Tag: Exvangelical
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Purpose, Participation, and Increasing Commitment
By this point, the newcomer is no longer only attending. They are becoming part of the community. As they begin rebuilding their life around the church, naturally they become more available. They attend more services and spend more time with church members. Their social life that might have once been dull, increasingly revolves around church…
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Manufacturing Belonging: Love Bombing
Do you remember the first time you went to church? Warm smiles everywhere you turned. People rushed up to shake your hand. It seemed like everyone wanted to talk to you. Several people probably got your phone number, and you were likely invited out to coffee, a Bible study, someone’s house, or even dinner. A…
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Where Foundations Begin: Why They Are so Important
Before You Begin: Content Warning This article may bring up memories or uncomfortable emotions for some readers. That’s okay. Please don’t feel like you need to rush through it. Read at your own pace. Stop if you need to. Come back when you’re ready. Some of the things we discuss throughout this series can be…
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Examining Our “Origin” Story
The Mechanisms That Run the Machine One of the things we want to accomplish is establishing a clear framework for understanding what happened to us, why it happened, and the systems that shaped us. To do that, we need to start with the mechanisms that run the machine. Before we can examine the larger frameworks,…
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The Invisible Front: How Political Actors Rewrite Reality to Evade Resistance
Examining Hidden Systems of Influence Have you ever known the reason behind something, without having the words to explain it or name it? While doing the extensive research it takes to map institutional capture, I have learned a few things that I somewhat understood. However, if you would have asked me, I don’t think I…