The Thoughtful Pastor - Page 2 of 105 - A pastor ponders life, death, hope, despair, theology and the nature of God

Musings On Immigrant Children And Life Stability From The Waiting Room

June 20, 2018 By Christy Thomas

But there was stability, at least for this group of people and for this period of time. We fortunate ones who were reared in that stability unquestionably benefitted. However, as one who is increasingly turning to world past to make sense of the world present, I know that kind of societal stability has been more rare than abundant. As I began this column, I sat in the midst of strangers, all as anxious as I. We each had a loved… Read more

At Our Core, We Are Fundamentally Decent Despite Evangelical Betrayal

June 20, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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Despite the Evangelical betrayal of electing an indecent President with his indecent minions systematically raking in personal riches while stripping away protections and destroying families, at our core, US citizens are fundamentally decent. There are still plenty of good people in the US, despite the current and rabidly evil practices promulgated by the people currently in power, primarily put there by Evangelical “christians.” Except for a significant minority (55% of Republicans support the policy) who do not see any problem… Read more

I Remember When I Was Near Suicide

June 9, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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He asked me if I had ever considered suicide. I told him, “yes,” and explained the circumstances. I asked if he had much knowledge about what life was like for women in a very conservative religious world. He acknowledged ignorance, so I spent a few minutes explaining it. Suddenly, his face changed, and he said, “Oh now it makes sense. The state with the highest number of anti-depressant prescriptions written, and written primarily for women, is Utah.” One prominent suicide and… Read more

A Tale Of Two Deaths: One Person; One Denomination

June 3, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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Two Deaths: One, my brother-in-law, gentle, surrounded by love; the other, The United Methodist Church, rapaciously violent, with blood running in the streets. On Sunday, June 3, 2018, at 3:08 am, my sister’s husband passed from glory to glory. His heart just wore out. Several days before his death, and after conversation with wise physicians and other caring health professionals, my sister and her husband jointly signed the papers for his admission to end-of-life care under a well-known Hospice organization…. Read more

Paige Patterson Out; Paternalism And Male Supremacy Still In

May 31, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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Paternalism, disguised as “godly male leadership” is another term for “male supremacy” and is no different from white supremacy. Both are distasteful in the eyes of God. On May 30, 2018, the Board of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary decided to rescind the rewards they had heaped upon Paige Patterson for his treatment of women. In the press release, they announced that they have taken away his cushy retirement, his ever-so-elegant title as President Emeritus, and his forever home on campus…. Read more

Starbucks, Inclusivity, And The United Methodist Church

May 30, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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Starbucks has some things to teach us about inclusivity, but ultimately, like my plants, the United Methodist Church must split to regain health and vitality. It’s more complicated than we think it is to practice inclusivity. On Tuesday, May 30, 2018, Starbucks ran full-page ads in several major newspapers (I saw them in both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times) explaining why they were “starting a new chapter in our history.” Executive Chairman Howard Schultz offers the philosophy… Read more

Our Memories Make Us, And Memorial Day Makes The US A Democracy

May 25, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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On Memorial Day, it is time to remember those who died so that we as a nation may continue this unusual experiment in self-governance called democracy. History has few examples for us to follow as we pursue the ongoing task of weaving the delicate fabric of freedom around forces that push us into less-free spaces. Our memories make us, inform us, shape us. Sometimes they fill us with the warm glow of love given and returned, of special joys and… Read more

Paige Patterson: Donald Trump’s Pimp, Retires To Ogle Women On Campus

May 23, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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The Truth: Donald Trump is every Southern Baptist male’s ultimate fantasy: to do openly what they have been doing in private. Yes, Paige Patterson is Donald Trump’s pimp. Well, well, well, the Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary decided they’d continue to pander to Paige Patterson’s sexism by adding the title “emeritus” to President and give him a cushy, paid-for home on the campus. While drawing his fat salary, he can sit on the front porch rocking chair and comment… Read more

Broken Windows, Gluten-Free Food, Plus Sized Clothing And The United Methodist Church

May 17, 2018 By Christy Thomas

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What broken windows can we fix in The United Methodist Church? Perhaps if we found one, we could find The Way Forward. Can life be entirely fair? I started wondering that yesterday when my husband and I decided to have lunch at a new restaurant in our area. My routine question: “Do you have a gluten-free menu?” The routine answer, “No, but some items are marked with the (tiny, nearly impossible to see) symbol.” And, as is the case with… Read more

Paige Patterson To Baptist Women: Don’t Bother To Duck

May 9, 2018 By Christy Thomas

23 Comments

Do not criticize Paige Patterson for telling the truth: if your black eyes, in whatever form they present themselves, mean some man will show up at church, then do not complain about them. That’s God’s plan for you. Don’t bother to duck. Does God mind it when women get hurt by the men in their lives? It seems like a silly question, but recent events make it a realistic one. Yes, even as I write this, I can hardly believe… Read more