{"id":13524,"date":"2017-06-21T14:48:36","date_gmt":"2017-06-21T21:48:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/london-wanderings\/"},"modified":"2017-06-21T14:48:36","modified_gmt":"2017-06-21T21:48:36","slug":"london-wanderings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/london-wanderings\/","title":{"rendered":"London Wanderings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"thumb_IMG_3169_1024\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As I wandered around London, suitcase in tow, sleep deprived and trying to find my hotel, I was intrigued by the culture.\u00a0 In my wanderings: I wondered at the homes crammed together, marveled at the ancient architecture, and bantered with the 4 taxi drivers who encouraged me to walk instead of\u00a0taxi\u00a0since it was \u201cjust around the corner.\u201d<\/p>\n

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When I finally got to the hotel, my roommate, Mary, and I became engaged in a lively discussion about women in church leadership, which ironically we were both studying for our dissertation.\u00a0 As I met the rest of the team, I was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and comradery of the leaders and my teammates.<\/p>\n

After the daily sessions, I enjoyed evening outings to experience the London culture.<\/p>\n

London at night\u00a0\"thumb_IMG_3222_1024\"was magica\"thumb_IMG_3406_1024\"<\/a>l and more than I could have expected. The pictures reflect the cultural experience more than my words can.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

I also enjoyed an evening date with my cohort friends as we had a night out on the town eating Vietnamese food and seeing the Broadway musical, Matilda.\u00a0 Seeing the sights, making new friends, and eating great food was an evening to remember.<\/p>\n

\"thumb_IMG_3276_1024\"\"thumb_IMG_3280_1024\"<\/p>\n

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\"thumb_IMG_3408_1024\"Upon arriving at Oxford, I was enthralled with the location, \u00a0professors, and history of the ancient schools.\u00a0 Every time I walked in the dining hall it felt surreal and I\u00a0marveled at the casualness of daily dining in such splendor.\u00a0 The food complimented the surroundings along with the conversations I experienced at every meal.<\/p>\n

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New Knowledge and Synthesis<\/u><\/p>\n

\"MaryKate\"Our daily speakers were interesting and inspiring, all with their unique style and presentation. Dr. MaryKate Morse had the most profound impact on me. As she discussed the disturbing evolutionary decline of women\u2019s roles in the Bible\u00a0fr\u00a0Judge Deborah to the concubine who was raped in Judges 19,\u00a0[2]<\/a>\u00a0I was reminded about the evolution and decline of women\u2019s societal roles.\u00a0 Just like biblical scholars and theologians, social theorists have attempted to clearly define the marginalized role of women in society.[3]<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. Emma Percy displayed intellectual perseverance[4]<\/a>\u00a0when she desired to be a bishop, but could not due to her gender, so she practiced in church ministry in other capacities. When the Church of England ordained women in 1994, she became the bishop of her own parish.\u00a0 Her teaching on motherhood in the church was reminiscent of the work of the social theorist, Julia Kristeva.\u00a0[5]<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Despite the fact that they were from different cultures, eras, and perspectives, they both capitalized on the impact of motherhood on society and communities.<\/p>\n

\"Londondoor\"<\/p>\n

David Male echoed my concerns with the church when he used the humorous illustration of getting locked in a church closet and paralleled that with the concerns of church ministry.\u00a0 We can get locked in our traditions, folk theology, and rituals, and call people to us instead of making theology \u00a0inviting and relevant to them.[6]<\/a>\u00a0 His plea to \u201clearn and relearn\u201d, not to return to what we\u2019ve known and practiced, and reimagine what church could be, was delivered with humor and passion.[7]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"McKennaroom\"I especially liked the quote from the esteemed theologian, Dr. Jason Clark, who closed out one of our sessions in the McKenna Room at Oxford with: \u201cThe church is the body in competition with the rest of the world,\u201d then encouraged us to use \u201creflective practice\u201d in our work.[8]<\/a>\u00a0 It was not until I studied about reflective theology versus folk theology\u00a0[9]<\/a>\u00a0that I fully understood the intent and meaning of his closing plea to stay reflective versus rigid in my work.<\/p>\n

