Where is the voice of the wilderness? The wilderness is crying for a voice.

“In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea; With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free! His truth is marching on.”

A Friend of the Crucified,

Rev. Matthew V. Johnson, National Director ECAPC

Pastor, The Church of the Good Shepherd-Baptist

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