A Message From Bob Henderson 
Oct. 9, 2015
Dear friends:

Joan Konner, former professor and dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, once wrote:

"The question today for those who would participate in shaping our country's future is no longer are you a Republican or a Democrat, are you a liberal or a conservative? The question is now one of values. Are you adversarial or collaborative? Is life a game you play to win at all costs, or is life a collective human enterprise?"
 
It's an important observation. As people of faith, another way to say it might be to ask: In whose commonwealth do we find our citizenship? If we're citizens of God's kingdom, what does that mean? What does it say about how we face tragedy and handle suffering? What does it say about how we seek to be successful? What does it say about how we treat others; about whom we welcome and whom we reject? What does it mean for the values we hold and the behavior we choose?
 
This weekend's scripture passage is among the most perplexing in the Bible, because it seems to suggest that Jesus wasn't quite sure of his citizenship and thus not clear about how to treat people. I've never preached from the passage before (and after this weekend, may never again!) but it raises very important issues for how we live in today's crazy world.
 
If you struggle with some of the traditional teachings of Christian faith or wonder about the humanity/divinity of Jesus, this would be a great Sunday to come.
 
Read the passage ahead of time (Matthew 15:21-28). Invite a friend, and join us. Perry Dixon, our director of high school ministries and graduate of Wake Forest Divinity will (very bravely) tackle the same passage in the Chapel at 9:30 a.m. If you've read his weekly devotionals, you know his sermon will be rich.
 
See you on Sunday,

Bob Henderson's Signature

Bob Henderson, senior minister
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