Register Now: Phoenix Christian Nationalism Symposium

The Grand Canyon Growing in Faith Program (formerly Diakonia) invites you to a timely and important one-day educational symposium on Saturday, November 14 beginning at 9:30 AM (AZ time) designed to explore these questions through a biblical, theological, and distinctly contemporary Christian perspective. Our featured guest speaker will be Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, Bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA. Bishop Wee will lead us in an important conversation entitled: "A Different Way: Jesus and the Call Beyond Christian Nationalism: Hope, Courage and Community for Such a Time as This." Christian Nationalism is often confused with Christian faithfulness, patriotism, or the desire for Christian values to influence public life. But these are not necessarily the same thing. Christians can love their country, participate fully in our democracy, and bring their faith into the public square without believing that America is God's chosen nation or that political power should be used to establish Christianity. The Christian tradition calls us to something deeper. Jesus did not call his followers to take possession of a nation. He called them to follow him. His kingdom is not built through political dominance, but through love of God and neighbor, service, sacrifice, justice, mercy, peacemaking, and care for the stranger and the vulnerable. As Christians, we are also reminded that no nation, political party, or government is the Kingdom of God. Our citizenship may be American, but our ultimate identity is in Christ. At this symposium we will explore: * What Christian Nationalism is and what it is not * What Scripture and the teachings of Jesus say about faith, nation, power, and citizenship * How we can respond with hope rather than fear, courage rather than division, and community rather than exclusion * What it means to follow Jesus faithfully "for such a time as this" This gathering is not intended to tell you what political position to hold. It is an invitation to ask a more important question: How can we, as followers of Jesus, faithfully live out the Gospel in a deeply divided nation and culture? Whether you are a pastor, congregational leader, lifelong Christian, newer convert, or simply someone seeking to understand these challenging times through the lens of Christian faith, you are warmly invited. Come ready to listen, learn, ask difficult questions, and engage in thoughtful conversation with sisters and brothers in Christ either in person or virtual. There may be many voices calling for our allegiance today. This symposium invites us to listen again for the voice of Jesus and discover a different way. To register or read more about the symposium, log into http://www.diakonia.education and click on Upcoming Events. Then select the "Christian Nationalism Symposium". There is a fee of $25 per person to attend. Also attached is a flyer you may print out or share in your church announcements. We hope you will join us for this important day of learning, reflection, and faithful conversation. You will find attached a flyer with more details about this event. For more information and questions please contact us at admin@diakonia.education. Grand Canyon Growing in Faith Program - A Mission and Ministry Partner of the Grand Canyon Synod (Evangelical Lutheran Church In America)