Sharing the Message of Christ’s Love and Joy as an Act of Resistance

You may have read a short synopsis of this article yesterday in our e-news; here is the full and powerful story of how two of our parishioners have found a source of joy and a means of advocacy through this project to combat Christian Nationalism, and how you can join them.

by Terri Fishel and Betsy Wehrwein

We are writing to share the story of our involvement with a social justice group in Minnesota that is working to address a serious threat to the freedom of religion, the separation of Church and State, and our democracy. We hope our message will provide you with the needed encouragement to join us and get involved as well.

The mission of Christians Against Christian Nationalism – Minnesota is to promote Christ’s command to love one another and to repair current distortions of the Christian message. The Minnesota chapter is young, just a little over a year old. We are guided by these four principles:

• Love and care for your neighbor by showing compassion and empathy.
• Express the universal message of love for all people by respecting the dignity and value of every individual.
• Spread the message of understanding by showing kindness to all and demonstrating that caring for others is the true source of joy and happiness.
• Continue to work for the policies that improve the lives of all people while maintaining a separation of church and state.

We have both arrived at our participation with this group from different paths. We’ll share Betsy’s story first on how she became involved in Christians Against Christian Nationalism – Minnesota chapter.

Betsy’s story:

I am on the steering committee for this organization for two reasons. I believe the voice of a Jesus-centered message must be non-partisan and it must overcome distorted messages with positive expressions of love, acceptance and compassion of others.

Christian nationalism gives Christians a bad name. I remember “coming out” as Christian with Ann, a good friend of mine. It was the Spring of 2023, shortly after I started going to St John’s. We were walking at Lebanon Hills, and when I told her that I am a Christian, she literally took a big step away from me on the path. She then fired at me point blank and told me about how narrow minded and controlling and judgmental and dangerous Christians were. I had to swallow hard and do a lot of listening, but I stood my ground and gently told her about how my Christianity is based on a Jesus-centered message of love and compassion.

I realized quickly that my words were not going to reassure her—I needed to show her by my deeds. Over time I have been able to share more with her about what I’m trying to do to make a difference. I have to work hard at it on a regular basis. But I can. And I do, thanks in large part to the supportive community of St John’s and the message of Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

A couple of months ago, I went out to dinner with Ann and another friend of hers. Ann introduced me as a person who was making a difference with my immediacy and encouraged me to share my story! That was an outward and visible sign of repairing the distortion of the Christian message.

Terri’s story:

I attended a meeting on June 4, organized by the chair of the Minnesota chapter of Christians Against Christian Nationalism, because of my political activities. I have been following the growth of Christian Nationalism since long before the election of 2016.

After the most recent election, my concerns were focused on how could I get involved in local activities that focused on positive change to counter the message of hate that is prevalent in their activities and reclaim “Christian” for those of us who really practice Christ’s message of love. My first activity after the election was to gather a group of like-minded women under the auspices of finding ways to find joy in these challenging times. “Joy is an act of resistance” is our motto and we meet every other month. This is a secular group, however, and I wanted to do more.

I have been one who more quietly practices my religious beliefs, but I felt I needed to get actively involved and start working for positive change that would counter the hateful rhetoric that is becoming more vocal under the misnomer Christian Nationalism. The negative and hateful response to Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon on January 21, 2025 imploring Trump to show mercy was what really propelled me into finding a way to get involved.

At the meeting on June 4, we both ended up volunteering to be on the Steering Committee. I felt I had finally found a group of people who wanted to engage in fighting back and taking back the rightful use of Christianity. And by finding this group, I also found another source for joy.

Betsy:

Chistian nationalism has polluted our democracy, but its effect on our youth may be the most concerning. If I got that initial tainted response from my friend Ann, what must it be like for youth?

Taking the risk to step out, journey along your own path, and wonder what sort of Christian you are? Is it safe to believe in love and compassion and not have someone pull a trigger and judge or declare that others are going to hell? To walk amongst the hallways and streets or navigate the path of social media and wonder how you’re going to act in a loving and caring way when so much of the world does not appear that way? Who can you talk to about this? Who can you trust?

At St. John’s, our youth find an oasis where they are safe and can share and find out they are not alone. They are accepted and they will know we are Christians by our love. Yet, not all youth have this loving, communal experience. Christians Against Christian Nationalism-Minnesota is working to safeguard our youth by spreading a positive message and collaborating with the School Board Integrity Project. We must guard against Christian nationalism further infiltrating our schools.

When we celebrate our monthly Racial Reconciliation Eucharist at St John’s, our confession mentions, “We have denied [God’s] goodness in each other.” This is a reminder to me that I must continually look for goodness in every person. This is the faith that Jesus calls me to.

What would my friend Ann’s initial response have been if she thought of Christians people who follow Christ’s command to love one another? This is the message we must take to the streets and social media and into the hearts of our community. We must find Christ everywhere.

Terri:

I believe that an important piece of our message must include joy in order to not succumb to a feeling of hopelessness. In her sermon on Sunday, July 20, guest preacher Deacon Colleen Swope reminded us to be more like Mary and less like Martha. To let go of things that aren’t important and focus on those things that are. One of those things that is truly important today is to find a way each of us can make a difference by working for positive change and by sharing the message of God’s love.     

In a recent Substack post, Bishop Mariann Budde wrote “Hopelessness is Not an Option.” She states:

This is a time for us as Christians to be present in as many places as we can and offer what we have to give. It is a time for us to invest in the things we believe in; to find, if not common cause with those with whom we differ, at least shared ground with anyone working toward the common goals for different reasons. As followers of Jesus, we are to speak up for the inherent belovedness and dignity of others.

So how can you get involved?

We welcome others who would like to help us in spreading the word and engaging people in conversations. There is much to learn, to share, and to discuss. We welcome your thoughts and responses. This Sunday, August 17 from 9-10am, we will be available in the Fireside Room to chat with anyone who would like to learn more about the group and about activities you can participate in to help repair current distortions of the Christian message. Stop in anytime that hour; you can drop in after 8am worship or before the 10am service. Refreshments will be served.

Christians Against Christian Nationalism – Minnesota has a Facebook page and a mailing list. We are a chapter of the national Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Are you interested in learning more and discussing Christian Nationalism? The following books are just a few for recommended reading:

• The False White Gospel by Jim Wallis
• How to End Christian Nationalism by Amanda Tyler
• Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood by Angela Denker [the Rev. Angela Denker is an ELCA Lutheran pastor in Minneapolis and writes for the Star-Tribune.]
• Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism by Drew J. Strait

Christians Against Christian Nationalism believe this movement needs to be led by Christians so as to not appear as anti-Christian. However, we welcome people from all faiths as well as those who are not associated with any religious group.