Agreed. It’s also true that whatever parts of evangelical theology we still hold could be threatening enough to mainstream clergy that the church itself would spit us out. (I’ve got the criminal trespass warning to prove it.)
Hi Nicole! My spirit 'feels' much of what you seem anxious about in this article. I am grateful for the wise counselors, therapists, and pastors who guided my family out of toxic evangelical tribes and into kinder, gentler, more authentically God loving and People loving fellowships. I am most connected now with UMC pastors and a few indie charismatic friends -- all of whom have experienced deeply authentic and holy moments in retreat, in small groups, and even in large congregational seasons of revival and spiritual refreshing. Thank you for your honesty and I pray that you find what you're looking for -- to quote our beloved prophet of the age -- #Bono. :)
I enjoyed your article. I’m 80 years old and I’ve been in Episcopalian all my life. my favorite saint is Thomas Beckett because he followed his conscience even though he was absolutely wrong. Though he didn’t know it at the time. I’ve had fights with several bishops, though a number of others have valued my contribution. Some bishops didn’t like the friends I kept, and on two occasions they were greatly distressed by something I had written. But in the end, I’m happy to be where I am. I love the tradition. And the fact is, I’m not sure any other system would have continued to love me and allow me to remain within it.
Thank you so much for this piece. So much of it resonated with me, particularly as a church planter convening people who have experienced a lot of church hurt, and as someone raised evangelical who chose the Episcopal Church as a young adult. Even as I sought to not wear rose-colored glasses when I joined nearly 15 years ago, and while I found a home (albeit often what Brian McLaren calls "on the edge of the inside"), I still have found myself disappointed and wounded in myriad and profound ways.
I appreciate why so many of our generational peers who have left toxic churches have chosen not to hitch their wagons to TEC or another mainline church. I also take hope in the ways the church at large is "redenominating" (as church planter Katie Hays puts it in We Were Spiritual Refugees). Increasingly my spiritual community is widely ecumenical and interfaith. There's no going back to a more narrow stream. The question for me as someone still denominationally tied is how to break the damns that keep resources from generously flowing.
“I know I am still far too apostolic, demanding, change-oriented, and future focused that I would drive a 230 year old denomination mad. I know I would be content, feel welcome, at home and healed for all of about 3 months before wanting to meet with the nearest archbishop to talk change, strategy, and organizational creativity.”
I just had this very conversation with a friend.. it took me less than a month to get to this same result just a few weeks ago. I keep trying to make my way into an existing community of faith and finding that similar feeling… Her Presence, my feminine presence, is but a shadow (if even that) inside the walls of patriarchy. I shared this note a few weeks ago.. perhaps it will give more light to what I have been sensing since 2009…
Agreed. It’s also true that whatever parts of evangelical theology we still hold could be threatening enough to mainstream clergy that the church itself would spit us out. (I’ve got the criminal trespass warning to prove it.)
Another GREAT point!
This is so good and so true. Right with you, Pastor Mason.
Hi Nicole! My spirit 'feels' much of what you seem anxious about in this article. I am grateful for the wise counselors, therapists, and pastors who guided my family out of toxic evangelical tribes and into kinder, gentler, more authentically God loving and People loving fellowships. I am most connected now with UMC pastors and a few indie charismatic friends -- all of whom have experienced deeply authentic and holy moments in retreat, in small groups, and even in large congregational seasons of revival and spiritual refreshing. Thank you for your honesty and I pray that you find what you're looking for -- to quote our beloved prophet of the age -- #Bono. :)
I enjoyed your article. I’m 80 years old and I’ve been in Episcopalian all my life. my favorite saint is Thomas Beckett because he followed his conscience even though he was absolutely wrong. Though he didn’t know it at the time. I’ve had fights with several bishops, though a number of others have valued my contribution. Some bishops didn’t like the friends I kept, and on two occasions they were greatly distressed by something I had written. But in the end, I’m happy to be where I am. I love the tradition. And the fact is, I’m not sure any other system would have continued to love me and allow me to remain within it.
Thank you so much for this piece. So much of it resonated with me, particularly as a church planter convening people who have experienced a lot of church hurt, and as someone raised evangelical who chose the Episcopal Church as a young adult. Even as I sought to not wear rose-colored glasses when I joined nearly 15 years ago, and while I found a home (albeit often what Brian McLaren calls "on the edge of the inside"), I still have found myself disappointed and wounded in myriad and profound ways.
I appreciate why so many of our generational peers who have left toxic churches have chosen not to hitch their wagons to TEC or another mainline church. I also take hope in the ways the church at large is "redenominating" (as church planter Katie Hays puts it in We Were Spiritual Refugees). Increasingly my spiritual community is widely ecumenical and interfaith. There's no going back to a more narrow stream. The question for me as someone still denominationally tied is how to break the damns that keep resources from generously flowing.
Nicole Mason
“I know I am still far too apostolic, demanding, change-oriented, and future focused that I would drive a 230 year old denomination mad. I know I would be content, feel welcome, at home and healed for all of about 3 months before wanting to meet with the nearest archbishop to talk change, strategy, and organizational creativity.”
I just had this very conversation with a friend.. it took me less than a month to get to this same result just a few weeks ago. I keep trying to make my way into an existing community of faith and finding that similar feeling… Her Presence, my feminine presence, is but a shadow (if even that) inside the walls of patriarchy. I shared this note a few weeks ago.. perhaps it will give more light to what I have been sensing since 2009…
https://substack.com/@shellyshepherd/note/c-93393330?r=2kp65d&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
“I know I am still far too apostolic, demanding, change-oriented, and future focused that I would drive a 230 year old denomination mad.”
Exactly this! I wonder how long I would last too. I’m so drawn to “high church” yet I wonder if I’m too “low church” in the long run.