Retired priest, Jonathan Evans, who is part of the worshipping community at St Catharine’s, Gloucester, is looking to form a study group to help Christians become inspired to respond to contemporary issues in society, such as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, climate change, and systemic injustice.
Recognising that many churches focus on building community and serving those in need, but often hesitate to engage in resistance against oppression, Jonathan wants to encourage a deeper understanding of activism, one that is rooted in scripture.
“There are three key aspects of Jesus’ mission,” Jonathan said. “The first is building a community; Jesus gathered disciples. The second is serving the poor. He healed, taught others, and accepted those marginalised by society. The third is resisting oppression, challenging religious and state authorities who wield unjust power.
“I’ve spent years building community and serving those in need, and churches in Gloucestershire have done the same. Now, I feel it’s time to fully embrace the third Mission – resistance. I think that, if Jesus did these three things, then Christians should be doing it too.”
Jonathan hopes to use Mark’s Gospel as a basis for this, drawing on insights from Ched Myers’ commentary, ‘Binding the Strong Man.’ This work presents Mark’s Gospel as a text of resistance, demonstrating how Jesus actively confronted unjust religious and political power from leaders in Rome.
“I am hoping to get people to see how faith calls us to respond to war, environmental issues, and social injustice.
“I also hope to give participants practical ways that they can make a difference, whether this is through activism, day-to-day ethical consumption, or community engagement. I aim to make them feel energised to take action,” Jonathan said.
Jonathan is collaborating on this with Jonathan Ingleby, a retired lecturer of Applied Theology and former Head of Mission Studies at Redcliffe College, Gloucester.
They are hoping that Christians across different traditions and denominations in Gloucestershire might come together for this group study.
Jonathan said: “After retiring, I started to engage more directly with the world. I spent time mentoring men on probation and reflecting on wider social issues. The Black Lives Matter movement was particularly influential for me.
“I am very much drawn to a speech by Martin Luther King that highlights the three major challenges of our time: racism, militarism, and poverty. To that list, I would now add climate change.
“I ask Christians the following questions: Have you ever felt that your reading of the New Testament is challenging you to make a stand against injustice? Do you feel like the world is in a mess? What would you pray for to be different in our world or city? Does justice, truth, and peace really matter to Christians?
“If you are interested in the answers to these questions, this group study would be great for you.”
If you would be interested in attending this study group, email Jonathan at moc.d1745948990uolci1745948990@snav1745948990eanah1745948990tanoj1745948990.
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