Overview

For decades, millions of Christians have been leaving church behind. Among those who have stayed, not only individuals, but entire congregations are rejecting traditions that fail to address the challenges of our contemporary world. They yearn, instead, for a profound relationship with the ever-present God who is loving, inclusive, persuasive, and uncontrolling. This rich and diverse collection of sermons, essays, and worship elements explores how to preach, teach, and practice Open, Relational, and Process theological perspectives in local faith communities. It is a powerful resource for pastors, ministers of worship arts, lay church leaders, professors of preaching, worship, and practical theology, and anyone seeking a deep understanding of God that aligns with the Bible, science, and inclusive love and justice for all life on Earth. Endorsements for Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God Just about everyone knows that large numbers of people-especially younger and more educated people-are dropping out of church. To stop this trend, some focus on hot music or cool graphics or casual dress or catering to what people want politically. But more and more of us are coming to the conclusion that many people are leaving because they see deep and significant problems in what most Christians believe and preach. This book could help tens of thousands of churches and pastors imagine a better way forward...real-life sermons from the fresh and needed perspective of open, relational, and process theology. Enthusiastically recommended! - Brian D. McLaren, author of Do I Stay Christian? Anyone who ventures behind a pulpit is taking a risk, wagering there's good news left in our ancient texts. Too often, the goodness of God is hidden under the bushel of Almighty dogma and a controlling tradition. In this timely and needed volume, you hear from a staggeringly diverse collection of proclaimers who haven't escaped the call to preach but insist the goodness of God should not be compromised because the power of God is love. I'm thrilled to have a preaching book to recommend without hesitation! - Tripp Fuller, host of Homebrewed Christianity For far too long, classic Christianity has held to a view of God as unchanging and the nature of God's interaction with the world as controlling. Scripture presents God as creative and responsive, however, intentional, initiating, and influenceable-a God who works in partnership with humans. This book demonstrates through the preaching of Scripture that God's good, loving, dynamic power operates in process with the freedom of others. God takes risks that may lead to evil and suffering, as well as to the righteous work of cooperative partners. - Karen Strand Winslow, author of Imagining Equity: The Gifts of Christian Feminist Theology

Full Product Details

9781958670323

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Reviews

Just about everyone knows that large numbers of people-especially younger and more educated people-are dropping out of church. To stop this trend, some focus on hot music or cool graphics or casual dress or catering to what people want politically. But more and more of us are coming to the conclusion that many people are leaving because they see deep and significant problems in what most Christians believe and preach. This book could help tens of thousands of churches and pastors imagine a better way forward...real-life sermons from the fresh and needed perspective of open, relational, and process theology. Enthusiastically recommended! - Brian D. McLaren, author of Do I Stay Christian? Anyone who ventures behind a pulpit is taking a risk, wagering there's good news left in our ancient texts. Too often, the goodness of God is hidden under the bushel of Almighty dogma and a controlling tradition. In this timely and needed volume, you hear from a staggeringly diverse collection of proclaimers who haven't escaped the call to preach but insist the goodness of God should not be compromised because the power of God is love. I'm thrilled to have a preaching book to recommend without hesitation! - Tripp Fuller, host of Homebrewed Christianity For far too long, classic Christianity has held to a view of God as unchanging and the nature of God's interaction with the world as controlling. Scripture presents God as creative and responsive, however, intentional, initiating, and influenceable-a God who works in partnership with humans. This book demonstrates through the preaching of Scripture that God's good, loving, dynamic power operates in process with the freedom of others. God takes risks that may lead to evil and suffering, as well as to the righteous work of cooperative partners. - Karen Strand Winslow, author of Imagining Equity: The Gifts of Christian Feminist Theology

Author Information

"Jeff Wells is the lead pastor of the Church of the Village, a progressive, radically inclusive, and anti-racist community in the New York City. He preaches, practices, and promotes process-relational and open & relational theology. Jeff is an active member of the Alliance for Ecological Civilization. In 2022, he helped found and co-chaired the Living Earth Movement. With John B. Cobb Jr., he co-authored a short book, ""Is International Cooperation Possible? A Bold Appeal for a Living Earth"" (2022). Website: jeffrywells.love Vikki Randall lives in Monrovia CA, and has 28 years of pastoral experience, serving large and small churches, mostly in PCUSA. She received a D.Min. in spiritual formation from Azusa Pacific Seminary and has served there as adjunct faculty in undergrad theology since 2003. She is passionate about transformation and experiencing God's presence. Thomas Jay Oord, Ph.D., is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology and the Open and Relational Theology doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary. He is an award-winning author and has written or edited over thirty books. A gifted speaker, Oord lectures at universities, conferences, churches, and institutions. Website: thomasjayoord.com"

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