What a list! Thank you for creating and offering it in spite of (or along with?) your trustworthy convictions rooted in " ... no conveyable truth apart from context and relationship and embodied knowledge." As recent back-to-churchers, there's so much of what you're working to articulate here that feels deeply, deeply resonant. Bless you in, and for, your ministry, your mighty preaching, your care and unseen work in solitude, your courage that seems unflinching, and your good, good words. We love you and we're with you from where we are.
I loved this, and I love you, and I miss Trinity and I will be back (my Rosie asked "When can we go back to my church?"). Here's a new line: "You should go because your daughter shamed your ass."
Thank you for this. I love all the reasons you listed. I believe there is something essential about experiencing God in community no matter how uncomfortable, inconvenient or annoying - there's something important - and I think you touched the edge of that here.
Thank you Amy for this tender and gracious perspective. I too have wrestled with some of these same reasons on both sides of the coin AND also holding the data that “Nones” are the fastest growing religious category in the US. As a minister myself it would be great to have our churches filled with more people, more resources, more love.. and yet, the declining numbers tell another story. A story I am curiously interested in as I watch this group of “Spiritual but not Religious” seeker groups growing like sunflowers in front of us. Is it that the Nones grew up without the influence of going to church so they have found other ways to have intimate relationships with the Sacred? Or is there an inner connection with God that expands the Holy in ways that perhaps the Church is struggling to find at the moment??
I pray this is received with love and grace and as a way to hold these sorts of thoughts with intention.
Thank you for these words… with separation from church I floundered…still had other associations in the community..and I have found ways to keep some of the ideas of church in my life in new ways..seasons have changed and I have not yet returned to church…but I know my ties with God are not severed,readjusted yes…my relationship is a solid foundation.🩵
Why do I come to Substack? To have my spirit refreshed (challenged) by thoughtful and gentle writers like Amy Peterson.
What a list! Thank you for creating and offering it in spite of (or along with?) your trustworthy convictions rooted in " ... no conveyable truth apart from context and relationship and embodied knowledge." As recent back-to-churchers, there's so much of what you're working to articulate here that feels deeply, deeply resonant. Bless you in, and for, your ministry, your mighty preaching, your care and unseen work in solitude, your courage that seems unflinching, and your good, good words. We love you and we're with you from where we are.
You're such a consistent encouragement, Michael. 💙
oh, Amy. This was so lovely. Thank you.
I loved this, and I love you, and I miss Trinity and I will be back (my Rosie asked "When can we go back to my church?"). Here's a new line: "You should go because your daughter shamed your ass."
I totally didn’t write this because I miss seeing Rosie at church…
“Be bored together, and delighted together” 👏🏼
This made me tear up a little. Thank you for laying it out so beautifully.
You had me at chronos and kairos. Thank you for this.
I don't know all the reasons I love this but I love it and need it and want to share it with everyone. Thank you for writing it, friend.
Thank my insomnia, lol. But seriously: thank you.
I'll be returning to this thought often in the coming weeks/months: "...to pursue friendship with the people who are already God’s friends."
Thank you for this. I love all the reasons you listed. I believe there is something essential about experiencing God in community no matter how uncomfortable, inconvenient or annoying - there's something important - and I think you touched the edge of that here.
This is excellent.
Thank you so much for this, Amy.
Thank you Amy for this tender and gracious perspective. I too have wrestled with some of these same reasons on both sides of the coin AND also holding the data that “Nones” are the fastest growing religious category in the US. As a minister myself it would be great to have our churches filled with more people, more resources, more love.. and yet, the declining numbers tell another story. A story I am curiously interested in as I watch this group of “Spiritual but not Religious” seeker groups growing like sunflowers in front of us. Is it that the Nones grew up without the influence of going to church so they have found other ways to have intimate relationships with the Sacred? Or is there an inner connection with God that expands the Holy in ways that perhaps the Church is struggling to find at the moment??
I pray this is received with love and grace and as a way to hold these sorts of thoughts with intention.
Thank you for these words… with separation from church I floundered…still had other associations in the community..and I have found ways to keep some of the ideas of church in my life in new ways..seasons have changed and I have not yet returned to church…but I know my ties with God are not severed,readjusted yes…my relationship is a solid foundation.🩵