Life in the Superpower: Then and Now

Christian Citizenship Sunday materials

We live in the world's only superpower. We must not deny that this reality deeply affects our religious and everyday life. We must come to understand what this power means as we relate to the government and to our God, to our sisters and brothers around the world, and our neighbors down the street.

While we believe, pray, and act differently one from another, the discussion must continue, respectfully, yet also prophetically.

For these reasons, our theme and materials for Christian Citizenship Sunday, July 6, 2003, are an invitation to thought, rather a neat package of answers:

Life in the Superpower: then and now

Jesus lived in the most powerful country on earth. So do we. What does Jesus have to say to us about our relationship to government?

Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective    Article 23. The Church's Relation to Government and Society   Second Mile Bulletin Insert   Best preparation resources for Christian Citizenship Sunday 2003   Discussion questions for Sunday schools or small groups   Additional good resources   Mennonites and Hitler   "Christian Citizenship Sunday Logo" (150K .GIF)

July 6 is Christian Citizenship Sunday this year. Our congregations are invited on this day to emphasize that the church is the primary community, not the nation-state. Loyalty to God often brings the church in conflict with the values, practices, and loyalty expected of citizens of the state. On Christian Citizenship Sunday we reflect on the claims that nationalism tries to pin onto us and we often gladly accept. We also wonder about what our relationship is and should be to the State. What policies do we support? What policies do we take for granted? What policies do we ignore because they do not affect us? Peace Sunday is November 9, 2003. Leo Hartshorn, Minister of Peace and Justice, Mennonite Mission Network ( ) is coordinating resources.