Seasons of Liturgy

A Contemplative Poster Series by Johnny Kerr

Liturgy is a word we don't hear often in modernity, and almost never outside of its typical religious context. Derived from Latin, Greek, and French, it roughly translates to something like "the work of the people". Additional words—such as "public", "service", and "worship"—can also help to contextualize and express the rich nuances at the heart of liturgy.

       The orthodox Christian calendar divides the year into themed liturgical seasons, much like our weather seasons. Familiarity and acceptance of these traditions vary greatly, depending on one's upbringing and denominational affiliations. While some might view these practices as rigid, perhaps even oppressive, others find them to be unifying and centering. Other communities and denominations have largely dispensed with or forgotten them altogether. Nevertheless, their impact on Western culture is undeniable as many in the non-religious mainstream continue, at least to some degree, observing the annual rhythms of Easter and (especially) Christmas.

      Unfortunately, these traditions have at times been misunderstood and even abused by the church, its leaders, and parishioners. However, it would be a shame to, as the saying goes, "throw the baby out with the bathwater", as our modern society tends to do. While it is important to name and reject such abuses, I don't think it means we must also reject the traditions outright. I think these practices still hold much potential value for those who follow The Way of Jesus today—though only when engaged willingly and not enforced through dogmatic legalism.

       Artists, as much as politicians and religious figures throughout history, have shared in the responsibility of stewarding culture in their day. This means, in part, that we play a role in voicing those aspects of culture that we want to reject, and those we desire to redeem. I hope that these posters, in some small way, put on display the richness these liturgical seasons still have to offer those who desire to cultivate a vibrant spiritual life.

Each poster was designed in vector format using Adobe Illustrator and is presented here as 11" x 17" archival prints. The overall design is largely inspired by the International Typographic Style (A.K.A. Swiss Style), particularly the grid system approach pioneered by Josef Müller-Brockmann in the first half of the 20th century.



       I have a great appreciation for Swiss design in general, but I also chose it for this project because of the driving ethos behind the movement; it aimed, among other things, to create effective design standards suitable for a variety of cultural-linguistic contexts. You might say it was our first globally-minded information design movement. The principles of the grid system also serve to simplify and harmonize the presentation of text and imagery through clear visual hierarchy while avoiding symmetry for more dynamic composition arrangements.



       Each liturgical season represented by my posters orients the practitioner around different aspects of the Gospel (the "good news" Jesus came to share with the world, according to the Christian tradition). For example, Advent teaches us about preparation and anticipation, while Easter teaches us about redemption, reconciliation, and freedom. Since Jesus charged his disciples with spreading this good news throughout the world, the international style principles made sense as a device to visually engage the subject matter across various spiritual traditions. 



       Other sources of visual inspiration included Henri Matisse's cutouts and the graphic works of Saul Bass and Paul Rand.

    Each poster in the series also exhibits shared components from the broader liturgical tradition. For example, each includes a simple visual icon (visio) and a brief scripture passages (lectio). For the official holy days and periods of observance, I also included a short reflection in my own words that—when combined with the visual and scriptural components—hopefully illuminates the heart of the liturgy while inspiring reflection and contemplation throughout the season.



       Periods of nonobservance in the liturgical calendar are typically referred to as "ordinary time." Rather than create a poster for ordinary time, I chose the practice commonly known as "passing the peace" to express the heart of the daily Christian life in every season. In this practice, followers of Jesus greet others with some variation of "peace be with you" to keep ourselves oriented around the loving, peacemaking posture of Jesus as we move through the world extending love and peace to others.


       In the future, depending on inspiration and motivation, I may also expand this series to include other observances, such as Christmastide and Pentecost. For now, I thought it was time to put these out and see how others experience them. I welcome your feedback in the comments below.

       Peace be with you!





The Distant Song (Longing)

By Ross Bentley

Lately, I always feel unsatisfied. It follows me like a shadow. Not unhappy or ungrateful, but when life offers slow, quiet moments, I seem to sense that there's a need deep within, a proverbial itch that I can't seem to scratch, and it's there all the time, even when I'm not aware. I can feel it gnawing on my soul.

As I scurry through my day, I don't always notice. I'm so often captivated by my own importance, enthralled with my business. Things beyond me simply don't matter. I am all. But when I'm alone at the end of the day, 'counting my tips' as it were, when I sit in silence, that's when I hear it.

