This last Sunday I was installed as the permanent, settled Pastor and Teacher of Spring Creek United Church of Christ (which was a wonderful and inspiring service!). I have been 'filling' the pulpit since July 1, 2012 and it seems that the congregation has appreciated my offerings of preaching. As things start to get in to a routine (a good one!), I look forward to taking up the mantle of the teaching portion of my call. Last Sunday during a sermon on "Taking the Bible Seriously, Not Literally", I mentioned somewhat off the cuff (wasn't part of my original sermon) that I wanted to have a study of the Bible to give my congregation a better understanding about how it came about, an understanding of all the different literary genres and what it means to in read the Bible seriously, but not literally.
I was surprised by the response. I think there is a hunger to have a better understanding of the Bible and what it means to our daily lives in the 21st Century. That is something I'm working on right now and hope to have something ready for the month of May (as we get through the Lenten Season and a joint study with St. John's in Belvidere). I am thinking along the lines of a survey of the Bible to get the overall 'big picture' of the story of God's relentless love for us.
In addition to that study, I am thinking about a study of the book I have a picture of above, "Living the Questions". It's a book that is very poplar right now and a wonderful DVD series comes with it. As we think about our education ministry at Spring Creek United Church of Christ (which includes children, youth and adult), I want us to focus on questions that will help us in the living of our daily lives because that's where 'the rubber hits the road'.
Here are some reviews of the book as they appear on Amazon:
“Progressive Christianity is about embracing mystery. … Accordingly, the authors
believe that the necessary incompleteness of our theology is an invitation to
ongoing creative transformation. . . . Living the Questions is an
excellent introduction to progressive theology.” (The Christian Century
)
“I’m so grateful for Living the Questions. These progressive voices offer less rigid and more expansive approaches to Christian faith, and make room for people who practice critical thinking and question the gatekeepers. They help us see that questioning the gatekeepers is exactly what Jesus was all about.” (Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christianity )
“Among the most dynamic and talented clergy in the world, David Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy speak with high levels of credibility to the deep and abiding human hunger that yearns for a Christian future.” (John Shelby Spong, author of Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World )
“A welcome book that is bold (without being contentious) and courageous (without needing to be triumphant), Felten and Procter-Murphy give voice to a faith that provides a profound alternative to the dominant ideology of ‘American Christianity.’ Attention should be paid!” (Walter Brueggemann, professor emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary )
“A rich, wise, helpful and important book—virtually a manifesto of progressive Christianity.” (Marcus Borg, author of Evolution of the Word )
“This has been sorely needed for years. Felten and Procter-Murphy provide an unusual clarity about the issues that commonly confuse and divide people in our churches today and then open a pathway to a more vital and even exciting way to approach the Christian faith in the 21st century.” (Fred C. Plumer, President, Progressive Christianity.org )
“Calls Progressive Christians to live out their authentic mix of faith and doubt, to practice nonviolence, to stand in solidarity with the poor, to eschew the idolatry of wealth, and to seek ‘justice and inclusivity in a culture dominated by suspicion and fear.’” (Spirituality and Practice )
“Felten and Proctor-Murphy salute the mystics of the past and some of the present moment who help us to be more open to the Divine, to let go of our clinging to ancient dogmas about God and Jesus, and to surrender to ‘not knowing’ all the answers.” (Spirituality and Practice )
“Most people in church grew up listening to those who claimed to have all the answers. Who knew that the questions were more interesting, that ‘living’ them is true faithfulness. Felten and Procter-Murphy have given the class such superb resources that no one is in a hurry to graduate.” (Dr. Robin R. Meyers, Senior Minister, Mayflower Congregational UCC Church; Professor of Rhetoric, Oklahoma City University )
“I’m so grateful for Living the Questions. These progressive voices offer less rigid and more expansive approaches to Christian faith, and make room for people who practice critical thinking and question the gatekeepers. They help us see that questioning the gatekeepers is exactly what Jesus was all about.” (Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christianity )
“Among the most dynamic and talented clergy in the world, David Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy speak with high levels of credibility to the deep and abiding human hunger that yearns for a Christian future.” (John Shelby Spong, author of Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World )
“A welcome book that is bold (without being contentious) and courageous (without needing to be triumphant), Felten and Procter-Murphy give voice to a faith that provides a profound alternative to the dominant ideology of ‘American Christianity.’ Attention should be paid!” (Walter Brueggemann, professor emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary )
“A rich, wise, helpful and important book—virtually a manifesto of progressive Christianity.” (Marcus Borg, author of Evolution of the Word )
“This has been sorely needed for years. Felten and Procter-Murphy provide an unusual clarity about the issues that commonly confuse and divide people in our churches today and then open a pathway to a more vital and even exciting way to approach the Christian faith in the 21st century.” (Fred C. Plumer, President, Progressive Christianity.org )
“Calls Progressive Christians to live out their authentic mix of faith and doubt, to practice nonviolence, to stand in solidarity with the poor, to eschew the idolatry of wealth, and to seek ‘justice and inclusivity in a culture dominated by suspicion and fear.’” (Spirituality and Practice )
“Felten and Proctor-Murphy salute the mystics of the past and some of the present moment who help us to be more open to the Divine, to let go of our clinging to ancient dogmas about God and Jesus, and to surrender to ‘not knowing’ all the answers.” (Spirituality and Practice )
“Most people in church grew up listening to those who claimed to have all the answers. Who knew that the questions were more interesting, that ‘living’ them is true faithfulness. Felten and Procter-Murphy have given the class such superb resources that no one is in a hurry to graduate.” (Dr. Robin R. Meyers, Senior Minister, Mayflower Congregational UCC Church; Professor of Rhetoric, Oklahoma City University )
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