In this episode of Perspectives, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany continue the discussion of the movement of the Holy Spirit and the Divine Gifts that can come out of the movement – even when the movement is disconcerting. Today’s story is a good story – it brings healing and life – but it also brings around an emotional undoing that can happen when we have an encounter with God. Undoing in the healing itself but also all of the undoing that must happen for us to be open and vulnerable to that encounter with the Divine. And what about when we reach out and have an encounter with God, but healing doesn’t happen? Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany consider what gifts may still come out of what others may label as a disappointing encounter. Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. Have you ever felt undone by something good? 2. How do you understand prayers that go answered or are followed by what you prayed wouldn’t happen? 3. Have you ever been shocked by how God has shown up in the eleventh hour?
In this episode of Perspectives, Rev. Brittany and Rev. Hannah continue the talk about Divine Gifts. Today’s gift? Churning. Most people wouldn’t consider churning as a gift. But if you stick with it and work through the inner turmoil, you might be surprised by what’s waiting on the other side, much like the disciples who were being churned into apostles throughout the stories of the gospel. If you’re currently facing a storm, this episode is for you – it’s full of encouragement and wisdom to help you get through to the other side by embracing God’s vision and confidence. Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. What are you afraid of? 2. Have you ever felt like you were drowning and God didn’t care? 3. How has your faith been tested in the storms of your life?
In this episode of Perspectives, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah delve into the gift of growth, asking how much of our growth is based on personal action versus Divine intervention. It’s all part of this multi-episode topic of Divine Gifts. They begin by looking at two parables taught by Jesus – a method He regularly used to gently invite people to contemplate, ponder, and grow. On the surface, these parables seem straight forward but when you dig deeper, more and more is revealed. Especially when it comes to how much growth we can personally control. Is personal, spiritual growth, or the growth of the Kingdom of God something that truly just happens? Or is work required? If growth naturally happens, is there anything we’re truly called to do as Christians? Hit play to hear what Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah think. Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. When was a time when you experienced great spiritual growth? What prompted that growth? 2. How easy is it for you to think about this act of change or growth as a gift of God, something that all we need to do is look for it and receive it, much like grace or forgiveness?
In this episode of Perspectives, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany continue the discovery of the Divine gifts that God brings to us. Today’s gift: Deconstruction – specifically through an institutional lens. They begin by looking at a passage in Mark where Jesus redefines the institution of family. It’s the perfect example of how the process of deconstruction (and reconstruction) is nearly guaranteed to hurt at least some of those involved. But sometimes discomfort and hurt is necessary to decenter a dominate narrative so we can hear and speak to the voices of those on the margins – the oppressed – so that the gospel can be centered around “the least of these.” Racism, sexism, poverty, ableism, and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – all of this and more are discussed in this week’s episode. So, take a deep breath and get ready to be challenged! Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. Does the church, as we know it, need to be deconstructed and reconstructed? If so, what aspects of the church? 2. Is reconstruction possible without deconstruction? 3. Do you think deconstructing institutions is inherently violent?
Join the women clergy of First Church of San Diego in their multi-episode exploration of “Divine Gifts” with Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast. In this episode, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah continue the discovery of the Divine gifts that God brings to us. Today’s gift: Clarity. They begin by looking at two stories of Jesus on the Sabbath, challenging misconceptions of the pharisees and Judaic laws. From this scripture reading, they discuss the shifting power dynamic when it comes to how to prioritize the rules, the conflict between seeing the heart of God’s law, made from love for people, and the need to institutionalize the law so we don’t break the rules. They make the case for looking at Scripture and holy laws with a 21st century mindset –detecting the biases and partiality that exists and having healthy conversations on whether it should still be that way. How can we stop being an institutionalized church, imparting specific expectations on others that gatekeep access to God’s love? It’s a lot to consider – we hope you join in the discussion talking about the acts of grace that we receive from God that open our hearts and minds for us to see and experience the world differently. Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. What benefit do laws hold for us as society? 2. Are there laws that irk you? What are they and why do they bother you? 3. What relationship do you think Jesus had to the law? 4. What relationship do you think Christians have to the law?
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