New Blog – Small Church Big Table

Blog

Follow us

Barak Bomani on Flipping the Fishbowl: Learning from LGBTQ+ ChristiansOctober 20, 2023
Hear ye! Hear ye! Great capturing Bill.
Christopher Poest on 4 Takeaways from Leading in a Hard SeasonJanuary 27, 2023
Thank you for this, Bill (and Brenna) ... for your words here, and your ongoing example of how to live…
Cynthia Perry on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 11, 2022
Bill, when I met you a few years ago I knew I liked you. You are so genuine in your…
Kathy Parsons on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 10, 2022
Love this discussion Bill💕
Lawrence Dove on Post-Evangelical: What’s Rotten in EvangelicalismOctober 13, 2022
Yep. I have to agree the majority of my theological learning came from the predominately white/male/ patriarchy oriented sources. In…

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

In this hard season, the church embraced our "unforced" value on my behalf. There was no guilting me for missing Sundays, there was only support... When they reached out, they’d end with, 'Just wanted you to know I care – please don’t respond.' - Bill

In this hard season, the church embraced our "unforced" value on my behalf. There was no guilting me for missing Sundays, there was only support... When they reached out, they’d end with, 'Just wanted you to know I care – please don’t respond.' - Bill

"It’s so freeing to just say it, the emperor is naked. This is about you and your desire for control, not God... So freeing to learn from people who have been saying it for years and years, our BIPOC and queer and disabled siblings." - Brenna

"It’s so freeing to just say it, the emperor is naked. This is about you and your desire for control, not God... So freeing to learn from people who have been saying it for years and years, our BIPOC and queer and disabled siblings." - Brenna

"Some assume post-evangelicalism leads to wishy-washy obedience; I’ve found the opposite. With all this new theological freedom - more centered on Christ and more demonstrated by love - I’ve found myself experiencing a far more radical discipleship." - Bill, What's Rotten in Evangelicalism

"Some assume post-evangelicalism leads to wishy-washy obedience; I’ve found the opposite. With all this new theological freedom - more centered on Christ and more demonstrated by love - I’ve found myself experiencing a far more radical discipleship." - Bill, What's Rotten in Evangelicalism

While I have plenty of baggage from [evangelicalism] to unload... To this day I love studying the bible, talking with people about Jesus, and spending Sabbaths in prayer and rest. I’m evangelicalish in so many ways, still. - Bill, POST EVANGELICAL: What We’re Bringing With Us

While I have plenty of baggage from [evangelicalism] to unload... To this day I love studying the bible, talking with people about Jesus, and spending Sabbaths in prayer and rest. I’m evangelicalish in so many ways, still. - Bill, POST EVANGELICAL: What We’re Bringing With Us

By summer my family was starting to stabilize, but I was still so tired. The church was thriving in so many ways - I wanted to thrive, too. - Brenna, reflecting on her 2022 mini-sabbatical

By summer my family was starting to stabilize, but I was still so tired. The church was thriving in so many ways - I wanted to thrive, too. - Brenna, reflecting on her 2022 mini-sabbatical

Barak Bomani on Flipping the Fishbowl: Learning from LGBTQ+ ChristiansOctober 20, 2023
Hear ye! Hear ye! Great capturing Bill.
Christopher Poest on 4 Takeaways from Leading in a Hard SeasonJanuary 27, 2023
Thank you for this, Bill (and Brenna) ... for your words here, and your ongoing example of how to live…
Cynthia Perry on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 11, 2022
Bill, when I met you a few years ago I knew I liked you. You are so genuine in your…
Kathy Parsons on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 10, 2022
Love this discussion Bill💕
Lawrence Dove on Post-Evangelical: What’s Rotten in EvangelicalismOctober 13, 2022
Yep. I have to agree the majority of my theological learning came from the predominately white/male/ patriarchy oriented sources. In…

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

As a church, our most-watched-sermon-recording in 2021 had triple the views of most-watched #2. Why? Because a pastor with a social media platform denounced me as a heretic for it. (Possibly not the effect he had intended.)

As a church, our most-watched-sermon-recording in 2021 had triple the views of most-watched #2. Why? Because a pastor with a social media platform denounced me as a heretic for it. (Possibly not the effect he had intended.)

