Expansive Language:Congregations Exploring Inclusivity:

Strategies for Introducing a Difficult Topic

O burning Mountain, O Chosen Sun,

O perfect Moon, O fathomless Well.

O unattainable Height, O Clearness beyond measure

O Wisdom without end, O Mercy without limit

O Strength beyond resistance, O Crown beyond all majesty

The humblest thing you created sings your praise.

Amen. From United Methodist Hymnal # 104

{pray}

Workshop Agenda

• Introductions

• Project Overview

– Mandate, Background, Goal

• Framing Conversations for Resistant Communities

• God of the Bible: new study

• Reflection Exercise

• Conclusions & Conversation

– Other Resources

– Evaluation

Introductions

• Name• Location • Leadership Role • Why Are You Here

How does it change our understanding of and relationship with God to use both masculine and feminine names / images?

Why does it matter what names or descriptions we use for God?

Why, in 2014, is Expansive Language Not Yet

Completely Standard?

Transforming Common Fears

Foundational Value #1: Revelation of Scripture

• All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching...

2 Timothy 3:16a

• Thus, we practice spiritual disciplines of study, prayer, conferencing, and discernment

Foundational Value #2: Purity

• Feminine images and pronouns were once connected strongly with pagan goddess imagery and earth-as-goddess images

• Must take scripture seriously, authoritatively

• Let them know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 83:18

Jesus Is Lord

Foundational Value #3:

Foundational Value #4:Expansive Gender Equality• GOAL: – To obey the command to love the Lord God

with our heart, soul, mind, and strength by seeking to know God

– To love our neighbors as ourselves by acknowledging that God created humanity in God’s image – male AND female

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God of the Bible 5 Weeks

Small GroupsFree and Downloadable

May 2015

Session 1: Imagining

the Mystery and Love of God

Session 2: Listening to Wisdom

Hagia Sophia June 23, 2012

(cc) Anna Yanew.

Session 3: God Who Nurtures, Loves and Parents

http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/staffhome/ankelly/Farid/From%20Within%20Creation.jpg

Session 4: God of All Creation

Session 5:Knowing the Unknowable

Biblical Reflection Exercise

All-powerful GodAlmighty Giver of GoodAnswer to all mysteries

Awesome GodAwesome One

Binder of WoundsBrightness of faithful

soulsComfort of sufferers

Companion of the lonelyCompassionate OneCreative Source of all

beingCreator and Preserver of

all humankindCreator of all

Creator of goodness and beauty

Creator of the lightDesire of the NationsEternal Father-Mother-

GodEternal God our Answer

Eternal KeeperEternal OneEternal Ruler

Eternal Source of knowledge

Eternal source of peaceEternal Spirit of the

universeEver loving GodEver-living God

Faithful GodFountain of all HolinessFountain of everlasting

lightFountain of life

Fountain of light and Truth

Fountain of wisdomFriend of the poor

Generous Provider of all good gifts

Giver of all good things

Giver of every good and perfect gift

Giver of health and salvation

Giver of life and healthGiver of love

Giver of peaceGod arrayed in justiceGod of ages past and

futureGod of all being

God of all comfortGod of all compassionGod of all creatures

God of all fleshGod of all generationsGod of all goodness

God of all powerGod of all righteousness

God of all the worldGod of all times and

placesGod of comfort

God of compassionGod of earth and air,

height and depthGod of earthquake,

wind, and fireGod of eternal might

God of forgiveness and understanding

God of freedom and right

God of grace and gloryGod of heavenly powers

God of holinessGod of holy love

God of hope and joyGod of Israel's past

God of life and deathGod of light and sun

God of many deliverancesGod of peace

God of power and splendor

God of prophets (and apostles)

God of steadfastness and encouragement

God of the beginning, God of the end

God of the loving heartGod of the morning, noon, and evening of

lifeGod of the spirits of all

fleshGod of this day

God of truthGod of unchangeable

powerGod of wonders

God our CompanionGod our Helper

God surrounded by gloryGod who art perfect

loveGracious Giver of

knowledgeGracious God

Great God (of power)Great God our HopeGreat Healer of body

and soulGreat Ruler of the world

Guardian of our livesGuide and inspiration of

humanityGuide of humanityGuide of the meekHealer of the sick

Heart that inspires in us a vision of justice and

loveHeart's Delight

Helper of all personsHelper of the weak

Hidden God

High and Holy One(The) Hope of all the

ends of the earthIncognito God

Inexhaustible GodInfinite God

Inspiration to goodnessIsrael's ShieldJudge Eternal

Judge of all humankindKeeper of (the)

