The purpose of this forum is to facilitate communication and mutual support and edification among those who strive toward gender justice in Churches of Christ. If you would like to join the forum, send an e-mail (including your first and last name) from your primary address to forum@gal328.org.
Wow! Thanks for all the imput! I love getting it!
Lance, since the only churches that I know of who are using the liturgy are West Islip and Brookline, I just assumed it was mainly churches in catholic areas that were doing it. You must be expereincing different people than I am. Most people I meet will consider one or the other but not both. Those who do consider both think it would be too much to do both. Obviously generalities.
Jennifer- I think in some ways the worship reform creates more of a limbo. At least if everything stays the same women don't expect any change. At the same time, a change in worship opens up the door to consider other changes as well.
I need to think about all this. Thanks!
Patty
:::posted by Patty on 4/30/2003 11:02:17 PM
Whatever! But I'm glad to have a stamp of approval. :) And it's encouraging to know that there are churches out there making use of the liturgical resources available. Brent will be thrilled.
Jen
:::posted by Jennifer on 4/30/2003 10:22:23 PM
Doh! Just read Jennifer's new post and she said it better. Oh well.
:::posted by Lance on 4/30/2003 09:51:30 PM
Patty has my interest with this question about worship and gender justice.
The four churches I know well that currently practice full inclusion on gender all have worship that differs significantly from a typical Church of Christ. So, I disagree that tolerance for change is finite and gets used up in one area or the other. Gender just churches have changed their worship, it's just not the change most people expected. I think it's time to face the possibility that many (most?) Church of Christ worship progressives have a very different theological agenda from the (very few) gender progressives who have gone "all the way" on gender inclusion.
And against Patty's suggestion, a tendency toward high church liturgy is not limited to gender just churches like Brookline and West Islip that find themselves in a (post) Catholic context. Cahaba Valley is in Birmingham, AL and has the most formal liturgy of any Church of Christ I know.
Gender justice is not cosmetic, of course. It grows out of profound changes in hermeneutics with sweeping implications for belief and practice, including worship. It tends to travel with an ecumenical spirit that results in wider experiences of Christian worship and a willingness to learn from them. And by "wider experiences," I mean wider than the community Bible church down the road, or the local branch of the Vineyard.
The choice between 1950s-style Church of Christ five-acts worship, and new evangelical worship trends is a false one. So long as the current conversation about worship in the Church of Christ takes place between those poles it is impoverished. In my own view, worship reform should strive to take seriously rich and deep liturgical traditions that have been refined and proven over centuries.
I think Stamford is a good example of a church that has found a way to take the best of new worship trends and combine them creatively and faithfully with wider and older liturgical influences.
Just my highly opinionated $.02.
:::posted by Lance on 4/30/2003 09:46:19 PM
I think Patty's point about worship reform and gender justice just naturally going together is really interesting. In my mind, they do, too. As an aside, my husband is about to start a PhD in Liturgical Studies, and one of his main motivations is the need which many CoC congregations perceive for worship renewal. In our opinion, most churches are unfortunately unaware of the marvelous resources of liturgical traditions, and fall into the trap that there are only two alternatives, "traditional" worship or "contemporary." Although contemporary worship affords more opportunities for women's participation at the moment, from what I have observed, women's participation is just as tightly circumscribed in contemporary worship (i.e., women may sing on a praise team but that's about all). I think this situation has come about because most people don't see gender justice and worship as linked, as Patty observed. Thus we are changing form but not substance--women remain in the same limbo of "what is permissible and what isn't?" The details may differ slightly but the question remains, and it's the question that should be banished.
Of course, liturgical traditions can be just as blind to gender justice! I suppose the best way to see it is that worship reform and gender justice are separate issues, which overlap at one crucial point, that of women's participation in public worship.
