+ The Center for Progressive Christianity offers "Who is Progressive Christianity For?" by Philip Sudworth. He is British but his question applies here too.
In Excerpt 1 he points out that there are a few eager seekers of what PC offers:
I suspect that most of those currently embracing the progressive Christian paradigm are people who have been brought up within conventional Christianity but have outgrown the images of God from their childhood. They are reasonably well acquainted with the bible and with stories of Jesus and with at least basic theological concepts. Many may still attend a church within one of the traditional Christian denominations, though not without holding reservations about much of what is taught there. The new paradigm is a good way forward for people with this background, and they are the kind of people who will search out progressive Christian websites or read books on progressive theology. They are looking to move their existing faith forward.
In Excerpt 2 he asks if those who have not been brought up in the Church can also find meaning and purpose in PC:
The vast majority of those in Britain today rejecting traditional Christianity, or simply ignoring it as irrelevant to their lives, don’t have this background, however; they are part of the great mass of the “unchurched”. They may know the Christmas story from having taken part in a nativity play but they may well have only a very sketchy knowledge of what Easter is all about. They don’t know what a spiritual journey is; though many do have a deep spiritual hunger. Is progressive Christianity just for those with a Christian background or is it also for these people? Do we have to wait until they have tried and moved beyond traditional Christianity or do we approach them directly now? If so, how do we connect with these people? What’s the first step for them to take and how do we encourage them and empower them to take it?
READ ON.
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