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Greg Smith

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A More Spacious Christianity (#2154)

2024/09/14 By Greg

This morning the three day experience known as Faith & Justice’s Fall Gathering: The Way of Justice for Today wrapped up at Open Book in Minneapolis. Author Debie Thomas’ talk kicked off the morning.

A Faith of Many Rooms

Debie Thomas provided some of the story behind the story of her newest book: A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf Books, 2024 – rated here on So What Faith as 4.5/5). Importantly, her talk – much like the book – focused on her own journey.

Thomas is an American born to parents who immigrated from South India. She has been in the church her entire life beginning as a preacher’s kid, observing and assisting her father as he ministered to two very different congregations: as an associate pastor of a large multi-ethnic evangelical church in Boston and concurrently, for a decade of her childhood, as the pastor of an Indian immigrant congregation.

As an adult, she found the faith of her youth – including the images of God it centered – too small. She longed for and ultimately found her way into a more spacious Christianity. And, on this journey, she’s been writing and teaching for more than a decade. Currently, Debie Thomas is a seminarian and also serves as lay minister of faith formation in a local Episcopal church as she explores ordination.

Debie Thomas Addresses Faith & Justice Network’s Fall Gathering (photo by Greg Smith)

In addition to her talk, Debie also answered a question from moderator Peter Choi and a few from gathering participants while seated alongside Christena Cleveland (Christena spoke on her new book: God is a Black Woman – rated here on So What Faith as 4.5/5 – between Debie’s talk and the question and answer session.)

Peter Choi Moderates Questions with Authors Christena Cleveland and Debie Thomas (photo by Greg Smith)

So What?

I, like Debie and so many others, have long been on a journey to inhabit a more spacious Christianity. Her new book is insightful, honest, challenging, and above all else genuine. And, her life models the possibilities not only of finding one’s way toward this reality, but also to helping co-create it.

Greg Smith and Debie Thomas (photo by Greg Smith)

Coming Soon

As I seek to do my part to both bring about and inhabit a more spacious Christianity, I’ve decided to preach a sermon series on the topic. Starting in mid-October, I’ll be introducing several of the book’s themes in the Sunday morning messages at Advent Lutheran Church.

  • October 13 – Doubt (Chapter 1)
  • October 20 – Sin (Chapter 6)
  • October 27 – Story (Chapter 4)
  • November 3 – Paradox (Chapter 9)
  • November 10 – Wrestling (Chapter 10)
  • November 17 – Belonging (Introduction)

Primary Sidebar

Greg Smith

Greg is a follower of the Way of Jesus who strives to make the world a better place for all people. Currently, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of White Rock Center of Hope and as Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church. He has served ten congregations, taught religion to undergraduates for eight years, and helped three organizations provide quality healthcare to underserved populations. (Read More)

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