Conspiring for Wholeness and Justice

To Be and To Do: Conspiring for Wholeness and Justice 

In this episode of "To Be and Do" from The Belonging Exchange podcast, host Phil Amerson embarks on an insightful exploration of what it means to live holistically as people of faith, particularly in turbulent and challenging times. Amerson unpacks the radical idea of a "Gospel Conspiracy" – not a cloak-and-dagger secret society, but a deliberate, faith-inspired movement toward a truer, justice-oriented way of living. Here are three major takeaways from the episode:

1. Conspiracy Isn’t a Dirty Word Here—It’s a Call to Action

Amerson boldly reclaims the word “conspiracy” for people living in pursuit of justice. He describes himself as “a conspirator for a kingdom, for a reign of God,” one rooted in deeper values than patriotism or nationalism. Rather than framing faith as private or individually focused, Amerson invites listeners into a “gospel conspiracy” that prioritizes love, justice, and community solidarity—an identity larger than one’s citizenship in any earthly nation. He reflects on how Christianity calls its followers to participate in God’s kinship, transcending borders and toxic exclusivity, especially in times of division and injustice.

2. Faith Is Not a One-Time Event—It’s a Lifelong Cycle

One of the episode’s core contributions is Amerson’s “Gospel Conspiracy Cycle.” He emphasizes that authentic faith is a dynamic process, not a passive acceptance or a one-time decision. The cycle he outlines includes:

• Praying and meditating

• Observing and listening

• Studying and learning

• Repenting and reconciling

• Joining with others in community

• Singing, dancing, and raising one’s voice in hope

• Taking direct action against injustice

  
  
  

  Each part of the cycle feeds into the next, creating a rhythm that sustains individuals and communities through adversity and growth. This holistic, cyclical pattern of transformation challenges the notion that faith is merely believing the “right” things or performing the “right” rituals.

3. Living Out Wholeness Means Facing Hard Truths

Amerson doesn’t shy away from confronting the darker parts of history and present society, highlighting the “ugly, brutal, racist, kleptocratic” tendencies embedded in culture and systems. He addresses the painful realities of America’s founding compromises and ongoing struggles with injustice. But rather than reacting with despair or denial, he urges listeners to embrace repentance, reconciliation, and action. Amerson also critiques a surface-level Christianity, one that talks about faith but avoids practices of self-examination, humility, and honest engagement with others' suffering. Wholeness, he argues, is about aligning what we are (“to be”) and what we do—living authentically, humbly, and in community with those seeking God’s justice.

Final Thoughts

Amerson’s vision in this episode is both challenging and hopeful. He calls listeners (of all or no faith backgrounds) not to passively endure the tides of politics or society, but to “join the conspiracy”—to live purposefully, to examine and re-examine how faith shapes action, and to be agents of healing and justice. Want to learn more? Amerson offers further reading and diagrams if you contact him via belongingexchange.org, opening the door for deeper engagement and honest conversation.

Through “To Be and Do,” this episode gives us a roadmap for living faith with integrity, courage, and joy—no secret handshake required.