Over the past decade of my active involvement in the national progressive Christian movement, I have heard the same response from my readers and hearers, over and over again: "I have felt this way for many years, but never known the words to express it until now." As people discover they are not alone in their desire for a Christian faith that doesn't contradict scientific discovery and social progress, they will demand change from within their churches, or they will form new congregations. The future face of progressive Christianity will look a lot different than it appears in the progressive churches of today. And for that, I say hallelujah!
Jim Burklo is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor who serves as the Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. He is the author of Birdlike and Barnless: Meditations, Prayers, and Songs for Progressive Christians (2008) and Open Christianity: Home By Another Road (2000). Jim's blog Musings appears at The Center for Progressive Christianity.
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