The purpose of this group on public theology is not to be anti-institution but rather it is to be radically collaborative, working above and beyond traditional churches, institutions and other groupings.
A Movement of Love
‘For God so loved the world’. No ifs, no buts.
Jesus was about love first and foremost, in word and deed. Jesus began with love for God, but inseparably linked that love with love for neighbour, with the understanding that neighbour includes the other, the outsider, the outcast, the last, the least, the lost, the disgraced, the dispossessed, and the enemy.
Brian McLaren
I think of a movement of revolutionary love. I see it as Christian, but not in any exclusive way, because if we truly see love as Jesus’ passion, then the depth of our devotion will always lead us to love and accept Protestant/Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, nonreligious, agnostic, atheist, and other neighbors as ourselves. . .
It will inspire us to welcome all people as part of us who should always have been and will always be with us including people of the same or different faith, background, ethnicity or sexuality.
I am a canoeist, I like to look forwards to where I am going, not backwards like a rower, to where we’ve been. Yes, we need to learn from and build on the foundations of the past but we need to move forward, looking to serve the practical needs of the people and the environment around us.
As a YMCA movement, I see each YMCA as locally, nationally and globally engaged in working with present and future generations to discover, practice, and live in love: love for our neighbour, love for ourselves and love for the whole environment — all comprising love for God.
This will be done through the development of young people, supporting their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being; through developing healthy living that respects ourselves, others and the environment and engaging with the community to support newcomers and everyone in need to build an inclusive and peaceful society.
John Peacock, National Secretary of YMCA Ireland
John previously worked for YMCA Ireland from 1985-95. He left to study theology and worked for PCI in youth & family work until 2004, when he moved to Youth Link as Community Relations Manager. In recent years at Youth Link he directed their degree in Youth & Community Work and Applied Theology.
Inspired by:
Richard Rohr, “Powering Down: The Future of Institutions”.
Shane Claiborne. “Loving the Church back to Life”.
Brian D. McLaren, “Three Christianities”.