In the second sermon in his series on Christianity 2.0., on October 29, 2017, the Rev. Dr. Art Suggs (a.k.a. Pastor Art) started with a provocative excerpt from Brian McLaren’s book, A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That are Transforming the Faith.
As the title of this sermon suggests, Pastor Art’s sermon delved deeply into some of the stickier questions that confront and invite spiritual growth among contemporary Christians — including one questions that changed the life and ministry of a Michigan mega-church pastor.
Bronze statue of Pollyanna in front of the public library of Littleton, New Hampshire. CC, Davey Nin via Wikimedia.
“It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti
In this sermon, Pastor Art speaks of the story of Pollyanna and her “Glad Game,” and where a positive attitude fits in when particularly horrible events occur in our society.
He says, “In our culture, being labeled Pollyanna or Pollyanna-ish is actually an insult. It means that you’re unrealistically positive , and that’s what I’m wrestling with today.”
“I have an extremely high view of humanity, as you all know: Made in the image of God; children of God; the kingdom of heaven within us — all these kinds of good things.”
“Am I being Pollyanna-ish? That’s for you to decide.”
