Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God | Process Pop-Up

Millions of people yearn for a profound relationship with the ever-present God who is loving, inclusive, persuasive, and uncontrolling. This understanding of God makes sense and aligns with the Bible, science, the inclusive love and justice of God, and with our lived experience.

From this reality, a new book has emerged, Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God: Sermons, Essays, and Worship Elements from the Perspective of Open, Relational, and Process Theology, edited by Jeff Wells, Vikki Randall, Thomas Jay Oord, and Nichole Torbitzky. Three of those editors join us for a conversation about the book and the hopes they have for its impact in the world.

This book is the first-of-its-kind—drawing together a rich and diverse compilation that explores how to preach, teach, and practice Open, Relational, and Process theological perspectives in local faith communities. It is a much needed resource for pastors, ministers of worship arts, lay church leaders, professors of preaching, worship, and practical theology, and anyone seeking a deep understanding of God that aligns with the Bible, science, and inclusive love and justice for all life on Earth.

About the Facilitators:

Jeff Wells is the lead pastor of the Church of the Village, a progressive, radically inclusive, and anti-racist community in New York City. He preaches, practices, and promotes process-relational and open & relational theology. He is a lifelong passionate advocate for social and economic justice and for the common thriving of humans and other-than-human beings. Jeff is an active member of the Alliance for Ecological Civilization, a gathering of activists and thought leaders from around the world. He co-edited (with Thomas Jay Oord, Vikki Randall, and Nichole Torbitzky) Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God (SacraSage Press, April 2024), a collection of sermons, essays, and worship elements from the perspective of Open, Relational, and Process theology. In 2022, he helped found and co-chaired the Living Earth Movement. With theologian and environmentalist, John B. Cobb Jr., he authored the short book, Is International Cooperation Possible? A Bold Appeal for a Living Earth (2022).

Nichole Torbitzky is Associate Professor of Religion and University Chaplain at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Her current research investigates Whiteheadian notions related to Christian atonement theory. She serves as the editor for the lectionary commentary series sponsored by Process & Faith, a program of the Center for Process Studies. She also serves as editor for Lindenwood University’s student research journal, the Confluence.

Vikki Randall lives in Monrovia CA, and has 28 years of pastoral experience, serving large and small churches, mostly in PCUSA. She did her M.Div. studies at Fuller Seminary, and received a D.Min. in spiritual formation from Azusa Pacific Seminary, where she has served as adjunct faculty in undergrad theology for 20 years. She is founding pastor of Haven Fellowship, an intentionally inclusive and affirming faith community. She is passionate about transformation and experiencing God’s presence.

Recorded Tuesday, April 30 2024

Process & Faith is a multi-faith network for relational spirituality and the common good. Support our work at https://processandfaith.org/give/

Join the Process & Faith community:
https://processandfaith.org

Follow us on social media:

Facebook
  / processandfaith  

Instagram
  / processandfaith  

Twitter
  / processandfaith  

#theology #preaching #christianity