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Leaving Church

A Memoir of Faith

  • Paperback
  • 256 pages
  • Publisher: Canterbury Press
  • 13.7 x 20.3 x 2.1 cm

£17.99

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Barbara Brown Taylor is one of America's most renowned and beloved spiritual writers who made her UK debut in 2009 with the acclaimed An Altar in the World. Here she reflects on keeping faith and the relentless demands that characterise life for so many today. In this moving and memorable book she writes of her life and work as a priest and the burden of being one of the most celebrated preachers in America. She recalls with grace and wit what led her to priestly ministry, the privilege of exploring the mysteries of God with others, her growing fame, the crisis it provoked and the unexpected blessings that followed. Having been part of a team in a large urban church for ten years, she sought a parish of her own and it was love at first sight when she was invited to view a small rural parish in Georgia. Little did she imagine that here Jesus's words about losing one's life in order to find it would have such impact. She tells of the rapid growth of the church, the crowds who travelled miles to hear her preach, the tensions that arose - and the call to lay it all aside in order to rediscover the authentic heart of her faith.
  • TGBS

    The Good Book Stall

    Average rating of0.0

    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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  • Author

    Barbara Brown Taylor

  • Book Format

    Paperback / softback

  • Publisher

    Canterbury Press

  • Published

    January 2011

  • Weight

    284g

  • Page Count

    256

  • Dimensions

    13.7 x 20.3 x 2.1 cm

  • ISBN

    9781848250659

  • ISBN-10

    1848250657

  • Eden Code

    3917774