Jen
:::posted by Jennifer on 4/30/2003 09:01:57 PM
Katie & Wiley,
Yea I think that nimby is a popular syndrome. I talk to some people who are pretty sympathetic but the effort that it takes to progress toward gender equity isn't worth it to them. I agree that the people who go to those workshops and lectureships go because they want change. You are more likely to find like minded folks there (also radicals in the other direction, at least at tulsa). It is interesting to me that those who are interested in worship reform are opposed to gender equity and vice versa. In my mind they just go together but perhaps it is just too much change and people being generally opposed to change have to pick one to champion. It is particularly interesting to me that some of the gender justice churches are using the liturgy. In some ways I see that as going the opposite direction from the current worship trends. I understand the logic esp in heavily catholic areas and generally support it. I wonder if there will be a general trend toward using the liturgy in worship at some point in time or if that will always be an isolated minority who do so. A friend's father has recently begun attending catholic church again on Sat. nights and has become a lay minister in order to bring a gospel centered message to the parishiners there. He still attends his church of Christ on Sunday mornings. It is an interesting application of Paul's becoming all things to all people. It really freaked out his family at first but now they are generally supportive (if still a bit confused). I'm now officially rambling and I will quit now.
Peace,
Patty
:::posted by Patty on 4/30/2003 07:26:29 PM
Katie, you have brought up a very good question regarding the difference between the events and the local congregation and I agree with you about the responses. I attended ACU Lectureship and Stream this year (couldn't make Tulsa or Pepperdine--I'm green with envy :>) ) and I found a much more open attitude regarding the gender issue than in past years or especially in our local congregations. I have talked to several who were willing to start studying the issue fresh (Olan Hicks told me he did not agree with my view but would have to start looking at it -- and of course I let him know a very good place to start :>) ). I am of the opinion that many of the Christians who are attending events like ACU, Pepperdine, Tulsa, Stream, etc are not content with the status quo and are wanting to tear down old walls to worship and growth and let in fresh air and light. Unfortunately, they are the smaller minority of members of their home congregations. That is the way it works at Granbury. Those of us who activily seek out more knowledge, question the status quo, beileve that we still have alot of change and spiritual growth yet to make, are willing to try new ideas in worship and evangelism, and are trying to grow spiritually closer to God are the ones who are attending the events like Pepperdine, Tulsa, ACU, and especially Stream in the Desert. They are also the same people who are taking more grace oriented views over the legalistic views that have ruled for so long. The over 60 membership in Granbury I think has become comfortable with where they are at and they don't want to have to change. They have built their comfort zones and are not willing to step out of them for any reason. The under 25 (especially the older teens and young adults) are are very open minded and willing to allow females to be an equal part of worship without heavy study because they cannot equate one sex being inferior to the other. The logic of the old way doesn't make much sense to this generation that has heard equality all there short lives in almost everyother area of life. The 40 to 60 group are the most open to studying the non-traditional views and trying new things in worship. This is the group where the women who are wanting to be included in the worship at Granbury are found. They are also the ones who are attending Stream style events and occasional lectureships at ACU and Tulsa. Many in this group are ACU graduates and presently have children in ACU. Most of the 25 to 40 group (the one group we have almost no measurable percentage of) are in the SB churches, Assembly of God, and the non-denom churches (since we don't have them--they MUST be in some church somewhere--I hope!). Out of 850 members at Granbury, there were about 12 of us who attended Stream (160 miles west) this year (and even less attended ACU Lectureship just 120 miles west) and Stream was an AWSOME worship and spiritual renewal experience! There were also about that same number who went to Tulsa the weekend before Stream.
To reduce what I have said to its smallest common denominator, I think that at the events the percentages are high for open minded, inquisitive Christians to be in one place. In the local congregations, the percentages are very small for the same attitude.
BTW, I sent an email to Mark Love again after Lectureship this year. Bet you can guess what one of suggestions was! He has really done a good job with reviving the Lectureship!
I hope you have a really wonderful time out there! Wiley
:::posted by Wiley on 4/30/2003 12:07:29 AM
I'm here at Pepperdine, listening in on Patty's and Wiley's conversation... I just want to encourage you all by saying that my experiences at these Church of Christ events over the past several months have been uniformly positive. I don't keep any secrets; I just tell people what I do, if/when they ask, and watch their eyebrows go up. And then they inevitably say, "Isn't that interesting!" and if they don't want to hear more, they walk away or change the subject. But mostly, they don't! Mostly, they want to hear about the work I do, the churches I've worked for, the website community that has built up around gal328.org... So I tell them, and praise God that there are so many opportunities to say important things about this important justice issue in his church.
