I am a huge fan of Q ideas, founded by Gabe Lyons in 2003. His vision has been to see Christians responsibly engage with culture to express the Gospel. For the past three years, I have attended their conferences and have learned so much about how to engage with culture in a responsible way as a Christian. Most recently, I attended their Cultural Renewal Q-Session hosted by Andy Crouch and Timothy Keller. These two outstanding leaders urged us to find a way to talk about culture so that it produces hope. They taught us that institutions are inevitable and have the potential to produce lasting contributions. They also reminded us that as Jesus followers we are empowered to restore the image of God in people and creation. Q ideas challenge me to think beyond the walls of my circumstances and yet join God in His work right where I am. They renew my hope for society and culture. Because they have been so transformational in my life and thinking, I thought I’d share some of my favorite Q ideas pieces from 2012. Click through to be inspired, and let me know what you think!
Mental Illness: What is the Church’s Role?
by Amy Simpson
In the wake of the horrifying Sandy Hook elementary school shootings, many were talking about mental illnesses. How can they be addressed? Why is our current system broken? Is there anything that can be done to treat them sooner—before a tragedy? These are all good questions … and there’s another good question: Where is the Church in all this? What role should the Church play in treating and supporting those with severe mental illness? Read more…
by Rebekah Lyons
Somewhere in the clouds over Colorado, the natives were getting restless. The 5 hour flight from New York City to Park City, Utah required musical chairs. It was Pierce’s turn to sit with me, so we decided it was time for “The Life of the Lyons’ Kids” slide show on my laptop. Hundreds of images began to roll across the screen in poetic fashion. In and out, one after another… And when I looked over, I saw a tear stream down Pierce’s cheek. When I asked what was wrong, he said simply, “You seem to have lost your joy since we were little.” Read more…
by Tim Keller
Recently, some scholars and cultural observers have decried the so-called “decline of the family.” In parts of Asia and Europe, for example, the birth-rate has fallen below replacement levels. Many blame secular society’s penchant for individualism and call for a return to the so-called “traditional” view of the family. But pastor Tim Keller says the gospel-based community practices a view of family that is contrary to both secular and traditional societies. Read more…
Constraint and Consent, Career and Motherhood
by Kate Harris
In her much-discussed article in The Atlantic, “Women Still Can’t Have it All,” Anne-Marie Slaughter handles the Motherhood vs. Career topic better than most, with a winsomeness that comes with honest and humble confessions about best-but-not-quite-perfect efforts. Still, the conclusions she suggests only perpetuate a discussion of women in terms of “work-life balance” and frankly, I am tired of that being the only framework offered to women. Read more…
Videos
with Amy Julia Becker
When given a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis, parents choose termination 92% of the time. Society’s pursuit of comfort, convenience, and so-called perfection contributes to what has been maligned as a “culture of death.” But what if the Christian community embodied a different perspective, reshaping the way many parents view these children? In this Q talk, Amy Julia Becker imagines a better future where life is not valued only for its productivity and all children are seen as a divine gift. Watch now…
with Euna Lee
How far would you go to tell the world the truth? That was the question Euna Lee had to ask herself when she and a fellow journalist, Laura Ling, were detained in North Korea after they crossed the border without a visa while researching a controversial story. They remained in captivity until August of 2009 when they received a pardon from the North Korean government. Hear the story of her incredible journey as she reflects on what it means to be a truth-teller in a broken world. Watch now…
with Bob Goff
With so many global problems at which to aim our collective passions and resources, the work of restoration can become nothing more than a job. As time goes on, even good work can steal our imaginations. How can we rediscover a compulsion for finding creative, audacious ways to discover our dreams? Bob Goff, Founder of Restore International, challenges us to recover our sense of imagination and know how to unleash it in those around us. Watch now…
Check out an earlier post by Ines about The Security of Faith