The Protestant church got rid of Laetare as well as Rogate and many of the other days for reasons I have never fully understood. It created a bland church calendar and liturgies du jour in the image of people who have been abstracted from place and history, who have no feel for the symbols and no memory of the stories. They live, work, and worship in climate-controlled buildings. They have largely adopted a digitalized language. Their daily routines override the natural rhythms and longings of life.
Finished reading: Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler 📚
Really helpful. Anyone’s communication skills would be enhanced in some way by reading this book.
Corrie’s enjoying Larson more than Kingsnorth
Finished reading: SPEED of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey, Rebecca R. Merrill, Stephen R. Covey 📚
I don’t usually prefer these kinds of books, and some parts were predictably cheesy and clichéd. Nevertheless, the big idea of the book is manifestly true: it really is all about trust. Covey’s definition of leadership is one of the best I’ve come across: “Getting results in a way that inspires trust.” I don’t think I’ll regret the time spent reading and reflecting on this all-important topic.
Currently reading: Biblical Authority after Babel by Kevin J. Vanhoozer 📚
Currently reading: Summer for the Gods by Edward J. Larson 📚
my girls will be proud: just dominated Crashy Cat
Corrie hasn’t made up her mind about the Machine yet
Finished reading: The Strategically Small Church by Brandon J. O’Brien 📚
Really helpful book that encourages small churches to embrace their “smallness” and leverage the unique strengths that come with not being huge. Some really useful insights that I’ll be thinking on for a while. This book probably put the nail in the coffin for me; I don’t think I believe in big churches any more. (Though I’m content to leave “big” undefined.)
