Revisiting the Church In, With, Against, and For the World * Roger Gench

·20 min·2 clips

Roger Gench revisits Doug Otati's four-preposition schema—in, with, against, for—to reframe the church's role in the world after five years of study.

Roger Gench opens by recalling his first sermon at Second Presbyterian Church in October 2019, which used Doug Otati's four-preposition schema to frame the church's role in the world. He explains this schema—in, with, against, for—as a Reformed theological approach. Gench reframes it based on nearly five years of congregational study, including Sunday school classes and book readings. He starts with 'in the world,' describing it as God's good creation that God refuses to give up on, citing Psalm 24. He references Norman Wirzba's book 'This Sacred Life,' which critiques the 'container' and 'globe' images of the world, advocating instead for a 'meshwork' view where humans are enmeshed. Gench uses a personal anecdote about hiking in Colorado to illustrate metabolic connection to the environment. He introduces breath prayer, influenced by Thich Nhat Hanh, linking breath (ruach in Hebrew) to spirit and interconnectedness. Next, 'with the world' involves confessing common sins, such as idolatries like racism and sexism, which are pervasive like 'lies in the water.' He mentions Sean Copeland's book about standing at the foot of the cross to remember crucified people. Gench ties this to Reinhold Niebuhr's ideas on balancing power with power, not power over. Then, 'against the world' means being 'persistent pests and nuisances' against hierarchies, echoing Jesus' life as a political refugee under Roman surveillance. Finally, 'for the world' is about hopeful realism, drawing on Martin Luther King Jr.'s arc of the universe bending toward justice. Gench discusses the eight-sided baptismal font as symbolizing the eighth day of creation—a time of resurrection—and connects it to Revelation's imagery of the new Jerusalem with open gates and healing leaves. He concludes by urging the congregation to be beachheads of the new creation, refusing to give up because God is for them.

As heard by us

A Reformed sermon on creation, confession, and power that keeps the church's place in the world in clear view.

Second Presbyterian Church uses Doug Otati's four prepositions, in, with, against, and for, to frame the church's life in the world through a Reformed lens.

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You get a sermon that maps the church's place in the world with uncommon discipline and patience today.

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