A faint song originating from way off in the distance, the melody effectively eluding me, audible only to my soul. It barely catches my attention, and I think I recognize it, I feel it, but I cannot seem to hum it or sing it. "I know this song!" my soul screams, aching to join in. But then it's gone; the tune remains just out of earshot. My brain ceaselessly scans its stores for the source of my memory, if it is a memory, but I come up with nothing. I cannot find the words, I cannot hum the tune. Maybe I don't know it, but why does it seem so familiar, so much a part of me? Why this deep connection to something I've never heard? I am tortured as I grow more desperate for this song to soothe my soul.

I try to think back to times when I could've heard, truly heard, this song that calls to me. Perhaps as a child. Did I fall asleep to it in my loneliness? Was it there when I lost my father? Did I hear it at my wedding? 'Maybe,' I say to each, still no closer to solving this riddle plaguing me.

I hear it less often these days. Once at work recently, sitting alone in emptiness, discouraged by the place I've ended up, a faint impression of the song was there. I know I heard it then. Still, I cannot recollect it. Desperation rises like tide, wanting to engulf me.

I must hear it! Now! I press my fingers into my ears, attempting to muffle the din, but to no avail. Still it eludes me. The clamor within now seems louder than any noise without. I'm truly at a loss. Why can't I hear it?

Am I the only one who cannot hear? Are others enjoying this song, humming it to themselves, but not sharing with me? My soul is tortured. A deep sadness draws me toward its
flame. Despair is now my master. 'Why? When? How long? Please!'

Lament (A letter from a father regarding his children)

by Cody Wilson

What world is this

to bring a child into?

There have been 565 mass shootings

in the United States this year.

More shootings than days.

The longest we lasted

without one was 18 days.

There is nothing new under the sun.

What constitutes a mass shooting

is 4 bodies.

Imagine my family—the ones

you know, the mass of us ash.

There is nothing new under the sun.

I forsake my son at the school gate.

I worry about the kind of holes

bullets make.

What kind of God

would wholly let us

be holed.      In.       Like the hole

I burn in my head

with the ember of every news story

that skims across my eyes.

I am screened with fears

of living and dying and living and—

there is nothing new under

the sun.

Of the victims of war,

the worst and most likely

to suffer are children.

More than 6000 children

have been killed

in Gaza since October.

There is nothing new under the sun.

I see this on the muted screen

as I lay on the ground,

the heaviest I can,

lifting my son

into laughter. I lift him but

I cannot lift myself    most days.

There is nothing new under the sun.

Oh my God. The crises—

climate // border // war // poverty // opioids // inequality //

health // displacement //  hunger // mental health //

Crises cries! We cry. Jesus wept.

Then brought Lazarus back—

but for too many beloveds to name,

there is no coming back.

There is no coming back from

the feeling you can do nothing

and the thought of eternity

still makes me fear more

than the thought of not

existing before or after

this life I was brought into.

We didn’t ask to be here.

There is nothing new under the sun.

Oh my god,

Why have you forsaken me?

There is plastic in our hearts.

It has broken the brain

barrier. Scientists predict

that over 20% of the world

will be uninhabitable by 2050.

There is nothing new under the sun.

What kind of world

did you bring your child into?

“The godly thing to do

is kill you,” says a man

to another in Israel

The godly thing is to build a wall

Though I break my spirit

against each new wall

I build against him.

The world is on fire and I’m watching a TV show about it.

There is nothing new under the sun.

“I would start trembling

my hands would tremble and start to hurt”

says a child about the war. About the water.

About there was none.

About his mother / about she wasn’t /

about—we call it conflict.

I pick my son up from school

and he is safe again

but there is a backpack

abandoned in the street somewhere.

There is nothing new under the sun.

For everything there is a season…

a time to be born, and a time to die...

…a time to tear, and a time to sew…

a time for love, and a time for hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace

There is nothing new under the sun.

"I saw murdered babies. I saw murdered

children. I saw mothers and children murdered together,”

says a man in Israel.

Then God said, “take your son, your only son,

whom you love—Isaac. Sacrifice him

to me as a burnt offering.”

Just kidding!

There is nothing new under the sun.

Nothing new but the son.

That same way I felt

when I held for the first time my own.

In bad dreams, I outlive him

In the bad world that I brought him into

which maybe he can change, but for now he still

draws on his face with marker

and I am glad. I see what I have co-created

and it is good. I am still learning to love

what every second gets closer to ending.

