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Who's Minding the Story?

Jeff Seaton, Church Doctor

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Category Archives: Inclusion+Orthodoxy

Can We Stop Talking About “Us”?

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on June 24, 2021 by Rev Dr JeffJune 24, 2021

Something that has been a bugbear for me for a while now is the use of “us” and “our” language by churches. You know the kind of thing I mean: 

    • “We welcome you to join us for worship at 10”
    • “Join us for coffee after the service”
    • “Please join our Facebook page/newsletter list”
    • “Our ministry is supported by your gifts”

Such language is meant to sound invitational and inclusive, but in reality it functions as a boundary marker: “us” on one side of the boundary, and “you” on the other. Whenever we invite you to do something with or for us, the boundary is reinforced. Continue reading →

There and Back Again

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on June 9, 2021 by Rev Dr JeffJune 9, 2021

A few years ago I found myself in the throes of a mid-life crisis combined with the effects of burnout — mental, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. In the years prior, I had completed a Doctor of Ministry degree while working … Continue reading →

What’s Missing?

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on December 17, 2020 by Rev Dr JeffDecember 17, 2020

I remember the last Sunday before the suspension of in-person worship back in March. I remember remaining on my knees at the altar rail after receiving the host—the common cup had been suspended the week before—and getting choked up.  Or … Continue reading →

Three Sins of the Mainline: Pastoral Care for Insiders

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on December 9, 2020 by Rev Dr JeffDecember 9, 2020

This post will focus on the third and last of our “sins” of the mainline: pastoral care as a membership privilege. Previous posts in this series focussed on the sins of “relevant” preaching and “accessible” liturgy. 

Continue reading →

Three Sins of the Mainline: “Accessible” Liturgy

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on December 2, 2020 by Rev Dr JeffDecember 2, 2020

In this post we take a look at the second of our “sins” of the mainline church, the sin of “accessible” liturgy. A previous post examined the sin of “relevant” preaching, and a subsequent post will consider pastoral care as … Continue reading →

Our Merciful Judge

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on November 21, 2020 by Rev Dr JeffNovember 21, 2020

As we come to the end of the liturgical year I looked back at the sermon I preached three years ago.

Continue reading →

‘You Give Them Something to Eat’

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on June 14, 2020 by Rev Dr JeffJuly 10, 2020

Last Sunday, at the ordination service, Chris began his sermon by saying it was a tradition on Trinity Sunday to have the curate preach, because preaching on Trinity Sunday was such a minefield of potential heresies. At the time I … Continue reading →

Transfiguration

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on February 23, 2020 by Rev Dr JeffFebruary 26, 2020

Back in the days when I was a United Church of Canada minister, I used to dread having to preach on Transfiguration Sunday. The reason I found it so uncomfortable is because this story is so obvious and clear in … Continue reading →

An Unwelcome Guest: a sermon for Advent I

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on November 29, 2019 by Rev Dr JeffNovember 29, 2019

Welcome to Advent! Advent, this season that steals in upon us in late November or early December, and then carries us along through the December darkness to the eve of Christmas. Advent, this strange and somewhat unwelcome season that descends … Continue reading →

Who Are We to Hinder God? The Church and Same Sex Marriage

Who's Minding the Story? Posted on November 16, 2019 by Rev Dr JeffNovember 16, 2019

A personal story The issue of same sex marriage and the church is profoundly personal for me. I am a gay man, in a same sex marriage. My husband and I were married in our church, by our minister, in … Continue reading →

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