Compelling Convictions: Finding Our Future in a Modern World

by Terry L. Brensinger (Editor), Jennifer Lancaster (Editor), Alan Robinson (Editor)

Overview

A fresh look at our core values
​
In the twenty years since a group of Brethren in Christ pastors, educators, administrators, and laypeople first met to identify ten core values for the North American church, much has changed—including the continuing decline of the church in the west; dynamic social movements for racial, gender, and economic justice; vast advances in technology, and a worldwide pandemic.

With so much happening on both the national and international stages, it seems vital that we as Brethren in Christ prayerfully reflect not only on our core values and their application, but on how those values might help our churches engage a dramatically new social context. Are these values merely sentimental slogans? Or do they constitute compelling convictions, genuine guiding lights orienting us and motivating our mission in a rapidly changing world? The answer to that all-important question depends largely on how we use them. In this forward-looking book, essays from Brethren in Christ pastors and leaders from across the globe call us into the future of the church—to unleash our creative energies, roll up our sleeves, and put these core values to good use.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513813646
Publisher:	MennoMedia
Publication date:	06/25/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Terry L. Brensinger is a pastor, writer, and spiritual director who thrives on helping people and churches align with what God is doing in the world. Brensinger received his BA from Messiah College, MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, MA in Near Eastern archaeology from Drew University, and MPhil and PhD in Old Testament studies, also from Drew. The author or editor of four books, Brensinger has pastored three churches, taught at both the university and graduate levels, and served as president of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. 

Jennifer Lancaster is the Project 250 coordinator for Brethren in Christ US and adjunct professor at Messiah University. She has a PhD in religion from Temple University. She lives in Lancaster with her husband and daughter, and they attend the Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church.

Alan Robinson is national director of the Brethren in Christ US. Formerly senior pastor of Carlisle (PA) BIC, Robinson lives in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sharon. They have two adult daughters and two grandchildren.
Terry L. Brensinger serves as professor of biblical studies and chair of Biblical Studies, Religion, and Philosophy Department at Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania. Brensinger received his B.A. from Messiah College, an M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary, an M.A. in Near Eastern Archaeology from Drew University, and his M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Old Testament studies, also from Drew University. Brensinger has published Simile and Prophetic Language in the Old Testament and his work has also appeared in The Asbury Bible Commentary, The Anchor Bible Dictionary, The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, and various scholarly journals.
Jennifer Lancaster is the Project 250 coordinator for Brethren in Christ US and adjunct professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has a PhD in religion from Temple University. She lives in Lancaster with her husband and daughter, and they attend the Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church.

Table of Contents

Foreword
 
Introduction    Terry Brensinger and Jordan Brensinger
  
1. Experiencing God’s Love and Grace, Antonio Gonzalez
Respondents: Chinyereugo and Oludamilohun Adeliyi, Darrell Winger
 
2. Believing the Bible, Christina Bosserman
Respondents: Dave Downey, Maria Perdomo
 
3. Worshiping God, Alan Claassen Thrush
Respondents: Ericka Henry, Sindah Ngulube
 
4. Following Jesus, Danisa Ndlovu
Respondents: Perry Engle, Sibonokuhle Ncube
 
5. Belonging to the Community of Faith, Rob Douglass and Naomi Smith
Respondents: Santiago Espitia Fajardo, Brian Ross
 
6. Witnessing to the World, Erica and Jonathan Lloyd
Respondents: David Miller, Bijoy Roul
 
7. Serving Compassionately, Lynda Gephart and Hank Johnson
Respondents: Thobekile Ncube, Drew and Millyellen Strayer
 
8. Pursuing Peace, José Otamendi
Respondents: Enock Shamapani, Zach Spidel
 
9. Living Simply, Scott MacFeat and Ryan Stockton
Respondents: Warren Hoffman, Levison Soko
 
10. Relying on God, Joshua Nolt
Respondents: Stephen Badiger, Kerry Hoke
 
For Further Reading

Notes

Contributing Essay Authors

The Editors
 
 

Editorial Reviews

Written from an Anabaptist perspective, Compelling Convictions provides values that inspire and encourage individuals to act with creative faith in the present-day world. The discussion includes voices from the global BIC church, engaging us in our unique contexts without creating boundaries that include or exclude people. I highly recommend this book!”
 

CÉSAR GARCÍA

Compelling Convictions is a gift for the Brethren in Christ church and for the world! While our Brethren in Christ core values represent timeless biblical priorities, these fresh reflections written by brothers and sisters from around the world will encourage, inspire, and challenge us to consider how we apply these values to our lives today.”
 

HEATHER BEATY

This remarkable book tells the story of the Brethren in Christ not as a dusty denominational history but as a living testimony to God’s revitalizing Spirit. Focused enough to capture the essential biblical values that unite, it is also comprehensive enough to convey the scope of God’s global church. Full of practical wisdom and written with enthusiastic urgency, this book will inform and inspire you to worship God afresh and to participate in Christ’s mission with renewed vigor.”
 

WALTER KIM

This new collection of essays aptly demonstrates how the ten Brethren in Christ core values that were first articulated in North America translate well in different cultural contexts. With an international cast of contributors, the essays explore historic Brethren in Christ theology and practice, emphasize the church as a worldwide community, and tell the real-life stories of fellow believers around the world who have faithfully lived out the core values. Together, these essays offer a richly textured mosaic of cultures bound together by a common mission to share the good news of Jesus with the world.”
 

HARRIET SIDER BICKSLER

Many voices in gracious conversation, poignant stories and examples of how core values translate into practice, and a powerful blending of Anabaptist and Pietist spirituality. This is a rich resource, not only for the global Brethren in Christ community, but for any follower of Jesus willing to exhibit the ‘generous curiosity’ about discipleship, mission, and church that the editors commend.”
 

STUART MURRAY

Creeds, catechisms, confessions, and core values have long been recognized as statements that unify the church around central pillars and beliefs. This book carries on that important tradition in providing a guiding light for the global BIC family. Against a backdrop of polarization and fragmentation in our world, the writers have articulated and affirmed these cherished values that hold us together.”
 

TODD LESTER