Join the Journey with She Craves Theology
Early Roots Of Faith
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I became a believer at 17. I had essentially moved out to live at the nearby Christian Conference Centre to work as off-season staff. This was before there was internet in every home (dating myself there aren't I?), and I had QUESTIONS! So many questions. At 19, I moved 1200km away for university to study literature.
I didn't know anyone in my new city, didn't have a home church, and was too shy to ask many questions of my new friends in the local campus group. The only resource I had to answer all my new-believer questions was the Bible, but I had enough wisdom to seek out those ahead of me down the path. I’ve been blessed by many formal and informal mentors over the years, both in-person mentors and many paper mentors (books).
A Season Of Intentional Discipleship And Mentoring
After I was married, we attended a very small church where the ladies met once a week for a Bible study. The younger women were intentionally mentored to either lead the studies or co-teach with an older woman. We didn't buy published Bible Study books (or not many anyway). Instead, we showed up and opened our Bibles. We did character studies, word studies, chronologies, and many other things. The older women amazed me with their knowledge of Scripture. They listened and asked questions in a Socratic style that challenged and encouraged you to explain your thinking. They used questions to teach (just like rabbi’s do), and the questions forced me to engage critical thinking and develop discernment. This was life-changing and empowering for me.
That little church with no more than 50 members, had a whole room full of female teachers and mentors. We are called to make disciples. Most churches have teachers capable of teaching with the right mentoring -- teaching our children and grandchildren, other women (younger AND older women), coworkers, community friends -- and even the men in our lives! Women are called to grow in faith, and how else do we do that if we don't learn to read and study and engage with Scripture for ourselves!!?!
What’s Your Theology?
If you’re looking for what “box” to slot my personal opinions into, you won’t find any. (Sorry-not Sorry).
I prefer to look at all sides of a label and decide where I fall on that spectrum for myself. I don't always get it right, but I strive to remain teachable and humble, and from time to time will change my mind on things as I learn better.
Labels just divide.
The Church, in general, is not good with ambiguity or nuance, to our great loss in my opinion. ​I prefer exegetical preaching and am happy to camp out for a year or two in the same book of the Bible on Sundays and dive real deep, but I acknowledge that I am in the minority on that one.
I have found solace and great friendship in charismatic churches and teachings. I have had fabulous, rich, theology discussions with brothers in conservative evangelical churches. I’ve found the tradition, liturgy, and quiet reflection in high-Anglican services refreshing. While I have no desire personally to stand in a pulpit and preach, I've learned from many great women who have. I have spent a lot of time studying Jewish traditions and perspectives and this informs a lot of my thinking and study.​
I strongly advocate for the return of stained-glass windows, space for songs of lament, and safe places for the vulnerable and hurting to share their struggles. We need more community. We need more intentional mentoring and discipleship.​ We need quiet spaces in our church buildings for those with mental health and sensory issues to engage with the sermons and participate in worship.
I am learning that the Kingdom needs those who are “on fire”, who burn hot, who start things and keep pushing for change, who ask questions. That fire needs to burn hot enough to motivate others, but not so hot as to incinerate everyone close to us. Too often in the past, I’ve let my fiery passion inflict injury on others and I’m learning to do better.
If labels are important to you, that’s fine – you just won’t see them used here.