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I have a new book coming out. The Power of the God Who Can’t: God Always Does Everything God Can Do, is an expansion of Chapter 6 of my first book. I’ve told you how Dr. Frank Tupper changed my theology that day in a Systematic Theology class at Southern Seminary when he spoke those controversial words: “God always does everything God can do.” (I’ve added the emphasis to the word “can,” because that’s what made it controversial.)



While considering what God can (and cannot) do remains controversial in some circles, the question of God’s omnipotence has been an open theological debate for centuries. Many serious theologians have questioned the veracity and value of making that claim of God.

In my book I make the case that God’s fundamental nature should not be understood as revolving around a nexus of power – the ability to push things around, to do anything, anywhere, any time – but that we should understand God’s essential nature as love. There is always a limit to what love can do, but there is no limit to the way the power of love can change the world.

For many years, I’ve known that the theology I talk about in my book, the theology I’ve been developing in my preaching and teaching at Park Road, was somewhat akin to “Process Theology.” I knew “Process” was related to the work of a mathematician/philosopher named Alfred North Whitehead and a Jesuit priest/paleontologist named Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Honestly, I did not know much more. After submitting my manuscript to my editors, I started calling some friends. In looking for a few folks who might be willing to read my book and provide a book jacket blurb, I met some new friends and discovered an active conversation taking place across the country.

It would have been easier to develop my theology had I done this homework before writing a whole book about it, but I have learned that the questions I’m asking are hardly new – and that there is an active community of scholars, pastors, and interested lay people engaged in “Process Relational Theology.” One of my new friends, Dr. Tom Oord, is a Nazarene pastor, professor, author, lecturer, and the founder of “The Center for Open and Relational Theology” (something of an Evangelical version of Process Theology). His book The Death of Omnipotence and the Birth of Amipotence makes the same point as mine, and though Tom approaches his work in a more academic way, his book is very readable.

Don, another new friend, is a recently retired professor of Philosophy at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He read both of my books (!), provided a nice blurb for the new one, and told me about a conference at Villanova, where he was one of the Plenary Speakers. Long story, short, I was away last week for “Whitehead & Teilhard: Convergences, Divergences, Integrations,” a conference sponsored by The Center for Process Studies at Claremont School of Theology and The Center for Christogenesis at Villanova University.

Ron Pelt and I have had many good conversations over the years, so when he found out about the conference, he decided to tag along. I’ll spare you all the gory details, but Ron took a little fall during our trip and came home with two broken ribs. (Please keep Ron in your prayers. He’s fine, but broken ribs are no fun!)

Ron and I learned much about Whitehead and Teilhard, and the 15 one-hour lectures took us into metaphysics and exotheology, pan-psychism, pan-experientialism and the philosophy of mind/consciousness, Christogenesis, the noosphere, and the Christification of the universe. It’s been a long time since I heard “Hegelian” and “Spinozan” and “Liebnitzan” in the same sentence… Whew!

Our heads are still spinning. We’ll need a lot more time to “process” all we heard – and I have no need to talk much pan-psychism with you (!) - but I am looking forward to sharing with you. Ron and I are considering offering a 2 or 3 week “Park Road University” class on some of the practical features of Process Relational Theology.

In the opening session of the conference, I asked Dr. Ilia Delio, Director of the Center for Christogenesis, if she had any advice for a Baptist pastor about how to talk about Whitehead and Teilhard to a local congregation. She was pleased with my question, and said, “There is no way to ease into this. We need radical new language about God, the earth, and human beings.”



You will no doubt hear more from me about a God who is involved in the Process of this universe, a God who is essentially Relational – but, there will be no “metaphysics and exo-life” (theology for extraterrestrials), I promise. I will try to ease into the rest of it!



Processing with you… - Russ

If you have questions about the 5-day pilgrimage along Spain’s most-famous route to the cathedral in Santiago, please contact Russ or Amy. Trips with Andaspain Walking Adventures are already being booked for 2024, so we are setting a deadline of Sunday, October 15. A $300 deposit will be required to hold your space.

Thanks to Mike Hamrick for Chairing this year’s Annual Ministry Plan Task Force. Other members are Leslie Blum (Admin), Greg Blum (Ministry Council), Brian Smyth (Resources), and Gina Helt/Hugh Ashcraft (Personnel). Our finances have been strong the last few years, and we remain in a good position year to date. Thank You for Being Found Faithful!

Welcome to the World!

Walker James Dean was born on September 9. This little bundle was 7lb 7 oz and 20 inches long. His proud parents are Jackson and Madison Dean. Congratulations to all!

Save the Date: October 19, Lunch at noon in Helt Hall.

Whether you are a regular or have never been to VSP, please sign up and experience the fun and frivolity. You can sign up by calling the church office or in Helt Hall on Sunday mornings.

This mantra has become an important message for us, an important part of our understanding of church. Today, with so many churches still being unwelcoming to people who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s an important message for us to communicate to the city of Charlotte. Park Road – yes, even Park Road Baptist Church – is open to all. A few months ago we had a generous donation that made it possible for us to embed this message of welcome in the sidewalk at the main carport entrance to our campus. Now, thanks to Beverly Doyle, our Communications Ministry Area Coordinator, and our Communications Team, we can remind people traveling along Park Road that we’re such a place. All Are Welcome!

