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My wife and I recently hosted a dinner party around a discussion of the book, The Wind in the Willows. Like many enduring children’s books, this one from Kenneth Grahame operates on several levels - engaging for children with talking animals, humorous mishaps, and obvious good guys and bad guys; and stimulating for adults with its themes of deep community, perseverance, and morality. As we discussed these aspects, our conversation slowly wound toward our own community of faith - do we see these same issues extant in our relationships and church? It was a rich time of reflection on the praxis of our faith - are we swimming in the stream, or just dipping our toes in the water? It’s awfully easy to just do the latter.
Ministry Fellow Christine Shin
How and when do you boast in weakness? The primary way in which God's power will be perfected in your weakness. Evangelize in weakness, so that Christ's power will be perfected in weakness.
"How many of us ask God to show up in power so that we can look good? God does not grant you power for you to look good, He does it so others will see Jesus."
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We will post clips from our speakers, pictures from our events, and announce upcoming events. Through our email list, we send event information, prayer requests, and share information for you to connect with our ministry in New York City. If you have any questions about CU New York, please reach out to us at cunewyork@christianunion.org. Instagram: @cucities
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We hope to see YOU at our next event!
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
— Col 3:1-4
True Paradox: How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World
"The traditional strategies of apologetics — strategies associated with books we are all familiar with — are effective, but maybe not as effective as they were 30 to 70 years ago." This idea was posited in a thought-provoking lecture by David Skeel, S. Samuel Arsht Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, at Christian Union New York's Forum on Monday, May 20th in Manhattan. Professor Skeel addressed topics covered in his book, True Paradox: How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World. In his book and in this presentation, he makes the case that a more effective apologetics approach in seeking to get non-believers to consider Christianity must do at least two things: it must address what he calls the "myth of scientific progress," and it must address social justice.
There is, Professor Skeel notes, a "very common perception that the complexity of the contemporary world is an embarrassment for Christianity. There is a widespread perception in our current culture, that a 2000-year-old religion can't possibly have much to say about the complexities of the modern world..."
Listen now to hear Professor Skeel's response to these perceptions:
Get Involved
If you would like to get involved with CU New York, please email: cunewyork@christianunion.com.
Forum with David Skeel
Christian Union New York was excited to hold its first Forum of the year on Monday, May 20. The night’s speaker was David Skeel, S. Samuel Arsht Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Drawing on his wide range of expertise, Professor Skeel spoke to the audience, not on bankruptcy law, but on an approach to apologetics fit for our postmodern era.
Giving Thanks for Extraordinary Students
Sarah Camp
Director of Marketing and Communications
In May and June, Christian Union is celebrating the cherished members of the graduating Class of 2019 at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale.
At end-of-year banquets held in their honor, students involved with Christian Union donned formal attire and enjoyed evenings of remembrance and celebration of their beloved seniors. As they dined, many seniors rose to share memories and thanksgiving for the way God has worked in their lives.
Seniors graduating from Harvard
Princeton Christians Intercede with Students Across the Nation
By Jon Garaffa, Princeton ’20
On February 28, students from Princeton University participated in the Collegiate Day of Prayer. Held annually on the last Thursday of February, the Collegiate Day of Prayer organization seeks to impact the next generation spiritually, encouraging all to pray for the students at our nation’s campuses.
Participating ministries at Princeton included: Princeton Christian Fellowship, Worship House, Manna Christian Fellowship, and Christian Union. Each ministry adopted a residential college, which is Princeton’s system for housing and dining for underclassmen. Then, they prayed for the students of that college. This model of praying for specific institutions also mirrors the overall model of the nationwide initiative, where entire campuses are adopted by organizations and individuals.
Students Glorify God in Off-Campus Community
By Cassandra Jobman, Penn ’21
There are certainly plenty of groups of college men who choose to live together. But the men of the “ManS1on” at the 20 South 39th Street apartments in Philadelphia are not bonded by a love of FIFA or beer, or even a major or club they have in common. They are bonded by a commitment to serve God in community—and by a constitution.
Members of Penn’s ManS1on are committed to live in community, serve one another, and challenge each other to faithfully follow Christ.
In 2010, six University of Pennsylvania students involved with Penn Cru founded an off-campus community specifically for Christian men. Since then, the group has doubled in size and now includes Penn students who are involved in various ministries on campus and churches.
Croston ’81 Is a National Director for Lifeway Resources
By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
University of Pennsylvania alumnus is using his dynamic ministerial skills to help pastors thrive as they meet the needs of African-American congregants.
Mark Croston ’81 serves as national director for Black and Western Church Partnerships of LifeWay Christian Resources. The Tennessee-based organization ranks among the world’s top Christian resource providers, though it recently announced plans to shift from brick and mortar stores to online operations. LifeWay, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, continues to stock major retailers with inspirational materials.'
In 2013, Croston left a lengthy pastoral career to join the LifeWay team, where he heads efforts to support and resource African-American churches.