So what's the difference b/w the events that I'm attending and the local churches out there where you guys are feeling the need to be so careful? Maybe these folks are receptive to me because I'm not an immediate threat to their congregations. You know, the NIMBY syndrome: "That's great for you, but Not In My Back Yard!"
Hang in there, siblings in Christ. peace -- Katie
:::posted by Katie on 4/29/2003 07:59:37 PM
Patty, I do not say much at our church either without first knowing who I am talking to. It's not that I try to hide it because I do the church's web site (along with my own) and most people know I have a web site that has info on the gender issue. If they read it they will know exactly where I stand, and I suspect some have -- although they probably wouldn't admit to it:>) The elders have done quite a bit of survey activity and congregational analysis over the last year. Part of that was studying the age makeup of the congregation. We have roughly 850 members. What came out was a more that 60% membership over 50 (with mot of that 60% actually being over 60) and almost no membership (on a percentage basis) in the 25 to 35 bracket. The vast majority of those over 60 are classified as very traditional 60's/70's style church. The 50's people are actually more open and looking for change than the other groups. Sunday, I was talking to my favorite elder (also in his 50's--my age-and has three daughters like me!) about several things (the age makeup included) and we got off on the women's issue. He is very much for change in the status quo. His comment though was that "I think that maybe we are afraid to touch it (gender issue) for fear of upsetting that 60% plus that are so traditional in their views." And I agree with him. Our congregation is so unique in its formulation that the elders and ministers have been spending alot of time just trying to build "family" for the present without going into controversial studies. Besides the age issue, the vast majority of the membership has been there less than 5 years and a number of members come from other communities that are from 15 to 35 miles driving distance to attend (us @ 35 miles. As Bob and I talked about the age group problem, I suggested that a loosening of the restrictions on females not being allowed to actively participate in the worship might be a really good way to draw in that particular age group. He agreed with me but then made the comments above. I have to be really patient and bite my tongue really hard occassionally in order to keep a peaceful atmosphere! And it does get a pretty frustrating to have to be silent about something that I believe is right for the churches of Christ.
:::posted by Wiley on 4/28/2003 09:04:16 PM
I am wondering if any one else here feels like gender equity is your dirty little secret. There was a time when I wore it like a badge. I was ready and willing (even eager at times) to discuss it with anyone, anywhere, anytime. It became what defined me in some peoples eyes and many of them were equally eager to change my mind. When I moved to St. Louis for various reasons I went underground with my beliefs. The few times I let them surface they received harsh criticism so I put them away again. Thankfully God brought me to like minded people very early on in my time here. Recently I have discovered even more like minded people (both who were back when I thought no one was and who have been studying and changing their minds). Circumstances have begun to bring me further and further out of the closet. I am constantly waiting for the harsh reactions I got in the past from leadership and at least so far, nothing. Some of that former leadership has left so perhaps that is why. I am amazed to recognize my trepidation at disclosing my secret desire (to preach) when in the past I was more than happy to tell it to anyone. It probably doesn't help that although my family know where I stand they don't really support it and would rather pretend it isn't there. (i.e. they just don't talk about it).
Just rambling and wondering how the rest of you deal with this.
Patty
:::posted by Patty on 4/28/2003 05:33:20 PM
I'm going to be at the Pepperdine lectures next week, giving a couple of talks on Thursday and Friday mornings on reading so-called "secular" literature in hopes of hearing God's voice. The topic is not of interest to everyone, of course, but I would love to put faces with some of these names, if you're going to be there, forum friends. Look me up while you're there.
peace -- Katie
:::posted by Katie on 4/26/2003 02:28:10 PM
Welcome, David! Lurk if you must, but we'd much rather converse with you.
And, thank you, Katie, for connecting the dots. David may never know how many mother-women are being touched by his kindness through your telling of this story.
-Vicki
:::posted by Vicki on 4/26/2003 09:30:12 AM
Wow! Life is filled with God moments... just when something has touched us deeply...that person comes into our lives...over and over God continues to guide us to what we need at the moment.