I am glad. I am thankful.

Thank you

for letting me shoulder the weight

of my children as I raise them

to see the sunset

over the fence

of my backyard.

Thank you for shouldering my weight.

Thank you for

the nurse who said within a heartbeat

I would go back

to the war. To the children.

Thank you for every little pang

which makes us more aware of our bodies,

however fleeting they might be.

Thank you to the heart

not just as a metaphor

but its kind beating,

for the way it pumps millions of cells

in this heaving, grieving, losing, loving

machine of our bodies,

which yes, are made

of the same atoms as the stars.

Thank you for the stars

and how we still see their light

long after they die.

Thank you that there is nothing

new normal. We’ve been here before.

It’s familiar.

What has been done will be done again.

So let’s do it again—let us shoulder

the weight of this season of waiting

and give thanks in our grieving

that it won’t last long.

LEORNING-CNIHT

by Johnny Kerr

One of the many annual rhythms that comes with my vocation as a high school teacher is proctoring state assessments each Spring. As my colleague and I neared the end of our 2023 assessment duties, all of the students in our room had finished. However, we were required to stay and silently wait out the clock. After being confined to that room for almost six hours I was so bored that I was literally reading the dictionary.

To my delight, there was a rather interesting essay in the front of that volume on the origins of the English language. I learned about some of the early structural evolutions of our language that helped make words more versatile–the widespread use of prefixes and suffixes, for example. Although much of the language from that period is not very recognizable by today’s English standards, it does give us some insight into the way certain ideas were understood, expressed, and carried forward.

The author cited specific examples of a particular linguistic development that took place during the Middle-English period–the use of compound words. Having spent the last 18 months or so developing the Common Union Initiative, a discipleship curriculum for Axiom church, I found one example from the essay particularly intriguing:

Besides using many prefixes and suffixes, it made compounds freely, such as larhus (lore-house) for school, learning-cniht (learning-knight) for disciple, fotadl (foot-pain) for gout, ban-cofa (bone-chamber) for body, etc. Some of them had a strong poetic effect, such as whale-path or swan’s road as names for the sea. (Read, viii)

Apparently, before our word ‘disciple’ was pilfered from Latin and French sources, there was a period when the compound leorning-cniht (learning-knight) was used to express the idea of a devoted follower of Jesus. Further online research provided some alternates, such as leorningċild (learning-child/youth), but that was more appropriate for describing a student than a disciple and did not catch on in this context. Others of the same period went a different route, borrowing words from various languages such as the Proto-West Germanic gingra, meaning vassal or follower. Although more succinct, ‘gingra’ doesn’t quite have the same “umph”, does it? Ultimately, the Latin and French derivative we now know as ‘disciple’ would later gain popularity and become more permanently adopted.

A Disciple from the South - Photogravure from 'La Vie de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ' by J. James Tissot, French (1896-97)

All words lose and gain meaning depending on their use and popularity in a given place and time. Slang words are a good example of this. “That movie was sick!” could mean very different things coming from a 25-year-old versus a 65-year-old. Some words survive despite a lack of widespread cultural use. Jargon words, for example, may be quite common within a specific group while virtually absent from broader culture. However, even jargon is not exempt from losing meaning over time. Oversaturation in any context seems to eventually water down the meaning of our words. Americans, for example, have certainly watered down the word ‘love’ by using it to express our affinity for everything from a favorite song to our closest companions.

The word ‘disciple’ doesn’t get much use in modernity outside of Christian communities, but it seems to have lost much of its meaning even among Christians. Dallas Willard makes a convincing case for this in his book, The Great Omission. The Bible is full of mysterious sayings, but Jesus’ language is quite clear in the Great Commission. He commands his followers to “make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey my commands” (Matthew 28). ‘Learning-knight’ isn’t such a bad description of this.

Military conquest throughout history has brought unspeakable atrocities by the hands of American, British, Roman, and other human civilizations. The fact that these antichrist activities were often perpetrated under the banner of Christ–with the church publicly ordaining them in collusion with the state–is worth careful consideration. For that reason, I’m not generally a fan of militaristic metaphors. At the same time, I do believe in spiritual warfare. In that context, perhaps ‘learning-knight’ adds some much needed “teeth” to our modern understanding of discipleship. To further test whether or not ‘learning-knight’ is an appropriate expression of discipleship, we need look no further than Ephesians 6:10-13 where Paul takes the military metaphor to the extreme with visuals of a soldier’s armor representing faith, truth, righteousness, etc. 

