[Lillian Daniel] Spiritual but Not Religious? Please Talk to my Friend Amy Laura.
Recently, Russell Johnson and I edited an impromptu festschrift for Dr. Hall. One of the most amusing contributions came from Lillian Daniel, who also happened to be this year’s preacher for Convocation and Pastors’ School at Duke Divinity School. We offer it here as a special Fall Break treat for our readers.
On August 31, 2011, the author published a daily devotional on the ucc.org website, “Spiritual but Not Religious? Please Stop Boring Me.” Several weeks of intense prayer and meditation on readers’ comments followed:
Why is a minister expressing frustration with folks who choose not to attend a church? This is not the work of Jesus, is it? I’m offended. I do not feel embraced or inspired. The tone was unnecessarily snarky.
In response to these thoughtful ecclesiological and Christological insights, she is working to change her ways.
Matthew 16:18
“And I tell you that you are Amy Laura Hall, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Reflection by Lillian Daniel
On airplanes, I dread the conversation with the person who finds out I am a minister and wants to use the flight time to explain to me that he is “spiritual but not religious.” Such a person will always share this as if it is some kind of daring insight, unique to him, bold in its rebellion against the religious status quo. Next thing you know, he’s telling me that he finds God in the sunsets.
That is why now, I travel everywhere with Amy Laura Hall, and ask her to sit next to these people instead. Read more
