Perpetually Laid Back

Name: Nate Risdon Description:  Husband. Father. Writer. Christ follower. Son. Brother. Friend. Pastor. Theologian?

I have just completed my Master of Divinity Program at Fuller Theological Seminary with a concentration in Worship, Theology, and the Arts. I came here with a specific interest in mind and have developed a second interest - both related to the church and spirituality.

The first is interest which brought me to Fuller in the first place is this fascination with art and how it has informed and shaped all of my life. It is knowing the power of the creative mind and seeing people can tap into this part of themselves and delve deeper into who God is. It was experiencing God in various works of art and in the creative process itself that was highly spiritual. Even when I was struggling with believing if God existed and wasn’t in the 5 or 6 “typical” places one might have those experiences. I am interested in helping others see art as this amazing path to developing a more holistic notion of who God is and in turn develop a more holistic spiritual life.

Second, I have developed a fascination with community. True community. I feel that many of the churches in North America have been put to shame by those outside the church in how they have developed true community. This is why I am fascinated with the Emerging Church and wonder what’s its role is in the ongoing development of the church. I like liturgy and “high church,” but I don’t believe in traditional heirarchical/institutional structures. I believe in a model that embraces liturgy and lifts up and educates the laity so that we live out the paradigm of “a priesthood of all believers.” When this is done and the whole church takes ownership of it health and listens for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, community happens.

Third, having been married for almost 6 years and recently procuring the new crowned title of “Daddy,” I want to learn what it means to be a good husband and father.