What a journey, and I am glad you landed in such a beautiful space to serve and heal. As a lifelong UM, my heart was strangely warmed 😉by your description of what you love- the open table, the “wrestling” (we are good at that) and the focus on Grace. All things that mean the world to me because they invite acceptance. Even the wrestling. Blessings to you and your family.
Beautifully written! Maybe I need to check out Methodism. (I’m from the same SBC background as you (and then non denomination mega church) but haven’t felt at home in church since probably 2020
I read a LOT and I love what you have to say! Keep going with the honesty and your way of saying things because I am invested in hearing more as are others! Thank you for your wisdom through experience and personal reflection!
Love this reflection. I, too, grew up in an SBC church. At 48, after not attending church of any kind since COVID, I joined a UMC congregation. The liturgy is comforting. The openness inspires… very much love the open table. And the call to reach people where they are… thank you for sharing about your journey.
“…that the Bible, not Jesus, was God’s ultimate self-revelation to humanity.”
I’m 💯 in agreement with your position. So, this is a question, not an argument…
Would the SBC defend their position on the Bible with something along the lines of, “we know about Jesus because of the Bible and what it teaches about him?” Maybe they’d include the Holy Spirit within the all-encompassing instruction of agreement with the Bible?
Hey Jeff! Great question. I think you’re spot on. I’m sure the SBC (and others) would defend their stance by saying, “We know Jesus through the Bible,” and that it’s the Bible that teaches us who He is. They’d likely say the Holy Spirit works in harmony with Scripture to reveal truth.
But in practice, it often feels like the Bible has become the ultimate authority…even over Jesus Himself. Like the text is treated as the final word, rather than the Word made flesh. And when push comes to shove, it seems like their allegiance is more to the book than to the person it points to. I hope that makes sense. Again, great question! 😊
I love this! Beau, I admire you greatly and I appreciate the journey we have been on. It can be uncomfortable to talk about things sometimes because of the traditions and ways we were brought up in the church. But, I have been on a similar journey as you. It's so cool to see where we have ended up and because we are twins this makes this even more interesting. When I left the Southern Baptist belt and joined the military, I had some very uncomfortable conversations with people that didn't think like I did, or were raised like I was. A lot of times I didn't have answers to people's questions, the tough questions. Being in the military, and stationed overseas, this was my first experience with people that didn't grow up around church. As you know, all of my friends grew up believing and were raised in similar situations as me. This made it easy. It wasn't until I got out of this environment where things I was taught in the church were really questioned and alternative thoughts were brought up. I think this was so good for me, and to this day some of my closest friends had a similar or more strict upbringing in the religion/church.
I have changed a lot over the years, and it's uncomfortable bringing some of these things up because the people that we learned from (in the church) seemed to have been doing the best they could with the knowledge/life experience they had. But, what I have learned that just like many of Jesus's teachings, the thirst/love/knowledge of religion, or best practices seemed, to be not the reason we are here.
In my opinion Jesus came to show the people that being the best religiously was not the point of life. The purpose of life was to love others just as He did.
What me, and my family, have been through, has proved these things to me. I love what you told me when we lost Ellington, you said that those people in the hospital room got to experience Heaven and that they may not have experienced otherwise. That may not be exactly what you said, and if you remember it better, please chime in. But, I will cherish that forever, and you may never know how much that meant to me, but we felt it in that room.
What I took from that, and what I know, is that this life may not be always about how much we can do for the church/religion, or how many bible verses we know, but ultimately, how can we love others and show Jesus through our actions. I love that Jesus hung out with the sinners, because that's how I have felt the last decade of my life. I just hope that being friends with, and hanging out with sinners, has made a difference. I may not ever know, but my hope is that even through the tough disagreements, or beliefs, that they know that I still loved them, just as Jesus did/does.
Finally, one of the posts, I made on Facebook, said about how my wife, in college, always had a bumper sticker on her car that said "Love Wins". I didn't understand that when we first met, but now I do. It seems to me that Jesus came to share with the world that "Love Wins". Period. I have a keen interest in supernatural things, and alternative history, that was not taught to me growing up and has made me appreciate my faith more than my upbringing. Ultimately, I don't think I would be where I am out today without my upbringing, but it's weird to say that my faith is stronger than it has ever been even. If I had a deep/true conversation with people in churches that I grew up in, they would probably disown me lol!
I love this post and it resonates so closely with me. I would love to discuss further, and this is probably not the place to discuss, but I appreciate you sharing and I resonate so closely with it. I love you brother! Thank you for what you do to serve others, and continue to do. I look up to you, and even though sometimes we can disagree on certain things, you are a light to others and I can relate to you on your love for others and wanting to serve others. We share that in common! I love you bro! Keep up the good work and I hope to see you again soon!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Bryce! I love you so much, and love your heart. We should definitely catch up and talk more. You made some great points! And thanks for taking the time to read my post. It was a hard one to write but I really felt led to do so. Talk soon!!
What a journey, and I am glad you landed in such a beautiful space to serve and heal. As a lifelong UM, my heart was strangely warmed 😉by your description of what you love- the open table, the “wrestling” (we are good at that) and the focus on Grace. All things that mean the world to me because they invite acceptance. Even the wrestling. Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you, Janna. You are so so kind.
