We recommit ourselves to grow in the knowledge and the love of God, drinking from the well of worship and praise, word and sacrament.

We commit ourselves to sacrificial and loving engagement with God, with all other Christians, and with a needy world. We commit ourselves to share the good news of Jesus Christ, by living and announcing the Gospel of the kingdom, so that all may come to know, love, and serve God.

We repent of our complacency, our reliance on technique, and our complicity with the evils of the status quo. We repudiate the idolatries of nation and economic system, and zealously dedicate ourselves to Christ and his kingdom's values. We turn away from obsession with power, possessions, self-fulfillment, security and safety, and willingly risk discomfort and conflict as we live our dreams.

In 1973, we called evangelicals to social engagement: this call still stands. We are thankful that more social engagement is emerging, yet tragically it has frequently divided us along ideological lines. Too often recent evangelical political engagement has been uncivil and polarizing, has demonized opponents, and lacked careful analysis and biblical integrity. Faithfulnessto the full authority of the Scriptures transcends traditional categories of left and right.

The Gospel is not divided—it embraces both the call to conversion and the summons to justice. Obedience to Jesus' teaching and example demands congregations that integrate prayer, worship, evangelism, and social transformation.

We Pray In the face of such complex and unremitting problems, we claim the promise of God to give wisdom to those who ask. Therefore we ask: Oh God, Giver and Sustainer of life, Holy Redeemer and Lord, comforting and empowering Spirit, teach us your ways, show us your will, give us your presence, and pour out your power. Amen. Come Lord Jesus. —November 21, 1993

GOING DEEPER

To continue our emphasis on Social Justice issues, we are featuring two books as a package. The first, Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster, articulates a creative, more human style of living and points the way for Christians to make their lives "models of simplicity." Richard provides a way to rethink our priorities and to "seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness." He shows us how to live in harmony with the rich complexity of life while stressing the relation of simplicity to prayer, solitude, and all the Christian Disciplines.

Accompanying Freedom of Simplicity, the Leader's Guide was developed in 1992 by HarperSanFrancisco. Designed for groups, itprovides step-by-step instructions, activities, suggestions, and discussion questions.

We are also featuring The Journal of John Woolman which stands alone as a classic among spiritual autobiographies—the typical literary expression of Quakerism in its first two centuries. Woolman's 18th-century writing brings us once again into contact with the unique Quaker culture that focused, as Howard H. Brinton put it, on "life itself in home, meeting and community." Its distinctive marks were not dogmas but practical testimonies for equality, simplicity, and peace. John Woolman reforges these testimonies, once revolutionary but becoming institutionalized, tempering them in the stream of love and converting them into instruments of revolution.

GROWING PAINS

We continue to receive many letters of appreciation and blessing. A network of peoplepray for us daily and for special needs when we call. Be sure to return the form attached to the last pastoral letter from Richard Foster if you want to provide this vital support.

Thank you for the wonderful interest in hosting Local Conferences. All of the dates through