A couple of years ago I had just finished reading Traveling Light and was so moved by the story of Deb Hill and her mentally ill brother who had disappeared from her life for so many years...their reunion and then her brother's death. Right after I had finished reading that book, I joined Ediets on the internet and joined a group to chat. Our little group became pretty close and started to share our stories with each other. Come to find out, I had been talking with Deb Hill. I was so amazed that God had put us together.
And now....I am in the middle of reading "Trusting Women" and was especially touched by the story of the rocking chair. David, I already love you....your actions speak very loudly.
God is so good. grace, Julie
:::posted by julie on 4/25/2003 04:31:29 PM
David, it's so good to hear from you in this forum. Some of you folks have read my "autobiography of ministry" in Leonard Allen's "Trusting Women" book. In that narrative I describe a scene that has touched many, not because of anything I did... It tells of a strong, humble elder who brought me a rocking chair after every sermon so that I could nurse my newborn in the back of the auditorium. David Doom was that elder. Much love to you and Libby, David.
peace -- Katie
:::posted by Katie on 4/25/2003 03:50:01 PM
Hello, I am David Doom and I have been lurking here off and on for a long time and didn't feel I had much to add. I am fortunate to have been a member of Cahaba Valley and studied under Lance, Katie, Robert Montgomery and the elders for many years. Our daughter was a young preteen when we studied the gender equity issue and I was proud to have her serve me communion and read scripture from the pulpit as she matured. She attended college in town and wanted to attend a church with an active college group and where she had her own identity, not Libby and David's daughter. With my blessing she visited several churches in several denominations and placed membership at a large, mainline Church of Christ. She missed the gender equity aspect of their worship, but found several ministries she felt called to and ended up working part time in the office there. When Libby and I moved to Atlanta, we visited many good churches and felt led to a young Church of Christ. I do not look forward to going through the gender equity issue again, as we will someday, but we feel this is where God wants us now and we see him working in our church. In the long run, I feel this is the only reason to choose a church, not any one issue as a litmus test, but following the lead of the Holy Spirit to a place we can serve God.
May your sons and daughters grow up in churches where they see God at work and their parents a part of the work and worship there.
:::posted by David on 4/24/2003 05:10:16 PM
Christ is risen! May you all feel that power over the next year. grace, Julie
:::posted by julie on 4/20/2003 11:28:08 PM
Hey Joe,
When you hold that baby girl in your arms, it changes everything, doesn't it? My baby girl is now 11, and I feel the same way… anything, in order for my daughter to grow fully in Christ. I also have a son, and it is equally important for him to witness and experience the same. One day he will have a wife, and hopefully a daughter. He also has to grow in that same way. They both are witness to the struggle and changes we've had to grow through to get to here. Knowing it is a good thing, witnessing even better, but experiencing it - how sweet it is!
All these baby girls here. It does cause one to wonder "Why?", doesn't it?
-Vicki
p.s. I just finished reading Montgomery's article. Excellent.
:::posted by Vicki on 4/18/2003 03:07:07 PM
Hi Shelly (and everyone),
Madeira is Portuguese and literally means wood. But it is also a wine and an island. I would describe the wine as a sweet desert wine. I've been told that the island is nice but have never been there. We choose this name because my family is Portuguese (among other things) and I think it sounds nice and unusual.
Indie
:::posted by Indie on 4/16/2003 08:04:09 PM
We've posted a new article by Robert Montgomery:
The Hardest Questions Never Go Away: Reading Acts 15 in a New Context
:::posted by Lance on 4/16/2003 06:56:56 PM
This is a tough question. I can only talk about what I have experienced. I have 4 children...2 boys and 2 girls...boys first...ages 20, 18, 14 and 10. We chose to stay in the Church of Christ. It was a difficult decision but involved so many different parts of our lives that it would be too long to go into here... I know that my boys know that women are equal and are appalled at the absurdity of the Church of Christ's stance. I have been very outspoken and my children have seen me take the heat for it and come out on the other end stronger and with a deeper faith. They will be champions for gender justice wherever they go. I think that they have learned the valuable lesson that you don't have to be quiet and just deal with what you think are injustices. Our congregation now has women participating. We have come a long way. This is just my personal experience...take it for whatever it is worth. grace, Julie
:::posted by julie on 4/16/2003 04:43:03 PM
Vicki,
I agree! I just can't make sense of keeping my family in a church where God's gifts of public service are limited to males. I don't think it will be enough to talk about it at home. For Sophie (now 4 weeks old and sleeping much better) to know the full range of God's gifts, she is going to need to see that played out at our corporate worship times on Sundays.
