CrossWalk America: 2,500 Miles on Foot to Promote Christian Compassion
What happened?
“I do hereby honor CrossWalk America for their tireless efforts to promote progressive human values,� wrote Janet Napolitano, Governor of Arizona. “On behalf of the citizens of the State of Arizona I thank you and wish you success on your 2,500 mile walk across the country as you inspire others along the way.� Beginning April 16, 2006, (Easter Sunday) the CrossWalk America team left Phoenix, Arizona on their not so- pedestrian journey to Washington, DC. This long summer walk—they finish Labor Day weekend—aims to inspire, organize, and expand the emerging progressive Christian movement.
To help spread their message, CrossWalkers “carry copies of The Phoenix Affirmations—a set of twelve theological values that clearly articulate Christianity from a progressive Christian standpoint.� Along the way, CWA encourages people to join in walking with them as they pass through each town -- allowing many believers who feel isolated, to express their commitment to progressive values. The walk will culminate at a rally in DC, where they will “nail the Affirmations to the doorway of America.�
What methods did faith leaders use?
The idea for walking across America to promote progressive values began with the Rev. Eric Elnes, PhD, Senior Pastor of the 300-member Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ in Scottsdale, Arizona. In making the dream a reality, he teamed up with congregant Rebecca Glenn, a former IT executive; together, with a ten-member board and support staff, they assembled six core walkers. Along the way, they spread their message by meeting with local media, holding rallies and prayer services, and speaking in churches. Thus far, newspapers such as The Houston Chronicle, The Sante Fe New Mexican, and The Seattle Post-Intelligencer have reported on the message and progress of their trek.
The CrossWalk team has worked creatively to involve as many people as possible in the movement by providing pedometers to those who want to support the walk, but cannot join the walk across the country. Partcipants with pedometers record their walking mileage and post it online. To date, CWA supporters have recorded 10,830,987 steps (approximately 5415.49 miles). There have also been bike rides logging mileage in support of the walk.
In addition, members of the CWA team regularly write about the walk on the CrossWalk America blog and has a cameraman along filming for a documentary.
What was their message?
The Phoenix Affirmations consist of twelve succinct scriptural points, which expand upon the three great loves: toward God, others, and self. Dr. James Forbes, Senior Pastor of Riverside Church in New York City calls it, “A spark of what very well may be the next Great Awakening.� The affirmations include:
• Engaging everyone authentically;
• Preserving the Church’s prophetic voice to government;
• Embracing faith and science;
• Caring for our bodies;
• As well as walking in the path of Jesus while respecting other faith roads.
In a June 9, 2006, editorial for The Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Anthony B. Robinson pointed out that CWA’s message smartly balances both commitment and openness, thus providing believers both a foundation of meaning as well as a prophetic vision for progress.
What challenges were faced?
In addition to organizing a support team; setting up media contacts (with assistance from Faith in Public Life); coordinating events, speaking engagements and home and church-stays on the route; and actually walking 2,500 miles, there have been a few obstacles. According to a New Mexico newspaper the Clovis News Journal, some Christian leaders in Clovis, NM were less than welcoming. In fact, Clovis Christian Ministerial Alliance Chairman Lance Clemmons objected to their progressive theological affirmations and “directed them to seek assistance in another community.� Clemmons said, “I agree with some of the points, but when it comes to excusing behavior that God has clearly condemned as sin, I must agree to disagree.� In contrast, a theologically conservative radio station—Jesus Radio KIJN—interviewed CWA and turned out very supportive. Warned that he might get disapproving feedback, the station manager said, “I’ll just tell them to let me worry about running my radio station and they can worry about how to run their church.� Reflecting on the experience, the Rev. Elnes blogged: “Clovis demonstrates that Christian conservatives are definitely NOT all alike. There is a significant conservative Christian population that is as appalled as we are by the lack of tolerance, compassion and inclusiveness from certain Christians.�
How can you use this example?
Significantly, CrossWalk America gets newspaper coverage about once a week. In achieving this success, CWA collaborates with a broad spectrum of organizations and churches in planning events and church visits. Additionally, CWA combines creative and technologically relevant methods such as pedometers and photo-sharing with traditional methods such as speaking at churches and sharing in small town potlucks; this combination of methods has allowed CrossWalk America to amplify their message and maximize participation.
Key Links
CrossWalk America
“Moderate Christians need to restore image� column by Anthony B. Robinson, Seattle Post Intelligencer (June 6, 2006)