Practice<\/u><\/p>\n

\"jenteachgin\"Since the advance, I have become more active advocating for women and helping their voices be heard and represented in our community.\u00a0 I facilitate a recovery group for traumatized women and developed curriculum based on the book,\u00a0Faith\u00a0and Feminism,[10]<\/strong><\/a><\/em>\u00a0focusing on women developing wholeness in their lives. I consulted with local lay theologians\u00a0[11]<\/a>\u00a0who were questioning adequate teaching and support for traumatized women in our community.\u00a0 A\u00a0community-wide\u00a0support group for women is being explored and discussed.<\/p>\n

\"1K\"For the couples\u00a0work\u00a0I am involved in, I am partnering with local churches going through the marriage curriculum my husband and I developed, One Kingdom, and planning our next local live event.\u00a0 In my therapy sessions, I enjoy using the leadership principles and new knowledge I am learning with my clients.\u00a0 With our church plant, as Culture Director, I am implementing church leadership techniques and learning the art of contextualization[12]<\/a>\u00a0as we strive to plant a culturally relevant church in my community.<\/p>\n

Application<\/u><\/p>\n

Of all the concepts and teachings that have lingered with me, none has haunted me more than the lack of women pastors and mutuality in the church.\u00a0 \u00a0Mutuality among the genders is my passion, as I see the devastating effects of inequality within marriages.\u00a0 The double-binds women are placed in with leadership[13]<\/a>\u00a0is a reoccurring theme that continues to surface in our readings and teachings. As promoted through this education process, the church needs to be leading in cultivating an inclusive and relevant culture.\u00a0 Dr. Martyn Percy said it best: \u201cChurch is a vision for society and society should look to us to see what it\u2019s like to run a charity, do community, and love others.\u201d[14]<\/a><\/p>\n

As I seek to offer possible solutions for mutuality among the genders, the words of the humble, Jeremey Crossley, echo in my mind when facing a problem: \u201cbe overwhelmed and seek a new understanding\u201d.\u00a0 Deliver your truth with grace\u00a0as,\u00a0\u201che has never found a sermon of condemnation especially helpful.\u201d[15]<\/a>\u00a0 Conjointly, developing intellectual traits and advanced critical thinking skills[16]<\/a>\u00a0to influence my work will be essential with any controversial topics.<\/p>\n

Similar to my wanderings through the streets of London, I find myself wandering\u00a0through:\u00a0books, presentation notes, and journals seeking truth and teachings that reflect the agape God I follow, who is \u201cself-suffering and self-giving.\u201d[17]<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0I am enjoying being a student intent on learning versus intent on teaching or leading.\u00a0 Krish\u00a0Kandish\u00a0said, \u201cFind a new literacy to engage with the current culture.\u201d[18]<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0Through this program, this is my hope; to find a new way of engaging with the current culture, introduce them to God, so as to bring about healing and unity.<\/p>\n

\"Londonfav\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Favorite picture I took in my London wanderings<\/p>\n

\n

Bibliography<\/u><\/p>\n

Clark, Jason. \u201cConcluding Reflections\u201d, Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016.<\/p>\n

Crossley, Jeremy. \u201cWhen You Encounter Problems with Others\u201d, St. Margaret\u2019s Church, Lecture, London, September 23, 2016.<\/p>\n

Elder, Linda, and Richard Paul.\u00a0The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts\u00a0<\/em>and Tools<\/em>. Kindle ed. Tomales, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2009.<\/p>\n

Elliott, Anthony.\u00a0Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction<\/em>. Kindle ed. New York: Routledge, 2009.<\/p>\n

Grenz, Stanley J., and Roger E. Olson.\u00a0Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the\u00a0<\/em>Study of God.<\/em>\u00a0Kindle ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.<\/p>\n

Kandish, Krish. \u201cCan Hospitality Change the World?\u201d All Soul\u2019s Clubhouse, London, Lecture, September 23, 2016.<\/p>\n

LaKelly Hunt, Helen.\u00a0Faith and Feminism A Holy Alliance: Five Spirited and Spiritual Women \u00a0<\/em>Throughout History.\u00a0<\/em>New York, NY: Atria Books, 2004.<\/p>\n

Male, David. Lecture, St. Margaret\u2019s Church, London, September 23, 2016.<\/p>\n

Morse, MaryKate. \u201cThe Christ-Foreshadowing\u00a0of Judges 19: Our need for a Savior.\u201d\u00a0Lecture, Lancaster Hall, London, September 24, 2016.<\/p>\n

Nohria, Nitin, and Rakesh\u00a0Khurana,\u00a0eds.\u00a0Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice<\/em>. Boston:Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation, 2010.<\/p>\n

