Episode 788: Tyler Johnson’s New Book “When Church is Hard”
Nov 8, 2024
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Tyler Johnson, an oncologist and former YSA bishop, discusses his book 'When Church is Hard'. He emphasizes the value of different types of testimonies and the importance of community inclusivity. Tyler highlights how pain in church experiences can lead to deeper understanding and empathy, advocating for critical listening and support for those in distress. He shares personal anecdotes illustrating the harmony of struggle and beauty in faith, encouraging listeners to embrace both elements in their spiritual journeys.
Different types of testimony are vital for inclusivity, allowing all Latter-day Saints to feel valued in their faith journey.
Acknowledging divine silence is essential, as even the faithful may experience emotional turmoil and spiritual dryness amidst their trials.
Validating members' pain regarding church issues fosters empathy and understanding, ultimately strengthening the community and healing relationships.
Deep dives
Personal Experiences with Faith and Church
The speaker discusses his personal connection to church history and faith, focusing on the importance of honesty in spiritual teachings. He describes how a lack of a fairytale narrative about church history from his upbringing allowed him to avoid the common experience of deconstruction and reconstruction of faith. Emphasizing the notion of construction over deconstruction, the speaker believes this approach offers a more sustainable path for many individuals navigating their faith. He highlights the significance of love and support within the home environment, which plays a critical role in shaping one’s understanding and approach to church life.
Listening and Understanding Young Church Members
The speaker shares insights from years of conversations with young church members, illustrating their deep commitment to faith despite challenges. He highlights that these individuals often struggle with church-related topics not out of apathy, but from a strong desire to reconcile their beliefs with lived experiences. His interactions have reinforced his view of the inherent goodness and integrity within this demographic, stressing that their struggles stem from genuine care and concern for their faith. The importance of providing an empathetic listening space for these members is underscored as a critical component for fostering understanding within the church community.
Navigating Silence and Absence of God
In exploring the theme of divine silence, the speaker references significant figures in religious history, including C.S. Lewis and Mother Teresa, who grappled with feelings of abandonment. He sheds light on the emotional turmoil faced by these individuals despite their strong spiritual commitments, illustrating that even the most faithful can experience spiritual dryness. The poignant example of Mary after the death of Jesus serves to illustrate the profound grief and confusion that can accompany personal tragedy and loss of faith. This narrative encourages individuals to keep seeking through their trials, aiming to find solace in their commitment to Jesus despite their struggles.
Addressing Pain Within the Church Community
The podcast emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and validating the pain experienced by members within the church setting. The speaker conveys that the concerns about issues such as gender representation and LGBTQ+ inclusion should be taken seriously, reflecting the need for understanding and empathy from church leaders. Through conversations about personal heartbreak, he illustrates how these moments of pain are valid and deserve attention within the church community. Furthermore, he advocates for local leaders to actively listen to concerns, presenting the idea that addressing pain can lead to healing and strengthen the church overall.
The Paradox of Faith and Healing
The discussion points to the tension between pain and the hope found in faith, suggesting that both can coexist within the spiritual journey. The speaker argues that a robust faith can be built upon an honest acknowledgment of struggles alongside the pursuit of spiritual truths. Recognizing the paradox inherent in faith, he encourages embracing both the pain and the joy that accompany the church experience, emphasizing that one does not diminish the other. Ultimately, the speaker highlights that the body of Christ is most complete when it includes individuals grappling with doubt alongside those grounded in certainty, as this diversity enriches the entire community.
My friend Dr Tyler Johnson (former YSA Bishop, oncologist, clinical assistant professor at Stanford University) joins us to talk about his new book published by Deseret Book called “When Church is Hard”.
Tyler talks about how different testimony types (“I know”, “I believe”, “I hope”, etc) actually are a good thing—helps us extend the tent of Zion and bring more people to Christ. He also talks about how not every Latter-day Saint will have a “I know” testimony and how that person shouldn’t feel like a second-class citizen—but a valued/needed member of our community.
In the second part of the book, Tyler also talks about supporting those (and us) when God is silent.
In the third part of the book, Tyler shares better ministering skills to support those with church generated pain or the pain they see in others. He talks about what do we do (in ourselves and helping others) when our “hearts breaks at Church”. Tyler talks about specific examples and the importance of validating pain—and how pain is a good thing as it should create attention to a problem—which is exactly what our body is signaling with physical pain.
If you are looking for a book to help you (or better help others) navigating difficult church experiences, please read Tyler’s book. It is a book I wish I had read decades ago before becoming a parent or having church leadership callings. Thank you, Tyler, for your great work in our community. You are someone who I deeply admire and respect.
Deseret Book: www.deseretbook.com/product/6020541.html
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1639931821
Episode 591: soundcloud.com/user-818501778/episode-589-tyler-johnson-navigating-complicated-church-topics-extended-the-tent-of-zion
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