There’s never a wrong time to celebrate a marginalized group of people in the church. - Adam Evers

There’s never a wrong time to celebrate a marginalized group of people in the church. - Adam Evers

So many of us want to set a bigger, more inclusive table. Can we really do that without a wider pulpit as well, a more inclusive vision for how we gather around Scripture?

So many of us want to set a bigger, more inclusive table. Can we really do that without a wider pulpit as well, a more inclusive vision for how we gather around Scripture?

When I knew [my pastor parents] were getting close to finding out I was gay, I kept a bag packed in my closet in case things got bad. It was a good thing I did.”

When I knew [my pastor parents] were getting close to finding out I was gay, I kept a bag packed in my closet in case things got bad. It was a good thing I did.”

She named the deep longing within myself that I was too ashamed to admit.

She named the deep longing within myself that I was too ashamed to admit.

Barak Bomani on Flipping the Fishbowl: Learning from LGBTQ+ ChristiansOctober 20, 2023
Hear ye! Hear ye! Great capturing Bill.
Christopher Poest on 4 Takeaways from Leading in a Hard SeasonJanuary 27, 2023
Thank you for this, Bill (and Brenna) ... for your words here, and your ongoing example of how to live…
Cynthia Perry on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 11, 2022
Bill, when I met you a few years ago I knew I liked you. You are so genuine in your…
Kathy Parsons on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 10, 2022
Love this discussion Bill💕
Lawrence Dove on Post-Evangelical: What’s Rotten in EvangelicalismOctober 13, 2022
Yep. I have to agree the majority of my theological learning came from the predominately white/male/ patriarchy oriented sources. In…

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

As a church, our most-watched-sermon-recording in 2021 had triple the views of most-watched #2. Why? Because a pastor with a social media platform denounced me as a heretic for it. (Possibly not the effect he had intended.)

As a church, our most-watched-sermon-recording in 2021 had triple the views of most-watched #2. Why? Because a pastor with a social media platform denounced me as a heretic for it. (Possibly not the effect he had intended.)

There’s never a wrong time to celebrate a marginalized group of people in the church. - Adam Evers

There’s never a wrong time to celebrate a marginalized group of people in the church. - Adam Evers

So many of us want to set a bigger, more inclusive table. Can we really do that without a wider pulpit as well, a more inclusive vision for how we gather around Scripture?

So many of us want to set a bigger, more inclusive table. Can we really do that without a wider pulpit as well, a more inclusive vision for how we gather around Scripture?

When I knew [my pastor parents] were getting close to finding out I was gay, I kept a bag packed in my closet in case things got bad. It was a good thing I did.”

When I knew [my pastor parents] were getting close to finding out I was gay, I kept a bag packed in my closet in case things got bad. It was a good thing I did.”

She named the deep longing within myself that I was too ashamed to admit.

She named the deep longing within myself that I was too ashamed to admit.

Barak Bomani on Flipping the Fishbowl: Learning from LGBTQ+ ChristiansOctober 20, 2023
Hear ye! Hear ye! Great capturing Bill.
Christopher Poest on 4 Takeaways from Leading in a Hard SeasonJanuary 27, 2023
Thank you for this, Bill (and Brenna) ... for your words here, and your ongoing example of how to live…
Cynthia Perry on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 11, 2022
Bill, when I met you a few years ago I knew I liked you. You are so genuine in your…
Kathy Parsons on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 10, 2022
Love this discussion Bill💕
Lawrence Dove on Post-Evangelical: What’s Rotten in EvangelicalismOctober 13, 2022
Yep. I have to agree the majority of my theological learning came from the predominately white/male/ patriarchy oriented sources. In…

In this hard season, the church embraced our "unforced" value on my behalf. There was no guilting me for missing Sundays, there was only support... When they reached out, they’d end with, 'Just wanted you to know I care – please don’t respond.' - Bill

In this hard season, the church embraced our "unforced" value on my behalf. There was no guilting me for missing Sundays, there was only support... When they reached out, they’d end with, 'Just wanted you to know I care – please don’t respond.' - Bill

By summer my family was starting to stabilize, but I was still so tired. The church was thriving in so many ways - I wanted to thrive, too. - Brenna, reflecting on her 2022 mini-sabbatical

By summer my family was starting to stabilize, but I was still so tired. The church was thriving in so many ways - I wanted to thrive, too. - Brenna, reflecting on her 2022 mini-sabbatical

What I love about micro-practices is that they are so doable. They don’t require money or expertise or even much time. Micro-practices simply require a touch of commitment or, as you’ll see in a couple of these practices, just enough regular frustration or desperation to help us do something proactive.