Going forward, I suspect ‘learning knight’ will forever color my understanding of discipleship, provided we get our definitions of ‘knight’ and ‘warfare’ from the heart of Jesus rather than the ways and histories of the world. At the end of the day, language is just a metaphor to help express complex ideas. Some concepts are simply too big for one metaphor to fully hold. As such, all metaphors have a breaking point. Since no one metaphor could possibly capture all of the richness and nuance of discipleship, it is up to us to steward its meaning well in Christian community and obedience to Christ. In that spirit, I’ll leave you with some parting reflections that hopefully bring out the best of several attempts at describing discipleship throughout the history of our language.

The Dance of Death at Basel: Death and the Knight - Lithograph by G. Danzer after Hieronymus Hess, Swiss (1842)

Leorning-cniht (learning-knight)

Knighthood is a special honor-responsibility bestowed to one who has met specific criteria through training and service. Knighthood even comes with a special ceremony, much like baptism for a follower of Jesus. But you don’t become a knight simply by saying yes. Knights are more than mere foot soldiers. Traditionally, knights earn their title by submitting themselves in service to an established knight or regiment to undergo rigorous life-skill training. In the best cases, there is also an established expectation of character and conduct that comes with being an honored representative of the kingdom you serve (chivalry, for example). Similarly, Jesus asks us to “come under [His] yoke and learn from [Him] (Matthew 11).

To be clear, there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation–that is a free gift of love and grace from our Heavenly Father. But there is an expectation of readiness and obedience. In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us practical examples for how to ready ourselves. A knight is not a knight without their skill and armor to protect them from the enemy’s attacks. The path of discipleship means engaging in spiritual warfare, and one should not step onto a battlefield that one has not prepared or dressed for.

Leorningċild (learning-child)

Jesus tells his disciples that they must “become like little children” to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18). Children are full of wonder and curiosity, eager to learn about the world around them. In a healthy family, children know that their parents have their best interests in mind and generally trust that their parents will teach them and care for them. This is both humbling and reassuring. Maturity is the responsibility of both parent and child, and the ratio of responsibility–along with the roles a child plays in his or her family and community–change with maturity. Although this particular language may not feel as empowering as knighthood, it is nevertheless an important key to understanding the richness of discipleship.

Gingra (Proto-West Germanic for vassal: subordinate or follower)

This one may perhaps carry a mild sting for Americans. Because freedom is the preeminent value in American culture, words like ‘submission’, ‘subordinate’, and ‘surrender’ tend to leave a bad taste in our mouths. This is likely true for all humans, but perhaps especially for Americans. In any case, that doesn’t exempt us from submitting to Christ. We simply must decide whether we are going to align our allegiances with the kingdom of America or the Kingdom of God. If we are truly subordinate to Jesus and His Way, there will likely be times we must act insubordinate to the ways of culture and country. If we are subordinate to America, we will most likely find ourselves insubordinate to Jesus at times. Jesus is quite clear that one cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6).

Discipulus (Latin for student, learner, or follower) and Deciple (French for follower)

Christ calls us to take up our cross, to be followers and imitators of Him. Jesus modeled this throughout His Earthly ministry as He claimed to do nothing apart from what He sees the Father doing (John 5). From this example, we live and teach others. Even though our American sensibilities may recoil at the idea of submission or surrender, as followers of Jesus we confess that following Him is the only Way to true freedom from sin and death.





References

Read, Allen Walker. A Brief History of the English Language. Funk & Wagnalls Standard English Dictionary, by Funk & Wagnalls Publishing Company, Inc., 1973, viii.

"leorningcild" – WordSense Online Dictionary (25th April, 2023) URL: https://www.wordsense.eu/leornungcniht/

Bosworth, Joseph. “gingra.” In An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary Online, edited by Thomas Northcote Toller, Christ Sean, and Ondřej Tichy. Prague: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, 2014. https://bosworthtoller.com/50802.





A Prayer Liturgy

Father God, creator of heaven and earth, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God of Israel, God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, True and Living God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Have mercy and hear my prayer.

First Prayers

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen. Hallelujah. O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen. Hallelujah.

The Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

Confession of Sin

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Psalm for the Day (Corresponding to the day of the year) Gospel Reading (According to the Revised Common Lectionary) Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil, My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 91: 12

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty I will say of the Lord, “You are my fortress and my refuge, my God in whom I will trust.

Prayer for Family

Psalm 103: 15

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He pardons all your iniquities, and heals all your diseases; He redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with lovingkindness and mercy; He satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me bless his holy name.

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

The Lord’s Prayer Expanded

Our Father, Holy Father, Abba Father, in the heavens, Hallowed, holy, sacred be your name. From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, The name of the Lord is to be praised. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts, The whole earth is full of your glory. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, Who was and is and is to come. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Thy government come, thy politics be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Thy reign and rule come, thy plans and purposes be done, On earth as it is in heaven. May we be an anticipation of the age to come. May we embody the reign of Christ here and now. Give us day by day our daily bread. Provide for the poor among us. As we seek first your kingdom and your justice, May all we need be provided for us. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Transform us by the Holy Spirit into a forgiving community of forgiven sinners. Lead us not into trouble, trial, tribulation or temptation. Be mindful of our frame, we are but dust, We can only take so much. Lead us out of the wilderness into the promised land that flows with milk and honey, Lead us out of the badlands into resurrection country. Deliver us from evil and the evil one. Save us from Satan, the accuser and adversary. So that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. So that every tongue that rises against us in accusation you will condemn. So that every fiery dart of the wicked one is extinguished by the shield of faith. So that as we submit to you and resist the devil, the devil flees. So that as we draw near to Jesus Christ lifted up, His cross becomes for us the axis of love expressed in forgiveness, That refounds the world; And the devil, who became the false ruler of the fallen world, Is driven out from among us. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

Petition and Intercession (Making our needs known and praying for others) Contemplation (Sitting with Jesus)

Prayer to the Crucified Christ Lord Jesus, you stretched out your arms of love upon the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your name. Amen.

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer for Peace

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy, O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Prayer for the Week (The weekly collect from The Book of Common Prayer)

Prayer for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and lovingkindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. Prayer for Mercy Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Confession of the Mystery

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Jesus Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

COMMON UNION (PART 2)

A Case for Covenant in Modern Christian Community

by Johnny Kerr

Similar to marriage, also a covenant relationship, entering into a covenant with an individual or community provides more support, security, and stability than a non-covenant relationship. Covenants are not as casually made or broken as other associations. When protected and honored, a covenant is one of the strongest bonds humans have. When life gets difficult—and especially when a covenant relationship encounters tension or conflict—a covenant can be an important lifeline and external motivator for us to seek reconciliation. Without this mutual intentionality and accountability the possibility that resentments will either build to a destructive climax or simply cause us to drift apart increases. But a relationship that successfully navigates conflict, no matter how messy, and pursues reconciliation will emerge stronger than it was before the conflict.

It is common knowledge that throughout most of recorded history, marriage was often a pragmatic union of two families, often arranged for the mutual benefit of both families, and often not by choice of the betrothed. Successful marriages in that context often began with the covenant relationship and mutual dependence for survival being the only binding ties to each other. Over time, a successful partnership will develop into mutual love, care, and prosperity. We simply have to choose each other. Two are stronger than one. Whereas one person alone may struggle to persevere against the hardships of life, the combined efforts, talents, resources, and support of facing them with an equally-yoked, committed companion make a lighter burden (this increases tenfold when God is invited in as a third partner and focal point). These benefits increase exponentially when extrapolated on a community scale with Christ at the head.

Most of our marriages today are born from mutual love and free choice rather than arranged betrothal, but the course is much the same. Romantic infatuation eventually fades and we are left with each others’ humanity and our vows. When life gets hard, when we encounter tension and conflict and the bond of love is strained, honoring the marriage covenant is what moves both partners to reconciliation, making it possible for them to keep reaping the benefits of a loving partnership and a thriving future together.

I use marriage language here because it is one of the only commonly-accessible covenant examples we have in modern times, and because it seems to matter that Jesus uses marriage as a metaphor for his relationship with the church; He calls us His bride. Although I am using marriage as a metaphor here, make no mistake; this applies to all in the church: the married, the engaged, the divorced, the widowed, the single, the fatherless, the motherless, the childless, thriving families, struggling families, broken families…all of us. Each relationship dynamic has its own unique context and nuance, but in health they all have a common denominator: humans, in all our flawed glory, yielded to our loving Creator.

