“Have mercy on some who are doubting.” Jude 1:22
Over the years Reclaiming the Mind/Credo House Ministries has become a place where so many people come who are having significant struggles with their faith. I cannot count the number of people (pastors and lay-people) who I have had contact with personally that are on the brink of losing their faith completely. Whether it be because personal trials where people are wondering if God is really there or engagement with intellectual challenges that come from unbelievers outside the faith, there are so many people who are finding that their Christian faith is hanging by a string.
For this reason, we are exploring the possibility of starting a new arm of our ministry that is focused on dealing with doubt. Think: “doubters anonymous” or “Jude 22”. Maybe that is not the best name, but you get the idea.
Details:
Tues, March 1 from 8-9pm
Live online on Connect Pro: This will be a private text and voice room that can be accessed by any computer with connection to the internet. Since this is private, the URL will be given out individually.
You will log in anonymously.
I will give a short 15-20 introduction and lesson on doubt (probably just my testimony the first time) and then open it up for some discussion. You can engage in voice or text.
Who is this for?
- Christians who are currently struggling with doubt about their faith.
- Christians who have a history of doubt.
- Those who have grown up in the faith, but are, for the first time, wrestling with the reality of Christianity.
- Those who are stable in their faith, but have experienced times of serious doubt before.
Who this is NOT for:
Antagonists or atheists who are looking to argue.
Purpose:
Our ultimate purpose is to be here for you during a difficult time in your life. We want to provide a safe place where you can ask questions and express your doubt without being looked down on. We want to facilitate discussion in a community of those who are in the same place spiritually. Most of all, we want to help you (re)establish your faith in Jesus Christ so that you can have confidence.
I, Michael Patton, will be leading this along with Tim Kimberley. I have been there. My heart is with you. Doubt can be a nightmare. It can produce hopelessness, despair, and, even, thoughts of suicide. I am not saying that we are going to have all the answers, but this is something that you don’t have to go through alone.
Please contact me if this is something you want to reserve a spot in.
How to get involved:
It is simple. Just email me at michaelp [at] thetheologyprogram.com. You identity will be kept confidential. You will receive a URL to get into the room. If you have a microphone, that would be great, but you don’t have to have one (as you may not want your voice to be identified—we understand).
Please pass the word about this.
12 replies to "Dealing with Doubt: Coming Next Tuesday Evening"
[…] this describes you, Reclaiming the Mind is starting a new project where you can log on to a forum anonymously and talk through various […]
A few years ago i had been in the hospital for clinical depression,i have been through a lot through out my life, as a small child i grow up in south philadelphia My mother had seven children, i remember the day very well when my father had died because he was murdered leaving my mother alone to deal with the out come and how to make on her on my family has falling apart after the death of my father i was the oldes of seven.As the years went by i had fallen into what you would call a cult they called themselves the children of god,till this day its still a struggle, but inso manyways i am so thankful because i saw the hand of god in my life, when so much of my life didn’t make since. But through out the years i find myself struggleing in my walk, i would like to see myself someday being the strong christian leader for my family. When the devil starts to attack me in my thought one thing really helps. me to stay groundit is knowing that only jesus can forgive sins .
Michael. Well done. There are many reasons for doubt and I thank you for setting up this safe place to be able to express and work through ones doubts.
I have been through the wringer of doubt and its not much fun…and one thing I have learnt is that having another being there for you in times of doubt is the key to survival.
Blessings craig b
Cool idea.
I joke with my husband that I have the gift of doubt but he is a great counter to me because I also think has the gift of faith. It is no small struggle though. I like what you are attempting. May God be glorified.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michael Patton, Randall Johnson. Randall Johnson said: Do you struggle with doubt? http://bit.ly/eXBgUv http://fb.me/HBuSpdDx […]
[…] Taylor points to a new project by Reclaiming the Mind that helps people walk through issues of doubt. In doing so, he also recommends God in the Dark: […]
[…] an upcoming on-line event that is open for people to “attend” via the computer. It is: Dealing with Doubt by Credo House Ministries (Parchment and Pen blog) and will happen March 1, 2011. It will be […]
[…] this describes you, Reclaiming the Mind is starting a new project where you can log on to a forum anonymously and talk through various […]
Is it possible “to provide a safe place” to process doubt when only one outcome is encouraged?
Safe is relative to the context of who is putting it together!: An Evangelical Ministry.
As well, it is relative to it purpose: to help restore faith.
It is safe because none of us are going to look down on you for your doubt.
Hope that helps.
[…] what they hear and how they struggle. In sympathy, a man has put together an online group called Doubters Annonymous [via Justin Taylor] and this is a good and courageous thing. I’m just sad that such cannot be […]
Are you going to do this again in 2012? I would love to do it. I’m really glad you have all these articles out there to help Christians with doubt. It is a great encouragement.