• Cynthia Beach has a deep connection to Castle Rock, Northern Ireland, which inspires her writing.
• Her upbringing in a wealthy family contrasted with her mother's devout spirituality.
• Disillusionment with Christian institutions shaped her understanding of faith.
• Frederick Douglass's writings provided a framework for navigating faith amidst disillusionment.
• Operational faith often leads to a focus on exceptionalism rather than true spirituality.
• The persona adopted by church leaders can create a divide between authenticity and performance.
• Success in ministry can come with the pressure to conform to certain personas.
• Disillusionment can be a sign of growth and clarity in one's faith journey.
• The paradox of being both depraved and glorious is a central theme in understanding faith.
• Cynthia emphasizes the importance of seeing things clearly in one's spiritual journey. The vocabulary around hiding failures often stems from a desire to protect good work.
• Exceptionalism often comes at the expense of marginalized groups.
• Suffering can lead to humility and authenticity in leadership.
• Listening to others is crucial for crafting community narratives.
• Hope can be found in personal experiences and divine tenderness.
• Creativity should be prioritized and not relegated to the bottom of our lists.
• Idle brain time is beneficial for creativity and problem-solving.
• The church is facing challenges that may lead to a post-Christian society.
• Localizing actions can help combat feelings of hopelessness.
• The desire for exceptionalism can hinder genuine connection and growth.

Links:

Web: https://www.cynthiabeach.com/

Book: https://www.ivpress.com/the-surface-of-water

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Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise)

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