Thank you, Holly. I am a member of The Cottage and view Diana as a trusted spiritual advisor. She is right up there with Joan Chittister, in my book. I had no idea she'd been in and out of the hospital. I worry over and pray for folks like you and Diana who are exhausting themselves for our sakes. Sending Easter blessings.
Thank you for this article Holly! You give me hope. I left the evangelical church, (got kicked out is more like it because I am LGBTQ affirming). Submission was the teaching. And inerrancy. I have landed in a passionate mainstream church where they walk the talk for social justice. It is also a balm for my soul.
I’m in Sydney Australia but follow Diana Bass, Kristin Du Metz n their colleagues n I read their books. Many thanks for your article. You’ve given me a new prayer focus in the face of the present cruelty anger hate rage that so many associate with evangelicals. Clearly that’s from not of God. I’m now praying that that attack which is meant for evil God will turn for good n that main stream believers will stand strongly together. Thanks for information re Diana’s health issues . I’ll pray more for her and other leaders like her.
First of all, praying for Diana Butler Bass’s health- I can imagine that the work and stress would be overwhelming. Second, “they are in our lane”— yes!! Absolutely, this is why separation of church and state is so important and why Christian Nationalism is so dangerous, even to other Christians. When we allow the government to decide which form of “Christianity” to privilege, isn’t it inevitable they will privilege the “Christianity” of Rome and persecute all others? Finally, as someone who is somewhat spiritually homeless (post-evangelical but not a member of a Mainline Church) I would like to submit that it is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives us hope and fuels our efforts for justice: because we know that God wins in the end, we know that our present efforts are not in vain and never wasted. Recently while in a prayer meeting, God reminded me of Ps 10:18. “He will render judgment for the fatherless and oppressed so that a mere mortal from the earth may no longer cause terror.” (LEB)
As a Mainline Christian without a church right now, Diana Bass’ Cottage has been my church. Thanks for writing about her and the work she does on the Cottage and the Convocation. She is a voice we desperately need right now.
I have friends who are mainline Christians and who are good people. I will share this essay along with gift subscription certificates to your channel with them. And I will subscribe and join The Cottage.
I don’t even know what to call myself anymore!! I believe all the truths Jesus shared, and want to be like him. And I’m so baffled by this “ evangelical christian” group who worship the idiot liar rump. .
Thank you for posting this to the sparkle. Through Diana, I found out about you. :-) My history growing up in the Midwest in a mainstream protestant church did not adequately prepare me for living in Jacksonville, Florida, as a military wife, where I had my most formative experience with evangelical protestants. There seemed to be regular "circuit" through the community at the edge of the military base, and each day of the week seemed to "belong" to a separate evangelical group. The group the person knocking at my door belonged to depended on the day of the week they knocked: one day "belonged" to the Jehovah's Witnesses, one day the Mormons, and one day the Southern Baptists, whose international headquarters were located in the city. All wanted to witness to me. At first I allowed, since I respected that part of their Christianity, even though it was not specially emphasized in mine like it was in theirs. My tolerance ended after being informed a couple of times by the Baptists that I was not a Christian because I was Lutheran. WTH?! Fast forward about 40 years, a divorce, and re-marriage to a man whose whole family (siblings and children/grands) are evangelical Christian, as is my sister. It seems we cannot talk about the "love thy neighbor" difference without all of us losing respect for each other. My (now) husband and I have chosen to draw a line for phone conversations and gatherings at our home--we will not tolerate hate so do not bring up your version of Christianity while here. My husband and I now attend an urban Methodist congregation 45 miles away that emphasizes service, prayer, and loving *all* your neighbors. Your, Diana's, Nadia Bolz Weber's, and Jeff Chu's (all on Substack) assessments and Christian theology perspectives have helped me gain a level of peace with these differences--not ease, but peace that God will work it out eventually (hopefully in my lifetime, but on His time, nonetheless). I keep praying the love part takes over the evangelical part (which translates/translated to hate/judgment in my experience). Thank you so much for sharing your story and writing about your experiences. They have great influence, even if your article was not published elsewhere. Peace to you.
Thank you, Holly. I am a member of The Cottage and view Diana as a trusted spiritual advisor. She is right up there with Joan Chittister, in my book. I had no idea she'd been in and out of the hospital. I worry over and pray for folks like you and Diana who are exhausting themselves for our sakes. Sending Easter blessings.
