[Oe List ...] Salmon: Reply to the Bishops, et al

[William Salmon]

Bishops!
    Your comment concerning the clergy piqued my interest, and I can 
sympathize with their views that their congregation could be upset applying 
the principles of "Progressive Theology."
    The chief lesson I've learned is that most pastors are no further along 
in Christian maturity than their laity. Our professional schools have done a 
lousy job in helping pastors to ground their theology. Consequently, to ask 
either a layperson, or a pastor, to define what they mean by God, Christ, 
Holy Spirit, Church, Blood of Jesus, or whatever, they all have equal amount 
of difficulty.
    The answer is so rudimentory. Simply ask, "Tell me how you EXPERIENCE 
God, Christ, Holy Spirit, etc." Immediately this question moves the 
conversation from a Head Trip Analysis to a Gut Trip Analysis."
    A person can reply, "God is experienced as love."
    "Alright, tell me the last time you were loved?"
    "Well, it was when my spouse forgave me for being a damned fool."
    Now everyone knows the experience of being a fool. Note that the 
conversation has moved from a Head Trip Analysis to a Gut Trip Analysis."
    This works everytime, just refuse to dwell in a Head Trip conversation 
by gently pushing to the experiential.
    This conversation technique works with any all all kinds of people; it 
works with those who are Christian, non-Christian, other worldly/spiritual 
people as well as atheists.
    There is nothing controversial about it.
    Concerning Social Issues "help each one you meet to make a new 
decision." The ethical model for Christians is WWJD, and What Would Niebuhr 
Say?
      I can wax eloquent on the need to live the surrendered life fulfilling 
our intended creation living as humane and gracious people working for 
justice and mercy. At this time, I won't
      What do you think? Usually when I do this I open a can of worms. But, 
what the hell, ain't I a Salmon, and you now what Salmon do when they swim 
upstream." I say this just to egg you on.
    Inner peace.
    Bill


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Isobel and Jim Bishop" <isobeljimbish at optusnet.com.au>
To: "Order Ecumenical Community" <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Common Dreams Conference # 2 held recently 
inMelbourne.


> Dear Ruth, Herman and Ellie, and colleagues all,
> One of the things which really struck me about this Conference was
> that, right at this moment it is the Clergy  for whom we could well
> be especially mindful.  In the first Breakout group I was sitting
> with a bunch of mostly Clergy, who were agonising about how to
> introduce some new ways of theologising and discussing Scripture in
> their various congregations. They were saying things like " I will
> wait until I am retired to start talking about Progressive
> Christianity...  and If I did talk like this my congregation would
> be most unhappy.. "  etc.,etc.,  So I discovered that support
> networks are very important for those who are fostering " the new
> way..."
>  In about 4 weeks time the lead speakers will send us the notes of
> their talks..  I will be happy to send them on to the general
> listserve...  there will be about  4 or 5 all told-   or I could send
> to the three folk listed above....
>
> In peace,
> Isobel Bishop.
> On 25/04/2010, at 9:30 AM, Ruth Landmann wrote:
>
>> Isobel,  thank you so much for your reflections and for sharing The
>> Centre for Progressive Christianity web site. I forwarded that link
>> to my fellow members of our church's Church and Society committee.
>> It turns out that our pastor heard the director of the TCPC speak a
>> few months ago in Berkeley and is very interested in our church
>> getting involved. A couple other members of the committee also
>> responded very positively.
>> Thanks again!
>>  G & P
>> Ruth Landmann
>> -- 
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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