photo by Phyllis D.K. Hildreth This one grieves me to write, but I think I have to. Some of the best years of my life were lived within a community that includes the families of Bill Lee and Marsha Blackburn at Christ Presbyterian Academy. The friendships I entered into there remain mostly alive and kicking and unchanged. I’ll always be grateful for students, faculty, administrators, and parents who nurtured and encouraged me in those days as I tried to find my way as an educator and a writer. I have a story about a time it looked like my job was in danger and how morally serious, cool-headed people looked after me. You can read
I’m certain many before me have mentioned and discussed this but it appears appealing to churches to reign in their members is a dead end. It’s a follow the money thing. Pastors can’t risk offending the congregation because it jeopardizes the money coming in. The money supports their larger ministry which is in bed with their livelihood. They justify their silence because they feel the larger mission of the church is more critical, yet they lose their souls along the way. They also lose their ability to shepherd and disciple with any integrity. It’s a very American way to damage the kingdom, though 2000 years of church history suggests money has ruined the faith many times over.
Thank you for your words. I hate the need for protests like these but do look forward to being a data point at the next one? I will keep my ear to your substack, please do share.
David. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to Faith-fully and thoughtfully navigate these difficult days. I share your experience of grief and loss. . . I will try to be brief. Two thoughts.
First. Last month(?) I was listening to an online discussion "Upsetting the Powers, the Legacy of James Cone". These words from Dr. Adam Clark grabbed my attention: "Identity Structure is the Modern Idol. That is why it is very difficult for people caught in these type of identity-idol structures to change…it is not just a matter of Will, not just a matter of Intent… Your whole structure, your whole Self has been wedded to something that is death-dealing to others."
I found these words to be helpful. Not in that they offer a "solution" but that they offer insight into the systemic nature of the relationship struggles we are facing. . . Modern Idols, not made of wood or stone, are not easily broken.
Next. Appreciate and be grateful for (I know that you do) the actual bodies that stand WITH each other to speak FOR a better Way. . . of Peace, of Love, and of Non-Violence. The WAY of Jesus the Nazarene is a WAY that sets "households" against one another. Be grateful for Peter.
Grateful for you! And yes, we live in HOPE!
"Resistance is the protest of those who HOPE, and HOPE is the feast of people who resist" - Jurgen Moltmann
I stand in complete agreement with you.
I’m certain many before me have mentioned and discussed this but it appears appealing to churches to reign in their members is a dead end. It’s a follow the money thing. Pastors can’t risk offending the congregation because it jeopardizes the money coming in. The money supports their larger ministry which is in bed with their livelihood. They justify their silence because they feel the larger mission of the church is more critical, yet they lose their souls along the way. They also lose their ability to shepherd and disciple with any integrity. It’s a very American way to damage the kingdom, though 2000 years of church history suggests money has ruined the faith many times over.
Thank you for your words. I hate the need for protests like these but do look forward to being a data point at the next one? I will keep my ear to your substack, please do share.
David. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to Faith-fully and thoughtfully navigate these difficult days. I share your experience of grief and loss. . . I will try to be brief. Two thoughts.
First. Last month(?) I was listening to an online discussion "Upsetting the Powers, the Legacy of James Cone". These words from Dr. Adam Clark grabbed my attention: "Identity Structure is the Modern Idol. That is why it is very difficult for people caught in these type of identity-idol structures to change…it is not just a matter of Will, not just a matter of Intent… Your whole structure, your whole Self has been wedded to something that is death-dealing to others."
I found these words to be helpful. Not in that they offer a "solution" but that they offer insight into the systemic nature of the relationship struggles we are facing. . . Modern Idols, not made of wood or stone, are not easily broken.
Next. Appreciate and be grateful for (I know that you do) the actual bodies that stand WITH each other to speak FOR a better Way. . . of Peace, of Love, and of Non-Violence. The WAY of Jesus the Nazarene is a WAY that sets "households" against one another. Be grateful for Peter.
Grateful for you! And yes, we live in HOPE!
"Resistance is the protest of those who HOPE, and HOPE is the feast of people who resist" - Jurgen Moltmann
I wish You luck and I did post it on my facebook