It’s been an interesting week, to say the least. There’s been lots of conversation around how we should approach the public content of church leaders, but there’s also been a lot of great stuff on other subjects as well. I hope you’ll take the time to read through these fantastic posts.
1. The post that started the conversation
I linked to it in my post yesterday when I responded, but here is the original post by Lore Ferguson on not being part of Mark Driscoll’s church. As several people pointed out, the post itself is subtly pushy, but the comments are by far the worst part. The good news is that it opened the door for people to be honest about the experiences they have had in abusive churches.
2. Sarah Moon on being angry
It is so good to have people saying this. I can’t stress enough how important it is to speak the feelings we have. It is not in the feelings that we lose ourselves, but in the suppression and unhealthy expression of them. A lot of us need a lifetime to learn the difference. Keep speaking up, Sarah, because so many of us are being affirmed by your words!
3. Luke Harms on platforms
I often feel this way. How do I balance speaking up about the important things and just making more white noise? As a writer, I take words very seriously–my own and others’. Luke has given me a lot to think about in terms of what it means to have a voice among the chaos and not making it all about preaching to the choir.
4. Whistle-blowers
I love today’s cartoon from Naked Pastor. This is the flip side of the soapboxing Luke Harms encourages us to avoid in the above post. There are times when it is absolutely necessary to make sure people know the damage being done. Spiritual abuse is real and it’s happening in too many of our churches. Let’s make sure it doesn’t keep happening.
5. Speaking of cartoons…
I was thrilled to see that ASBO Jesus (a.k.a. Jon Birch) is back! My reaction to this cartoon: “Oh, I don’t know anyone like that, right?” At least, I wish I didn’t. Too bad we can’t really implement this therapy.
6. Another fantastic post from Rachel Held Evans
Every time I think she can’t possibly write a post I like better than a previous one, she does. When I read this, I couldn’t help thinking, “How does she know exactly what I’ve felt?” This excellent piece on questions of the heart summed up the problem I’ve had for a long time with both Calvinism and Arminianism in regard to the Divine Elect. (Yes, I know I just resorted to Christianese.) I hope that others who read her words will be moved to think about how they communicate the love of God.
7. Best response to condescension
I am a mom. I love being a mom. But motherhood is not somehow the pinnacle of womanhood. Read both this post and the one to which it links (for context). When it comes to my friendships with women who are not moms, how about if I don’t judge you and we spend our time together sharing the different adventures we have had and looking forward to sharing a few of our own together. Sound good?
8. Respecting our husbands
I have to admit, the title of this one grabbed me: Faking It: Why You Should Stop Treating Your Husband Like a Toddler, and ACTUALLY Respect Him. I have had bad experiences with being told to “respect” my husband (like the whole “don’t wear your bedroom slippers when you greet him at the door” thing). This blog post is not one of them, though. I didn’t literally leap out of my seat and cheer, but that was definitely how I was feeling after reading Jenny Rae Armstrong’s post. Yes, yes, oh yes–this is what a healthy marriage looks like.
9. Something worth celebrating
Last Saturday, I had the privilege to watch the live video feed of my online friend Shay’s ordination. Congratulations and much love, Shay. I am privileged to know you. Folks can read a bit about it here and see some pics. One small step…
10. Music I love
I will leave you with this YouTube video of one of the pieces my orchestra is playing at our concert on March 9. If you are in the area, come out to Roberts Wesleyan College (7:30 start, with a pre-concert lecture at 7) to see us. Tickets are $10 and you can get them through the box office (there is no extra fee for ordering by phone if you pick them up at the Will Call booth the night of the concert).
[youtube=http://youtu.be/5R3OcYXy0XU]
That’s it, everybody. Have a great weekend!