It's been said that in order to push gender justice in our tradition we will need to plant churches, much like Vicki and fam are doing. I could wait around in already formed and fashioned churches but I just don't have that time! I want to witness my daughter's spiritual growth not only at home but within the church family. So Patty to answer your question from my viewpoint, I would rather sacrifice other theological beliefs in order for my daughter to grow fully in Christ!
anyone else have thoughts? -- Joe
:::posted by jch on 4/16/2003 12:45:18 PM
Patty -
When you get that one figured out, let me know!
Having said that, a merger has been offered by another group that believes in "partial gender justice", i.e., women can pray in public, but not prophesy (preach). We are not interested. We didn't make the first choice - to be removed from the church of Christ fellowship, but we did make the second choice - not to go back. I guess that means we made a choice for total justice. It's hard to undo what Christ has already done.
I have a daughter, 11, and a son, 15. What they witness becomes their culture and tradition. I am responsible for what that means to their present and their future.
Just my feeble thoughts. How are things at your end?
-Vicki
:::posted by Vicki on 4/16/2003 09:14:22 AM
I've just been too busy lately to do much but live my life. My spring break started yesterday so I have more time the next 2 weeks or so.
We need a good question to get things going.
Here's a question. Do you think it is better to raise children in a church that you agree with nearly everything but their stance on gender issues, or to raise them in a less gender biased church that you don't agree so much on their other theological stances? In either case you can teach your children what you beleive to be true at home.
I have friends who have left the churches of Christ over this issue but can't find a church that practices gender justice and still focuses on salvation, baptism, etc. Other friends stay in the church of Christ, attend one with as few negative messages as possible and try to teach their children at home about gender justice. Of course the best choice would be one that allows for both but if you had to choose what do you think is more important?
:::posted by Patty on 4/15/2003 03:33:15 PM
Or, perhaps, like me, simply not knowing what to do next.
-Tom
:::posted by TWD on 4/15/2003 02:41:57 PM
Just thinking aloud...is it quiet here because we are now over the mountain and don't feel in the midst of battle..or maybe overwhelmed and can't take the time to put it into words..or just passive at this point? I know that a few of you have new babies...I know why you are not posting....this coming from the mother of four. Just wondering where we all are right at this moment. grace, Julie
:::posted by julie on 4/14/2003 10:27:27 PM
The blogger would not accept my user name or password, but seems to be OK now.
Congratulations Indie, and what a beautiful name! May I ask it's meaning or why you chose it?
Shelly
:::posted by Shelly on 4/09/2003 10:17:27 AM
Many congratulations, Indie!! How blessed is Madeira to be your daughter.
So many baby girls. So little time.
-Vicki
(Thank you, Katie, for "The absurd situations you find yourselves in are not of your making; you didn't choose this struggle; you haven't made it worse by being who you are.")
:::posted by Vicki on 4/08/2003 10:34:47 PM
Hi everyone.
Our daughter Madeira was born Sat. April 5 at 9:55am. She was 8lb 10oz and 20 1/2 inches. I was lucky--only 5 1/2 hours of labor. Everything is going great so far. We just got home from the hospital yesterday morning and are taking it easy and visiting with the new grandparents (my parents flew out from the other coast and my husband's live nearby).
Indie
:::posted by Indie on 4/08/2003 08:34:43 PM
Hey, Jennifer and Brent, congratulations on your school acceptance! (Definitely hold off on the baby.) I visit PTS regularly as I'm working on my D.Min. there, so I'll look forward to seeing you soon. It's nice to have friends nearby. Yes, NJ can be like a foreign country. You tell people you live there and they say, "What exit?" If you don't understand what I mean, you soon will.
Indie, congratulations to you, too. I was so pleased to receive your birth e-announcement -- post details here, please, so we can all rejoice with you.
