The former church plant I was a part of had too many women who were taken in by the therapeutic, self-affirmation, self-care stuff, but we also practiced Lent as a serious time of giving things up (i.e. not our self-neglect) to draw closer to God. Thankfully, despite the presence of those women, we never managed to merge the therapeutic self-care stuff into the practice of Lent. This year, I'm in the process of joining an Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and nothing at all has been said about Lent, so I assume they don't practice it.
Also, I always appreciate your direct but not mean spirited comments on problematic people like Soong-Chan Rah and Shaniqua Walker-Barnes. Finding this Substack after two decades in a progressive friendly church environment, over half of which were spent in the above mentioned severely problematic church plant, has been an encouragement to me and a balm to my wounded soul.
I will be praying for your healing. Wow, a few things I thought we'd never hear from the NYT!
This part (and what comes after, regarding your Lent so far) really resonated with me:
"And that, I’m sorry to say, means that this Lent is already a success for me. It proves once, again, that God will arrange for me the various kinds of suffering and deprivations he thinks will make me holier."
I had in mind to just cut down on my consumption of dark chocolate protein bars, but God had other ideas. I woke up a 4am, suddenly knowing how He wanted me to re-order my life for Lent. I knew that I had to get up and pray and get ready to do the new thing He is demanding of me. This experience of not picking my own Lenten "sacrifice" but having one imposed upon me ... has made this (already!) my best Lent ever!
Anne, thank you for this reflection in the midst of being a bit down for the count. It was a huge joy meeting you last Friday at St. Luke’s - and I’m sorry you find yourself sick after that whirlwind trip! Your talk was amazing and edifying. But I digress. I relate to the “DIY” comment and have described my pull to Anglicanism from the Southern Baptist denomination in similar terminology. The prong of church tradition to me is a new joy of such things as (prayerfully ongoing reformation so that…)doctrinal stability; a deeper sense of the Church Triumphant; rich teachings and music; the creeds; understanding blessed sacraments in contrast to ordinances; the Scripture-rich Daily Office; the way penitence is so built into worship; the biweekly Eucharist; and, much more. I’m still blissfully discovering. It feels like there is greater revival right now in this fallen world, and praise God. Praying you feel better, Anne!
The former church plant I was a part of had too many women who were taken in by the therapeutic, self-affirmation, self-care stuff, but we also practiced Lent as a serious time of giving things up (i.e. not our self-neglect) to draw closer to God. Thankfully, despite the presence of those women, we never managed to merge the therapeutic self-care stuff into the practice of Lent. This year, I'm in the process of joining an Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and nothing at all has been said about Lent, so I assume they don't practice it.
Also, I always appreciate your direct but not mean spirited comments on problematic people like Soong-Chan Rah and Shaniqua Walker-Barnes. Finding this Substack after two decades in a progressive friendly church environment, over half of which were spent in the above mentioned severely problematic church plant, has been an encouragement to me and a balm to my wounded soul.
Wait I love Tiffany Owens Reed's writing!! She writes for Strong Towns on urbanist stuff and she's the best. So cool to see her quoted here.
Sorry you’re not well! Will pray for complete recovery.
I too am stunned something that good made the NYT. But, yes, thank you for sparing us from Soong-Chan Rah. I do not lament that omission.
I see what you did there. Very nice.
I will be praying for your healing. Wow, a few things I thought we'd never hear from the NYT!
This part (and what comes after, regarding your Lent so far) really resonated with me:
"And that, I’m sorry to say, means that this Lent is already a success for me. It proves once, again, that God will arrange for me the various kinds of suffering and deprivations he thinks will make me holier."
I had in mind to just cut down on my consumption of dark chocolate protein bars, but God had other ideas. I woke up a 4am, suddenly knowing how He wanted me to re-order my life for Lent. I knew that I had to get up and pray and get ready to do the new thing He is demanding of me. This experience of not picking my own Lenten "sacrifice" but having one imposed upon me ... has made this (already!) my best Lent ever!
Anne, thank you for this reflection in the midst of being a bit down for the count. It was a huge joy meeting you last Friday at St. Luke’s - and I’m sorry you find yourself sick after that whirlwind trip! Your talk was amazing and edifying. But I digress. I relate to the “DIY” comment and have described my pull to Anglicanism from the Southern Baptist denomination in similar terminology. The prong of church tradition to me is a new joy of such things as (prayerfully ongoing reformation so that…)doctrinal stability; a deeper sense of the Church Triumphant; rich teachings and music; the creeds; understanding blessed sacraments in contrast to ordinances; the Scripture-rich Daily Office; the way penitence is so built into worship; the biweekly Eucharist; and, much more. I’m still blissfully discovering. It feels like there is greater revival right now in this fallen world, and praise God. Praying you feel better, Anne!