Leaving Church

Viac o knihe

One of America's most beloved preachers shares her heartfelt journey in search of an authentic Christian identity, even at the cost of leaving her pulpit. Barbara Brown Taylor recounts her experiences starting and sustaining a small church in rural north Georgia, transitioning from urban ministry to academia. After a decade in a bustling city church, she moves to Clarkesville (population 1500), where she becomes one of the few professional women and the only female leader of a congregation. Following five and a half years of significant growth, Taylor faces "compassion fatigue." When an opportunity arises to join the religion and philosophy department at a local college, she embraces it, despite feelings of betrayal toward her church and her identity. This new academic life challenges her faith, prompting her to confront deep questions within the Christian narrative. Although she feels she has "left the church," Taylor discovers that it is possible to "keep the faith" outside traditional boundaries. Her story resonates with anyone grappling with doubts about their vocation or seeking a community that addresses contemporary questions of faith in the twenty-first century.