I thought of you while I was writing this. Every time someone said Church of the Wild was “too churchy,” I kept wishing I had used Earth and Soul. I debated for weeks between the two options. I think it was the right book for those in the room who were largely folks from the Christian tradition. Personally, I loved her bridge between wild spirituality and a more authentic and ancient Christian way of being, but some could not get past the word church in the title.
BTW - I LOVE your most recent post. Sums up my own journey so beautifully.
I hear you. On one hand the invitation is not to a traditional church. On the other, church of the wild or wild church has some visibility now and some people are looking for one near them. Sounds like it worked out well though. And we trust that who comes will be handled by Spirit. Glad you liked the post. Thank you. 🙏
Yes, we ended up with an amazing core group of folks. The forest speaks to all of us in the same language, and I love that all our human labels vanish in her embrace. Seminary gave me permission to simply be present to the mystery and that is what I hope others gained from the experience.
I'm pretty sure it was C who suggested we keep meeting. I was too lulled by the rain to think that far ahead.
I made the tax comment in a room full of pastors as an open invitation to more conversation after the meeting. Presumably, pastors want people to go to church. Well, church has to be worth going to first. Not because someone tells us that it's worth the effort, but because it actually is worth it. Only the person going, or not going after attending, can make that judgment.
I hope I sparked more curiosity than defensiveness. I believe the church can, and should, be more than it is. I believe that in some ways, to be more, the church needs to be less. That would take great imagination, bravery, and leadership. I'm happy to talk with any pastor who is willing to explore with curiosity rather than a firm grip on what is.
What a gift to walk in the woods together. And to receive the rain!
I thought of you while I was writing this. Every time someone said Church of the Wild was “too churchy,” I kept wishing I had used Earth and Soul. I debated for weeks between the two options. I think it was the right book for those in the room who were largely folks from the Christian tradition. Personally, I loved her bridge between wild spirituality and a more authentic and ancient Christian way of being, but some could not get past the word church in the title.
BTW - I LOVE your most recent post. Sums up my own journey so beautifully.
I hear you. On one hand the invitation is not to a traditional church. On the other, church of the wild or wild church has some visibility now and some people are looking for one near them. Sounds like it worked out well though. And we trust that who comes will be handled by Spirit. Glad you liked the post. Thank you. 🙏
Yes, we ended up with an amazing core group of folks. The forest speaks to all of us in the same language, and I love that all our human labels vanish in her embrace. Seminary gave me permission to simply be present to the mystery and that is what I hope others gained from the experience.
I’m feeling love for your forest as well!
And, you are speaking for the trees here and now, you Lorax!
Thank you for your beautiful, experiential writing !
Thats the nicest nickname I’ve ever had - now I need to go reread the Lorax.
I'm pretty sure it was C who suggested we keep meeting. I was too lulled by the rain to think that far ahead.
I made the tax comment in a room full of pastors as an open invitation to more conversation after the meeting. Presumably, pastors want people to go to church. Well, church has to be worth going to first. Not because someone tells us that it's worth the effort, but because it actually is worth it. Only the person going, or not going after attending, can make that judgment.
I hope I sparked more curiosity than defensiveness. I believe the church can, and should, be more than it is. I believe that in some ways, to be more, the church needs to be less. That would take great imagination, bravery, and leadership. I'm happy to talk with any pastor who is willing to explore with curiosity rather than a firm grip on what is.