Watershed Discipleship: Reinhabiting Bioregional Faith and Practice
Ebook
Overview
This collection introduces and explores “watershed discipleship” as a critical, contextual, and constructive approach to ecological theology and practice, and features emerging voices from a generation that has grown up under the shadow of climate catastrophe. Watershed Discipleship is a “triple entendre” that recognizes we are in a watershed historical moment of crisis, focuses on our intrinsically bioregional locus as followers of Jesus, and urges us to become disciples of our watersheds. Bibliographic framing essays by Myers trace his journey into a bioregionalist Christian faith and practice and offer reflections on incarnational theology, hermeneutics, and ecclesiology. The essays feature more than a dozen activists, educators, and practitioners under the age of forty, whose work and witness attest to a growing movement of resistance and reimagination across North America. This anthology overviews the bioregional paradigm and its theological and political significance for local sustainability, restorative justice, and spiritual renewal. Contributors reread both biblical texts and churchly practices (such as mission, baptism, and liturgy) through the lens of “re-place-ment.” Herein is a comprehensive and engaged call for a “Transition church” that can help turn our history around toward environmental resiliency and social justice, by passionate advocates on the front lines of watershed discipleship. CONTRIBUTORS: Sasha Adkins, Jay Beck, Tevyn East, Erinn Fahey, Katarina Friesen, Matt Humphrey, Vickie Machado, Jonathan McRay, Sarah Nolan, Reyna Ortega, Dave Pritchett, Erynn Smith, Sarah Thompson, Lydia Wylie-Kellermann
". . . let diverse young peace and justice activists and
visionaries instruct you. Their fresh biblical exegesis, interlaced
with the experience of coming home to their bioregions and its
waters of life, will inspire you from front to back in this
remarkable volume"
--Larry Rasmussen, Union Theological Seminary
"Myers brings a much-needed prophetic voice to the church with his
call to watershed discipleship. The way he frames the issues--along
with hopeful actions--and then engages an array of younger voices
makes this anthology poignant. The book helps the church rediscover
that the bioregional lens is critical to practicing the good news
of the gospel. This material will be required reading in the
collegiate courses I teach and with congregations seeking a new
paradigm for living out their faith."
--Luke Gascho, Executive Director, Merry Lea Environmental Learning
Center, Goshen College; Leader, Mennonite Creation Care
Network
"This book is important not just because it offers some shred of
hope for the future of the church, but because it shows Christians
who are relevant allies in the struggle for the planet."
--Laurel Dykstra, Salal + Cedar Watershed Discipleship Community,
Coast Salish Territory
"Ched Myers and the team of young authors he has assembled offer in
this volume a Spirit-inspired, theologically grounded call to
action that is filled with passionate hope."
--Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the
Graduate Theological Union
Product Details
- Title : Watershed Discipleship: Reinhabiting Bioregional Faith and Practice
- Authors:
- Myers, Ched
- Nadeau, Denise M.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2016
- ISBN: 9781498280778
Ched Myers is an author and activist theologian who has worked in social change movements for forty years. He and his partner, Elaine Enns, who helped edit this volume, co-direct Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries (www.bcm-net.org) in the Ventura River watershed, traditional Chumash teritory in southern California. Their publications can be found at www.ChedMyers.org.