Hello TCL readers! Jillian here, your pastoral assistant from over the summer! I am absolutely thrilled to be back to work with Carrie and The Church Lab.
As you know, The Church Lab loves to empower innovative ministry initiatives. One of the ways TCL plans to empower fellow ministries is by spotlighting them on the blog. We’ll be kicking off this new tradition with my own company, Neotopia!
Neotopia began as an instagram page deconstructing our preconditioned notions about God, and reconstructing to promote human and cosmological flourishing. This is done by looking at God and religion through a lens that merges—rather than rejects—science, and through biblical interpretations that are usually only learned by going to seminary. The goal is to bring theological education to the everyday person who wouldn’t ordinarily seek a seminary degree, but is still interested in the subjects.
Last year, the Neotopia instagram came off the pages and into the flesh with a bookstore (Neotopia Books) in San Antonio, TX. This bookstore sells books in the realm of theology, philosophy and culture, and holds classes on subjects like biblical interpretation, science & theology, and mystical contemplation.
Most recently, Neotopia became established as a 501c3 organization so that we may obtain the necessary funding to keep up this work. The classes and events have proved to be fulfilling to the community, and Neotopia serves as a sanctuary for seekers and skeptics (of any or no religion) who may not otherwise have a spiritual community with which to express their deeper questions about God.
To follow along with what we’re up to over in San Antonio, follow the instagram or check out the website for a curated selection of books to sink your teeth into!
Thank you for welcoming me back into this community. I look forward to the meaningful work ahead!