Jen, "absurdity" is a word that often comes to mind when I contemplate the transitional moment our churches are (hopefully) in. (Please, God, let this be a transitional moment...) The other day I was at an area-wide praise-and-worship gathering in Connecticut, in which I was asked to read Psalm 20 as a benediction. I read it with gusto, following an introductory explanation that for Christians, it is not about David or any other earthly ruler, but rather the Son of David, God's anointed one. When the service ended, several people complimented my reading by showing their astonishment that I could "handle it" so well. "I hope you will get more chances to read in public," said a couple of folks, having no idea what I do in real life. "I get my chance every week," I said. "I'm a minister at a church on Long Island..." and there followed, of course, more astonishment.
This speaks to your point, Jen, about courage. A year or two ago, I would not have confronted those strangers with the truth of my vocation. I would have smiled demurely, thanking them for the compliment, all the while seething inside. I don't do that anymore. The seething has subsided and I find that I can joyfully, confidently, assert the reality that God has made for me.
I hope you do catch the time frame in that story, though -- up until a year or two ago, that situation would have produced much frustration for me. And I have been in full-time, paid ministry for NINE years, training for it for FIVE before that. How's that for a learning curve? So, be patient with yourselves, all of you. The absurd situations you find yourselves in are not of your making; you didn't choose this struggle; you haven't made it worse by being who you are.
Psalm 20 is appropriate here, too, for Jen and Brent, Indie and her family, Joe and his family, and all of us:
"May God grant you your heart's desire, / and fulfill all your plans. / May we shout for joy over your victory, / and in the name of our God set up our banners. / May the Lord fulfill all your petitions." Amen.
peace -- Katie
:::posted by Katie on 4/08/2003 08:55:56 AM
I'm getting baby envy, this is dangerous territory for me! Brent and I have been accepted to Drew and PTS (respectively) and will begin our programs this fall. So we will be in NJ for the next four years or so. This will be probably be as foreign to us as China has been!
This Sunday produced another sad and absurd incident. It's been noted on this forum before that smaller groups often see the detrimental effects of barring women from public leadership more clearly because the effects are more immediate and obvious in groups that need the full use of every member's gifts to remain vibrant communities. This Sunday, two of our four American men (including my husband) were sick. As the teacher for the week designated the various worship tasks, he asked one of our Chinese men to lead the closing prayer. Our friend said, no, he was not prepared to do this. I find this quite reasonable, as he was being requested to pray extemporaneously in a second language--not an easy task! But he was not allowed to refuse. Why was it necessary to browbeat him about it? Because it was unthinkable to ask a woman.
In the abstract, I think it's a great idea to incorporate our Chinese Christians as much as possible. But asking them to pray in English, lead songs or even read Scripture involves effort and risk for them that native speakers don't experience. The thought that my friend had to suffer embarrassment because of our American baggage about women's roles in worship... UGH!
I very nearly volunteered to do it myself, simply to put an end to the embarrassing incident--not that that would have been the end of it! But still that unreasonable fear kept my mouth firmly shut. Next time (and I'm sure there will be one) I hope I will do better.
Jen
:::posted by Jennifer on 4/07/2003 10:14:17 PM
For those of you who don't know, my wife and I are the proud parents of our first child, Sophia Kay. Yes, Vicki, we are sleep deprived. We never knew how excited we would get over a four or five hour stretch of sleep at night. After those kind of nights, we wake feeling quite refreshed.
Laura and I were hanging out on the bed with Sophia today, marveling at her creation. I then asked my wife, "what will her spiritual gifts be? What gifts will God bless Sophia with?" After asking these questions, we both realized that we have got to be in a church where there are no limits to the gifting of God.
looking ahead -- Joe
:::posted by jch on 4/07/2003 05:10:05 PM
Dick,
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for introducing yourself. I'm always interested in the processes that bring folks here from various places.
Thanks for your generous offer to let us read your novel online. And thanks for taking seriously the roles that women like Prisca played in early Christianity. I share with you an appreciation of Romans 16 and for similar reasons. You can read my discussion of that chapter, "Laborers in the Lord," elsewhere on this web site.
Brotherly,
Chris
:::posted by Christopher on 4/07/2003 03:40:53 PM
OK, I was going with the bright side. I hate to think that it's quiet here because because everything in the real world is going, uh, not so smooth.
