I am really excited to be starting the book club with you Lisa. I enjoyed the introduction and the acknowledgement of ecumenism as part of the story. I see that ‘evangelicalism’ has taken on a very negative connotation - in secular society more than anything. I found the introduction quite informative around the definitions. Looking forward to exploring more around doctrine and related actions. Thanks for starting this!
I agree that definitions really help! Especially if we can ask other people for theirs and realize that perhaps we are talking about different things. "Evangelicalism" has gotten really tricky because people don't share definitions. I'm so glad you are looking forward to this!
Here to say that the conversation about evangelical + ecumenical is exciting. The introduction was really hopeful for me - for the answers I’m seeking in this season from God, and even just validating to read some of the things I’ve been thinking about regarding evangelicalism in Western Christianity!
Separately, I don’t know what denomination I could name myself in now. Baptist turned pentecostal, but more Wesleyan than Assemblies of God?? I’m not sure honestly. A question I’ll be figuring out the next few months, or year I’m sure. All of that being said, I find it hopeful that the greater Church isn’t about building a home under a denominations title or doctrine, but finding Home in Jesus. Thanks for leading this discussion, Lisa!
I do love the way she is framing the discussion and making it bigger than perhaps we would do left on our own. Denominations are really hard. I think there are two, maybe three, that I could be in pretty well. But I appreciate all of them. Reading across denominations was one of the things that kept me from walking away from the faith years ago. So glad you're doing the book club with us, Sammie!
I love what you said about the greater church not being built under a denomination or doctrine, rather being found in Jesus. I think of the reading in Mark 4 where it talks about a house divided cannot stand. While there’s good reason to have strong beliefs and be able to back those up, I think of how often believers have fallen under a solo denomination of belief so strongly that they reject all other beliefs entirely and thus unintentionally created disunity among family/peers etc. I love that this book is pointing us all to expand our “Christianity worldview” together in unity towards Christ and humbly/respectfully respond/learn where our perspectives are limited.
I agree with you about not really knowing how I identify specifically, but I love your comment about finding Home in Jesus. I’m excited to read further and see how that prompts my own self-reflection on what I believe.
I’ll do my comment (Ashley) and let Jordan have his own comment as a reply to this; will do my best to identify which is which or at least keep that format! (You’ll also tell because I’m a “fluffy” writer, Jordan is not.)
I’d definitely say the study of theology or doctrine feels BIG. Like should I be in seminary for this? Do I have enough knowledge of the Bible or even my own faith for this? And I think that’s just it, the book (and dare I say God too) wants me (us?) to receive and read with open eyes and hearts to point us closer to knowing and lovingly worshiping our amazing God. So I think my anxiety—that was very much exacerbated by reading the intro four times to understand all the definitions I didn’t grow up around + have never fully understood/learned amidst toddlers arguing about magnatiles—has turned into eager hope and wonder. With minor overwhelm.
I liked the quote on the last page, “we are forced to do the hard work of articulating what we believe and why we believe it. … we are strengthened to be the people God has called us to be and to fulfill the task God has set out for us”. I think so often I’ve been like ‘I love Jesus’ and can say/show that, but never have been able to say why except through testimony. I’ve had the privilege of skirting around this deeper knowledge and just going with the “doctrine” I’ve been handed or adopted from Jordan’s upbringing because it’s all I know. There is no prior foundation from Sunday school in formative years, let alone a Christian upbringing, and truth be told I haven’t sought after Holy Spirit convictions to formulate to how I am to relay “my” beliefs to others let alone myself. All that to say, this will stretch me in ways I need to be edified to help with my calling of 1. Raising kids for Jesus and battling against dark generational strongholds from a family that doesn’t know Jesus and 2. Learning who God/Jesus is for my own life instead of adopting other peoples perspectives as my own.
Thank you for putting this together!! Excited to discuss and learn with y’all!
Ashley, I love that you stepping into this even though you feel intimidated. I think it's going to payoff in big ways especially looking at what you want from it. There are enough public proclamations by people who are putting the name of Jesus on things that we need to know what we believe and why. Big props to you for working through the intro with sick kids and arguing toddlers!
I feel excited for this and I'm so grateful that you're leading this, Lisa! I've been wanting to learn more about theology and this is more overwhelming/unknown than I thought it would be, so I'm grateful for a community of people to learn alongside!
I think I'm still trying to wrap my head around what evangelical and ecumenical mean...but I also feel like I'm at a place in my faith where I want to learn and I want to have different perspectives from the ones I grew up in, so I assume that I'm comfortably uncomfortable?
And similar to what Sammie said, I don't really know what branch of Christianity I/my beliefs fall in. All that to say, I definitely feel like a beginner in this conversation and am looking forward to learning more!
You do not need to apologize for being late! I love the conversation sits here until you have time/are ready to comment. I do think it's much easier to dive into something like this with someone else so I'm glad you're jumping in even if it feels overwhelming.
Do you have questions around evangelical and ecumenical? If you do, please ask them! I'm so glad you're doing this with us!
