Grace and Peaceto you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are releasing the second issue of The Narthex with great amazement and gratitude as we celebrate the first anniversary of the formation of the Young Pietists (www.youngpietists.org). In only one year, the Young Pietists have developed a website, presented three resolutions to the Covenant Annual Meeting, re-established a journal, created some sense of organization, and engaged in discussions and relationships throughout the church around issues of justice and discipleship. We look forward to where God will move the Young Pietists in the future and thank all who supported us over the past year, both financially and with words of encouragement. The Narthex seeks to encourage those on the journey for justice and welcomes those new to the conversation. Our writers have offered food for thought that should keep you eating for days.

In the first issue of The Narthex we explored the question, “What is holistic, embodied discipleship?” through the lens of historical pietism. Continually shaped by this lens, we now explore, “What is biblical justice as it relates to the story of the Evangelical Covenant Church?” We desire to discuss biblical justice not through isolated or self-selected texts, but through a canonical approach where we view the Scripture as a whole and understand both God’s character and the work of God’s people as expressed through the entirety of the Old and New Testaments.

One goal of this issue is to connect with the participants of the Annual Meeting— disciples who are committed to the Covenant Church, devoted to the Bible, and engaged with the world. We hope that this issue continues this connection, devotion and engagement while broadening the dialogue about biblical justice. From Conversations, where we explore justice with North Park Professor Kazi Joshua and two respondents, to Everyday Sacred with Dick Lucco on the power of diversity in friendships, to the Call to Action where individuals and churches are invited to participate in justice - this entire issue seeks to help us all embody the Scriptures and live in the way of Jesus, the way of justice.

Again, this was written for participants at the Annual Meeting, so enjoy this issue in Keystone, Colorado, by finding a rock, a grassy knoll, or a bench near the water and in the historic fashion of Pietism, read and discuss The Narthex with a friend. May this journal nurture your soul and encourage your walk with God in the advancing of God’s Kingdom.

—“For God’s Glory and Neighbor’s Good.”

Editors-in-Chief, Liz Mosbo-VerHage & Kyle Small.