tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962731110719190549.post7278674195172018790..comments2024-01-20T00:07:48.249-08:00Comments on part time priest: Lent for Extroverts 33: At home?Claire Alcockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14231267501917426061noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962731110719190549.post-55885013444304872412013-03-26T10:55:09.748-07:002013-03-26T10:55:09.748-07:00It is excessively annoying, yes!
But I used to be ...It is excessively annoying, yes!<br />But I used to be like that!Claire Alcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231267501917426061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962731110719190549.post-9716930360281752822013-03-23T16:23:23.391-07:002013-03-23T16:23:23.391-07:00Neat pretty packages tied up with string... This i...Neat pretty packages tied up with string... This is not how most people really do theology. From the outside it may seem as if these things we label as evangelical, liberal, catholic, charismatic etc. are neat and tidy, but the reality is that very few of us actually buy completely into anyone else's theological packages - even if these labels once worked that way. Although I have come from an evangelical background and attended an "open evangelical" college, some of my views would be described as "liberal" by my evangelical friends (though probably not by my liberal friends). I enjoy Catholic liturgy and some of my personal devotional practices would probably be frowned upon by (some) evangelicals. So I get SOOOOOO annoyed by others who stereotype - naming no names today :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962731110719190549.post-33468381930460251122013-03-23T14:23:49.524-07:002013-03-23T14:23:49.524-07:00I think it is very healthy to be exposed to things...I think it is very healthy to be exposed to things outside our comfort zone, but I noticed on my training course that some people reacted to this by becoming defensive, while others were content to be 'pushed'. It's healthy to be challenged to think 'why do I really hold that viewpoint?'<br />Thanks for your comments. Took me a while to respond as the mosaic view I had on the blog was obscuring the comments!! Have changed it now:)Claire Alcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231267501917426061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962731110719190549.post-69969503550818357902013-03-22T14:19:14.583-07:002013-03-22T14:19:14.583-07:00It's easy to feel that you don't belong wi...It's easy to feel that you don't belong within your own faith or tradition when you mix with those of a different tradition. Been there, got the t-shirt. <br /><br />I come with a label of Liberal Catholic, so getting a thorough does of Evangelicalism (if there is such a thing) caused me a little disquiet, particularly as the theme was SSM on a course on pastoral care. As an Anglican, I'm not much used to challenging someone formally for their sinful lifestyle (it's not our style) so found that edgy line quite uncomfortable.<br /><br />I'm sitting there gritting my teeth, while most of the others are nodding in assent. Suddenly, it became a lonely place to be that particular session, one among many, where the teaching was thorough, grounded in scripture and which did much to inspire my Liberal Catholic tendencies to wonder if I had misjudged the situation. Perhaps I had taken it to heart instead of head (and thinking theologically and reflectively as my once DDO was fond of telling me) or I had actually misheard what I was being taught. <br /><br /> But the written course material confirmed that what was being taught was what they meant. I've had time to reflect on it and realise that being taken outside my comfort zone was necessary for growth and understanding that mine isn't the only viewpoint in the church(es) and it is one among many, each of which will have elements of the truth, I need to use the proverbial three legged stool to work it out for myself, what I understand and believe.<br /><br />I can see that I belong as much to the Evangelical tradition (as in the Early Church) as the Liberal or Catholic tradition that I'm comfortable with. I just need to keep an open mind on those things that disturb my conscience and learn to live with the differences. Thanks be to God that his grace gives us the forgiveness that allows us to live and love each other, despite our differences.UKViewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18114944341930758335noreply@blogger.com