Part 3: Galatians - Avoiding a Divided Table over Differing Tastes: In Christ

In Part 3, Pastor Steve looks at how a church that resists judgement and embraces diversity can become a rich and caring Christ-centred community. Scriptures referenced include Galatians 2:20-21; Galatians 3:26-29, and Galatians 4:7. The Relevant Magazine article on Kat Von D can be found here. For more reading see Mark Baker's book Freedom for Religiosity and Judgmentalism: Studies in Paul's Letter to the Galatians. Get info here. Get more information on Sarah Clarkson's book This Beautiful Truth here. Here is the quote from Connie Nicholson that Pastor Steve encouraged the congregation to take a picture of: “If someone tells me that they’re going to treat me as a man and ignore my femininity, is that supposed to be a compliment? How much more powerful (and empowering) is it to say, “I see your femininity, I don’t want you to act like a man. I see your race, your social status, I see you.” The power of being “in-Christ” is not that our differences disappear, but that our identity and value is not in these AND that since our identity does not rest on these traits, we do not use our distinction as a means to oppress or belittle others. A Christ-centric community has the commonality of Jesus – He is the common denominator. It is a powerful statement when polar opposites hang out together because they are a testament to their shared Christ-denominator which launches them into relating to one another “in Christ” as a family instead of through our lenses of distinction.”