Paul advised the Galations not only in the behaviors they ought to avoid, but in the intentions, behaviors and practices to which they should commit themselves, those which would grow the community of Christ, those which would allow both individuals and the community to flourish. “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

How do we challenge one another? Or perhaps more importantly, how do we challenge one another without relying on structures of dominance and power-over that can so easily become controlling and toxic, especially when these challenges are tied to spiritual matters which are often about the core of who we are. 

When children and youth are able to thrive, so too does the whole community. Likewise, when the whole community is empowered to thrive, so too are the children and the youth. Our well-being is interwoven, deeply interconnected with the well-being of one another. And we are all called to nurture our collective well-being, in and through our commitments to the well-being of the children and youth among us.