"I Left my Toxic Church; Now What?" This question has come up a lot, especially from young people, but not only from young people.

So many have come to me with this question but it is not one I can answer for you. I can only share about what I and others have experienced. It is still a very personal decision.
#AreWeTogether
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Worm Theology The Disastrous Long-Term Impact of Shame and Self-Hatred

I did find a few minutes to post after I listened to my friend Roy's podcast episode on the subject. Please listen. Link in the post.
#AreWeTogether
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The Case for Exit Interviews Learning from the People who Leave Church

How about we find out firsthand why people leave church? In the spirit of learning, curiosity, and care.
#AreWeTogether
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"Becoming the Pastor's Wife" by Beth Allison Barr A Review by an ICOC Former Women's Ministry Leader

A review of Beth Allison Barr's latest book. A lot of it resonated with me, but some didn't. A very interesting read, and one I would absolutely recommend.
#AreWeTogether
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“One of the speakers on the floor of the convention commented that the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) is quick on the draw to shun female pastors but slow to respond to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated within SBC churches and often by SBC pastors.” p.157
Sounds familiar?

See You on Saturday! Second Zoom Parent Support Group

Saturday April 5 at 10AM EST! Read the post to find your time zone.
Open to all, men and women, parents of adult kids, younger kids, ministers wanting to learn, etc. Any church or denomination, Christian or not.
This is a no-judgment zone!
More info in the post: open.substack.com/pub/nadinete...

Teaching Faith but Practicing Fear When the Message Does Not Match the Practice

If we preach faith and grace but practice fear-based obedience, the dissonance has damaging effects. Been there, done that!
#AreWeTogether
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Why Would a Church Need an NDA? “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” Luke 8:17

A very important and disturbing question: "Why Would a Church Need a NDA?" (or a non-profit for that matter)
#AreWeTogether
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Is Materialism Eating our Souls? Most of the students of the Asha School in Kathmandu, Nepal, live in tin huts.

Not a popular topic to write on but one that is badly needed. I have not heard too many sermons on this topic, sadly. Next in the series of "Sins We Don't Like to Talk About".
#AreWeTogether
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Mum, Dad, Do You Need a Safe Place to Talk? Parent Support Group Update

On Saturday April 5, we will have our second Zoom parent support group for those of us who have or are raising our kids in the church. It is a safe place to share, lament, ask questions, offer resources, etc. Read the post to get more information.
open.substack.com/pub/nadinete...

Are You Bored in Church? The Case for Participatory Small Church

Do you wish church were more interactive? Less routine? Less like going to a lecture or a show? Do you get bored? Do you crave for a smaller, more intimate setting, where everyone participates? I do. If you can relate, read on!
#AreWeTogether
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I Had to Leave My Church to Be True to Jesus I had to walk away from my church in order to protect my faith.

I know why I became a Christian in the first place. I want my faith to remain authentic and genuine. A blog post from the bottom of my heart.
#AreWeTogether
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How Do We Raise Children in the Church Without Harm? Many of us agree that growing up in a high-control or evangelical or cultish church does damage to our children.

In response to questions and by popular demand, here is a follow up post on raising kids in the church without harm. Not that I have all the answers. Just a few suggestions.
#AreWeTogether
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Women's Day is Every Day Is a day dedicated to women necessary?

Is Women's Day necessary? Reflections on International Women's Day.
#AreWeTogether
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The Need for Curiosity Asking Questions and Intentional Listening in Order to Learn and Change

New blog post about curiosity. Jesus asked many questions. Are we imitating him?
#AreWeTogether
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The Impact of Growing Up in Evangelical or High-Control Churches Or the Dangers of "Precocious Identity Formation"

A new blog post based on my observations after speaking with many Gen Z but even more millenials who grew up in the church. The most insightful conversations are those with "young" people in their 30s and 40s.
#AreWeTogether
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What I have been doing professionally since leaving my job running Volunteer Corps at the end of 2023? A year ago I started my own consultancy, supporting non-profits around the globe. Check out my website for more information!
www.templerconsulting.com?fbclid=IwZXh...

She looks so smol

Radical Hospitality “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

How about something uplifting (still challenging but uplifting)? How to practice the all too often lost art of “radical hospitality"?
#AreWeTogether
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Yes it woke us up! We are in Kathmandu.

Sons of Pastors and Sexual Abuse A Topic Not Often Talked About

This is a sensitive topic and one I have never heard addressed. Maybe it is time.
#AreWeTogether
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Parents Support Group this Saturday! Need support?

A reminder of our parent support group this Saturday!
open.substack.com/pub/nadinete...

The Entertainment Culture in the Church Does It Draw Us Close to God?

The Entertainment Culture in the Church
When a good thing can become a bad thing. Worship, entertainment, or "Hollywood culture"?
#AreWeTogetherhttps://open.substack.com/pub/nadinetempler/p/the-entertainment-culture-in-the?r=3jqkaa&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Temper Tantrums and Fits of Rage The Sins We Tolerate (1)

The first instalment on a short series entitled, "The Sins We Tolerate". This addresses fits of rage or temper tantrums as a way to control. We can do better.
#AreWeTogether
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The Beautiful Conversion of Gaius in "The Chosen" How to Organically Share the Heart of Jesus

Such a moving story of the real gospel. A great example to follow.
#AreWeTogether
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We Don't Want John Wayne Toxic Masculinity in the Church

A blog post on toxic masculinity in the church and its harmful effects.
#AreWeTogether
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The Good Does Not Cancel the Bad As I have been writing this blog over the past year, highlighting toxic church practices, occasionally people will make comments seemingly denying what I am saying.

This post means a lot to me. My good experience should not cancel someone else's pain.
#AreWeTogether

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ASHA SANSAR (HOPE worldwide Nepal) 2024 Annual Report : simplebooklet.com ASHA SANSAR (HOPE worldwide Nepal) 2024 Annual Report : simplebooklet.com

It is my absolute joy to support the work of Asha Sansar.
The programs benefited over 1,600 people in 2024 across 14 programs in three locations for a total budget of US $60,000. If you are looking to support a worthy program, I would highly recommend them.
simplebooklet.com/ashasansar20...

Parent Support Group By popular demand, I will be starting an online parent support group.

I am starting a parent support group. Read the post for more info.
#AreWeTogether
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Guard Your Heart! Another Tool of Control

"Guard your heart!" The misuse of a familiar biblical phrase and its weaponization.
#arewetogether
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