Faithful Engagement: Thriving as a Creative Minority
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we continue our series, "Bringing it to the Table," where we explore how Scripture addresses conflict, divisive issues, and the hope of the Gospel to bring reconciliation and healing to our relationships. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations or fueling controversy, we are called to faithful engagement. This morning, I want to discuss what faithful engagement looks like for us.
Faithful engagement is not our natural posture. We often default to either separation or syncretism. Separation is like the turtle posture, where we withdraw from the world, much like the Amish. While this might seem appealing, it leads to a lack of influence on the broader culture. On the other hand, syncretism is the chameleon posture, where we blend in so much that we lose our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus. Both of these postures are not the way forward.
Instead, we are called to faithful engagement, as outlined in Jeremiah 29. The prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon, instructing them to build houses, plant gardens, and seek the peace and prosperity of the city. This is a blueprint for us to engage faithfully in our communities. We are not to bide our time on earth but to care about homes, gardens, families, and the normal running of communities. This echoes God's original command to humanity in Genesis to take care of the earth.
To live this out, we must become a "creative minority," a term coined by historian Arnold Toynbee and popularized by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. A creative minority is a small group of people who adapt, innovate, and bless their host culture. They maintain strong links with the outside world while staying true to their faith. This is not easy, but it is our calling.
The book of Daniel provides a map for living as a creative minority. Daniel and his friends lived out their faith in a hostile culture, showing us how to thrive in exile. As we reflect on this, let's ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in faithfully engaging our community. Let's seek the peace and prosperity of where we live, becoming a creative minority for the renewal of the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithful Engagement Over Separation and Syncretism: We are called to engage faithfully with our communities rather than withdrawing (separation) or blending in completely (syncretism). This means actively participating in the life of our communities while maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus. [01:03:05]
2. Jeremiah 29 as a Blueprint: Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon provides a blueprint for faithful engagement. We are to build houses, plant gardens, and seek the peace and prosperity of our cities. This shows that God cares about the normal running of communities and asks us to care as well. [01:06:33]
3. Becoming a Creative Minority: A creative minority is a small group of people who adapt, innovate, and bless their host culture while staying true to their faith. This concept, popularized by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, challenges us to influence culture positively without being absorbed by it. [01:09:15]
4. The Example of Daniel: The book of Daniel provides a map for living as a creative minority. Daniel and his friends thrived in a hostile culture by staying true to their faith. This teaches us how to maintain our identity and influence positively in our communities. [01:13:07]
5. Practical Reflection and Action: We are encouraged to reflect on how we can faithfully engage in our communities. This involves asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and looking for ways to participate in God's work of redemption and renewal. It's about seeking the peace and prosperity of where we live. [01:14:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[56:12] - Introduction to Series
[56:50] - Faithful Engagement Defined
[57:23] - Personal Story of Engagement
[58:35] - Tension in Public Spaces
[59:37] - Postures of Separation and Syncretism
[01:00:18] - Example of the Amish
[01:01:18] - New Fundamentalism in Church Culture
[01:03:05] - Syncretism and Its Dangers
[01:04:45] - Jeremiah 29: A Blueprint for Engagement
[01:06:33] - God's Care for Communities
[01:08:18] - Creative Minority Explained
[01:09:15] - Jewish People as a Creative Minority
[01:10:45] - Definition by John Tyson
[01:11:18] - Challenges of Living in Tension
[01:13:07] - The Book of Daniel as a Guide
[01:14:13] - Reflective Questions for Engagement
[01:18:17] - Worship and Prayer
[01:26:27] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NIV)
> This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the two postures that the sermon identifies as our natural defaults when engaging with the world? ([59:37])
2. According to Jeremiah 29, what specific actions does God instruct the exiles to take in Babylon? ([01:05:54])
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of a "creative minority"? ([01:09:15])
4. What example from the Bible does the sermon use to illustrate living as a creative minority? ([01:13:07])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon suggest that separation and syncretism are not effective ways to engage with our communities? ([01:03:05])
2. How does the instruction in Jeremiah 29:4-7 challenge the idea of merely waiting for deliverance without engaging in the present community? ([01:06:33])
3. What are the characteristics of a "creative minority" as described in the sermon, and how do they differ from simply blending in or withdrawing? ([01:09:15])
4. How does the example of Daniel and his friends provide a practical model for living out our faith in a culture that may be hostile to it? ([01:13:07])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Do you tend to lean more towards separation or syncretism? How can you move towards faithful engagement instead? ([01:03:05])
2. Jeremiah 29:4-7 encourages us to seek the peace and prosperity of our city. What are some practical ways you can contribute to the well-being of your community this week? ([01:06:33])
3. The sermon talks about becoming a "creative minority." What are some innovative ways you can bless your community while staying true to your faith? ([01:09:15])
4. Think about the example of Daniel. How can you maintain your Christian identity and values in your workplace or social circles, even if they are not supportive of your faith? ([01:13:07])
5. The sermon encourages us to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in faithfully engaging our community. Spend a few moments in prayer asking for specific direction. What did you feel led to do? ([01:14:13])
6. Consider the relationships around your table. Are there people you need to invite into your life to foster a more inclusive and engaging community? ([01:15:26])
7. How can you practically seek the peace and prosperity of your community in your daily routines, such as at work, in your neighborhood, or in your family? ([01:14:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Faithful Engagement Over Separation and Syncretism
Faithful engagement means actively participating in our communities while maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus. This is a challenging balance to strike, as we often default to either separation or syncretism. Separation is like the turtle posture, where we withdraw from the world, much like the Amish. While this might seem appealing, it leads to a lack of influence on the broader culture. On the other hand, syncretism is the chameleon posture, where we blend in so much that we lose our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus. Both of these postures are not the way forward. Instead, we are called to engage faithfully, participating in the life of our communities while staying true to our faith. This means being present, involved, and influential without compromising our beliefs. [01:03:05]
Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Reflection: Think of one way you can actively participate in your community this week while maintaining your distinctiveness as a follower of Jesus. How can you be present and influential without compromising your faith?