Please join us for a good meal together followed by a time of mid-week vespers. The meal begins at 5:30p, and the cost is $8, which is paid before you eat. We have enjoyed this opportunity to enjoy a little music, a little table-talk, a time of reflection and prayer. It's a great way to help you get through the week. Please contact the church office (704-523-5717 or info@ParkRoadBaptist.org) or sign up in Helt Hall, no later than noon this coming Tuesday, October 3 to make a reservation for dinner. No reservation is needed for Vespers, which begins at 6p.

Our “Preacher Camp” friend and colleague, Amy Butler, former pastor of Calvary Baptist in Washington, DC and then The Riverside Church in the City of New York, has just published her first book. We are fortunate to get on the schedule for her book tour. We are delighted to host Amy Butler for a conversation during our regular “First Wednesday” in November. Amy’s book is a powerful memoir of the “beautiful and terrible things” she experienced along the journey to becoming the first female pastor of one the country’s most prominent pulpits. Her stories are poignant, painful, joyful, and powerful. You can purchase the book online or at Park Road Books. Also Amy will have copies with her on November 1. You will enjoy meeting Amy and hearing from her. Please plan to join us.

Meck PreK attended their first field trip of the 2023-2024 school year. The children had a blast at the Master of Bubbles show.

• Tonight Midweek 6:30p

• Worship Wednesday on October 4, will be at 6:30p with Martha Kinney and Amy Erwin providing dinner, Claire Neereimer, Jack Palmer, Clara Kinney, Andra Mills, and Carter Erwin will lead during the service. If you can't make it to any other Midweek times, this one is it! 

• For those who haven't already, please sign up for retreat. Most of you have, but we don't want to leave anyone out. 

A quick note for all youth attending SNT, we are asking for a $5 donation for pizza. Feel free to make a gift online, drop it by the church office, or hand it off to JD. No problem if this is an issue or if you just give towards pizza intermittently. 

Here are some announcements/ updates for our Children's Corner with the last being an EXTREMELY EXCITING one. 

• On October 15th we will go to Country Days Corn Maze (https://countrydayscornmaze.com) corn maze after church. We'll have a bus to transport those who want to ride instead of drive but this IS for children and their parents/caretakers. We may also have some youth come along to help.  On that Sunday, we will leave from church for lunch and the corn maze. We will plan on returning to church by 5:30p for those who ride the bus. 

• JD wanted to feature some artwork that came out of our "Godly play" during Midweek (our 5:30p Wednesday program) this past week. After the story, kiddos do their "work" to respond to the story. This takes many different forms. JD has included a drawing one little one did with oil pastels in response to the Good Shepherd Parable. She said, in describing her work, "there are many wolves around us but the good shepherd leads us to a new home." JD really teared up, so he thought he'd share. 

Here is our wonderful announcement! Lisa Mason, veteran Sunday School teacher at PRBC, has agreed to be our Children's Ministry Team Leader! This will mean she helps JD with behind-the-scenes work/planning, helps develop continuity within our weekly programs, offers an additional support to JD's support of volunteers, and will help organize materials. JD is so excited for Lisa to step into this role and grateful for her leadership. Midweek and SS volunteers, look for more info from JD. She's pictured here with husband Keith. JD says "when you see Lisa or any of our other FANTASTIC children's ministry team members please tell them they are being the church and that you're so grateful for them. I encourage you all to share gratitude to them in whatever ways you feel led." 

Also pictured is JD and his buddy from kids ministry who literally attacked his face. Mom gave JD permission to share this photo. JD has enjoyed lots of ball games, track meets, lunches, home visits, card games and more with our children and youth in the past week. He's said multiple times, "I love my job." Let's keep it coming! 🙂

Families Update

If you think you should be in a group for Neighbor Nights and haven't yet received an email from JD, he's probably dropped the ball. You should let him know - JD@ParkRoadBaptist.org. Check your spam folder first though 🙂

We had another great Thursday night outing for some wonderful women last week. It’s intergenerational. It’s easy. It’s fun. There’s no prep and no clean up. We simply gather and enjoy each other’s company. Mark your calendar for the third Thursday of October at 6p and watch for the “where.”

We had an incredibly tense, passionate competition for our corn hole quazi-tournement. Aside from a shady raffle in which Cornhole Commissioner Kevin Kline awarded Fantasy Football Commissioner Tyler Crosby summer sausage and chips, it was not a shady time. Though we did play past dark. Special thanks to Geoff Palmer for solving our light situation once the event had ended. It was so much fun Hugh Ashcraft even danced a jig at one point. Please ask him to reenact it when you see him. 

In all seriousness we had a wonderful time and are looking forward to our next get-together. 

JD 

We list an individual each week that we call our “Friends at Home” with their contact information.

Drop a card or give a call to check-in. Even if you do not know someone personally, a contact from someone from their church is always an encouragement.

Coming Up at Park Road

Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person

11a

First Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

(Community Center)

5:30p Dinner / 6p Vespers

First and Third Tuesdays

Bible Study and Fellowship

(Community Center - Room C503)

10a

Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise

(Community Center)

9a

Park Road Baptist Church 

 3900 Park Road | Charlotte NC | 28209

Tel (704) 523-5717 

Fax (704) 523-8481

info@parkroadbaptist.org 

 www.parkroadbaptist.org