What I love about micro-practices is that they are so doable. They don’t require money or expertise or even much time. Micro-practices simply require a touch of commitment or, as you’ll see in a couple of these practices, just enough regular frustration or desperation to help us do something proactive.

Are pastors are expected to be super-human? Close, but not quite. They’re expected to be less than human - to bury their good, valid, creaturely needs under the weight of a superhuman role.

Are pastors are expected to be super-human? Close, but not quite. They’re expected to be less than human - to bury their good, valid, creaturely needs under the weight of a superhuman role.

Like any true mirror, the gaze of God receives us exactly as we are, without judgment or distortion, subtraction or addition. Such perfect receiving is what transforms us. - Richard Rohr

Like any true mirror, the gaze of God receives us exactly as we are, without judgment or distortion, subtraction or addition. Such perfect receiving is what transforms us. - Richard Rohr

I’m sensing the need to name my questions - to get less anxious and more curious, more intentional about the uncharted terrain I find myself in.

I’m sensing the need to name my questions - to get less anxious and more curious, more intentional about the uncharted terrain I find myself in.

Myth 1: Mentoring is a general sort of skill - any mentor will do.

Myth 1: Mentoring is a general sort of skill - any mentor will do.

5 Days of Subversively Praying the Lord's Prayer (Thanks for Subscribing)

5 Days of Subversively Praying the Lord's Prayer (Thanks for Subscribing)

Barak Bomani on Flipping the Fishbowl: Learning from LGBTQ+ ChristiansOctober 20, 2023
Hear ye! Hear ye! Great capturing Bill.
Christopher Poest on 4 Takeaways from Leading in a Hard SeasonJanuary 27, 2023
Thank you for this, Bill (and Brenna) ... for your words here, and your ongoing example of how to live…
Cynthia Perry on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 11, 2022
Bill, when I met you a few years ago I knew I liked you. You are so genuine in your…
Kathy Parsons on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 10, 2022
Love this discussion Bill💕
Lawrence Dove on Post-Evangelical: What’s Rotten in EvangelicalismOctober 13, 2022
Yep. I have to agree the majority of my theological learning came from the predominately white/male/ patriarchy oriented sources. In…

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Dear Pastor Conflicted About LGBTQ+ Inclusion

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

While this has been, often, a really lonely and scary place to grow up, in kind of a [theological] demilitarized zone, it has also been a space of unanticipated, real wealth, this fugitive space. God can’t be captive to a side. God, like the birds that disobey human-made national borders, moves through and between. Like the wind, the Spirit blows where it pleases. - Barnabas, Panelist, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Fishbowl

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Theological Diversity: "On important matters the Bible apparently is not clear, consistent, and univocal enough to enable the best-intentioned, most highly skilled, believing readers to come to agreement as to what it teaches. That is an empirical, historical, undeniable, and ever-present reality. It is, in fact, the single reality that has most shaped the organizational and cultural life of the Christian church." - Christian Smith, The Bible Made Impossible

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

Bill, I’m so grateful that our church is fully welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks, but I actually don’t understand why. Can you tell me how you read the Bible as LGBTQ+ affirming?”

As a church, our most-watched-sermon-recording in 2021 had triple the views of most-watched #2. Why? Because a pastor with a social media platform denounced me as a heretic for it. (Possibly not the effect he had intended.)

As a church, our most-watched-sermon-recording in 2021 had triple the views of most-watched #2. Why? Because a pastor with a social media platform denounced me as a heretic for it. (Possibly not the effect he had intended.)

There’s never a wrong time to celebrate a marginalized group of people in the church. - Adam Evers

There’s never a wrong time to celebrate a marginalized group of people in the church. - Adam Evers

So many of us want to set a bigger, more inclusive table. Can we really do that without a wider pulpit as well, a more inclusive vision for how we gather around Scripture?

So many of us want to set a bigger, more inclusive table. Can we really do that without a wider pulpit as well, a more inclusive vision for how we gather around Scripture?

