Loading...Early Christians were known as People of the Way. They were recognized for their love of neighbor, fellowship in the breaking of bread and their commitment to follow the life and practice of Jesus. Paul confessed to worship God according to the Way (Acts 24:14). Jesus himself taught that he is the Way to truth and life in God (John 14:6). Jesus shows us that the way to life abundant is through the practices of prayer, forgiveness, giving, respect and unconditional positive regard to those who live on the margins of society. Jesus shows us the Way into the heart of God.
Today, we don't often refer to fellow Christians as People of the Way; what is more common is to encounter people who have engaged in the practice of pilgrimage by walking the Way. Whether it is the Camino de Santiago Compestella in France and Spain, or the Via Francigena in Italy, or following the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land, the purpose of pilgrimage is to journey to the unfamiliar to find new life in God. On pilgrimage, you only carry what you need, most guides tell you to only carry 10% of your body weight. On pilgrimage, you stay focused on the necessities of life: food, water, physical health, a place to sleep, the hospitality and kindness of others. On pilgrimage you learn to give and receive in gratitude, recognizing that what is given comes from the provision and grace of God. On pilgrimage, a deep trust in God emerges and permeates the journey.
How can we bring the pilgrimage experience to our day-to-day living? How can we nurture practices that shape us to be people of the Way? Walking the Way is the theme of the TENS 2014 Stewardship Conference at Emory University in Atlanta, taking place June 6-7, and it is also the theme for the 2014 Stewardship Narrative Series and Annual Giving Program, which is set to be released this Spring.
We give thanks to our keynote speakers, workshop leaders and contributing writers who look forward to serving as your guides and companions in Walking the Way. We hope your journey takes you to Atlanta in June. Be sure to register early at //www.tens.org/2014-conference/