Holly, you are not alone.
Thank you, Holly. You can freelance with us always.
Thank you soooo much ❤️
Happy Easter and thank you very much for the article, it was very insightful.
Great reflection there. I love the Convocation folks.
Thank you for this article Holly! You give me hope. I left the evangelical church, (got kicked out is more like it because I am LGBTQ affirming). Submission was the teaching. And inerrancy. I have landed in a passionate mainstream church where they walk the talk for social justice. It is also a balm for my soul.
Jan, It makes my heart happy that you have found a place of love for others in your passionate mainstream church. It IS a balm!
I’m in Sydney Australia but follow Diana Bass, Kristin Du Metz n their colleagues n I read their books. Many thanks for your article. You’ve given me a new prayer focus in the face of the present cruelty anger hate rage that so many associate with evangelicals. Clearly that’s from not of God. I’m now praying that that attack which is meant for evil God will turn for good n that main stream believers will stand strongly together. Thanks for information re Diana’s health issues . I’ll pray more for her and other leaders like her.
First of all, praying for Diana Butler Bass’s health- I can imagine that the work and stress would be overwhelming. Second, “they are in our lane”— yes!! Absolutely, this is why separation of church and state is so important and why Christian Nationalism is so dangerous, even to other Christians. When we allow the government to decide which form of “Christianity” to privilege, isn’t it inevitable they will privilege the “Christianity” of Rome and persecute all others? Finally, as someone who is somewhat spiritually homeless (post-evangelical but not a member of a Mainline Church) I would like to submit that it is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives us hope and fuels our efforts for justice: because we know that God wins in the end, we know that our present efforts are not in vain and never wasted. Recently while in a prayer meeting, God reminded me of Ps 10:18. “He will render judgment for the fatherless and oppressed so that a mere mortal from the earth may no longer cause terror.” (LEB)
As a Mainline Christian without a church right now, Diana Bass’ Cottage has been my church. Thanks for writing about her and the work she does on the Cottage and the Convocation. She is a voice we desperately need right now.
I have friends who are mainline Christians and who are good people. I will share this essay along with gift subscription certificates to your channel with them. And I will subscribe and join The Cottage.
Dianas Easter writing on substack was extraordinary!!!
Thank you.
Happy Easter to you and yours, Holly!
I don’t even know what to call myself anymore!! I believe all the truths Jesus shared, and want to be like him. And I’m so baffled by this “ evangelical christian” group who worship the idiot liar rump. .
Hanks for shining a spotlight on Diana’s work. She is a gifted educator and greatly needed in this moment
Thank you for posting this to the sparkle. Through Diana, I found out about you. :-) My history growing up in the Midwest in a mainstream protestant church did not adequately prepare me for living in Jacksonville, Florida, as a military wife, where I had my most formative experience with evangelical protestants. There seemed to be regular "circuit" through the community at the edge of the military base, and each day of the week seemed to "belong" to a separate evangelical group. The group the person knocking at my door belonged to depended on the day of the week they knocked: one day "belonged" to the Jehovah's Witnesses, one day the Mormons, and one day the Southern Baptists, whose international headquarters were located in the city. All wanted to witness to me. At first I allowed, since I respected that part of their Christianity, even though it was not specially emphasized in mine like it was in theirs. My tolerance ended after being informed a couple of times by the Baptists that I was not a Christian because I was Lutheran. WTH?! Fast forward about 40 years, a divorce, and re-marriage to a man whose whole family (siblings and children/grands) are evangelical Christian, as is my sister. It seems we cannot talk about the "love thy neighbor" difference without all of us losing respect for each other. My (now) husband and I have chosen to draw a line for phone conversations and gatherings at our home--we will not tolerate hate so do not bring up your version of Christianity while here. My husband and I now attend an urban Methodist congregation 45 miles away that emphasizes service, prayer, and loving *all* your neighbors. Your, Diana's, Nadia Bolz Weber's, and Jeff Chu's (all on Substack) assessments and Christian theology perspectives have helped me gain a level of peace with these differences--not ease, but peace that God will work it out eventually (hopefully in my lifetime, but on His time, nonetheless). I keep praying the love part takes over the evangelical part (which translates/translated to hate/judgment in my experience). Thank you so much for sharing your story and writing about your experiences. They have great influence, even if your article was not published elsewhere. Peace to you.