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Monday, June 12, 2006
Introducing myself
Hello, may name is Sylvia Skinner. I am a 40-something (closer to "45" than "50") frustrated evangelical (who really doesn't even want to be called that anymore). Perhaps, I should start referring to myself as "formerly" evangelical. That word (evangelical) just bugs me. It conjures up a lot of things I'm just not interested in being identified as anymore. Does anyone remember about 25 years ago when some college students went on Donahue to announce the beginning of "fundamentalists anonymous?" (Does anyone even remember Donahue?) It was supposed to be like a 12-step recovery group for conservative Christians. I remember thinking what the heck is the matter with those kids? They must have just fallen down the side of the slippery slope. Now, I am wondering if I can find their organization, join them, get a sponsor, and maybe even lead a group! It would be nice to have someone to call in an emergency--like, say, right before I am about do or think something evangelical. Do they still exist?

I have been in church my whole life. I've never missed more than two Sundays in a row. For the last 20 years, I've been in ministry (first as a pastor's wife and now on staff at our church), but I'm kiind of ready to quit. O.k., now I sound like Debbie Downer on SNL. I'm not ready to quit my faith, just the way we do church. It seems as though there might be light at the end of the tunnel though. Our church seems to be stumbling its way through this whole emergent thing. It's sure not easy though, without the all the formulas and such. I like the idea of a conversation. It is more of a give-and-take, something in which the whole community can participate. But, then again, it has definitely gotten messy. I guess that's what I would have to say about my faith right now. It's messy and chaotic. Thank you for letting me join this group. I have enjoyed the posts so far. I look forward to hearing the female voice in all of this--not in "addition to" or " as part of the back-up harmony," but as a voice that was created to be heard as clearly as voices of men on this same journey.

I'm looking forward to hearing all of your voices.

Sylvia Skinner
 
posted by Anonymous at 11:57 AM ¤ Permalink ¤


3 Comments:


  • At 6/12/2006 04:06:00 PM, Blogger Lydia

    Good to meet you, Sylvia. :)

     

  • At 6/13/2006 07:18:00 AM, Blogger Tammy

    maybe instead of quitting, you simply need to take about 3 months off from any church activities. a sabbatical of sorts ... ?

     

  • At 6/13/2006 04:22:00 PM, Blogger Kim Wilkens

    I have also felt a crumbling of the old ways into an emerging chaos. My low point (or high point in retrospect) was turning 40 with a job title of housewife. Reading Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd was the last straw for me. It was a comfort (I'm not alone & crazy) and a challenge (I need to change). What an amazing journey it can be...

     
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