Nice to meet you Joy - thanks for sharing a bit of your story and I am so very sorry for what you have been through. Looking forward to learning from you.
Joy! That's great you are re-considering seminary! Gordon-Conwell has been a safe place for me to recover after being run out of my church. The remote and hybrid in person opportunities have been really helpful in my processing. And after my church stopped supporting me, their Partnership Program was the only way I was able to finish my seminary degree. Feel free to contact me with any questions, I think you can find me on threads and instragram at LarkTheoSis
Oh, how I miss you, Joy! We visited a church a couple of weeks ago that I am excited about. I spent last year reading through the gospels over and over. That experience convinced me that I’ve been in churches where we were so concerned about being right that we missed the point of Jesus.
I miss you too! I would love to hear about the church you visited. We should talk soon. Speaking of "being right" ... have you heard of Pete Enns' book "The Sin of Certainty"? I just finished it -- so good!
Joy, thank you so much for sharing. I plan on listening to your story on the podcast. I also have strong reservations regarding "offices" of church leadership as well as singular leadership. The Bible talks a lot more about team leadership (and is a product of it!) than our cultural bent towards individualism recognizes.
Agreed! The more I read the epistles, I see the early church functioning with groups of leaders, not with power concentrated in one individual. I actually just started reading a book that addresses this. "The Starfish and the Spirit" by Lance Ford. Really enjoying it so far!
Welcome to Hoosier land (I’m in Southern Indiana close to Louisville). I’ve been going to Northern Seminary and will graduate in June. I’ve learned a ton. You can take the great majority of your classes online. You only have to go to Northern for week-long intensives about once a year. It’s in Chicago which, depending on where you are in IN, isn’t very far.
Hi Bobby! Yes, Northern is on my short list of options right now. If you're willing, I'd really appreciate learning a bit more from you about your experience... whether via DM or email or whatever you prefer.
I don’t know you but your note showed up im my feeds.
Why going to seminary? To become one of the same ones who caused your family to relocate? Why not walk with our Lord alone without any middlemen and trust Him more than we trust ourselves? Saints walk alone. He is coming back soon.
Thanks for the comment... while I understand your concern, I know there are people and churches today working to develop worship communities that are healthier and different from the status quo. I hope to be part of changing that culture for the better.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary has been a great place for me! They’re located in VA & have in-person & online options.
Thank you!
Nice to meet you Joy - thanks for sharing a bit of your story and I am so very sorry for what you have been through. Looking forward to learning from you.
Hi, Bethany! Glad to meet you here. I see we have some similar interests … will look forward to reading from you also. ☺️
Welcome back. I'm looking forward to reading your posts this year. God bless you!
Thanks, Audra… same to you!
Joy! That's great you are re-considering seminary! Gordon-Conwell has been a safe place for me to recover after being run out of my church. The remote and hybrid in person opportunities have been really helpful in my processing. And after my church stopped supporting me, their Partnership Program was the only way I was able to finish my seminary degree. Feel free to contact me with any questions, I think you can find me on threads and instragram at LarkTheoSis
Thanks! I’ve actually been curious to hear about your experience … I’ll be reaching out.
Oh, how I miss you, Joy! We visited a church a couple of weeks ago that I am excited about. I spent last year reading through the gospels over and over. That experience convinced me that I’ve been in churches where we were so concerned about being right that we missed the point of Jesus.
I miss you too! I would love to hear about the church you visited. We should talk soon. Speaking of "being right" ... have you heard of Pete Enns' book "The Sin of Certainty"? I just finished it -- so good!
Welcome back!
Thank you!
Joy, thank you so much for sharing. I plan on listening to your story on the podcast. I also have strong reservations regarding "offices" of church leadership as well as singular leadership. The Bible talks a lot more about team leadership (and is a product of it!) than our cultural bent towards individualism recognizes.
Agreed! The more I read the epistles, I see the early church functioning with groups of leaders, not with power concentrated in one individual. I actually just started reading a book that addresses this. "The Starfish and the Spirit" by Lance Ford. Really enjoying it so far!
Ooh! I’ll have to check that book out!
Welcome to Hoosier land (I’m in Southern Indiana close to Louisville). I’ve been going to Northern Seminary and will graduate in June. I’ve learned a ton. You can take the great majority of your classes online. You only have to go to Northern for week-long intensives about once a year. It’s in Chicago which, depending on where you are in IN, isn’t very far.
Hi Bobby! Yes, Northern is on my short list of options right now. If you're willing, I'd really appreciate learning a bit more from you about your experience... whether via DM or email or whatever you prefer.
Sure! I'll DM you ...
I don’t know you but your note showed up im my feeds.
Why going to seminary? To become one of the same ones who caused your family to relocate? Why not walk with our Lord alone without any middlemen and trust Him more than we trust ourselves? Saints walk alone. He is coming back soon.
Thanks for the comment... while I understand your concern, I know there are people and churches today working to develop worship communities that are healthier and different from the status quo. I hope to be part of changing that culture for the better.