Axiom Church leaders have been working for a season towards crafting a covenant initiative to help unite our church body in ways that bring the tangible Kingdom into our midst, and the richness of life that comes with it. I recognize that for many westerners, particularly Americans, this call to unity pushes against an established cultural norm of resisting conformity. This blog post was written to begin introducing the idea of covenant community to those who may be unfamiliar with or resistant to the concept of covenant. I hope that this has inspired you, or at the very least piqued your curiosity as we get closer to rolling out our Common Union initiative (stay tuned!). 

One final note on the language used in this article: Words like “unity” and “covenant relationship” and “solidarity” do not imply homogeneity. Unity (in Christ) and covenant community are tenants of the Christian faith, and they leave plenty of room for diverse expressions and individual identity under the larger umbrella of Jesus’ covenant family. We are not asking you to give up your identity and individuality, nor are we asking you to hold all beliefs in common with this community. We are inviting you to partner with each other in robust community life—a life rooted in our shared identity in, and submission to, Christ Jesus.

Whether an arranged marriage, or a marriage born from mutual love, most humans don’t enter into a marriage thinking “what’s in it for me?” Perhaps the better question to ask is “what’s in it for us?” To that, I would point to God’s promised future reconciliation of all things under Heaven and Earth. Jesus ushered that future Kingdom reality into the present. As we stand together in covenant relationship, equally committed to each other and Christ, we get to be part of manifesting that future reality in the present. We get to experience a bit of Heaven on Earth now as a united community of “us” rather than go it alone in a fallen world. The Way of Jesus is challenging. Take heart; we are in this together!

 References and Notes

  1. Cigna. (2018, May). The state of Loneliness in America. Cigna US Loneliness Index. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://secure.cigna.com/assets/docs/newsroom/loneliness-survey-2018-updated-fact-sheet.pdf 

  2. Pratt, L. A., Brody, D. J., &; Gu, Q. (2015, November 6). Products - data briefs - number 76 - October 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db76.htm

  3. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2022, June 14). Suicide statistics. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/

  4. Axiom Church, Axiom Church Common Union Initiative, unpublished

  5. Language can be tricky. Despite best efforts to communicate with clarity and truth, we recognize the very real possibility of misunderstanding or disagreement, especially when pushing back against cultural norms. If you have questions or concerns about anything written here, please reach out to an Axiom leader to express concerns, seek clarification, and continue a healthy dialog in the context of loving community.

COMMON UNION

A Case for Covenant in Modern Christian Community

by Johnny Kerr

PART 1

The word “covenant” seems largely absent from our modern-day Western vernacular. Christians will likely recognize the word from our sacred text, possibly with little context or vision for its application in modernity. In our increasingly hyper-individualized American culture, any loss of our covenant identity as Christians is to the detriment of the rich community life Christ has invited us—His beloved bride—to thrive and grow in until His return. A quick look at mental health statistics, or a glimpse at our current political climate, would seem to indicate that many of us are already experiencing the natural consequences of this shift away from community identity.

We are collectively—and, simultaneously, in isolation—experiencing various forms of disconnectedness and mental unhealth, and it hurts. A 2018 survey of 20,000 adults living in the US reports that, on average, over 40% of people over the age of 18 experience pervasive feelings of loneliness. The same report cites the effects of loneliness on mortality as equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Depression and suicide have become a modern epidemic with 11% of Americans over the age of 12 reportedly taking anti-depressants and an average of 130 suicide deaths each day in the US. “The modern age has made it easy to live in convenience but not in community. Many feel alone and disembodied, constantly pulled in a myriad of directions and left desiring authentic companionship.” Simply put, we need each other to thrive.

In the US we have been catechized to value independence at a premium, to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps because needing others—or, God forbid, actually depending on others when we are in need—is weakness. Advertising culture has cleverly wooed us into a perpetual state of insatiable lack while promising we can “have it your way.” Our politically-charged media outlets use fear to pressure us into oversimplified, false dichotomies that chip away at our peace and shared values until we descend into a chaotic circus of angry caricatures shouting regurgitated rhetoric. This perfect storm of cultural pressures has pushed us away from community identity rooted in shared values, and towards hyper-individualized identities based largely on our perceived differences. Toxic individualism is a grave cultural ill that is costing many in quality of life.

