Episode 132: Lessons from the Church Family Tree, Part 3: Francis of Assisi

As they continue looking at different branches of the Christian family tree and the lives of older sisters and brothers in the faith, pastors Erica and Steve take a look at the example of Francis of Assisi.  And even though they both come from Protestant traditions as a Methodist and a Lutheran, they discover we have a lot to learn from Francis, even though he is usually most strongly associated with Roman Catholic practice and piety.  Espeically in a culture in which everything is treated as a product for mass consumption and excess is treated to be a sign of success, Francis' intentional simplicity, humility, and concern for those who are in need are a powerful--and countercultural--example. What might it look like for us and our daily lives to take the example of Francis seriously, without necessarily joining a monastery? And is it possible that the life of intentional simplicity isn't "settling" for something less in order to earn a cushy afterlife, or might Francis (and Jesus) be telling us that the simple life is actually the fuller life? Join in this conversation looking at another branch from the Christian family tree here on Crazy Faith Talk!