Percy, Emma. \u201cWhat Clergy Do; Especially When it Looks Like Nothing.\u201d\u00a0 Lecture, McKenna Room at Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016.<\/p>\n

Percy, Martyn. \u201cPlenary.\u201d\u00a0 Lecture, McKenna Room at Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016.<\/p>\n

Pink, Sarah.\u00a0Doing Visual Ethnography<\/em>. Kindle ed. London: Sage Publications, 2013.<\/p>\n

Ross, Cathy. \u201cThe Smell of Sheep.\u201d Lecture, McKenna Room at Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016.<\/p>\n

Ward, Keith. \u201cOxford Theologians in the 20th<\/sup>\u00a0Century\u201d McKenna Room at Christ
\nChurch, Oxford, September 26, 2016.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a>\u00a0Pink, Sarah.\u00a0Doing Visual Ethnography<\/em>. London: Sage Publications, 2013, Kindle, 782.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a>\u00a0Morse, MaryKate. \u201cThe Christ-Foreshawdoing\u00a0of Judges 19: Our need for a Savior.\u201d(lecture, Lancaster Hall, London, September 24, 2016).<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a>\u00a0Elliott, Anthony.\u00a0Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction<\/em>. New York: Routledge, 2009, Kindle, 207-231.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a>\u00a0Elder, Linda, and Richard Paul.\u00a0The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools<\/em>. Tomales, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2009, 189-194, Kindle.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a>Elliott, Anthony.\u00a0Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction<\/em>. New York: Routledge, 2009, Kindle, 230-232.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a>\u00a0Grenz, Stanley J., and Roger E. Olson.\u00a0Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the\u00a0<\/em>Study of God.<\/em>\u00a0Kindle ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996, Kindle, 205.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a>\u00a0Male, David. St. Margaret\u2019s Church, (lecture, London, September 23, 2016).<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a>\u00a0Clark, Jason. \u201cConcluding Reflections\u201d, (lecture, McKenna Room at Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016).<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a>\u00a0Grenz, Stanley J., and Roger E. Olson.\u00a0Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the\u00a0<\/em>Study of God.<\/em>\u00a0Kindle ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996, Kindle, 235.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a>\u00a0LaKelly Hunt, Helen.\u00a0Faith and Feminism A Holy Alliance: Five Spirited and Spiritual Women\u00a0\u00a0 Throughout History.\u00a0<\/em>New York, NY: Atria Books, 2004, p. 24-25.<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a>Grenz, Stanley J., and Roger E. Olson.\u00a0Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the\u00a0<\/em>Study of God.<\/em>\u00a0Kindle ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996, Kindle, 235.<\/p>\n

[12]<\/a>\u00a0Ross, Cathy. \u201c The Smell of Sheep.\u201d (lecture, McKenna Room at Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016).<\/p>\n

[13]<\/a>\u00a0Nohria, Nitin, and Rakesh Khurana, eds.\u00a0Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice<\/em>. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation, 2010, Kindle, 4932.<\/p>\n

[14]<\/a>\u00a0Percy, Martin. \u201cPlenary\u201d, (lecture, Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016).<\/p>\n

[15]<\/a>Crossley, Jeremy. \u201cWhen You Encounter Problems with Others\u201d, (lecture, St. Margaret\u2019s Church, London, September 23, 2016).<\/p>\n

[16]<\/a>Elder, Linda, and Richard Paul.\u00a0The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts\u00a0<\/em>and Tools<\/em>. Kindle ed. Tomales, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2009, Kindle, 165-170.<\/p>\n

[17]<\/a>Ward, Keith. \u201cOxford Theologians in the 20th<\/sup>\u00a0Century\u201d (lecture, McKenna Room at Christ Church, Oxford, September 26, 2016).<\/p>\n

[18]<\/a>\u00a0Kandish, Krish. \u201cCan Hospitality Change the World?\u201d (lecture, All Soul\u2019s Clubhouse, London, September 23, 2016).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As I wandered around London, suitcase in tow, sleep deprived and trying to find my hotel, I was intrigued by the culture.\u00a0 In my wanderings: I wondered at the homes crammed together, marveled at the ancient architecture, and bantered with the 4 taxi drivers who encouraged me to walk instead of\u00a0taxi\u00a0since it was \u201cjust around […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13524"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13524\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}