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With the world turned upside down by the global pandemic, people of faith aligned to the upside-down kingdom of Jesus, are asking, how do we sing the Lord's song in these times? How do we now live, worship, and serve amid such upheaval, insecurity, fear, grief, and social isolation? Is it just to endure the worst, or to seek the best by walking the way of the cross? Is there an invitation to renewed kingdom citizenship of heaven and earth? Our backgrounds will impact our responses as will our prayers, our scripture reflections, our worship, and our willingness to put the center of ourselves outside, to offer unlimited space for others. With backgrounds in medicine, physics, economics, missiology, theology, social activism, pastoral care, and spiritual companioning, these writers engage such questions. There is a cruciform shape to their reflections, and to the prayers and liturgies they include. We glimpse the One who is with us and for us in these troubled times, sharing our laments, fostering kingdom-heartedness, igniting our passions, offering tender mercies, decluttering our hearts, making peace, instilling courage, and inviting our participation. Though in crisis times our poverty of spirit is amplified, the kingdom of heaven is wide open.
With contributions from:
Terry Gatfield
Athena Gorospe
Ross McKenzie
Tim MCowan
Paul Mercer
Sarah Nicholl
Charles Ringma
About the author
Irene Alexander has a background in psychology, missions, and tertiary education, and is an Honorary Research Fellow of Trinity College Queensland.
Irene has taught counseling and spiritual companioning related courses in Brisbane, Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Irene is adjunct faculty at Asian Theological Seminary in Manila, and is part of Servants to Asia's Urban Poor. She has written several books, (
Dancing with God;
How Relationships Work;
Awakening Desire), mostly in the interface between spirituality and psychology, and is a grandmother.
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Christopher Brown is qualified in psychology, social policy, and social work, and is an Honorary Research Fellow of Trinity College Queensland. Chris taught social work at the University of Queensland (twenty-five years), and counseling/spiritual companioning at Christian Heritage College (twelve years). Now semi-retired, he offers spiritual direction (for the past twenty-three years), supervision, and formation of spiritual directors. He has written a number of articles on Christian spirituality and spiritual direction, and is the author of several books including
Guiding Gideon: Awakening to Life and Faith.
