A We Progressive?

As our name - The Progressive Christian Alliance - suggests, we are considered to be by many that are a part of the "inner circle" of Mainstream Christiantiy progressive. However, I've been having a difficult time with being labeled "progressive" simply for attempting to take Jesus and his message seriously.

I think if anything, we are regressive. We are attempting to capture the heart, the imagination, and the radical nature of the early Jesus movement over two thousand years ago. Of course, when you attempt to follow this without attempting to attach all the "baggage" that the Christian Religion brings with it, you're going to be considered on the outside (see the following terms when used negatively: liberal, progressive, radical, heretic, etc.).

To be honest, I have a hard time wrapping my head around calling followers of Jesus' teachings and lifestyle "progressive." I mean, after all, did not Jesus live over two thousand years ago? However, when I look at the current state of the Church; how we have gradually become the very establishment - the man, if you will - that Jesus spoke against, I guess I can see how actually attempting to follow the actual teachings of Jesus would seem a progressive.

Loving your enemies. Practicing non-violence. Welcoming all as children - our brothers and sisters - of our heavenly Parent.

These ideas are not new. Unfortunately practicing them seems to be.