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Last week I wrote about my recent introduction to “Open and Relational” and “Process Theology.” I was introduced to Process ideas at Southern Seminary in 1989 when Dr. Frank Tupper, my professor of theology, said, “God always does everything God can do.” That sentence was the beginning of a long conversation with God, a fascinating journey into a deeper and richer faith.

My book, The Power of the God Who Can’t is all about this God I’ve discovered along the way. While I only recently started naming “Process” and “Open and Relational Theology,” there is nothing new here. You have heard me say “God always does everything God can do,” for two decades. (I just went through my sermon file, and the first time I quoted these words in a sermon was December 1, 2002.) The more I learn in reading and in talking with others, the more I find solidarity in my own thinking with these ideas.

The more enthusiastic I become.

There are no consistent, uniformly accepted tenets among Open and Relational or Process thinkers (nor among conservative or fundamentalist theologians), but I can make a few generalizations. Let me state these as my own affirmations, knowing there are nuances and variations among those who generally share my views.

God

Unlike the God of Classical Theism, that all-powerful, all-knowing, distant “Sky God” (as Ilia Delio refers to this God), the Process God is… part of the process. Not distant and remote, choosing when – or if – to intervene, the Process God is involved from the intricacies of the sub-atomic world to the expanses of an infinite cosmos. God does not intervene. How could a God who is never separate from us intervene? (Nothing can separate us from the love of God [Romans 8].) Intervene from where? To where? (I will never leave you or forsake you [Hebrew 13].)

In my book, I translate the often quoted (and often misunderstood) Roman 8.28 as “God is the energy in all things, always working to bring about the good.” From the macro-world “all the way down,” God is involved, working, wooing, enticing, luring, inviting, persuading – but never controlling. Tom Oord, Director of the Center for Open and Relational Theology, speaks consistently of the “uncontrolling love of God.” Most Process thinkers, one way or another, affirm that God is not “all-powerful” or “omnipotent.” Rather than understanding the nature of God as framed around the essential characteristic of power, Open and Relational thinkers conceive of God’s nature as defined by love. In the final chapter of my book, I restate Dr. Tupper’s affirmation as “God always does everything LOVE can do.”

World

For Open and Relational thinkers, God is intrinsically involved in the world – always relating. Process theology begin with the insights of mathematician/philosopher Alfred North Whitehead, who sought to reconcile his conviction about God with the strange world of quantum science. In that view, the world is not constituted in its most basic form by matter (the smallest little “billiard balls” of subatomic stuff), but by a mysterious and beautiful becoming of events. Electrons are not tiny spheres of matter – they are both particles and waves – so the cosmos is now understood as a kind of infinite soup of connected events of becoming.

In the midst of all that potential and possibility, part of all that becoming, working in and with and through all of that… there is God. The word “panentheism” is sometimes used – not pantheism (“God is world”), but panentheism (“God in world”). My panentheism is anchored in the words of the Apostle Paul, speaking to the church at Ephesus: God is above all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4). God is in the world – part of every part of the world. And God is more than the world.

If the world is fundamentally constituted of relationship, and we are part of it, our connection to one another, our care for all creatures, our stewardship with the environment itself is paramount. We are all part of the same oneness and part of God. We are related.

Future/Freedom

Open and Relational Theology emphasizes an understanding of radical freedom. While affirming God’s omniscience (all knowledge), Open and Relational thinkers believe God does not know the future. This may be a disturbing thought, initially, but the idea is based on logic: if God literally knows what will happen tomorrow, how could there be any real freedom in that tomorrow? If God literally knows, the future is (pre)determined – all futures are (pre)determined. There can be no true freedom.

Process says God knows every possibility of every tomorrow – but maintains that the future is truly open. Dr. Robert Mesle, Process Theologian and Author, says, “The future does not exist.” All beings, indeed, the universe “all the way down” participate in co-creating the future with God.

The future is open, fertile with possibility: Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed (1 John 3). What confidence God bestows in us! What power we have! It is our responsibility, and our privilege, to step into each new moment – co-creating all that is to be – with God.

I will not be speaking any more Process Theology than I’ve always spoken to you – and I will not be speaking any less. I have found a new home among likeminded thinkers, pastors as well as scholars. I hope you’ll be meeting some of them soon. You’ll probably hear the worlds “Process” and “Open and Relational” more… but it’s the same old me, still working out my salvation with fear and trembling…

It has only been because of your trust and because of the generous vision of Park Road’s “open pulpit,” that I have been able to process my developing thoughts, out loud, all along the way. Thank you for such a beautiful gift.