You can share with us, sis, we'll listen. How did you first Sunday evening go? Did you have your communion feast? Did DrPhil get run out of the "Downtown Church?"
S.
:::posted by Shelly on 4/07/2003 03:21:18 PM
A HA HA HA! You're kidding, right?
How's it goin', DaddyJoe? Sleep-deprived yet?
Welcome, Dick. I have seen your book, but did not take the time to read it. Thanks for the reminder.
-Vicki
:::posted by Vicki on 4/07/2003 02:09:59 PM
Welcome to Gal328, Dick,
It's been pretty quiet around here lately! Things must be going smoothly for everyone.
Shelly
:::posted by Shelly on 4/07/2003 10:07:36 AM
Just a reminder about blogger formalities, please press the "Post and Publish" button in order that your post be seen on the www.gal328.org website. Dick and other newcomers, welcome.
--Your Friendly Forum Moderator
:::posted by jch on 4/05/2003 05:18:22 PM
Hello. I am new to the Gal328.org Forum and would like to introduce myself. I am a member at the Newark (Delaware) church of Christ, where I serve as deacon for the adult teaching ministry and teach regularly. I was baptized in 1986, at the age of 36 at the then-Oglethorpe church of Christ in Atlanta. The church subsequently became Atlanta Highlands, which was taken over by the Boston church (Internationa), but that's a story for another time (and probably another wewbsite)!
One of my passions is Christian history, particularly the early church. My studies of the early church quickly led me to the inescapable conclusion that women had much more active and visible roles in the first century church than I was seeing in the churches of Christ. That led me to further studies, which only served to reinforce that fact. Whether or not it was related, I became fascinated with Prisca and Aquila since they are the only married couple mentioned prominently in the New Testament, and I began imagining what their lives must have been like. In a phenomenon I can only ascribe to the Holy Spirit, comoplete passages of text began springing unbidden into the mind, and I was moved to write a novel centered around their story. The initial inspiration was the easiest part--then came long hours of reserach into the history of the times. God again intervened, however, giving me the time to complete the manuscript when the company I was working for folded, and I was out of work for six months.
I submitted the manuscript to several Christian publishers but found the doors closed to first-time novelists who weren't celebrities. The universal response was "Doesn't fit into our current publishing plan." I put the manuscript aside for several years, but many people in our churches in Atlanta, Colorado, and Delaware read it, loved it, and encouraged me to continue to pursue publication. My wife was especially instrumental.
Several months ago, I noticed an ad for Xulon Press, a print-on-demand publisher in World Magazine, and have published Peculiar People through them. (The title comes from the KJV translation of 1 Peter 2:9.)
I introduce the book here because it is, I believe, a biblically- and historically-accurate portrayal of the first century church. There is also an overlaying modern plot about a young woman who finds the scroll containing the story of Prisca and Aquila and its subsequent effect on her life. Romans 16 is one of my favorite chapters of the New Testament now because many of the primary characters (Andronicus and Junia, Ampliatus, Rufus, Phililigus and Julia, Persis, and Mary) in Peculiar People. These obscure early Christians became so real to me, I look forward to meeting them in heaven!
More information about the book, me, and my views on women in the church can be found at my website, www.peculiarpeoplenovel.com. I book can be purchased through several online booksellers (amazon, barnesandnoble, booksamillion, walmart, etc.) or any local bookstore can order a copy through Spring Arbor distributors.
My special offer to Gal328 members is free access to the manuscript through my website. If you go to www.peculiarpeoplenovel.com and click on the "Read" button, you will find pdf files of excerpts, but at the bottom of the page you will see a link reading: "If you have the password, you can read the entire text online!" The password is "corinth" (all lowercase) and the book is my gift to you. I only ask two things in return: (1) tell me what you thought by posting something here or by submitting a review on my website, and (2) if you like it enough, buy a copy of the publisher book.
If you read Peculiar People in either the pdf or published versions, I hope doing so blesses you as much as writing it blessed me!
Thank you and I look forward to participating in the forum.
:::posted by Dick on 4/03/2003 06:42:27 AM
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