The Imago Dei Society

Under the umbrella of the "Imago Dei Society" are a number of endeavors being developed that we believe will help us better realize and live into our ability for being the "image of God" in the world around us. Two projects that are currently forming are the Imago Dei Residence and a way to experience the Christian Life as a worshipful community of people - Imago Dei in Carroll Gardens at St. Paul's Church and Imago Dei in Red Hook in the Red Hook Space.

Whether any of us are just beginning our life as Christians or whether we have been involved in the life of the Church for a very long time, the adventure we enter into when becoming a Christian is always to be re-formed simply and honestly to experience and show the nature and character of Jesus Christ. The Christian Life is not something we can "dabble in." We cannot come to understand the deep significance of our spiritual self, as God designed us to understand it, by "shopping" for God or a church or inner-satisfaction as we do for a new coat or the way we decide between a Blackberry or an iPhone.  It's more like permanently moving to France and deciding to do what is necessary over time to "be" as French as possible (more than just "learning" or "experiencing" the French language or culture).  The Gospel describes this as dying to self so that we might find life. The Christian Life needs to be one of intention, persistence, humility, and simplicity* in order for us to more fully reflect Jesus Christ and to intuitively know the promises of God for freedom, peace, and significance. If we can't demonstrate true and enduring love for God and for one another (the central commands of Jesus), then why should anyone give heed to what we have to say?

How do we plan do this? We are striving to make Imago Dei a place that will comprise men and women, clergy and lay, young and old, of any race or ethnicity - anyone - all striving to live into the ancient traditions of the Church particularly known in monastic communities, but for the rest of us. Very few people have the ability or the call to give up everything to make life-long professions to a life as a monk or nun.

Yet, from the very beginnings of the Christian experience men and women have hungered to move more deeply into their relationship with God and to more fully understand and experience the Life in Christ. As a result of this hunger, monastic communities developed Rules of Life that their members followed. These patterns for living provided structure and accountability that helped members progress in their spiritual maturation. The Spiritual Disciplines they developed live on today, but are quite difficult for many Christians with responsibilities of careers, families, and education to live by. Imago Dei works to find and provide ways of living into a Rule of Life and the ancient and trustworthy Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Faith for people of all walks of life. The well of tradition from which we draw is the Anglican, Prayer Book expression of the Church Catholic.

Why do we need such an effort: Too many people in our society are dissuaded from becoming part of a local church or delving deeper into Christianity because of the examples set by many Christians. Too often we seem to be anything but people who love God and love our neighbors. Much of American Christianity is bound up by the more negative aspects of current American culture, rather than living into the very different way of life that we are called to by Jesus, the Christ. We who claim Christ need to once again be individually and corporately the "image of God" - the imago Dei. We do this for people who have been burned by their experience with Christianity or the Church and so are turned off to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Good News is only good when it is lived out in honesty, consistency, and integrity by those who claim it. This should compel in us a sense of humility. Too many of us in these days live deficient Christian lives, however, and this results in the image of God being marred before our friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members.

Ideas or suggestions that may help define or refine the concepts and activities mentioned on this page are welcome...