Recently I was asked to create some "provocative propositions" for my ministry setting.  These are bold statements that might help encourage vibrant following of the Way of Jesus.  Below are the statements that I thought of for the emergedetroit community.  What do you think?  Please comment below  with your own provocative statements of how you will follow God's call in your life!

1.  We recognize the power of God in the gifts of young people and nurture their growth as leaders for the church and the world. - Through cultural immersions, becoming workers in God's mission, participating in programs of discernment and service, and by boldly relocating to be present in under-served areas, the young people of the emergedetroit community reveal, with the interpretive power of the Spirit, the amazing possibilities for discipleship available to all the church.
    
2.  We claim solidarity with the poor and partnership with the rich in building communities overflowing with the healing love of Christ. - By recognizing and alleviating the disparities between rich and poor, and by mobilizing each to help the other we announce the radical justice of God's economy of enough.
    
3.  We see the City of Detroit and it's surrounding communities as a fertile field for the perfecting work of the Holy Spirit. - In processes of returning to, serving, becoming guests of, joining together with, and re-inhabiting next to the people of the Motor City we recommit ourselves to one another and to the community of Christ in this place.

Provocatively yours,
Carl