Bishop Michael Rinehart

Reesheda Graham-Washington and Shawn Casselberry have given us in Soul Force: Seven Pivots toward Courage, Community and Change, some thought-provoking and challenging ways to live out the gospel in our everyday lives. How might we be salt and light in an evil and unjust world?

The authors are coming to our Tri-Theological Conference on Galveston Island January 28-30.

Inspired by Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and by Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi, the authors suggest pivots, or course changes to move us to soulful living.

These pivots move us…

1: From Fear to Freedom

2: From Barriers to Bridge Building

3: From Self-Centeredness to Solidarity

4: From Hurt to Hope

5: From Consuming to Creating

6: From Charity to Change

7: From Maintenance to Movement

Fear freezes us, keeping us from being the light and salt we yearn to be. The first pivot encourages us to love beyond fear and find the courage to unapologetically be who God has called us to be.

The world needs bridge-builders more than ever; those who focus on collaboration rather than competition. Can we learn to connect, rather than demonize?

Solidarity is moving from I to We. It recognizes that there can never be true justice for any of us until there is justice for all of us. The authors engages us in seeing other other, loving the other and belonging to one another.

One of the hardest pivots is moving beyond our hurt, to hope. The authors offer five practices for healing.

It’s difficult to overestimate the power of consumerism in our culture. We view the world and one another as commodities. Focusing on beauty, simplicity, and sustainability can make us come alive.

Last year a number of us read Toxic Charity, learning how charity can do more damage than good. Think about it: If you wanted to change something, say gun violence, in your neighborhood, would you be more effective writing a check to a local charity, or mentoring kids? The first is easier. Real change is hard. It requires change in us.

Maintenance is necessary, but all too often becomes the biggest rock in an organization. A movement however goes viral. Movements are transformational, subversive, risk-taking and liberating.

These pivots challenge us to live our faith, rather than just discuss it. I’m excited Reesheda Graham-Washington and Shawn Casselberry are coming to our Tri-Theological Conference on Galveston Island in January. Prepare to be challenged.

[If you’ve read “Soul Force” and want some more reading to get ready, consider “The Strength to Love” by Martin Luther King, Jr. and “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander.]