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 - September 2022
Hey Reader
Thanks for being a subscriber to my newsletter. I am coming to you this month from the tail end of my post-covid hangover. I didn't get very sick, but it sure made me tired! I decided during my time in quarantine that I would sign up for one of those 30-day writing challenges. 28 days later, I'm almost finished that book I've been meaning to write for so long. I'll bring you more details about how you can get your hands on it in my next newsletter.
For now, here are the highlights of my blogging adventures over the past month. Read about the most disgusting "Christian" Tweet I've ever read, and the pastor who thinks autistic children are demon-possessed. Discover the eight questions that Jesus asked that are still relevant today, and learn why one-quarter of all pastors struggle with mental health issues.
Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you are entertained and challenged by this month's top articles!
But first, a plea for help...
I have a friend called Adam who recently lost everything in a freak accident. I have set up a GoFundMe page to help get Adam and his family back on their feet. Here is Adam's story:
Adam and his family aren't your typical family. They don't live in a house. They live in a boat - or at least they did. Adam and his family were sailing from the Philippines to the US when they encountered a freak typhoon-strength squall while crossing the Philippine Sea on the way to California about two months ago.
They were about 1,000 miles offshore, directly north of the Philippines, when the squall overtook them in the dark at approximately 4:00 am. Within 15 seconds, the force of the wind snapped the mast and caused significant damage.
The vessel was rendered un-sailable and a complete loss. Adam sent out a distress call, and he and his family were rescued that same day in a joint rescue operation conducted by the Japanese Coast Guard and the Japanese Maritime Defense Force and flown to Okinawa, Japan.
They are safe, and there were no injuries, thank God, but they lost most of what they own in the vessel that was abandoned at sea.
Adam flew from Okinawa to the US to try to find a place for his family to live now that they had lost their boat/home. His wife and daughter were flown back to the Philippines and will remain there until Adam is able to find lodging and employment in the USA. Adam is desperate to reunite his family and needs our help to make a fresh start.
Anything you can give is gratefully received. Donation can be made by clicking this link.
THE MOST DISGUSTING "CHRISTIAN" TWEET I'VE EVER READ: Read all about the most horribly offensive Twitter post ever posted by a Christian pastor. When I read it, I choked on my coffee. There is so much wrong with this comment that it’s hard to know where to begin.
PASTOR SAYS AUTISTIC CHILDREN ARE DEMON-POSSESSED: Now to another pastor who's already been kicked off Twitter. I’ve heard some pastors say some pretty whacked things throughout my four decades of involvement in the Evangelical church. Then I came across Pastor Greg Locke - possibly the most fundamental fundamentalist there ever was.
JESUS DIDN'T COME TO GIVE ANSWERS - HE CAME TO ASK QUESTIONS: Growing up in the Church, I was taught that Jesus provided the answers to all of life’s questions. But, it turns out that Jesus provided hardly any answers - he only answered 3 of the 183 questions he was asked in the Bible. But, Jesus loved questions!
ONE QUARTER OF ALL PASTORS STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES: A brand new survey has revealed that 26% of pastors in the USA have personally struggled with mental illness. Let that sink in. One in every four pastors you meet is depressed. This article discusses the reasons why.
WHY JESUS WOULD HAVE FAILED SEMINARY: The more I think about it, the more I believe that Jesus would have failed seminary. In fact, I think his enrolment would have been terminated well before he had the opportunity to fail. There’s no doubt in my mind that he would have caused all kinds of grief for his professors with what would have been viewed as insolent behavior.
THE LIES THE CHURCH TELLS WOMEN ABOUT MALE HEADSHIP: I was deeply troubled recently when I read a Facebook post written by a young Christian woman who was advocating for male headship. I firmly believe that women aren’t born with an innate desire to be led by men, and that some serious indoctrination had occurred.
For full access to all my articles (and lots of other thought-provoking content), sign up to Medium today
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.
Leave the Sheep
“We lost a sheep! We lost a sheep!”
Rang out the farmer’s whine,
“I’d find it, but we need to keep
The other ninety-nine.
So let it go, just let it go!
And leave it to its prey
The wolves will clean it up, you know
So best to stay away.
Protect the flock, protect the flock!
What difference does one make?
Round up all the remaining stock,
And guard them for their sake!
Don’t let them out, don’t let them out
Don’t let them chase the one
That sheep is lost, no room for doubt,
That sheep we need to shun.
So build a fence, yes build a fence!
And make it nice and tall
We’ll play the game of self-defense
And keep them in their stall.
Then frighten them, yes frighten them
With anecdotes of woe
from fields beyond, and then condemn
The sheep that wants to go.
And then sit back, and then sit back
Relax and take a breath
We’ve rescued them from the wolf pack,
Protected them from death.
“We lost a sheep! We lost a sheep!”
The farmer cried, irate,
“I’d find it, but we need to keep
The other ninety-eight.”
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 forwarding this to someone you think might be interested, join Backyard Church Online, or make a donation.
Until next time,
God bless!
I am passionate about helping other bloggers, click here to find out about one-on-one coaching.
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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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