Unearthing My Religion: Real Talk about Real Faith

by Mary Gray-Reeves

Overview

Religious talk quickly degenerates into insider talk, but what if we turned it back out?

Episcopal Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves takes six words related to Christian faith and translates them so they speak more broadly to those who proclaim themselves “spiritual but not religious.” Tying together Jesus’ parables and life today, this engaging title promises to help non-Christians explore faith and spiritual practice and train Christians to speak clearly about the things that matter most.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780819228871
Publisher:	Church Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.20(d)

About the Author

Mary Gray-Reeves is the Bishop of El Camino Real in Northern California and co author of The Hospitality of God: Emerging Worship for a Missional Church. Having ministered across cultural divides throughout much of her career, she is passionate about translating church language and tradition for new contexts and applications. She lives in Monterey, CA.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Everybody Has a Story 1

Chapter 1 Spirituality Is the Experience, Noticing Is the Practice 11

Chapter 2 Grace Is the Essence, Grace Is the Practice 25

Chapter 3 Faith Is the Relationship, Commitment Is the Practice 41

Chapter 4 Worship Is the Genuine Response, Communion Is the Practice 55

Chapter 5 Community Is the Way, Relationships Are the Practice 71

Chapter 6 Religion Is the Story, Speaking with Your Life Is the Practice 87

Postscript: Final Thoughts 105

Editorial Reviews

In this marvelous, very practical book, Mary shows us how to see our ordinary lives as windows and icons of the very life and light of God. Even shy saints and timid, tongue-tied mainline disciples of Jesus will begin to sing, not only with their lives, but with their lips, ‘This little light of mind, I'm gonna let it shine.’”
—Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina and author of Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus

“Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves explores a renewed lexicon for spiritual dialogue in a time of increasing disengagement with institutional religions. She is to be praised for encouraging us to turn over the soils of ancient tradition and postmodern seeking in order to foster new spiritual growth.”
—Elizabeth Drescher, religion scholar and author of Click 2 Save: The Digital Ministry Bible and Tweet If You ♥ Jesus: Practicing Church in the Digital Reformation

From the Publisher