A Different Way: Following Jesus Beyond Christian Nationalism
What does it mean to be a Christian in America today? How can Christians love their country while remembering that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ? And how do we engage faithfully with Christian Nationalism without surrendering either our faith or our neighbor?
The Grand Canyon Growing in Faith Program, a Mission and Ministry Partner of the Grand Canyon Synod, invites rostered ministers, lay leaders and others across the synod to explore these questions at “A Different Way: Jesus and the Call Beyond Christian Nationalism — Hope, Courage and Community for Such a Time as This.” View a PDF of event info here.
The one-day symposium will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Arizona time at American Lutheran Church in Sun City, Arizona, with both in-person and virtual participation available. The cost is $25 per person for either format. Lunch and snacks will be provided for those attending in person.
The featured speaker is Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA, who will lead participants in a biblical and theological conversation about Christian faith, citizenship, political power and the call of Jesus.
The symposium begins from a distinctly Christian conviction: no nation, political party or government is the Kingdom of God. Christians may love their country, participate fully in democracy and bring their faith into public life while recognizing that their ultimate identity and allegiance are found in Christ. Jesus calls his followers not to political dominance, but to love of God and neighbor, service, justice, mercy, peacemaking and care for the stranger and vulnerable.
Participants will explore what Christian Nationalism is—and what it is not—as well as what Scripture and the teachings of Jesus say about faith, nation, power and citizenship. The gathering will also consider how Christians can respond to division with hope rather than fear, courage rather than division, and community rather than exclusion.
Organizers emphasize that the symposium is not intended to tell participants what political position to hold. Instead, it asks a deeper question: How can we, as followers of Jesus, faithfully live out the Gospel in a deeply divided nation and culture?
Pastors, deacons, congregational leaders, lifelong Christians, newer Christians and anyone seeking to understand these challenging questions through the lens of Christian faith are welcome.
Registration is now open. Visit diakonia.education, choose Classes/Events → Upcoming Events, select the Christian Nationalism Symposium, and click the Sign Up button. Questions may be directed to admin@diakonia.education.
In a time when many voices compete for our allegiance, this gathering offers an opportunity to listen again for the voice of Jesus—and together discern a different way.