Theological Base

My Seminary thesis, Ordaining the Disinherited, explored the experience of women of color ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. In my research, I looked at the Canons (rules) of the church. It explicitly stated that we should be creating options for discernment for all believers, not just those seeking ordained ministry. Raising two questions: what does a culture of discernment look like? How does one build up their capacity to “listen to what the spirit is saying to God’s people?”

While a professor thought that I was ready for PHD work, I realized that I could just start a podcast, Pursuing Call. It has been an opportunity to listen to people talk about the in between space, not just the final product. In the time of social media, we can believe what we see and we can curate our lives to be glorious and happy. But what got us to that place of celebration? What happened before the pic was posted? And when the world falls apart, how do we build back better? What I am hearing from folks is this: they have a theological base. They have spent time exploring what they know for sure. Having a place where you know what motivates and guides you when you are alone and no one is watching and life is completely falling apart; what is it that brings you back together again.

Perhaps you remember the This I believe essay project? Based on a 1950’s radio program, the project helped people write short essays about their beliefs. Folks wrote about everything from a sports teams to God. What I loved about this project is the capacity to write deeply and succinctly about their grounding place.

As a young church girl, I remember the hymn On Christ the solid rock I stand. But really, what does that rock look like? fell like? How does it nourish you?

Here are some things I know for sure:

God is God: creator, sustainer, redeemer, friend and eternal life coach

The universe is conspiring in my favor and if I remain open, surrender – which means not try to predict or control the outcome, I will find my liberation and I will find my freedom so that I can participate in the liberation and freedom of all things loving and living in community.

So what is your theological base?

Day 1 – 30 minutes

1. Sit somewhere silently with limited distraction, pen, paper.
2. Pick any story from your childhood that comes to mind.
3. Write down that story.
4. Give gratitude for that story, regardless of its outcome.
5. breathe deeply in, breathe deeply out release what needs to be released and welcome that which brings you life.

Day 2 – 30-45 minutes

1. Sit somewhere silently with limited distraction, pen, paper.
2. Pick any story from the middle of your life to date that comes to mind.
3. Write down that story.
4. Give gratitude for that story, regardless of its outcome.
5. breathe deeply in, breathe deeply out release what needs to be released and welcome that which brings you life.

Day 3 – 30 minutes

1. Sit somewhere silently with limited distraction, pen, paper.
2. Pick a recent story that comes to mind.
3. Write down that story.
4. Give gratitude for that story, regardless of its outcome.
5. breathe deeply in, breathe deeply out release what needs to be released and welcome that which brings you life.

Day 4 – 60 minutes

1. Sit somewhere silently with limited distractions and your three stories
2. Read the three stories you have written down.
3. Is there a theme? Are there words that pop off the page?
4. What from your story resonates the most for you?
5. What might the spirit be saying to you in through these stories that came to mind? Why do you think you picked those stories?
6. After reflecting on these questions – free write for about 10 minutes or as long as you have time for.
7. Give gratitude for this time.
8. breathe deeply in, breathe deeply out release what needs to be released and welcome that which brings you life.

Day 5 – 90 minutes

1. Sit somewhere silently with limited distractions and your three stories
2. Review your free write and random thoughts or words that you explored earlier.
3. what are the life giving patterns that helped you navigate life?
4. Work on a this I believe statement. What do you know for sure? What can you return to that helps you lovingly, with grace for yourself and others, wake up each morning to make the world less shitty.
5. Give gratitude for this time.
6. breathe deeply in, breathe deeply out release what needs to be released and welcome that which brings you life.

Day 6: share with a friend and talk about it… you might change what you wrote.