Last Week at RHM: February 17, 2025

We want to take this moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters for your support of Renewed Heart Ministry’s work of love, justice, and compassion. At a time when ministries like ours are being asked to achieve more with fewer resources, your support is so deeply appreciated, and we want to simply say thank you. Whether in our larger society or within our local faith communities, Renewed Heart Ministries remains committed to advocating for change, working towards a world that is inclusive, just, and safe for everyone, and being a source of love. From all of us here at Renewed Heart Ministries, thank you for your generous support.

We deeply appreciate you. If you’d like to join them in supporting our work, please go to renewedheartministries.com and click on “Donate.”


 

Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter

by Kelly Brown Douglas

How do we really know that God cares when Black people are still getting killed? How long do we have to wait for the justice of God? I get it, that Christ is Black, but that doesn’t seem to be helping us right now. These questions from her son prompted theologian Kelly Brown Douglas to undertake this soul-searching reflection. The killing of George Floyd and the ongoing litany of Black victims raised questions about the persistence of white supremacy in this nation, leading her to reflect on how a “white way of knowing” has come to dominate American identity and even to shape the consciousness of Christians. In exploring the message of Confederate monuments and the “Make America Great Again” slogan, she examines the failures of even “good white Christians” and struggles with the hope that “Black Lives Matter,” before reaching deep into her own experience and the faith of Black folks to find her way back to Resurrection Hope.


New Episode of “Just Talking” Now Online!

Lectionary Readings in the context of Love, Inclusion, & Social Justice

Season 3, Episode 2: Luke 6.17-26. Lectionary C, Epiphany 6

Each week, we’ll be talking about the gospel lectionary reading for the upcoming weekend in the context of love, inclusion, and justice. Our hope is that our talking will be “just” talking (as in justice) and that during our brief conversations each week we’ll be inspired to do more than just talking. If you teach from the lectionary each week, or if you’re just looking for some thoughts on the Jesus story from a more progressive perspective within the context of social justice, check it out.

Watch at:

 


social jesus blog banner Last Week’s Social Jesus Posts

Articles posted each week at https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/

The Blessing and Cursing of the Gospel

Part 1 of When Equity Evokes Rage Rather than the gospel being universal good news, the first shall be last and the last shall be first sounds quite the opposite. 

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/02/blessing-cursing-gospel/  

Lessons from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain

Part 2 of When Equity Evokes Rage

The equity that the sermon on the plain envisions is a world where there are no more losers and survival comes through our working together.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/02/lessons-lukes-sermon-plain/  

A Gospel for the Underprivileged

Part 3 of When Equity Evokes Rage

Luke’s gospel is for the underprivileged, longing for things to be put right, those present power structures are being weaponized against.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/02/gospel-underprivileged/

 


The Social Jesus Podcast from RHM!

A podcast where we talk about the intersection of faith and social justice and what a first century, prophet of the poor from Galilee might have to offer us today in our work of love, compassion and justice.

Last week:

Season 2 Episode 7: The Blessing and Cursing of the Gospel

Luke 6:17-26

“Rather than the gospel being universal good news, the first shall be last and the last shall be first sounds quite the opposite. The equity that the sermon on the plain envisions is a world where there are no more losers and survival comes through our working together. Luke’s gospel is for the underprivileged, longing for things to be put right, those present power structures are being weaponized against.”

Available on all major podcast carriers and at:

https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-blessing-and-cursing-of-the-gospel



Upcoming Events

March 15, 2025

Good News Fellowship (via Zoom); Toronto, Ontario Canada

For info: 304.520.0030


Weekly Zoom HeartGroup on Wednesday Nights

Each Wednesday evening, Glendale City Church will be hosting a Zoom-HeartGroup led by Herb Montgomery.  Our discussion each week will focus on the content in Renewed Heart Ministries’ weekly eSight articles, The Social Jesus podcast, and RHM’s Just Talking YouTube show. The time of each Zoom session will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Pacific/10:00 p.m. Eastern.

For more information and for the link to participate each week, contact RHM here.


Finding Jesus: A Fundamentalist Preacher Discovers the Socio-Political & Economic Teachings of the Gospels

by Herb Montgomery

Available now on Amazon!

In Finding Jesus, author Herb Montgomery delves into the profound and often overlooked political dimensions of the gospels. Through meticulous analysis of biblical texts, historical context, and social discourse, this thought-provoking book unveils the gospels’ socio-political, economic teachings as rooted in a profound concern for justice, compassion, and the well-being of the marginalized. The book navigates the intersections between faith and societal justice, presenting a compelling argument for a more socially engaged and transformative Christianity.

Finding Jesus is not just a scholarly exploration; it is a call to action. It challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of Christianity’s role in public life and to consider how the radical teachings of the gospels can inspire a renewed commitment to justice, equality, and compassion. This book is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the social implications of Christian faith and a blueprint for building a more just and inclusive society.


 

 

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