Opentable757

04/10/2023

12/14/2021

Really interesting article about Rob Bell (from “Love Wins” infamy) and how faith and spirituality have both changed and not changed for him since leaving the “other” Mars Hill Church in 2010:

“For the church, the breaking point with Bell was Love Wins. Although Bell never definitively wrote that hell didn’t exist, asking the question was considered sinful. “Evangelical Christianity is rooted in certainties about heaven and hell,” said Kent Dobson, who replaced Bell at Mars Hill. “Rob wasn’t trying to be controversial, but he was pressing against the psychological foundations of faith. People believe because it gives them the certainty of being in the right group. Anyone who challenges the notion of who’s in and who’s out must be attacked.”

Banished from his church over his “blasphemous” book one of America’s most famous preachers has found a new following in young nonbelievers seeking spiritual salvation

10/25/2021

Hey fam, we are finally having another meeting (sorry we suck at social media and would love more help/input in that area)! This time we will have a panel discussion around mental health and church/religious trauma. If you grew up in the evangelical church like we did, you were probably taught to not trust real therapy or any “secular” mental health resources, so this meeting is centered around discussing how therapy can actually make your life better and how to navigate the therapy process! We will also give people a chance to discuss church/religious trauma and ways they have found to work through it! So come on out and join us on Sunday afternoon, November 7th, 2-5(ish)pm at 102 Perrin Circle, Seaford, VA, 23696. Bring a friend, a chair, your favorite beverage or snack and an open mind! You can email us at: [email protected] for more info or to RSVP!

09/19/2021

Let’s hangout! Come join us at Coastal Fermentory Sept. 25th!

08/24/2021

https://bit.ly/3zdCViU
This has been shared with us a couple of times, but it's a great read and explains a lot about why this group exists! If you're new to opentable757, we would love to hear your story and get to know you!

Meet the “exvangelicals” seeking therapy for religious trauma.

08/20/2021

Hey Opentable757 fam! Come join us on Sunday for an afternoon at on Fort Monroe! No formal agenda: just come hang out! Bring your chairs, blankets, kids, S/O, and snacks! We would love to see you there!

08/11/2021

Hey everyone!

I’m Ashley, and I’m here for an

I’m married to Geoff, and we have 4 kids ranging from just-turned-1 to almost 12, so our house is exactly as chaotic as you’d imagine (actually, probably worse than you’d imagine because we all share one bathroom.)

I am really passionate about a good cup of coffee (spicy take: aeropress>french press all day every day), the NFL (go Ravens!), mental health (I co-run a little side gig called Therapy Doulas where we provide coaching services to people in/about to start therapy!), Survivor (in case you wondered, a new season hasn’t premiered in over 400 days), speaking fluently in Friends/The Office quotes, and storytelling. At the end of the day, I want to hold space for the stories we all carry--being able to hold grief and joy at the same time, and find ways to connect with people. I love those moments of “what? Me too! And I thought I was the only one!”

My faith continues to shift and change, and perhaps the thing I’ve deconstructed the most is believing that faith is certain, and that the Bible is clear. I believe fiercely in the kindness of Jesus, and I love being part of Open Table because I’m tired of being part of a system that closes ranks instead of making room, and I want to be in a place where it’s ok to change your mind. Some the most influential people in my faith include, but are not limited to: Rachel Held Evans, Sarah Bessey, Cindy Brandt, Jonathan Merrit, Jeff Chu, & Pete Enns.

So--now it’s your turn. You, too? Anything we have in common? And if not, tell me something about yourself!

08/02/2021

Come hang with Open Table this Thursday for some beer and discussions about the Bible and theology.

07/26/2021

Co-sign! There are terrible people inside and outside of the church, and you can tell who they are by the fruit of how they treat others (especially the people who can’t do anything for them). How we treat people truly matters and says a lot about who we really are: not who we say we are or who we are told we need to be. It takes hard work to get down to the person you really are underneath all of the masking and mixed messaging. But it’s worth it! You’re worth it…


Posted • Be a good human
Credit:

07/25/2021

Still processing an amazing evening discussing “Queer & Christian” with our amazing panelists, seeing wonderful friends and meeting some new faces! Thanks to everyone who came out to this time! We are planning several meetups for August, and hope to see even more of you there… ❤️🔥🙌

07/23/2021

Meet Ryan, another panelist for our “Queer & Christian” bonfire tomorrow at 7pm! Here’s a little about :
Name: Ryan King (he/him)
Age: 28
Relationship status: single and ready to mingle!
Church background: I’ve been involved in church and faith organizations since I was born. I was a leader in my campus ministry for 4 years, and then led small groups, student groups, and media tech at a local church for a few years after that. I no longer attend a church, but love to see the Divine in the holy beauty of daily life, love, and friendship.
Day job: Communications Director for a local health system foundation
Favorite theology books: “Inspired” by Rachel Held Evans and “Love Does” by Bob Goff
Favorite Quote about God: “Everything visible, without exception, is the outpouring of God.” Richard Rohr

Come hear more about Ryan and his faith journey tomorrow evening, 7-9pm: website and info in bio!