When I knew [my pastor parents] were getting close to finding out I was gay, I kept a bag packed in my closet in case things got bad. It was a good thing I did.”

When I knew [my pastor parents] were getting close to finding out I was gay, I kept a bag packed in my closet in case things got bad. It was a good thing I did.”

She named the deep longing within myself that I was too ashamed to admit.

She named the deep longing within myself that I was too ashamed to admit.

Barak Bomani on Flipping the Fishbowl: Learning from LGBTQ+ ChristiansOctober 20, 2023
Hear ye! Hear ye! Great capturing Bill.
Christopher Poest on 4 Takeaways from Leading in a Hard SeasonJanuary 27, 2023
Thank you for this, Bill (and Brenna) ... for your words here, and your ongoing example of how to live…
Cynthia Perry on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 11, 2022
Bill, when I met you a few years ago I knew I liked you. You are so genuine in your…
Kathy Parsons on Leaning with Hope into a Postevangelical FutureDecember 10, 2022
Love this discussion Bill💕
Lawrence Dove on Post-Evangelical: What’s Rotten in EvangelicalismOctober 13, 2022
Yep. I have to agree the majority of my theological learning came from the predominately white/male/ patriarchy oriented sources. In…

"It’s so freeing to just say it, the emperor is naked. This is about you and your desire for control, not God... So freeing to learn from people who have been saying it for years and years, our BIPOC and queer and disabled siblings." - Brenna

"It’s so freeing to just say it, the emperor is naked. This is about you and your desire for control, not God... So freeing to learn from people who have been saying it for years and years, our BIPOC and queer and disabled siblings." - Brenna

"Some assume post-evangelicalism leads to wishy-washy obedience; I’ve found the opposite. With all this new theological freedom - more centered on Christ and more demonstrated by love - I’ve found myself experiencing a far more radical discipleship." - Bill, What's Rotten in Evangelicalism

"Some assume post-evangelicalism leads to wishy-washy obedience; I’ve found the opposite. With all this new theological freedom - more centered on Christ and more demonstrated by love - I’ve found myself experiencing a far more radical discipleship." - Bill, What's Rotten in Evangelicalism

While I have plenty of baggage from [evangelicalism] to unload... To this day I love studying the bible, talking with people about Jesus, and spending Sabbaths in prayer and rest. I’m evangelicalish in so many ways, still. - Bill, POST EVANGELICAL: What We’re Bringing With Us

While I have plenty of baggage from [evangelicalism] to unload... To this day I love studying the bible, talking with people about Jesus, and spending Sabbaths in prayer and rest. I’m evangelicalish in so many ways, still. - Bill, POST EVANGELICAL: What We’re Bringing With Us

People v. production - we make an effort because we love God and people, we don’t sacrifice people because we love looking like we made an effort.

People v. production - we make an effort because we love God and people, we don’t sacrifice people because we love looking like we made an effort.

keep walking into the fullness of who God intended for you to be

keep walking into the fullness of who God intended for you to be

“There has to be a better way of doing church.”

“There has to be a better way of doing church.”

Core values aren't an inspirational meme - they’re an honest, succinct statement of who we already are and firmly intend to become more fully.

Core values aren't an inspirational meme - they’re an honest, succinct statement of who we already are and firmly intend to become more fully.

How do you explain the bible and its interpreters, all the filters layered over it, to a 73 year-old gay witch sitting down to take a read through it for the first time because she’s curious about Jesus?

How do you explain the bible and its interpreters, all the filters layered over it, to a 73 year-old gay witch sitting down to take a read through it for the first time because she’s curious about Jesus?

Ari was proceeding like a normal witch attempting to read the bible and find Jesus, unaware that she was leading her local pastor on a spiritual journey all his own.

Ari was proceeding like a normal witch attempting to read the bible and find Jesus, unaware that she was leading her local pastor on a spiritual journey all his own.

Free Webinar Access

Sign up for our monthly newsletter and access our recording of “An Intro to a Progressive Reading of Scripture as LGBTQ+ Affirming” webinar.

Subscribe to...

Your pick of webinar + PDF: “Lead With… Out Being an A$$hole” or “Intro to a Progressive Reading of Scripture for LGBTQ+ Inclusion.”