_edited.jpg)
- Pastor Ben
- Sep 8
Learning from the Way of Jesus
A new series at Riverfront Family Church — starting in October
What does it look like to follow Jesus in a season of rising fear, polarization, and Christian nationalism? This October, Riverfront Family Church is launching Resist. Learning from the Way of Jesus—a journey through Luke–Acts that invites us to practice courageous, nonviolent love in public.
Why “Resist”?
In Scripture, resistance isn’t rage; it’s faithful love that refuses to dehumanize. Jesus announces good news to the poor, release for captives, sight for the blind, and a year of Jubilee (Luke 4). The first Christians turn the world “upside down” with mercy, truth, and table fellowship (Acts). We’ll ask: What does that look like here and now?
What to expect (Sundays in October)
Clear, hope-filled teaching from Luke–Acts (9th-grade reading level; accessible to friends of all faiths or none).
Real stories of resistance—Sojourner Truth and Ida B. Wells, Fannie Lou Hamer and Bayard Rustin, Dolores Huerta and César Chávez, Bryan Stevenson and more.
Practice the Way each week—simple actions you can try at home, at work, and in the neighborhood.
Home Gatherings, Small Groups & Book Clubs
Alongside Sundays, there will be material for use within our Home Gatherings, for small groups, and for book clubs.
The heartbeat: Hospitality · Peace · Healing
Hospitality: Belonging at the table—stories, meals, and welcome across difference.
Peace: Nonviolent action, truth-telling, and public good news.
Healing: Prayer, healthy boundaries, and care that restores.
A taste of the series
Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1): Singing hope before the evidence.
Nazareth Manifesto (Luke 4): Good news that touches budgets, laws, and lives.
Good Samaritan (Luke 10): Neighbor love that crosses lines.
Mars Hill (Acts 17): Reasoning with calm courage in a noisy world.
Ephesus (Acts 19): When good news “upsets” unjust economics—without dehumanizing anyone.
Who is this for?
Skeptics, seekers, long-time believers, the curious and the cautious. If you’ve been hurt by church, if you’re longing for a faith that heals and does good, or if you want practical ways to love your neighbors in hard times—this is for you.
How to jump in
Join us Sunday, October 5th (series launches).
Start a Group or Book Club email ben@riverfront.church
Invite a friend who’s looking for hope with a backbone.
Series tagline: Resist is not against people; it’s against the powers that harm people—and it looks like Jesus.
Questions or want to RSVP? Reply to this post and we’ll get you the details for dates, group options, and the weekly “Practice the Way” guide.
- Pastor Ben
- Apr 24
Easter is a joyful celebration—the tomb is empty, and Jesus is risen. But after the excitement, we might find ourselves asking, "So what now?" At Riverfront Family Church, we're answering that question by choosing Radical Love.
Radical Love isn't just a nice sentiment. It’s a commitment to embody the kind of inclusive, sacrificial, unconditional love Jesus showed us. This means living out our faith practically, through hospitality, peace, and healing.
Radical Hospitality at Riverfront is about making everyone feel seen, welcomed, and valued—not as guests, but as family. It’s the kind of welcome that changes lives, like when a weary mom named Wanessa found comfort at our restaurant, Fire by Forge. After a tough day with her daughter hospitalized, the kindness of our staff transformed her evening. Hospitality is turning strangers into family, honoring every person’s story, and surprising them with how deeply they matter.
Peace for us means active peacemaking—working for justice and reconciliation in a wounded world. Our friends at COMPASS Youth Collaborative and Homeboy Industries model this beautifully, stepping bravely into moments of tension, offering hope and belonging. Real peace isn’t passive. It engages boldly, affirming that every life has value and every person deserves another chance.
Healing acknowledges we all carry wounds. At Riverfront, healing is a community effort—honest, messy, and transformative. Inspired by the spiritual depth of the 12-Step movement, we explore deeper ways to become fully alive and whole. Healing is about walking together, recognizing that our wounds are not the end of our stories.
Ten years from now, we dream of a community transformed by Radical Love—where diverse stories are celebrated, peace is actively built, and healing is continuously pursued. A place where everyone truly belongs.
Because resurrection isn't just an Easter story. It’s our daily practice. It’s how we love, heal, and make peace.
So, what now? Let’s keep loving, rising, and becoming the resurrection people we're called to be—today, and every day.
In a world plagued by rising anti-Semitic incidents and conflicts like the Israeli-Gaza war, it is essential for the Church to address the issue of Christian anti-Semitism. This problem has manifested in various forms, from unwavering support for Israel to subtle but dangerous biases against the Jewish people. It is vital to acknowledge these issues and work towards a more inclusive and loving faith community.
My Story and Perspective
I am Jewish and an unapologetic follower of Jesus. This identity places me in a unique position, making me a heretic among many of my Jewish friends and a minority in the Christian community. My Jewish identity is deeply rooted, shaped by my family's history of Holocaust survival, as both my grandparents on my father's side were survivors. I am fully aware that in Nazi Germany, I would have been marked with a Yellow Star and Pink Triangle and sent to the camps, just like countless others.
It is essential to understand that being Jewish isn't just about religion; it's about ethnicity, culture, history, and identity. My faith in Jesus doesn't erase my Jewish identity, and I proudly embrace both aspects of who I am.
The Issue of Conservative Evangelical Christian Support for Israel
One of the challenges we face is the sometimes unquestioning support for Israel among conservative Evangelical Christians. While supporting Israel is not normally considered anti-Semitic, it can become problematic when it turns into a kind of "fetish" or idolatry. This unwavering support can overshadow concerns about the rights and well-being of the Palestinian people. It's crucial to strike a balance between supporting Israel and advocating for a just and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Historical Anti-Semitism in Conservative Evangelical Christianity
It is also necessary to confront the historical anti-Semitism that has persisted within some segments of the conservative Christian community. This may manifest in stereotypes about Jews, conspiracy theories, or even hostility towards Jewish people. Some individuals have used theological misinterpretations to justify such biases, but it is essential to recognize these distortions for what they are and reject them unequivocally.
The Issue of Unquestioning Support for Palestinians by Progressive Liberal Christians
On the other end of the spectrum, some American Progressive Liberal Christians may exhibit biases against Jews while supporting the Palestinian cause. This bias, often subtle and indirect, can manifest as a "fetish" for supporting Palestinians, as conservative Evangelicals do for Israel. It is vital to advocate for Palestinian rights without falling into anti-Semitic stereotypes or biases.
Condemning All Forms of Anti-Semitism
As Christians, we must stand together to condemn all forms of anti-Semitism, whether it arises from unwavering support for Israel, historical biases, or subtle biases against Jews. Anti-Semitism is contrary to the teachings of Jesus, who himself was a Jew, and goes against the essence of love, compassion, and unity that Christianity promotes.
A Call to Reject and Repent of Anti-Semitism
We, as Christians, must actively reject anti-Semitism in all its forms. We need to repent for the times when we have contributed to or turned a blind eye to anti-Semitic attitudes within our faith communities. We must strive to be allies and voices for our Jewish neighbors, demonstrating the love, acceptance, and inclusion that Christ exemplified.
In a world grappling with the rise of anti-Semitism and ongoing conflicts like the Israeli-Gaza war, Christians must lead the way in rejecting all forms of anti-Semitism. Let us stand united in love and solidarity, embracing our Jewish siblings and working together to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and Christ-like community that reflects God's boundless love for all of humanity.