I am really excited to be starting the book club with you Lisa. I enjoyed the introduction and the acknowledgement of ecumenism as part of the story. I see that ‘evangelicalism’ has taken on a very negative connotation - in secular society more than anything. I found the introduction quite informative around the definitions. Looking forward to exploring more around doctrine and related actions. Thanks for starting this!
I agree that definitions really help! Especially if we can ask other people for theirs and realize that perhaps we are talking about different things. "Evangelicalism" has gotten really tricky because people don't share definitions. I'm so glad you are looking forward to this!
Here to say that the conversation about evangelical + ecumenical is exciting. The introduction was really hopeful for me - for the answers I’m seeking in this season from God, and even just validating to read some of the things I’ve been thinking about regarding evangelicalism in Western Christianity!
Separately, I don’t know what denomination I could name myself in now. Baptist turned pentecostal, but more Wesleyan than Assemblies of God?? I’m not sure honestly. A question I’ll be figuring out the next few months, or year I’m sure. All of that being said, I find it hopeful that the greater Church isn’t about building a home under a denominations title or doctrine, but finding Home in Jesus. Thanks for leading this discussion, Lisa!
I do love the way she is framing the discussion and making it bigger than perhaps we would do left on our own. Denominations are really hard. I think there are two, maybe three, that I could be in pretty well. But I appreciate all of them. Reading across denominations was one of the things that kept me from walking away from the faith years ago. So glad you're doing the book club with us, Sammie!
I love what you said about the greater church not being built under a denomination or doctrine, rather being found in Jesus. I think of the reading in Mark 4 where it talks about a house divided cannot stand. While there’s good reason to have strong beliefs and be able to back those up, I think of how often believers have fallen under a solo denomination of belief so strongly that they reject all other beliefs entirely and thus unintentionally created disunity among family/peers etc. I love that this book is pointing us all to expand our “Christianity worldview” together in unity towards Christ and humbly/respectfully respond/learn where our perspectives are limited.
Excited to grow and learn with you friend!!
I agree with you about not really knowing how I identify specifically, but I love your comment about finding Home in Jesus. I’m excited to read further and see how that prompts my own self-reflection on what I believe.
I’ll do my comment (Ashley) and let Jordan have his own comment as a reply to this; will do my best to identify which is which or at least keep that format! (You’ll also tell because I’m a “fluffy” writer, Jordan is not.)
I’d definitely say the study of theology or doctrine feels BIG. Like should I be in seminary for this? Do I have enough knowledge of the Bible or even my own faith for this? And I think that’s just it, the book (and dare I say God too) wants me (us?) to receive and read with open eyes and hearts to point us closer to knowing and lovingly worshiping our amazing God. So I think my anxiety—that was very much exacerbated by reading the intro four times to understand all the definitions I didn’t grow up around + have never fully understood/learned amidst toddlers arguing about magnatiles—has turned into eager hope and wonder. With minor overwhelm.
I liked the quote on the last page, “we are forced to do the hard work of articulating what we believe and why we believe it. … we are strengthened to be the people God has called us to be and to fulfill the task God has set out for us”. I think so often I’ve been like ‘I love Jesus’ and can say/show that, but never have been able to say why except through testimony. I’ve had the privilege of skirting around this deeper knowledge and just going with the “doctrine” I’ve been handed or adopted from Jordan’s upbringing because it’s all I know. There is no prior foundation from Sunday school in formative years, let alone a Christian upbringing, and truth be told I haven’t sought after Holy Spirit convictions to formulate to how I am to relay “my” beliefs to others let alone myself. All that to say, this will stretch me in ways I need to be edified to help with my calling of 1. Raising kids for Jesus and battling against dark generational strongholds from a family that doesn’t know Jesus and 2. Learning who God/Jesus is for my own life instead of adopting other peoples perspectives as my own.
Thank you for putting this together!! Excited to discuss and learn with y’all!
Ashley, I love that you stepping into this even though you feel intimidated. I think it's going to payoff in big ways especially looking at what you want from it. There are enough public proclamations by people who are putting the name of Jesus on things that we need to know what we believe and why. Big props to you for working through the intro with sick kids and arguing toddlers!
Just here to say you aren’t alone!! ♥️ thanks for sharing!!!
Hi! I'm a bit late with my comment, my apologies!
I feel excited for this and I'm so grateful that you're leading this, Lisa! I've been wanting to learn more about theology and this is more overwhelming/unknown than I thought it would be, so I'm grateful for a community of people to learn alongside!
I think I'm still trying to wrap my head around what evangelical and ecumenical mean...but I also feel like I'm at a place in my faith where I want to learn and I want to have different perspectives from the ones I grew up in, so I assume that I'm comfortably uncomfortable?
And similar to what Sammie said, I don't really know what branch of Christianity I/my beliefs fall in. All that to say, I definitely feel like a beginner in this conversation and am looking forward to learning more!
You do not need to apologize for being late! I love the conversation sits here until you have time/are ready to comment. I do think it's much easier to dive into something like this with someone else so I'm glad you're jumping in even if it feels overwhelming.
Do you have questions around evangelical and ecumenical? If you do, please ask them! I'm so glad you're doing this with us!