Listen in our interview with Jeffry Wells and Vikki Randall on the book, "Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God: Sermons, Essays, and Worship Elements from the Perspective of Open, Relational, and Process Theology." In this volume the editors share a selection of elements that can be used in a variety of worship settings. Jeff and Vikki talk about some examples, how the book was created, and how it might be used in your context.

You can reach Jeff at: https://www.jeffrywells.love/

You can reach Vikki at: https://www.holdingfaith.org/

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Jonathan Foster is a theologian, pastor, grandfather, lover of the outdoors, and football.

Here's more about him in his own words: I’m into a bunch of stuff, the best of which is granddaughter, mountains, friendships, and art, but I’m also the co-founder and executive director OpenTable.network, a new denominational tribe empowering faith communities, pastors, chaplains, and spiritual directors in their local, missional contexts.

Oh, and I write. Find me on Substack or pick up a book. Some of my books have won awards, and some haven’t. It’s sad, the not-winning-awards part, but I do get to add Dr. to my name as I successfully defended my dissertation in mimetic theory and open and relational theology. So, make sure to let everyone know about that news.

Let’s see, what else? Well, Tom Oord and I help make books at SacraSagePress, so if you write in a generally progressive theological way and are interested in partnering with us to bring your book to life, let me know.

Oh, I also hang out with people on my podcast and talk about all kinds of things that intersect with theology.

If you can’t find me on FB, it’s because I’m blocked 🤔, but no problem, join a few thousand other people and subscribe to my Substack page, where you will get a post at least twice a month. Or find me on the IG @jonathan_foster.

Email: jonathanunderscorefoster@gmail.com.

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During our converstion, Jonathan mentioned some resources you can read to go deeper into the topic of Memetic Theory.

• Theology of Consent by Jonathan Foster - https://a.co/d/29OJHNP
• Wanting by Luke Burgis - https://a.co/d/2vvNt3D
• Processing Memetic Reality - https://a.co/d/4YahxeM
• The Raven Foundation - https://www.ravenfoundation.org/

Tim Burnette is the lead pastor at Way Collective, a community of shared practices and values, in Santa Barbara, CA. (https://www.waycollective.org/)

Tim is a dreamer, philosopher, and theologian. He has spent years reflecting on the evolving Christian faith, and earned his doctorate from Claremont School of Theology, where he studied process metaphysics, philosophy and theology, and compassion.

A self-proclaimed Whitehead nerd, he embraces theopoetics as a lens for seeing the world, with a practical emphasis on communal formation, beauty/aesthetics, and spirituality. He is a partner, father, writer, musician, and avid reader. His interests include vinyl, food, philosophy, poetry, guitar tones, baseball, and all things on the fringe. He is an advocate for love and reconciliation across boundaries of faith and non-faith.

He agrees with Vonnegut that you can see all kinds of things from the edge that you can’t see from the center. Although...sometimes it helps to be centered out on the edge as well.

A Poem by Tim Burnette:

 Every breath of the world

is a dying into life.

Like the dew of dawn

soft as sea glass,

wet with possibility,

waits in darkness for the silent voice.

That ceaseless refrain

calling stardust to sigh.

Nudging it perpetually

unto its becoming.

To risk the drench of wonder again

and birth a day

unlike any other day.

Young and wild, with light

quivering like a fawn,

naive and new,

fresh and intoxicating as baby's breath.

A momentary bloom of the timeless and flashing dance

that wilts evermore

back into the belly of reality.

As the dampening glow of Mother Eve

spreads her cascading melancholy.

A balm of passing beauty

that coats like honey

and conspires in all things

welcoming each one in its goodness.

To the rising chest of the horizon

and to its tender, falling return.

A Blessing by Tim Burnette:

Go now and bless the whole world

For we are all connected.

Say yes to your life’s adventure

Noticing and cultivating Beauty as you go.

Cover one another with a friendly presence

Laugh with those who are joyful

And cry with those in sorrow

Eat with anyone and everyone

Always doing your best to ensure that those without have enough

And love with courage

For love is the only way forward

And you are loved, you are loved,

You are deeply loved

Remember there is grace and beauty in the becoming

And go in the name and peace of Christ.

Amen.