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DAN FOSTER

The Backyard Church Newsletter - December 2022

Published over 1 year ago • 4 min read

Hey Reader

Thanks for being a subscriber to my newsletter. Can you believe that we have arrived at December already? And that means, this is my last newsletter for 2022!

Crazy!

In this month's edition, I take a look at what all mass shooters have in common with each other, and what all Presidents of the United State have in common with each other as well.

Disgraced pastor Mark Driscoll is back in the pulpit and he's make waves on Twitter with the same kind of rhetoric that saw him accused of bullying and spiritual abuse in the first place.

Plus, I talk about why I think short term missionary trips are a bad idea, and reveal the one thing that the church, as we know it, needs to survive (but stops it from thriving at the same time).

Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you are entertained and challenged by this month's top articles!


WHAT ALL MASS SHOOTERS HAVE IN COMMON: Another day, another mass shooting in the USA, this time at a Gay bar in Colorado. Now, a study of every mass shooting incident between 1966 - 2019 has revealed that all mass shooters have certain things in common.


MARK DRISCOLL RE-TWEETS HIS MOST HORRIBLE MESSAGE: Once upon a time, Mark Driscoll was a superstar in the evangelical world. Then his church imploded spectacularly when allegations of bullying and spiritual abuse came to light. Now, he's back in ministry and he is using the same tactics and the same message.


I ONLY VOTE FOR CHRISTIAN PRESIDENTS: You have to laugh when somebody says, "I only vote for Christian presidents." Why? Because every single President in history has been a self-professed Christian.. Well, all except two. Do you know who they are?


SHORT TERM MISSIONARIES SUCK: Call me a heretic if you like, but I'm just not sure if a short term missionary breezing into a developing country for a two-week "mission" trip benefits anybody. In fact, I think it might do more harm than good. Here's why.


FIVE STEPS TO BECOMING WHO YOU REALLY ARE: It might seem strange to provide a list of steps for becoming who you are. But, when you think about it, a lot of us spend a lot of our lives pretending to be someone we are not in our personal quest for belonging and validation. But, it doesn't have to be that way...


THE ONE THING CHRISTIANITY NEEDS TO SURVIVE: There is one asset that the church as we know it needs to survive. It's not money, or pastors, or buildings. What is more, it's only when you take away this one asset, can the church truly be the church that Christ intended it to be. What is it?

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The Backyard Church is not just a blog or a newsletter. It’s a vibrant, real online community for people who have faith but can’t, don’t, or won’t go to church. Join today.

Maybe you've lost faith in the system. Maybe you've been hurt by the church or other Christians. Maybe you find the church is not an emotionally safe place to ask your questions or share your doubts. Maybe you've even arrived at a place where you want to grow in your faith, but the church is taking you around in circles. Here's what you'll find at Backyard Church Online

  • A safe place for your faith to fall apart without being judged for it.
  • People who will walk with you while to try to piece it all back together as well
  • A safe place to ask your big questions, share your doubts, talk about your pain, and unpack your religious trauma
  • Access to thought-provoking and challenging content that will help you move forward
  • Connection with like-minded people from all over the world who are on a similar journey
  • Online forums and discussions about matters of faith

Whoever you are, you belong. I pray that Backyard Church Online brings you life, faith, and hope.


The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

by Rumi


If you've got an idea for an article that you think I should write, then get in touch with me! Yes, I'm happy to have a go at answering any of your questions because hey... faith deconstruction can be a lonely road. Let's walk it together! Email thebackyardchurch@gmail.com


Stay tuned for more thought-provoking articles coming your way next month. This newsletter was free, but not cheap. Show your support by joining Backyard Church Online, make a donation, or forward this to someone you think might be interested!

Until next time,

God bless!

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DAN FOSTER

Writer / Poet / Blogger

I write about the complex intersection between life, faith, culture, religion, politics, and spirituality. Here for community and conversation. ABOUT ME: Once upon a time, Dan Foster was a prolific poet and writer. Then he grew up, got a job, had a family, and got busy spending many years as an educator, pastor, school teacher, and youth worker, writing took a back seat while he set about striving to attain a utopian existence that belies the reality of life. Fortunately, Life knew this and thrust him into the classroom of misfortune and pain, where he experienced burnout and mental health challenges. Here, he learned a whole lot of valuable lessons. Life then compelled him to pick up his pen again and give voice to the reality of broken dreams, sadness, grief, loss, and depression so that others might find comfort, hope, and solidarity in the shared human experience of suffering. Dan writes especially for Church alumni and religious refugees, and those who have experienced the reality of spiritual abuse, disappointment with the church, and doubts about their faith. Dan has Bachelor's Degrees in both Education and Theology and a Diploma in Business. He is the CEO of the Centre for Men & Families, Australia, a charity that supports men and their families through times of crisis and change. Dan is also the facilitator of The Backyard Church Online, a community for people who have faith but struggle to be a part of traditional churches, and he is the author of "Leaving Church, Finding God: Discovering Faith Beyond Organized Religion" and "Limbo Land: Poems from the In-Between."

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