Telling Our Story: Phil Snider (Aug 22-23)
On Not Being 'Religulous' Enough: Believers, Atheists & the Future of the Church
Conventional approaches to Christianity frequently draw sharp lines between believers and atheists, and in the process the primary truth of Christianity is reduced to doctrinal propositions that can (or cannot) be proven. As such, churches frequently provide programming and ministries designed to show they are right and their "cultured despisers" are wrong. However, this approach fails to take into consideration the more radical edges of Christianity that harbor subversive kernels of transformation for believers and atheists alike. This presentation provides possibilities for understanding the truth of Christianity in a way that is good news for believers and atheists, and it shows how churches can meaningfully connect with those who believe in God some of the time, or none of the time, or all of the time, which includes some of us all of the time and all of us some of the time.
About Phil
The Rev. Dr. Phil Snider is an award-winning author, community organizer, pastor and teacher who has served as the senior minister of Brentwood Christian Church in Springfield, MO since 2003. He is perhaps best known for his speech on equal rights for LGBTQ+ people, which has been viewed on YouTube over four million times. In addition to providing religious commentary in various local and national media outlets, including NPR affiliates, Al-Jazeera America television and nationally-syndicated radio programming, Phil's work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Religion Dispatches, Slate, Fox News and USA Today. He teaches religious studies courses at Missouri State University and Drury University, and his books include Toward a Hopeful Future, Preaching After God, and the forthcoming Justice Calls, which represents the first edited collection of sermons that are all open and affirming of LGBTQ+ people.
Phil's Stuff
- Twitter: @philsnider
- Blog: philsnider.wordpress.com
Schedule
The Rev. Dr. Phil Snider will lead a workshop from 12:00-2:00 on Saturday in which he will begin to explore the title of his presentation: “On Not Being ‘Religious’ Enough: Believers, Atheists and the Future of the Church". Later that evening, around 6:00 pm, the Lewises (216 South Sherrin Ave) will host him and whomever wishes to gather for a light supper. Bring something to share and come enjoy the conversation about the present church and what it might look like in the future—not just DBCC but the “church”. He will lead the Sunday School hour as he continues to discuss the topic, providing room for questions from participants. Phil’s final work with us will be as preacher for the worship service at 11:00 AM. There will be time in all of the sessions for questions and answers which may be raised as we listen and learn.
Come be a part of the closing event of the sabbatical in which the congregation has been engaged while Derek has been renewed by his time away in study and space for rest.