Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Community

Question & Answer

Q: By Bill

What core beliefs differentiate a progressive church from a traditional church?

A: By Rev. Dr. Simon Cross
Dear Bill,

I’m hesitant to speak for all progressive Christians, or all progressive Christian churches, because plurality is probably one of the things that differentiates a progressive congregation. But I think there are a few key things that mark us out.

For one thing, there is an approach to scripture that emphasises context, scholarship, and experience – this is not a tradition that is likely to encourage an uncritical or ‘literal’ approach to the texts.

There’s a belief, too, that the message of Jesus was one of both compassion and liberation. In a progressive Christian church you are likely to hear teaching that emphasises solidarity with the marginalised and a challenge to oppressive systems.

Progressive theology would be unlikely, I think, to focus on ideas like individual afterlife – salvation would be understood, instead, as having to do with justice, reconciliation, and mutual, planetary flourishing.

Ideas about the nature of God might be various, but they would be unlikely to focus on or revolve around the classical sense of an omnipotent deity who dishes out punishments and rewards at will, and seeks to control us by means of promises and threats.

Doubts and questions would either be welcomed or simply accepted as a healthy part of the spiritual journey. Theological certainty isn’t a necessity in a progressive mindset.

There’s a danger in that, of course, that uncertainty can extend to matters of social ethics and can lead to paralysis in the face of political or social injustice. A healthy progressive Christian community believes it is important to engage with the structural realities of injustice – evils such as poverty, racism, economic inequality, and climate harm. Our core value of love must find a way to be expressed.

Progressive Christian churches would instinctively welcome people of diverse sexualities and the question of gender equality – well, that wouldn’t even be a question, more like an assumption. We operate from a different baseline.

And in the midst of this, there is likely to be, I would hope, a welcoming of diversity. A belief in the need to listen and a recognition, or perhaps an acceptance, of the fact that, ultimately, none of us is right about everything and that a range of perspectives can help us get a ‘bigger picture’ of the reality that we share.

~ Revd. Dr. Simon Cross

Next Saturday June 27 at the Capitol.

SAVE THE DATE

Join Us Once Again:

Next Saturday June 27th at our beautiful Capitol Building!


On the 250th anniversary of this country’s independence, we are choosing to come together again in joy to celebrate America and ALL of her history. ALL OF US deserve better than Trump’s anti-American, whitewashing of our history and our people. That’s why on June 27th, we’re inviting ALL of you to join once again at the feet of our amazing President Lincoln Statue at 401 S. 2nd Street!

We'll start gathering at 12 noon with a rally from 12:30-1:30PM

Dust off your signs from the last No Kings (or other protest) or get started crafting a new one!

See you there!

A “Survival Revival” - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture Community activist Reggie Guyton has lived life increasingly aware of the inequities aimed at people due to their skin tones and inability to pay for things that bring them joy. Guyton, a historic actor at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, grew up in University Park, a village....