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."
The Backyard Church Newsletter - February 2023
Hey Reader
Thanks for being a subscriber to my newsletter and a big happy new year to you! Thanks for coming along of the ride in 2023.
The Christmas break gave me plenty of time to write. This month, I take a look at the one demographic of people in the West that aren't abandoning the church and ask why not.
I came across the world's most toxic and obnoxious preacher who, quite remarkably is banned from entering over 30 countries on earth. Imaging purporting to represent a God of Love, only to be banned from entering countries for being a "hate preacher!" Meanwhile, Mark Driscoll features again after another barrage of terrible Tweets where he take aim at people who a re deconstructing their faith... people like me (and maybe you!)
We take a look at spiritual intelligence and why it might be more important that EQ and even IQ. Plus, we examine what it means to be made in the image of God, and we end up becoming like the God that we worship.
Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you are entertained and challenged by this month's top articles!
THE ONLY GROUP OF PEOPLE STICKING WITH THE CHURCH: It’s no secret that the Church in the west seems to have entered a kind of precipitous death spiral. But, there is just one demographic of people that is bucking the trend: the comfortably middle class.
MEET THE WORLD'S MOST HATED PREACHER: Meet the preacher who is so toxic that he is banned from entering over 30 countries on earth - something that he wear as a badge of honour. Even I was shocked by how this racist, sexist, homophobe could confuse his harmful rhetoric for the Gospel of Christ.
MARK DRISCOLL'S TRIFECTA OF TERRIBLE TWEETS TAKES AIM AT WOKE CHRISTIANS: Mark Driscoll is back at it again with more unnecessarily horrible Tweets, designed for shock value, and taking aim at deconstructing Christians - aka, the ones who call him out for his bullshit. In this article, I unpack Driscoll's terrible Tweets.
YOU ARE MADE IN YOUR IMAGE OF GOD: From my earliest recollections, I was told that I was made in the image of God - we all are. But recently I've been wondering what "the image of God" actually is, and who gets to decide. This article takes a look at how the create we create in our minds, ends up creating us.
PASTORS WHO HAVE THERAPY ARE UNFIT FOR MINISTRY: One ultra conservative preacher thinks that mental health treatment is from the Devil and he's not afraid to say so. In his world, if a pastor seeks the "world's advice" over the Bible, he's unfit for the pulpit. In the article, I take a look at how dangerous and damaging this view is for pastors and Christians in general.
UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE: HOW IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE: You've head of IQ and EQ, but did you know that SQ - Spiritual Intelligence is also a thing? Not only that, SQ is our first and most important intelligence. Mastering it has the power to change your life!
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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.
Always Here for You
I’m sorry to hear that you’re doing it tough
I’m sad for you, through and through,
But I want to assure you that when things get rough
I’ll always be here for you.
I’ll walk through the valley with you in this plight,
It won’t be a problem for me
So call on me anytime, day or night,
Oh…. except Fridays after three.
On Fridays, you see, I have drinks with my friends —
Something I always go to,
But I can assure you as soon as that ends
I’ll always be here for you.
Although, having said that, you really should know
That next week I’m very busy
I have lots of deadlines at work. Even so,
You always can count on me.
Apart from this weekend, ’cause out of the blue,
There’s a party I have to attend
I’ll need the next day for recovery too
But then I’ll be there for you, friend.
Though Monday there’s tennis club, Tuesday, Tai Chi
And Wednesday, I’ve got chores to do.
On Sundays there’s church, after that I’ll be free
And I’ll always be here for you.
Except I’m on holidays, week-after-next —
Needing to work on my tan.
If you need me, don’t worry, just send me a text
I’ll get back to you when I can.
Save for times when I’m busy or not really keen
Or have something more fun to do,
If it doesn’t distract me from my social scene,
I’ll always be here for you.
With all this in mind, I can guarantee
I’ll stand with you through this fight
On Thursdays between six and six forty-three
And Saturdays after midnight.
I’m sorry to see what you’re going through now
I’m sad for you, though this is true:
Unless providentially hindered, I vow
I’ll always be here for you.
by Dan Foster
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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