Leaving Church

Leaving Church

Barbara Brown Taylor is prolific in preaching, writing and Christian feminist circles, and here offers her account of disillusionment, dissatisfaction and ‘wanting to be free' from church! The wisdom and interplay in the three section structure I find compelling as a tool much beyond the duration of the book. 'Finding,' during which she records caught up in and burnt out by the busyness of ministry and ultimately abandons it, 'Losing,' the interim period during which she discovers what life is like without the daily tasks of ministry, and Keeping, where she's back on the upswing after 'detox'.
This is not revolutionary read, with little originality offered as most ecclesiological and theological reflections are citations of other authors, books and media. For one brand new to such concepts and/or steeped in church life, this may be challenging, scandalous, eye-opening or even affirming. If it is your first brush with a story of this stripe, it is a good place to start. If it is your second, third, fourth, or more, you can read it if you choose. Taylor is an excellent writer. Read it if you want to hear an articulate exodus-from-church narrative, for in it her writing is both a tonic and a relief for many on the maze and misery of church life. Core to this writing is the belief in mystery as a context for healing and possibility. An absorbing yet somewhat indulgent memoir that clings to our loving God. There is much hope, amidst the liberation, transformation and power of the story disclosed. Truly engaging!

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