Study Guide to John Shelby Spong A New Christianity for a New World.   Feedback from groups using the study guide

 

Progressive Christianity Network, South Australia

We had an excellent series of seven Sunday evening studies, involving around 110 people from across Adelaide and some near country environs. Participants came from most Christian denominations and included some 20-30% who are not currently attending any Church. I am enclosing a copy of our evaluation of the series for your information. Without the FaithFutures material, it would have been very difficult to run such a successful series.

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Unity Church, North Houston

You may recall that we were using your study guide to study Spong's book in a class at the Unity Church of North Houston. To our amazement, the class grew in numbers and remained steady, even on a holiday weekend. One of the benefits for the group was that Jack Spong came to town and presented 3 separate lectures, along with Q&A (often the best part). At least 14 of our group of less than 20 went to hear him and all were enriched by the experience.

I thought you would be interested in some of the reactions of the group members. Each week someone would thank me for facilitating the group because it was life-changing. Here is a quote from a member:

"The wonderful thing about reading this with a group was the interaction, the ability to discuss different points of view. One of the interesting things we did was to survey everyone's beliefs on Spong's beliefs. It was interesting to see those things we agreed on and those we didn't - not only from a group perspective, but also to make me aware of some areas I wanted to explore more deeply."

This person's reaction is typical. Not all in the group were ready to give up their concept of the theistic God, but they hung in there to the end. Our church is in the process of a transformation as our husband/wife ministers retire and we hire someone new. I for one will want that person to be someone who can be open to new thought about our faith.

Thanks for providing us with the study guide.

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St George's Anglican Church, Maleny (Queensland, Australia)

We have just completed our seven week study based on John Shelby Spong’s , A New Christianity for a New World. The Study was structured around the Greg Jenks Study Guide. Over the seven weeks we averaged 25 in attendance with 38 people attending at least two sessions. What is both pleasing and surprising(?) is that the average age of those attending was 65 years of age, with the oldest at 83 years. The Rector and three retired Anglican Priests were participants.

The participants all regularly attended Church, so they did not fit into Spong’s “church alumni”, but most did seem to be seeking something different from what the Church was offering them now. The participants were encouraged to keep a journal and to update their own “I Believe” list. ...

Because of the composition and status of the group we concentrated on the theme, “Religious Literacy; being informed; it is O.K. to question your faith.” Many in the group had never been asked to seriously confront their faith in this manner before, so we added the theme, “Take responsibility for your own beliefs.” We only used the Spong book as the vehicle for asking the questions and forcing people to challenge their long held beliefs. ...

The Study was highly satisfying and spiritually enlightening experience for us all, and we look forward to taking up some of the issues raised for further study or implementation.

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And from Bishop John Shelby Spong!

Dear Greg,
I have finally had the chance to read the entire Study guide you have
prepared for A NEW CHRISTIANITY FOR A NEW WORLD. It is excellent!!! Indeed
terrific!!

Jack Spong

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