New Light strives to be a community where we grow deeper in our faith through an inward journey as well as an outward journey. This cross image illustrates, on the horizontal axis, how our faith life calls us to both public and private practices. As shown on the vertical axis, a balanced faith also involves works of mercy (actions of world transformation) and works of piety (actions of personal transformation). For our community, this image provides a guide for a balanced faith - a faith that seeks to love God more deeply and love others more fully.Some actions fit neatly into one of the four quadrants, but many overflow from one to another. Here are some examples of spiritual practices we encourage:
- Acts of Devotion: personal time spent with God reading Scripture, praying, dancing, listening to music, or writing in a journal. This may include personal disciplines like fasting or meditation.
- Acts of Worship: any time we gather together to give thanks and focus on God's love for us and our love for God.
- Acts of Compassion: volunteering time to care for the needs of others. This might include working at a soup kitchen, giving to someone else from your own possessions, or spending time listening to someone else.
- Acts of Justice: writing letters or calling legislators to advocate for justice for the poor and the oppressed, or to promote peace; making choices to not purchase goods that were made by persons in oppressive conditions.
What do you think about this model for a balanced faith?
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