“He was created by a Mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that he formed.”
Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
During the Christmas season I am reminded that we are invited to see how God operates outside of how we think power works. We are invited to see that God reigns not by taking absolute control of everything, but by emptying God’s self and making self-giving love the kind of power that liberates. We are invited to see that God is saving the world through the Christ-child who came by the way of vulnerability and grew up to become the suffering servant spoken of by Isaiah (53).
But society does not seem to understand vulnerability. It is rejected as weak and laughed at. It is misunderstood.
Tragically, many who confess loyalty to the Christ of Christmas reject this invitation to see. Instead, some choose the way that mimics the violence, fear, and bravado of society. Some call it being masculine. Others say it’s about being bold and strong. But what does the Christ-child, who grew up full of grace and truth and became the suffering servant for all, say?
“Follow me.”
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About Fred
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Long Way Here 