Book Discussion Session One
Welcome and thanks for checking into our group via cyberspace. More than a dozen folks turned out for an engaging gathering earlier today, and I look forward to integrating your insights into our conversation in the weeks to come.
Prior to today's meeting, we read the Introduction and Part One of Diana Butler Bass's book, Christianity for the Rest of Us. We began today's session with a prayer followed by a chance for participants to introduce themselves by name along with one stated attribute of our congregation that they would describe as vital.
Here's some of what we discussed as we worked through about page 42 in Chapter 3.
1. The author begins (page 2) with a bit of a rant about a centering prayer experience and "closed eyes in the semidarkness, seeking the comfort of God's holy blessedness." My question: Is a quest for blessedness really all that bad? We discussed, among other things, the need for a grounded spirituality that fuels any and all outreach.
2. She writes (p. 6) that "lively faith is not located in buildings, programs, organizations, and structures. Rather, spiritual vitality lives in human beings; it is located in the heart of God's people and the communities they form." We were less certain that faith is not embodied in programs, and we talked about the need for structured opportunities to gather in order for faith to become increasingly lively.
3. Postmodernism deals with questioning authorities and institutions, and with a willingness to consider multiple truths. We discussed what this has meant for the church universal and what it might mean, the challenges it might present, for our local church.
4. "In the New Testament, Jesus asks everyone to change." (p. 24) Will we?
5. At Church of the Redeemer in New Haven, the author found "a blended sort of Christian theology and spirituality that draws from deep wells of tradition and yet is generously open to change and the remaking of those very traditions," particularly as embodied in former pastor Lillian Daniel (p. 34). How true is this for us here in Norfolk?
6. How do you respond to the description of the church as a "hospital for sinners" (p. 37)?
7. Struggling or declining churches, "while they did many worthy things, paid little or no attention to people's spiritual lives. They simply assumed that people were Christians, that they knew how to be, think, and pray like Christians." (p. 42) Do we make similar assumptions here (e.g., that everyone in the pews knows the words of the Lord's Prayer)?
Peace,
Erick
Prior to today's meeting, we read the Introduction and Part One of Diana Butler Bass's book, Christianity for the Rest of Us. We began today's session with a prayer followed by a chance for participants to introduce themselves by name along with one stated attribute of our congregation that they would describe as vital.
Here's some of what we discussed as we worked through about page 42 in Chapter 3.
1. The author begins (page 2) with a bit of a rant about a centering prayer experience and "closed eyes in the semidarkness, seeking the comfort of God's holy blessedness." My question: Is a quest for blessedness really all that bad? We discussed, among other things, the need for a grounded spirituality that fuels any and all outreach.
2. She writes (p. 6) that "lively faith is not located in buildings, programs, organizations, and structures. Rather, spiritual vitality lives in human beings; it is located in the heart of God's people and the communities they form." We were less certain that faith is not embodied in programs, and we talked about the need for structured opportunities to gather in order for faith to become increasingly lively.
3. Postmodernism deals with questioning authorities and institutions, and with a willingness to consider multiple truths. We discussed what this has meant for the church universal and what it might mean, the challenges it might present, for our local church.
4. "In the New Testament, Jesus asks everyone to change." (p. 24) Will we?
5. At Church of the Redeemer in New Haven, the author found "a blended sort of Christian theology and spirituality that draws from deep wells of tradition and yet is generously open to change and the remaking of those very traditions," particularly as embodied in former pastor Lillian Daniel (p. 34). How true is this for us here in Norfolk?
6. How do you respond to the description of the church as a "hospital for sinners" (p. 37)?
7. Struggling or declining churches, "while they did many worthy things, paid little or no attention to people's spiritual lives. They simply assumed that people were Christians, that they knew how to be, think, and pray like Christians." (p. 42) Do we make similar assumptions here (e.g., that everyone in the pews knows the words of the Lord's Prayer)?
Peace,
Erick
Comments
Is it a label? like Vaseline is to petroleum jelly? Simply foolish. what if Simon won? I respect all beliefs, if it makes that person feel good, so why complicate a good thing? WHY? I honestly need to understand?
2. People are varied, a key ingredient to what makes life wonderful. Some communities may benefit from a programmatic approach, others not. The author's position, I take it, does not discourage the Norfolk community from bonding and determining what programs we want.
3. Never liked the use of "postmodernism." What is modern constantly involves; so, too, must "postmodern." Postmodernism practically begs to be a term with multiple meanings and manipulations to the point of becoming meaningless.
4. How change occurs seems to be more to the point.
5. With our Congregational heritage, Norfolk is predisposed to refine our beliefs and behaviors locally, within the "congregation." How much we are willing to be open to change depends on the make-up of the congregation at any point in time.
6. If you take Tillich's meaning, as I do, of sin as separation then, yes, church is a hospital that can patch up our separation from God or each other.
7. I think the author oversimplifies and stereotypes in this manner. As for Norfolk, I do not think assumptions are made about what people automatically know. However, we fluctuate over time in regards to paying attention to what people know.
Well as you may or may not remember I am a practicing Catholic and have at some times strayed away from the Catholic church and did visit some Nondenomination churches. I figure either way, as long as I feel close to God then I am. :)
I do struggle with many questions. The whole 2012 thing freaks me out like you wouldn't even believe! As for God questions I think He may be up there right now asking me (while I nonchallantly turn my ear the other way) why I believe all thy hype and don't just trust in Him. I could on for hours on end. I talk to God every day. Ask Him all kinds of questions. Wonder what He's thinking about all of us. What have we done to Mother Earth? Why do we bother wondering why all this "stuff" is going on? We, as people, have let too many others leave God out. No prayer in schools. Folks who want to remove certain statues and plaques that refer to God from our courthouses. I think the question God asks most is just simply "Why?"
We've brought alot of our own sufferings upon ourselves, some more than others. But we're all going to bare the brunt of it.
May you have a Happy Friday, a Happy April Fool's Day, and wonderful and blessed weekend!
God Bless~ Felicia
The sun is shining today, and it is an awesome day to be alive - a gift. Enjoy and God bless you, too!