Day 2: Jeremiah 29 as a Blueprint
Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon provides a blueprint for faithful engagement. He instructs them to build houses, plant gardens, and seek the peace and prosperity of the city. This shows that God cares about the normal running of communities and asks us to care as well. We are not to bide our time on earth but to care about homes, gardens, families, and the normal running of communities. This echoes God's original command to humanity in Genesis to take care of the earth. By engaging in these everyday activities, we contribute to the well-being of our communities and reflect God's care for the world. [01:06:33]
Jeremiah 29:5-6 (ESV): "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can contribute to the well-being of your community this week? How can you reflect God's care for the world in your everyday activities?
Day 3: Becoming a Creative Minority
A creative minority is a small group of people who adapt, innovate, and bless their host culture while staying true to their faith. This concept, popularized by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, challenges us to influence culture positively without being absorbed by it. A creative minority maintains strong links with the outside world while staying true to their faith. This is not easy, but it is our calling. By being a creative minority, we can bring about positive change and renewal in our communities. [01:09:15]
1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: How can you be a part of a creative minority in your community? What is one way you can adapt, innovate, and bless your culture while staying true to your faith?
Day 4: The Example of Daniel
The book of Daniel provides a map for living as a creative minority. Daniel and his friends lived out their faith in a hostile culture, showing us how to thrive in exile. They maintained their identity and influenced their community positively by staying true to their faith. This teaches us how to maintain our identity and influence positively in our communities. By following Daniel's example, we can learn how to navigate the challenges of living in a culture that may be hostile to our beliefs. [01:13:07]
Daniel 1:8 (ESV): "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself."
Reflection: In what ways can you maintain your identity as a follower of Jesus in a culture that may be hostile to your beliefs? How can you influence your community positively while staying true to your faith?
Day 5: Practical Reflection and Action
We are encouraged to reflect on how we can faithfully engage in our communities. This involves asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and looking for ways to participate in God's work of redemption and renewal. It's about seeking the peace and prosperity of where we live. By doing this, we can become a creative minority for the renewal of the world. This is a call to action, to be intentional about our engagement and to seek God's guidance in how we can contribute to the well-being of our communities. [01:14:13]
Isaiah 58:12 (ESV): "And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can seek the peace and prosperity of your community this week? How can you participate in God's work of redemption and renewal in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Rather than avoiding the difficult conversations or fueling the flames of controversy, we have a different option. And it is the option of faithful engagement. And this morning, I wanna take a few moments to talk about what does faithful engagement actually look like for you and for me. Because faithful engagement is not our natural posture. It's not the default, that we go to." [56:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have not been called to separation or syncretism but to faithful engagement in our communities. Therefore, we cannot ignore important questions about how our communities should be ordered and how best to care for the needs of the vulnerable among us." [01:07:12] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "To live in the middle, to straddle that knife's edge between separatism and syncretism, to live in prophetic tension, it's not easy. Again, Jonathan Sachs writes this, to become a creative minority is not easy because it involves maintaining strong links with the outside world while staying true to your faith." [01:11:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How could you faithfully engage in our community instead of separating or syncretizing? What does that look like? I know sometimes pastors give us handholds and I don't want you to think that I'm lazy this morning for not trying to give you some actionable step but I believe that the Holy Spirit is going to speak to each one of us." [01:14:13] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We want to faithfully engage our neighborhoods and our communities and the people around us. We don't want to be known for syncretism or separation, Lord. We want to be known as people who love you and love our communities and we want to be known and work for their good and their peace and their flourishing." [01:18:57] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Separation happens when a church community becomes your whole world. And it's not the way forward. And it's easy to be like, I'm going to be a critic in particular of this position and in particular of my parents' generation. But I do think that the churches retreat from culture through the Jesus movement in the 70s and before that with the birth of evangelicalism out of fundamentalism." [01:01:18] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Syncretism leads to liberalism. And I don't mean that in the political sense of the word. I'm actually a pretty apolitical person and I don't think any of our political parties do a fantastic job of capturing the heart of Jesus. What I mean by liberalism is the theological or moral sense of the word. As disloyalty to Jesus and the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the New Testament syncretism for many of us is a far greater problem than separatism." [01:03:35] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jeremiah's words are a reference, reminder that God has not asked his people to simply bide their time on earth waiting to be plucked from the mess. We have not been called just to wait it out. God cares about things like homes, gardens, and families. The normal running and ordering of communities. And he asks his people to care about them too." [01:06:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our original commission may have been affected by sin and brokenness, but it has never been removed from us. Just as Adam and Eve were commissioned to tend the garden, rule over the animals, and create a community of people with the raw material God had given them, so we are still called to seek the flourishing of our communities with all of the resources that are available to us." [01:07:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "John Tyson, who is a fantastic pastor in New York City, defines creative minority this way. He says, a creative minority is a Christian community in a web of stubbornly loyal relationships knotted together in a living, living network of persons in a complex and challenging culture setting who are committed to practicing the way of Jesus together for the renewal of the world." [01:10:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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