Welcome to Pastoral Vibe-ology, an imprint of Pastoral Theology with Joseph Lear.
In this unserious sub-Substack,
I’ll be your sommelier of pastoral style and swag, guiding you on a vinyard tour of ecclesial elegance.
The FEBRUARY vibe
We begin with this month’s vibe: 🥰 Lovey Dovey 🥰
January news gave us too much🫸 hate 🫷, which is why we welcome this month’s vibes with open arms.
Like a big ol’ bear hug.
We’re not going to shy away from good old-fashioned, ring-by-spring romance—but we’re also not limiting lovey dovey to courtship.
🥰 Lovey Dovey 🥰 is also about friendship and good feels towards all.
Annnnnnnnd, the “Dovey” is the Dove of the Holy Spirit, Who is the Love of God poured into our hearts.
🔋SERMON SERIES
This month, we’re doing a sermon series on the Song of Solomon (you never would’ve guessed, right?)
Here’s some sermon series ideas:
Two Fawns, Twins of a Gazelle: The Breasts of Christ and the Milk of the Gospel
Let Him Kiss Me With the Kisses of His Mouth: The Trinity as Kisser, Kissed, and Kiss.
Peering at Jesus Through the Lattices: Kingdom Anticipation ≠ Voyuerism
The Young Stag (Jesus) and the Perfect Dove (the Holy Spirit): Awakening Escahtological Love When It Pleases
The Anti-Vibe
This month, for the very first time, we’re also introducing an 🤮 Anti-Vibe 🤮
February’s anti-vibe is CREEPY.
The creepy vibe is…
➡️ Not keeping sex within the bounds of holy matrimony.
➡️ Annnnnnd the inability to handle time-honored friendship across gender lines.
In conjunction with Anti-Vibe, we’re also naming our first-ever Creep of the Month. Please make your vote for the nominees below.
Now, a word from our sponsor:
February’s Lovey-Dovey Vibe Sponsor is
👨💻 Josh Butler 👨💻
Publicized by The Gospel Coalition,
Cancelled by Exvangelical Influencers,
Josh Butler is still here to tell us that sex is all about God,
and literally everything (sort of)
We thank him for his sponsorship
and for giving us Christian NSFW (Not Safe For Worship)
👛CULTURE CHANGER CORNER 👛
This month, rather than making top-down cultural change through our influence, we’re asking provocative questions to foster better boundaries through curious conversation.
Side hugs: Do they make things less awkward or more awkward?
The Billy Graham Rule: Does it apply to people who experience same sex attraction?
Is it time to kiss singleness goodbye now that Joshua Harris got divorced and exed his evangelicalism?
Purity Culture: Was it really that bad?
Finally, don’t forget to give Lovey-Dovey, Spirit-led valentines to that special someone in your life.
Here are some valentine ideas:
“Hey girl, is that a head covering or are you just prepping to prophesy?”
“Young man, you must have fled youthful lusts, because your virtue is exemplary!”
“Hey friend, wanna be my beloved disciple?”
“Is your name Elizabeth, or have I just seen an angel? Becuase I’m speechless.”
“Hey king, is your name David? Becuase you’re ruddy and handsome.”
<<Purity Culture: Was it really that bad?>>
There's one podcast out there that I listen to primarily to keep a finger on the pulse of what folks on the progressive end of the political and religious realms are thinking (getting it straight from the horse's mouth rather than relying on what conservatives say the progressives think).
One thing that drives me nuts is when they claim that purity culture was all about protecting white female virtue (usually implying "from black boys/men"). All the True Love Waits talks I heard were simply about saving yourself for your spouse in a God-honoring marriage, and ethnicity was never even a thought.