On leaving church

'The world for which you have been so carefully prepared is being taken away from you [...] by the grace of God.' Walter Brueggemann quoted by Barbara Brown Taylor in Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith. And very appropriate for me today, the day I announced my resignation to two congregations I've hardly started to get to know, but who I've understood enough to realise that we are poorly-matched, and my overstaying here might cause unneccesary further pain all round.

So I am now a free agent, a priest without portfolio, a Jobseeker for Jesus, still as enamoured of the grace and love of God as ever before, and whilst not totally disillusioned with the church, much wiser to its imperfect ways. Seeing Barbara Brown Taylor at Greenbelt last weekend and now reading her memoir of her similar journey, I'm encouraged that however uncertain things look right now, the future holds great promise.

 

Comments

[Karin McDonald]

Wow! I rarely check my blogs and all those I follow, so this was a bit of a shock, but totally understandable. - A Wild Goose never lays tame eggs.

We need a church for all of us who don't think church is the answer! Trouble is, we're so spread across the country.

I'm about to embark on a Pastoral Assistant course and am wondering if it will help me put Jesus' teachings into practice or try to push me into a restrictive box.

As a result of her being at Greenbelt I've started reading one of Barabara Brown Taylor's books, an Altar in the World - not to be confused with Barbara Bradford Taylor, whose books still sit on library shelves.

Good luck with the next phase of your journey.

[Maureen]

I am sad for the church but excited for you.Some words which you may already know "Listen pilgrim there are no roads - roads are made by walking and its only as you begin walking that you understand what the journey means." I pray the journey will move on for you with surprise wonder & a renewed sense of Gods grace. I will miss reading your sermons - they often gave me food for thought at the start of a new week.

[Janet Rees]

I too will miss your wonderful sermons. Just bought your book of Devon Sermons. Keep your brilliant site going.

[John Davies]

Thanks for your encouraging words, everyone - please keep an eye on this site as I intend to keep adding to it, and will definitely be preaching again!

[Geoff Rhodes]

John - I too have just checked in on here to find that you are moving on again - how do you know that somewhere is the right place? We have just looked around a possible parish and Caroline is just starting out on her first set of application forms. Are you looking for another parish or are you leaving the C of E entirely?