The church, since its inception, has lived with a dual identity. It has done wonderful things: establishing hospitals, serving the poor, working to abolish slavery, and inspiring people to live into a transcendent reality. These efforts have been both the work of individuals and the work of institutions. But at the same time—sometimes even in the same actions—the church has led violent crusades, embraced racism, perpetuated abuse, and aligned herself in compromising manners with political powers severely damaging Christian witness. We must understand and acknowledge this reality or we run the
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