We Are Not Alone---"though much is taken, much abides."

books:


	• Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith Barbara Brown Taylor HarperOne, 2007 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 79 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Barbara Brown Taylor's Best (So Far)

The Reverend Taylor, once again, uses her consummate story telling abilities to weave a story of her call to ordained ministry, her call to a small parish in a small town, and, ultimately, her call to leave what anyone would deem a highly effective and successful ministry. At the risk of minimizing or trivializing her path with a phrase: she found that when church was getting between her and God, she had to leave church in order to reconnect with God. Her writing often takes one's breath away when she finds just the right words, just the correct metaphor that puts one inside her head and in her heart. Anyone who aspires to ordained ministry should read this. Anyone who is in ordained ministry should read this. Anyone who ever knew anyone in ordained ministry should read this.

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A study in faith as a life

Ms. Taylor so aptly presented the minister's psyche and "occupational hazards" that I thought she must have had my office and my mind wire-tapped! A compassionate piece that really touched my heart. I feel as if I know her; and she knows me. This book also came out at just the right time for me, as I was leaving my pulpit. Thank you.

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A Moving, Surprising Account

Writing in carefully structured format, former Episcopalian priest, Barbara Brown Taylor, splices the why of her anti-climactic divestment. Cut into thirds (Finding, Losing, Keeping) she covers her spiritual journey, many times verging on the apologetics of the spiritual vs. religious route.

At first I was a bit disappointed she dwelt so much on her role of pastor and the examination of the usefulness/logic of such a profession. I originally picked this book up searching for a kindred spirit as ex-church peon. But I was able to reach across the differences we shared in stations and identify with her journey, undoubtedly a testament to Brown's empathy and talent.

This is the first "Christian" book I've read in 5 years. It drew mixed emotions. I cried as I read Brown's description of tending to broken birds yet recoiled at her tendency to wrap her spiritual experiences up as anecdotal. Yet this was a good book, well worth the read for either side of the track: heretics (etymologically meaning those who make a choice, as Taylor informs) or faithful church-goers.

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We Are Not Alone---"though much is taken, much abides."

I am unfamiliar with the other works of thjs authoress, but will take steps to remedy this state. She is named as one of the twelve most effective preachers in the English-speaking world, and we crave people of this calibre, whether in a pastoral charge, or some other ministry. I have warmed to the story she relates, and to the pleasant and feisty manner in which she says it. I would recommend its message to all those who are unsatisfied with their experience of the "established church", but whose spirituality leads them forward without abandoning their faith.

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"Leaving Church? or Leaving Home?"

This is a book that I do not want to finish. It is jam packed full of liltingly descriptive prose of how her life grew bigger as she became smaller. We are allowed a secret look into her most sacred changing world - her life!
The author spins a thread through all humanity (especially those who work in "The Church") gathers us all up, and strips away any self appointed entitlement that may be perpetuating our walk.
She knows that under all our fine wrappings, we are completely naked.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

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