Providing vital Christian resources from the YMCA past and present to nourish inclusive, equitable work in our diverse and global neighborhoods that build up healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
[I wrote this note during the 13 hour flight from Dubai to Chicago during which I also watched a documentary: “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song” which unexpectedly resonated with me. I wove some of it into my writing and reflections on being with some YMCA Holy Land leaders and being forced to flee due to war.]
…I could go on, my point being that Christianity is a critiqueable religion, it invites criticism, it requires self-critique, it ought to be critiqued. Obviously Christ Jesus could handle it without getting defensive or sullen…. So what’s a way forward for Christians in the YMCA who are sensitive to the realities of self-criticism but also yearn to follow Christ Jesus as faithfully as possible in this world?
In our brand mission statement it’s not only “Christian principles” as a phrase that is taken for granted, but also the part about “spirit” – it’s as if these are too hard to understand, too out of date, or too powerful.