Beautifully written! Maybe I need to check out Methodism. (I’m from the same SBC background as you (and then non denomination mega church) but haven’t felt at home in church since probably 2020
Thanks for the kind words. Methodism has been such a great healing ground for me!
Love this!!!
Aww. Yay! I’m honored. Truly 🫶
Your ideological journey is inspiring and SO relatable. Thanks so much for sharing this!
I’m so glad your took the time to read it. Seriously, thank you! 🙏🏻
I read a LOT and I love what you have to say! Keep going with the honesty and your way of saying things because I am invested in hearing more as are others! Thank you for your wisdom through experience and personal reflection!
Thank you for sharing this journey! Wherever it is taking you, stay on it! Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you for reading and sharing! 😊
Love this reflection. I, too, grew up in an SBC church. At 48, after not attending church of any kind since COVID, I joined a UMC congregation. The liturgy is comforting. The openness inspires… very much love the open table. And the call to reach people where they are… thank you for sharing about your journey.
Thanks for reading, Andy. We have such similar stories! Glad you have found a home in the UMC! 🙌
Wow Beau -- your story resonates so deeply. LOVE your work!
I think we may be related. Ties to Midland and/or Big Spring Stringers? lovely piece.
“…that the Bible, not Jesus, was God’s ultimate self-revelation to humanity.”
I’m 💯 in agreement with your position. So, this is a question, not an argument…
Would the SBC defend their position on the Bible with something along the lines of, “we know about Jesus because of the Bible and what it teaches about him?” Maybe they’d include the Holy Spirit within the all-encompassing instruction of agreement with the Bible?
Hey Jeff! Great question. I think you’re spot on. I’m sure the SBC (and others) would defend their stance by saying, “We know Jesus through the Bible,” and that it’s the Bible that teaches us who He is. They’d likely say the Holy Spirit works in harmony with Scripture to reveal truth.
But in practice, it often feels like the Bible has become the ultimate authority…even over Jesus Himself. Like the text is treated as the final word, rather than the Word made flesh. And when push comes to shove, it seems like their allegiance is more to the book than to the person it points to. I hope that makes sense. Again, great question! 😊
I love you sharing this journey…and so glad
that you found COR.
Same here! It’s been awesome
I love this! Beau, I admire you greatly and I appreciate the journey we have been on. It can be uncomfortable to talk about things sometimes because of the traditions and ways we were brought up in the church. But, I have been on a similar journey as you. It's so cool to see where we have ended up and because we are twins this makes this even more interesting. When I left the Southern Baptist belt and joined the military, I had some very uncomfortable conversations with people that didn't think like I did, or were raised like I was. A lot of times I didn't have answers to people's questions, the tough questions. Being in the military, and stationed overseas, this was my first experience with people that didn't grow up around church. As you know, all of my friends grew up believing and were raised in similar situations as me. This made it easy. It wasn't until I got out of this environment where things I was taught in the church were really questioned and alternative thoughts were brought up. I think this was so good for me, and to this day some of my closest friends had a similar or more strict upbringing in the religion/church.
I have changed a lot over the years, and it's uncomfortable bringing some of these things up because the people that we learned from (in the church) seemed to have been doing the best they could with the knowledge/life experience they had. But, what I have learned that just like many of Jesus's teachings, the thirst/love/knowledge of religion, or best practices seemed, to be not the reason we are here.
In my opinion Jesus came to show the people that being the best religiously was not the point of life. The purpose of life was to love others just as He did.
What me, and my family, have been through, has proved these things to me. I love what you told me when we lost Ellington, you said that those people in the hospital room got to experience Heaven and that they may not have experienced otherwise. That may not be exactly what you said, and if you remember it better, please chime in. But, I will cherish that forever, and you may never know how much that meant to me, but we felt it in that room.
What I took from that, and what I know, is that this life may not be always about how much we can do for the church/religion, or how many bible verses we know, but ultimately, how can we love others and show Jesus through our actions. I love that Jesus hung out with the sinners, because that's how I have felt the last decade of my life. I just hope that being friends with, and hanging out with sinners, has made a difference. I may not ever know, but my hope is that even through the tough disagreements, or beliefs, that they know that I still loved them, just as Jesus did/does.
Finally, one of the posts, I made on Facebook, said about how my wife, in college, always had a bumper sticker on her car that said "Love Wins". I didn't understand that when we first met, but now I do. It seems to me that Jesus came to share with the world that "Love Wins". Period. I have a keen interest in supernatural things, and alternative history, that was not taught to me growing up and has made me appreciate my faith more than my upbringing. Ultimately, I don't think I would be where I am out today without my upbringing, but it's weird to say that my faith is stronger than it has ever been even. If I had a deep/true conversation with people in churches that I grew up in, they would probably disown me lol!
I love this post and it resonates so closely with me. I would love to discuss further, and this is probably not the place to discuss, but I appreciate you sharing and I resonate so closely with it. I love you brother! Thank you for what you do to serve others, and continue to do. I look up to you, and even though sometimes we can disagree on certain things, you are a light to others and I can relate to you on your love for others and wanting to serve others. We share that in common! I love you bro! Keep up the good work and I hope to see you again soon!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Bryce! I love you so much, and love your heart. We should definitely catch up and talk more. You made some great points! And thanks for taking the time to read my post. It was a hard one to write but I really felt led to do so. Talk soon!!