The Reverend Dr. Donna Keane has served as the pastor at the Elmwood New Church since the mid-1990s. Rev. Keane has a background in recovery, and is a licensed mental health counselor.
Keywords church, community, love, counseling, faith, relationships, Swedenborg, ministry, heaven, hell
Summary In this conversation, Rev. Sage Cole and Rev. Dr. Donna Keane discuss the journey of faith, community, and the role of love in church life. Donna reflects on her upbringing, the challenges she faced in her early life, and her eventual path to becoming a minister. Throughout the discussion, Donna emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships, the impact of counseling, and the need for honesty and boundaries in ministry. Donna explores the concepts of heaven and hell from a Swedenborgian perspective, advocating for a loving and accepting community within the church.
Takeaways
* Transitioning from agnosticism to ministry was a significant journey.
* Counseling has been a vital part of her calling.
* Relationships are central to her ministry and counseling work.
* She believes in the rationality of Swedenborg's teachings.
* Honesty in communication fosters deeper connections in church.
* Rev. Keane advocates for a sanctuary free from political debates.
* The church community provides solace and comfort to its members.
* She views the commandments as promises rather than prohibitions.
Titles
* Nurturing Love in Community
* The Journey of Faith and Doubt
* Finding Purpose in Counseling
* The Role of Relationships in Ministry
Sound Bites
* "What does it mean to be church?"
* "I thought, what have I gotten into?"
* "I became what I like to call an agnostic."
* "I never wanted to be a parish minister."
* "I see God in everything I do."
* "I refuse to sit in a church and talk about politics."
* "It's the relationships that have been formed."
* "Think of them as promises."
Chapters
00:00 Nurturing Love and Community
02:56 The Journey of Faith and Doubt
05:52 Finding Purpose in Counseling
08:47 The Role of Relationships in Ministry
11:45 Understanding Heaven and Hell
15:06 Navigating Challenges in Parish Life
18:03 The Power of Honesty and Boundaries
20:57 Creating a Loving Community
23:48 The Impact of Love and Acceptance
27:12 The Future of Church in a Changing World
Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com
