Special Advent Series: on the women of Jesus geneology

To remember the advent season, we are posting a series of sermons from Rob Wootton, a former pastor in Salt Lake City. These sermons were initially recorded in 2022 just a few months before Rob and his wife Robin, (me) one of the founders of Asking For Me, removed ourselves from the denomination we served for over 30 years between us. The issues that compelled us to leave the PCA denomination were the abuse of the courts of the PCA churches – spiritual, sexual, emotional- and the distinct rhetoric against women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Looking back, these sermons by Rob were a crucial turning point for both of us in that digging into the stories of the women in the Bible, we couldn’t help but see the parallels to modern day cases of abuse that we personally experienced and were watching unfold for far too many others in ministry. These sermons and discussions that we had over the months of November and December of 2022 during the Advent and Christmas season were truly the movement of the Holy Spirit of Jesus calling us to follow His leading no matter where it might go. It cost us our jobs, many friends and colleagues, our reputations, at least in some circles, and even our home, having to move back across the country to get back on our feet again.

Listen in on these sermons and you’ll hear it. Truth and Justice for the oppressed and the women who bore the marks of abuse. You’ll hear the discovery in Rob’s voice as a white cishet reformed Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) teaching elder, as he recognizes the very painful difference in experiences of these women from his own. Advent 2022 was a journey for our family in very real ways. One we would take again because we saw more of Jesus.

PLEASE NOTE:

The next few episodes will be sermons and if that’s too triggering for you, please know that we at “Asking for Me” absolutely understand that. We will also be posting some reactions and commentary and would love to hear from you if you do listen in. Transcripts will be made available on the blog for each sermon if you prefer to read them or are unable to listen.

Thank you for reading this far. Would love to hear your thoughts if you’d like to share.

May you feel the comfort and peace of the season wherever you are in your journey.

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