Our Good Shepherd has shown us a better Way and charged us with proclaiming that good news to the world, discipling and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). The church must reignite, by experience and example, a common vision for a beloved community where we carry our burdens, celebrate life’s joys, and experience transformation together. By faith we are children of God’s covenant family with the pleasure and duty of putting on display the goodness of Jesus’ Kingdom to the world. One of the primary ways we do this is by taking care of—and being cared for by—each other (John 13:35).

I would give the benefit of the doubt that the average person, when given the opportunity, would be inclined to help out a fellow human in need. Most of us are familiar with the good feelings we experience when helping others. Yet, when we are in need, we are often hesitant to ask for help for fear of being a burden to others. In believing this cultural lie we rob others of the joy of expressing generosity towards us while condemning ourselves to continue suffering alone. As a father myself, I can begin to imagine how our Heavenly Father must weep to see His beloved in this isolated, exhausted, and distressed state.

To further complicate the matter for Christians, our call to care for others and to be cared for by others must also extend beyond those we find easy to love. We are also called to love our enemies (Luke 6:35). This command is not hyperbolic, and it covers the entire spectrum from love to indifference to enmity. For most of us, if we’re honest with ourselves, that desire to proactively care for those to whom we feel indifference or enmity won’t come naturally, and it won’t come through cultural pressures or expectations. It comes from a life surrendered to Christ. To Jesus, love of God and love of others are so inseparable that He paired them together to sum up the entirety of God’s law (Mark 12:28-31).

What does this have to do with covenant community? A successful covenant relationship is one in which all parties have an equal stake, regardless of status, ability, or need. “I” becomes “we”. We navigate sorrows and experience joy in solidarity. We complement each other, filling in each other's gaps and gaining strength in unity. That stands in stark contrast to our new cultural norm of suffering alone. The book of Ecclesiastes provides an inspiring plea for these Kingdom ideals: 

“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

To be continued…

References and Notes

  1. Cigna. (2018, May). The state of Loneliness in America. Cigna US Loneliness Index. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://secure.cigna.com/assets/docs/newsroom/loneliness-survey-2018-updated-fact-sheet.pdf 

  2. Pratt, L. A., Brody, D. J., &; Gu, Q. (2015, November 6). Products - data briefs - number 76 - October 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db76.htm

  3. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2022, June 14). Suicide statistics. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/

  4. Axiom Church, Axiom Church Common Union Initiative, unpublished

  5. Language can be tricky. Despite best efforts to communicate with clarity and truth, we recognize the very real possibility of misunderstanding or disagreement, especially when pushing back against cultural norms. If you have questions or concerns about anything written here, please reach out to an Axiom leader to express concerns, seek clarification, and continue a healthy dialog in the context of loving community.

Disconnected

by Christina Trifanoff

My husband and I have attended Axiom for over four years now. We love our wonderful Axiom brothers and sisters. Still, we find at times that we experience feelings of disconnect from others. Ghandi said, “be the change you want to see you in the world.” This really speaks to me and so I do what I can to be Intentional about my relationship with others..

I am reminded that there are quite a few people at our church that are artists and artists tend to be introverted. I am not introverted! If you know me you know I’m extroverted and a people person. I enjoy talking with others and doing life together.

When I feel disconnected I look at myself and ask what could I do differently. I ask if I’m in true self (spirit self) or in the false self (body) if I am in the spirit I will be prompted to outreach to others or wait as the Holy Spirit guides. If I am in the body or false self I can become negative and feel rejected and alone.

I have a vision of the kingdom of God as this beautifully flowing river with an invitation for all to jump in the river. Sometimes I feel like I’m on the banks and not able to jump in due to my false self characteristics. Perhaps I’m feeling down or depressed. Sometimes I am consumed with worry, fear, sadness or feelings of rejection. The truth is that none of us are rejected but fully accepted in both our divine true self as well as our weaker false self (body).

Then, at other times I feel I am in the river beckoning others to join. I believe this is when I am in the true self and seeking unity in the body. This, as Paul would call is the spiritual self. We are seeking union with others and are all part of the same union. This is what we are made for in the Kingdom of God. For me the description of this beautiful flowing river works. If you are ever feeling disconnected, reach out to others and share your feelings. Odds are that you are not alone in your feelings and at that very moment someone else needs that connection as well.