Brian McLaren’s new book: Faith after Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do about It makes a bold proposal: Only doubt can save the world, and your faith. Sixty-five million adults in the U.S. have dropped out of active religious attendance and about 2.7 million more are leaving every year. Today, old assumptions are being challenged in nearly every area of human life, not just religion and spirituality. But by living constructively with doubt, McLaren says, we can leave behind unnecessary baggage and intensify our commitment to what matters most. “Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith,” he explains. “It is an element of faith.” Join us on Sunday, April 25th from 11:30 am – 12:30pm for a Live Zoom conversation with the author. McLaren uses his own story and the stories of a diverse group of struggling believers to explain how questions and doubt are not the enemy of faith, but rather a portal to a more mature and fruitful kind of faith. He will read from Faith After Doubt followed by dialogue with Rev. Marci Glass.
Talking with Kids About the Order of Worship in the Bulletin.
If I visited Calvary for the first time and had not been to a Presbyterian church before, I would want someone to help me understand what I was doing throughout the order of worship. This blog provides an example of how some churches annotate their bulletins so children, youth, and adults can learn more about why we choose to read, sing, pray, and listen at certain times during the worship service. Harvey Browne Memorial Presbyterian Church (www.hbpres.net) in Louisville, Kentucky offers a model of how to explain the order of worship.
Being transparent about how we worship together is in line with our reformed tradition. We can read and interpret the Bible ourselves, as well as worship and say prayers with our own bodies. Many years ago, a priest would do all of this while the congregation sat or stood. It is important for parents to share with their children that all people have the freedom to contribute to a worship service. By singing, listening, praying, and sharing, we get to know each other and witness each other’s talents and inspiring work. Fellowship and education events are only part of the ways that we form our faith together. Participating in worship is what binds us together each Sunday, so that we can support each other at or outside of church during the week.