Still in the process…

-Russ

The Men’s Shelter at 1210 Tryon St. has resumed serving hot lunches on Saturdays. May 11 is Park Road’s turn to volunteer. Plan to arrive at the shelter at 10:30a. to begin preparing the meal. No prior experience is necessary. Working together with others from the church is lots of fun! The group will serve the food starting at noon and be able to leave before 1p. Please sig-up here to help:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-roof#/

Please join us on May 1 for First Wednesday - a wonderful dinner, fellowship, and a few minutes of mid-week Vespers. Please email the office info@ParkRoadBaptist.org or sign up in Helt Hall by noon on Tuesday, April 30.

My name is Mike Hamrick. My parents, sisters, and I came to Park Road in the early 60’s, and I grew up with this church being an integral part of my life. I have wonderful memories of time well-spent here, including ‘the good old days’. You can almost always find me in the bass section of the choir. I’m a recent retiree from a management career in the entertainment industry, and now enjoy a little more golf, spending family time with three adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and first grandson. Recently I have picked up my guitar again after a multi-year sabbatical.

We extend our condolences to Bill Hemingway in the recent death of his mother. Jane Hemingway had visited with us several times, and we enjoyed getting to know her. Bill and Theresa will travel to Florida this weekend for her funeral; therefore we will cancel Bill’s study of The Ten Commandments. That study will resume May 5. Keep the Hemingway family in your prayers.

Join us for the Charlotte Knight’s baseball game at Truist Field and enjoy a fun evening with your Park Road friends! Tickets are just $15 and include $2 of credit at the concession stands. If baseball isn’t enough for you, there will be a fantastic fireworks display immediately following the game! Sign up in Helt Hall or email the church office, info@ParkRoadBaptist.org, to reserve your seats.

What a wonderful anniversary celebration you all provided for me on Sunday! When I came to Park Road 10 years ago, I don’t recall exactly what my expectations were. However, what I found was colleagues with whom I love working and who call out the best in me because of their excellence and amazing work ethic. In addition, I discovered a welcoming, compassionate church community that values service to one another and to the Charlotte area and beyond. I am so grateful to be able to serve as a part of this church staff and to be a part of this wonderful church family! Thank you! - Dan

Dan McClintock – Ten Years (and Counting!)

Thanks to Dan for a decade of service at Park Road, and thanks to all who participated in making last Sunday a wonderful celebration. It was so good to have Dan’s family with us. The recognition during worship and the reception following were just right. Thanks, Dan. And here’s to Ten More! - Russ

Thanks to generous donations in memory of Parks Helms and Eleanor Helm’s parents, we are renovating the fountain at the main entrance. The design is part of the Master Landscape Plan we adopted about a decade ago. The new fountain will include a stamped concrete hardscape, a pergola and bench seating, and all new plantings. We hope to complete the hardcape and construction in the next month. Most of the planting will have to wait for the fall planting season. Thanks to Bob Clare and about a dozen men who joined together to set the forms. We expect to pour concrete the first Saturday of May.

We had another great time together at Protagonist – where the pizza comes BIG! Thanks to all who could join us. Our May FFF is a week earlier than usual, so mark May 10 and stay tuned for another interesting location. We always try to eat at 11:30a to

beat the crowd.

Who is a Superwoman by day and student at night? Our staff’s and teachers’ dedication to their work is incredible, and we want to give a special shout out to our very own Assistant Director Tammy Watkins. Tammy was inducted into the National Honor Society as she pursues her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood! We are so proud of you, Tammy!!! Keep up the good work.

Youth Spring Retreat

We had a wonderful spring retreat! Fourteen total students participated in various parts of it, and we had meaningful study, fun games, and good food. A huge thank you to our volunteers who chaperoned and to those who provided a delicious meal! Also, a big thank you to Ella Helt, the YPA who partnered with me to plan this retreat. I think we’re still a bit tired, but it’s a good tired.

• May 19 - Baccalaureate Sunday
• July 8-12 - Unidiversity Camp

• April 27 Raptor Center - We will gather around 11:30a to caravan to the Raptor Center in Huntersville, stopping off at a democratically selected lunch spot on the way. We’ll be back at the church by 2:30p. We can carpool or take the bus. Feel free to contact JD with any thoughts or questions. 

• June 24-26 Compassion Camp - JD is really excited for our compassion Camp June 24-26 from 9:30a-12:30p. This will be a free and open to the public camp.



• July 16-19 Camp Prism – The camp is from July 16-19 and is at Bonclarken camp in Western NC. The total price for EVERYTHING, including meals, lodging, and activities, is only $250; It really is about as good of a summer camp price as you'll find anywhere. Those who've completed grades 3rd through 5th are able to go. Please let JD know if you want to bring a friend by May 1, and Payment is due to the church by June 1. (Pay online and put "Child Name- Prism" in the memo, or do the same for a check.) If anyone has trouble paying for camp, please contact JD.

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