A simple definition of religion is; a set of beliefs that shapes one’s worldview. A simple definition of faith is: complete trust or confidence in something or someone. Sometimes faith and religion go together- we find a system in which we can live out our faith in a set of practices, worship and serving. Sometimes when people are hurt by religious communities, their faith can remain strong and other times religious people can participate in the rituals and worship without necessarily having much faith. In Acts 17: 22-23 the Apostle Paul says this, ‘Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.’ He then proceeds to give them a lesson about Jesus. For me, it is a gift when they work together… when our religious practices inform our faith and our faith informs our religious practice and all of it sends us out to serve our neighbors and bring light to the world. – Pastor Trudy Stoffel
