Also, I have a request:
I want to make my two books, “nakedpastor101″ and “Without a Vision My People Prosper”, available on Kindle. People from all around the world have been asking for it.
My problem is the cost. I need $420 to make it happen and I simply don’t have it. I’m asking for donations from die-hard nakedpastor fans! I need your help. I’m half way there.
But I’m making an offer:
- you may purchase any Sophia print of your choice from my online gallery; or,
- any donation over $400 and you can acquire an original Sophia if it is available. That’s about 50% off!
You just need to email me to inform me of your intentions if you want an original. I’ll invoice you through Paypal once we agree on what you want… if it is available.
Thanks so so much.
Of course, if you just want to make a donation, simply go to my sidebar on my blog and click on the PayPal button “donate”. Thanks.
illustrating spiritual paths
Moving out, or “separation”, is often the first step to divorce. People subconsciously know that and thus fear even that step. Even though for a long time they may tell others, “we are just separated and thinking about things.”
I remember when I was at my Christian college and the idea of leaving the faith first came to mind. It came with a large jolt of fear: here is my post on that “In Jesus’ Name”
Fear of leaving the faith is huge. Religions have special fates for those that leave their faith and those images drench the minds of long-time believers. But of all those who I know who have left their faith (and their church), they feel a greater freedom and they have not been struck by lightening. Yet friends are lost, inevitably, and I think this is hardest until new friends are made — if the person every really learned to make real friends and not just club friends.
There is a difference between leaving the faith and leaving church. Sometimes the only way to discover, claim, grow, enrich, and mature your faith is to leave the church. When the church is more concerned about being The Church than it is about being the Kingdom of God – then it is time to move on.
Doug…very well said. I have known many who have left the church…but none who have left their faith in the process. My faith has grown through this time in my life…not diminished.
I love my faith community, I’m set free by the faith Jesus established when He established the kingdom of God. “Geez, I have stayed for years and I seem to be doing just fine.” You’d almost think there were two camps. Those ‘in’ and those who ‘leave’? Is there still room for me among the likes of you? David, is there a way to make transition and change our minds about things while staying in?
Of course there is a difference between leaving the faith and leaving a church. But for some, the only way to discover, claim, grow, enrich and mature is also to leave the faith. When people are more concerned about being in the Kingdom of God than being honestly involved with others and their lives — then it is time to move on. Each person is different — no easy answers.
The Good News has 3 inseparable messages:
1) The universal accessibility of the personal and persistent unrestrained love and unconditional grace of God; and
2) The feeding quenching clothing healing visiting welcoming compassion and the reparative rehabilitating restorative justice of the Community; and
3) The inclusive hospitality and joyous generosity and healthy service of the Individual.
Hi Andrew. I tried… really tried… for as long as I possibly could… and finally had to leave… at least for a while. but that’s just my story.
Leaving church can be a good idea. We don’t often think of it this way, but there are lots of Biblical ‘wilderness’ stories where people ‘leave’. Moses, the Children of Israel, John the Baptist, Jesus.
From our place within Christianity, it can feel ‘wrong’ or ‘scary’ or ‘weird’ to leave church, but from a different (even Biblical) perspective, it can be quite normal.
Love it.