covenant(s)Keeper of our soulsLife of all who live

Life of mortalsLife of the universe

Life of the worldLight of all seeing

Light of the faithfulLight of the minds that

know theeLover of concordLover of peaceLover of souls

Maker of all thingsMaker of heaven and

earthMaker of light

Maker of man and woman in your own

likenessMighty Forever God

Mighty GodMighty Redeemer

Mind of the universe(The) Mind that unifies

all creationMost merciful God

One and Eternal God of time and space

Only OneOur Creator and Our

Teacher

Our Refuge and Our Strength

Our Source and Our End(The) Power that brings

healing to the sickPower that savesPower that shields

Proclaimer of justiceProtector of all who trust

Pure and upright OneRadiance of faithful

soulsRadiant and glorious

GodRedeemer and Deliverer

Redeemer of IsraelRedeemer of the

oppressedRedeeming God

Refuge of those who put their trust in you

Repose of the deadRighteous God

Righteous One of all generations

Rock of all creationRock of Jacob

Rock of our lifeRuler of all creation

Ruler of all peoples on earth

Ruler of the universeSearcher of hearts

Shelter from the stormShield of Abraham

Shield of our fathers and mothers

Shining GlorySource of all existence

Source of all healthSource of all life

Source of all powerSource of all that we

have

Source of all true joySource of blessingSource of creation

Source of deliverance and help

Source of eternal lightSource of freedom

Source of goodSource of health and

strengthSource of life

Source of mercySource of peace

Source of salvationSource of strength

Source of truth and lawSovereign God

Sovereign of peaceStaff and support of the

righteousSteadfast and loving

OneStrength of our life

Strength of the weakStrength of those who

laborStrong God of truth

Support of the innocentSustainer of all the

worlds that areTeacher of peace

The First and the LastTrue and only Light

True Sun of the WorldUpholder of the falling

Watchful and caring God(The) Will that gives us

powerWondrous Fashioner and

Sustainer of LifeWorld's Light

NAMES FOR GOD IN THE BIBLE

Other Descriptions for GodGenesis

1:27

Genesis 49:25

Hosea 11:3-4

Hosea 13:8Deuteronomy 32:11-

12

Deuteronomy 32:18

Isaiah 66:13

Isaiah 49:15

Isaiah 42:14

Jeremiah 44:25

Psalm131:2

Psalm 123:2-3 Job 38:29

Matthew 23:37

Luke 13:34

Luke 15:8-10

Compiled by the Women’s Ordination Conference www.womensordination.org

Genesis 1:27

“Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male,

God made them." Beth Scupham

Genesis 49:25

“by the God of your father, who will help you, by the Almighty

who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.”

Hosea 11:3-4

“…I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands

of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them

and fed them.”

Hosea 13:8

“Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and

tear them asunder…” ArendV 0514

Deuteronomy 32:11-12

“Like the eagle that stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, God spreads wings to catch you, and carries

you on pinions.”

Kenneth Cole Schneider

Deuteronomy 32:18

“You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you; you forgot the God who gave you

birth.” postbear eater of worlds

Isaiah 66:13

God: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in

Jerusalem.”eren {sea+prairie}

Isaiah 49:15

God: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no

compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget,

yet I will not forget you.”AV17-34 World BankAV17-34 World Bank Photo Collection

Isaiah 42:14

God: “For a long time I have held my peace, I have kept myself still

and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor, I will

gasp and pant.”IN151S17 World Bank

Jeremiah 44:25

“Thus says…the God of Israel: You and your wives have accomplished in deeds what you declared in words, ‘We are determined to …make offerings to the queen of heaven and to pour out libations to her.’ By all means, keep your vows and make your libations!”

Psalm131:2 “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.”

Ajpix.blogspot.com

Psalm 123:2-3

“As the eyes of a servant looks to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid

to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to you, YHWH, until you show us

your mercy!”

Mattias Karlsson

Job 38:29

God: “Who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose

womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the hoar-frost of heaven?”

Nomadic lass

Matthew 23:37 & Luke 13:34

“…How often have I desired to gather your children

together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

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Luke 15:8-10Jesus: “Or what woman having ten silver coins, is she loses one of them, does not

light a lamp, sweep the` house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has

found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I

have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the

angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

{Reflect}

Strategies for Jumping In

Expansive United Methodist Hymns and Songs

Song Source

God of Many Names United Methodist Hymnal 105

Creating God, Your Fingers Trace United Methodist Hymnal 109

Source & Sovereign, Rock & Cloud

United Methodist Hymnal 113

The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young

United Methodist Hymnal 118

Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth

The Faith We Sing 2050

Womb of Life The Faith We Sing 2046

Bring Many Names The Faith We Sing 2047

God of the Bible Worship & Song 3020

Bibliography and Resources• United Methodist Book of Resolutions #8011• Making Sense of the Bible – Adam Hamilton• Stellarella – Deborah W. Dykes• The Shack – William P. Young• Big Mama Makes the World – Phyllis Root• Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy

of Women’s Liberation – Mary Daly• Feminist Mysticism And Images of God: A

Practical Theology – Jennie S. Knight

Bible Studies and Theology• Worship for the Whole People of God: Vital

Worship for the 21st Century – Ruth Duck• Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through

Bible Study – 34 week - Cokesbury• Invitation to Genesis – 10 session – Peter

Enns - Cokesbury• Rock, Shepherd, Friend – 4 session –

www.gcrsw.org• Words that Hurt, Words that Heal –

Cokesbury Electronic Download

Questions and Conclusions

PRACTICE

{Pray}