Advent Illusions

We may think that Christ is coming into the world to invite us into a more thorough form of behavior modification so that we can finally be loved by God, when in reality, Christ arrives to change our thinking about God altogether, helping us to see that we were already loved in the first place.

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Ryan Phipps is the Senior Minister at Church In Bethesda.

Raised in the church, becoming a pastor was the one thing Ryan vowed he would never do. After spending many years away from faith, he found that for all of its flaws, the church can still occupy a unique place of good in the world if it is willing to evolve with reason and empathy.

Ryan has a special place in his heart for those who have been damaged or disillusioned by the church, and longs to lead those within it toward a more just and generous expression of itself.

Ryan is an INTJ on the MBTI and a 5w4 on the Enneagram.