Cover Story:Christa Brown’s ‘Baptistland’ is a prophetic call for justice far beyond Baptist boundaries

‘The Fallout from this is Enormous’

THIS WEEK’S ReadTheSpirit Cover Story is as timely as the latest research showing that—for the first time—young women in the Gen Z generation are leading the exodus from churches. That startling news broke recently (and we have a link to it in this cover story). Why is this happening? One of the best books to explain that historic shift is Christa Brown’s Baptistland. Within the “male-dominated realm” of the Southern Baptist Convention, she has been a leading advocate calling for justice after many decades of concealing the sexual abuse of women and children within these conservative Baptist congregations and families.

This is an important story and, if you agree, please share it with friends via social media and email this week. Christa’s memoir is an empowering story of survival and, ultimately, finding strength and hope.

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From our writers—

Suzy Farbman:

Planning a party to showcase a Detroit gem

GodSigns author Suzy Farbman used the occasion of her 80th birthday to bring friends and family into one of Detroit’s artistic gems: the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit (MMODD). Have you visited? Her column includes a link to find out more about MMODD.

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Jeffrey Munroe:

Is change possible?

THE QUOTE, etched in stone, is from the Columbine Memorial to all those killed and injured in the 1999 attack in Colorado. Author and journalist Jeffrey Munroe shares a column with us, this week, asking us to ponder whether we have—as a nation—learned much in the wake of such traumas. Click here or on the photo to visit Jeff’s Reformed Journal magazine, where he posted this column.

Jeff has become a nationally known voice of encouragement for the millions of Americans who are living with the legacy of trauma—in many forms—because he has explored many different approaches to coping with trauma in his own new book, Telling Stories in the Dark.

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Holidays & Festivals

Sacred Heart of Jesus

THIS CATHOLIC TRADITION originated centuries ago to encourage the faithful to focus on Jesus’s love, writes Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton.

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Shavuot

THIS ANCIENT JEWISH FESTIVAL honors God’s gift of wisdom in the Torah. In Israel, it’s celebrated for one day; in the rest of the world—for two days.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

 

 


Faith & Film

Click on this movie poster to read Ed McNulty’s review of the film.

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with film reviews and discussion guides. This resource is used nationwide by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

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