Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a conference called Off the Map Live, put on by an organization called, well, Off the Map.
Off the Map promotes something they call "otherlyness"... or the spirituality of serving. Their goal is to teach Christians to serve others without agenda and with compassion, making evangelism more about relationship and less about conversion, and providing a platform for "idea explorers"...those who think outside the box of "normal" Christianity.
This is a conference like none other I have been to; it entertains a wide spectrum of theology and ministry, rather than being tuned in to one particular genre of Christianity. I don't want to try to recap it here, but I did want to share one thing I learned; or rather, something I already knew which was affirmed in many ways.
Christianity is about others, all others. It's about relationships and Love. It's in the sharing of our hearts and dreams with others, and listening to their hearts and dreams where we really can grow to follow Christ. Christianity is known for being "closed"; not wanting to hear from those who are different. However, I have found it is in relating to an atheist or a Pagan or a Muslim that I truly learn the depth of Jesus' unconditional and all-encompassing Love for people.
In the past I have been taught to be suspicious of those who believe differently from I; Off the Map is a Christian organization which, while it doesn't embrace the beliefs of others, it truly does embrace the others. I have learned from them that it is not only acceptable, but valuable, to embrace in Love those who hold vastly different beliefs than I do. There is something we have missed in the past by being unwilling to hear and connect with people who don't fit into our neat little Christian box. I have found these "others" to be some of the most interesting and inspiring people I know. When I am respectful of their beliefs, looking for the practical commonalities (such as caring for the poor), rather than theological or religious differences, something amazing happens.
I, for one, wish to practice Love for others, or "otherlyness" consciously in my life. I eagerly anticipate what I might learn from those who don't necessarily follow Christ, by engaging with the "other", valuing them as people and as friends, rather than as potential Christians.
Off the Map promotes something they call "otherlyness"... or the spirituality of serving. Their goal is to teach Christians to serve others without agenda and with compassion, making evangelism more about relationship and less about conversion, and providing a platform for "idea explorers"...those who think outside the box of "normal" Christianity.
This is a conference like none other I have been to; it entertains a wide spectrum of theology and ministry, rather than being tuned in to one particular genre of Christianity. I don't want to try to recap it here, but I did want to share one thing I learned; or rather, something I already knew which was affirmed in many ways.
Christianity is about others, all others. It's about relationships and Love. It's in the sharing of our hearts and dreams with others, and listening to their hearts and dreams where we really can grow to follow Christ. Christianity is known for being "closed"; not wanting to hear from those who are different. However, I have found it is in relating to an atheist or a Pagan or a Muslim that I truly learn the depth of Jesus' unconditional and all-encompassing Love for people.
In the past I have been taught to be suspicious of those who believe differently from I; Off the Map is a Christian organization which, while it doesn't embrace the beliefs of others, it truly does embrace the others. I have learned from them that it is not only acceptable, but valuable, to embrace in Love those who hold vastly different beliefs than I do. There is something we have missed in the past by being unwilling to hear and connect with people who don't fit into our neat little Christian box. I have found these "others" to be some of the most interesting and inspiring people I know. When I am respectful of their beliefs, looking for the practical commonalities (such as caring for the poor), rather than theological or religious differences, something amazing happens.
I, for one, wish to practice Love for others, or "otherlyness" consciously in my life. I eagerly anticipate what I might learn from those who don't necessarily follow Christ, by engaging with the "other", valuing them as people and as friends, rather than as potential Christians.
6 comments:
Erin, I really like the Off The Map web site. I've only been to work conferences before, how nice that you got to go to one that just focused on loving others! And Otherlyness is one of my new favorite words, I think. I love hearing how the message of Love keeps going out in the world.
Erin - thanks for this post. Otherlyness-oriented is a wonderful way to be.
I so believe that the way to peace individually, in addition to collectively throughout the world, is through acceptance of differences, and seeking and focusing on our similarities.
In all aspects of life - In politics, for example in this country - republicans vs. democrats - alot of hate/disgust could be avoided but alot of agendas would have to be abandoned. At work, and everywhere. Rich vs poor. Insider vs Outsider. Even in our own churches.
There is always someone to feel superior to, or someone who is not being kind enough in certain situations or not behaving like everyone else, or someone who is judgemental.
When I take a real hard look in the mirror, I can see that I am judgemental against self-righteous people. Doesn't that make me self-righteous in my own regard?
Loving unconditionally is God's work. As you indicated, we can be the Love in situations by seeking to identify it and thus recognising it (Him/God/Love) in ourselves and in others.
Thanks again. Ooooo wouldnt it be great to have a TLIO conference someday!
Peace
Keren
Erin,
I like what I am hearing. Wow. Yes.
I was picking up my kids at a friends house tonight after school and we were sort of talking about the same thing.
Loving the people around us. It does not matter who they are, what they think, what they have done.
Anne - I really did enjoy it and I would highly recommend it for anyone.
I love that word "otherly". It says so much.
Keren - I have asked myself that exact same question - does being judgmental towards judgmental people make me just like them? Because it's so hard...
A TLIO conference would be amazing. Great idea!
Marilyn Ruth - I talk with my kids about that, too. I think it's the simplicity of Loving as Jesus Loved...which was all the things you just said. I hope we (my husband and I) teach our kids that better than we learned it growing up.
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