Two ministers share their own stories about struggling to live out their faith.
It’s the sort of experience familiar to many: Somewhere between illness and divorce, abusive relationships and brushes with death, faith failed to provide answers . . . or we failed to live as though we believed faith held answers. But surely, it’s different for clergy, the ones who preach and practice faith? But faith requires more, and authors Martha Spong and Rachel G. Hackenberg, who grew up in the church and became ordained ministers, know first-hand about coming to terms with God and life, the need to search for answers . . . or at least assurance we are not alone in struggling for renewed hope. Denial is My Spiritual Practice is a companion for the wondering and struggling. The authors offer their own stories as evidence that God remains, both when faith fails and when faith finds new understanding. They combine stark life experiences, offbeat spiritual perspectives, and Scripture to offer comfort, grace, laughter, and a few tears along the way.
Two ministers share their own stories about struggling to live out their faith.
It’s the sort of experience familiar to many: Somewhere between illness and divorce, abusive relationships and brushes with death, faith failed to provide answers . . . or we failed to live as though we believed faith held answers. But surely, it’s different for clergy, the ones who preach and practice faith? But faith requires more, and authors Martha Spong and Rachel G. Hackenberg, who grew up in the church and became ordained ministers, know first-hand about coming to terms with God and life, the need to search for answers . . . or at least assurance we are not alone in struggling for renewed hope. Denial is My Spiritual Practice is a companion for the wondering and struggling. The authors offer their own stories as evidence that God remains, both when faith fails and when faith finds new understanding. They combine stark life experiences, offbeat spiritual perspectives, and Scripture to offer comfort, grace, laughter, and a few tears along the way.
RACHEL G. HACKENBERG is author of Writing to God: 40 Days of
Praying with My Pen (Paraclete Press), Writing to God: Kids'
Edition (Paraclete Press), and Sacred Pause: A Creative Retreat for
the Word-Weary Christian (Paraclete Press), as well as several
chapters on preaching and ministry. She blogs at
rachelhackenberg.com and contributes to RevGalBlogPals and The
Huffington Post. An ordained United Church of Christ minister,
Hackenberg and her family reside in Cleveland, Ohio.
MARTHA SPONG is executive director of RevGalBlogPals, an
international online community with more than 4,000 members. She
edited RevGalBlogPals' book, There's a Woman in the Pulpit:
Christian Clergywomen Share Their Hard Days, Holy Moments & the
Healing Power of Humor (Skylight Paths, 2015). She blogs at
marthaspong.com and contributes to The Christian Century and The
Huffington Post. An ordained United Church of Christ minister
married to a Presbyterian minister, Spong and her family live in
central Pennsylvania.
"If there was such a thing as a spiritual grief group, this would
be the book I would recommend. The grappling with scripture, where
its promises deliver and where they don’t, is simultaneously
consoling and provocative... I can wholeheartedly recommend
it."
—Julia Seymour pastor and blogger at lutheranjulia.blogspot.com and
readsallthethings.com."Through beautiful stories, Rachel G.
Hackenberg and Martha Spong teach the reader how to move through
denial and failure into acceptance and grace. With insightful
vision, they paint a picture of life that prevails on the other
side of failure. If you are searching for honesty in the life of
faith and how to live in the midst of struggles, this book will be
a balm to your spirit."
—The Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms and author of
Love Heals"With insight, gasp-generating honesty, and wit,
Hackenberg and Spong help readers appreciate how every event, every
interaction, and every feeling can become an opportunity to learn
more about living a spiritual life."
—Meredith Gould, author of Desperately Seeking Spirituality: A
Field Guide to Practice"In this lively, wise, and daring book,
Martha and Rachel blend memoir, humor, and biblical reflection to
explore the experiences most never dared to discuss in church. Let
this engaging book help you illuminate the beliefs that shape your
life."
—Ruth Everhart, author of Ruined and Chasing the Divine in the Holy
Land
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