This liturgy was collectively written and produced by members of the Missio Alliance Team.
Listen to this article as a contemplative reading:
Movement 1
We pause.
We cease our movement.
Center our weight and take note of our body.
Breathe in. Breathe out. You are God. You are here.
Breathe in. Breathe out. You are God. You are here.
Hold onto the Presence. Release the fear.1
Movement 2
Gracious God,
empower us by your Spirit to listen to the cries of those
who hunger desperately for you
while simultaneously being harmed by those who claim your name.
May we sit with them in their pain, and join hands with them
as we seek your love and wisdom together.2
Refrain 1
Breathe in (You are God).
Breathe out (You are here).
Movement 3
May we truly remember that invitation is better than declaration:
that we might taste and see that you, God, are good,
and there is no good apart from you.
May we be single-hearted, of one mind,
and wholly focused on this one thing:
journeying towards the Kingdom.
May we be a people defined by what and who we’re for, not by hate,
not by division,
not by a cycle of endless revenge.
Rather, might we unapologetically claim that
we are ministers of reconciliation, healing, and wholeness.3
Movement 4
May we rejoice in earnest today for the liberties that we experience,
and with that same whole-heartedness resolve once again
to work towards full freedom and true justice for all.4
Refrain 2
Breathe in (You are God).
Breathe out (You are here).
1 Contributed by Sarah Schepens, Operations & Events Strategist.
2 Contributed by Carol Cool, Editorial Coordinator.
3 Contributed by Justin Heap, Director of Content & Resource Development.
4 Contributed by Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, National Director.
Missio Alliance Comment Policy
The Missio Alliance Writing Collectives exist as a ministry of writing to resource theological practitioners for mission. From our Leading Voices to our regular Writing Team and those invited to publish with us as Community Voices, we are creating a space for thoughtful engagement of critical issues and questions facing the North American Church in God’s mission. This sort of thoughtful engagement is something that we seek to engender not only in our publishing, but in conversations that unfold as a result in the comment section of our articles.
Unfortunately, because of the relational distance introduced by online communication, “thoughtful engagement” and “comment sections” seldom go hand in hand. At the same time, censorship of comments by those who disagree with points made by authors, whose anger or limited perspective taints their words, or who simply feel the need to express their own opinion on a topic without any meaningful engagement with the article or comment in question can mask an important window into the true state of Christian discourse. As such, Missio Alliance sets forth the following suggestions for those who wish to engage in conversation around our writing:
1. Seek to understand the author’s intent.
If you disagree with something the an author said, consider framing your response as, “I hear you as saying _________. Am I understanding you correctly? If so, here’s why I disagree. _____________.
2. Seek to make your own voice heard.
We deeply desire and value the voice and perspective of our readers. However you may react to an article we publish or a fellow commenter, we encourage you to set forth that reaction is the most constructive way possible. Use your voice and perspective to move conversation forward rather than shut it down.
3. Share your story.
One of our favorite tenants is that “an enemy is someone whose story we haven’t heard.” Very often disagreements and rants are the result of people talking past rather than to one another. Everyone’s perspective is intimately bound up with their own stories – their contexts and experiences. We encourage you to couch your comments in whatever aspect of your own story might help others understand where you are coming from.
In view of those suggestions for shaping conversation on our site and in an effort to curate a hospitable space of open conversation, Missio Alliance may delete comments and/or ban users who show no regard for constructive engagement, especially those whose comments are easily construed as trolling, threatening, or abusive.