This is a great article on living the Christian faith out in a Post Christian society. Written by Tony Kriz.
The article focuses on the church in Portland and how they are partnering to transform the city. One man who was visiting the discussion was from South Carolina and he was baffled about how the city and the church could partner so well in such a non-Christian environment like Portland.
So the man asked in the forum,
“How is it possible in a place like this?”
Then Kevin looked at me. “Tony, as a member of the church in Portland, I wonder if you could address this man’s question.”
I looked around the table and said something like this:
“There is no single factor that causes a beautiful partnership like the one we are nurturing here in Portland. But there is one important reality we shouldn’t overlook: the opportunity provided by Post-Christendom.”
You can just imagine the confused looks all around the table, on the faces of the religious and secular alike.
“Portland is a post-Christian city, one of the first that North America has ever known. This is a sociological term. It means Christians make up a minority population in the city. And a minority culture is by definition non-threatening.
The whole article is compelling and Tony speaks to “prophetic imagination” and how we need it in our cities and I would suggest on our campuses especially as Cal State schools are kicking Christian Orgs off. I am impressed at the way he thinks about mission and and sees Post-Christian America as a blessing.
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