Leaving Church

A Memoir of Faith

By: Barbara Brown Taylor

Narrated by: Karen Saltus

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

After nine years serving on the staff of a big urban church in Atlanta, Barbara Brown Taylor arrives in rural Clarkesville, Georgia (population 1,500), following her dream to become the pastor of her own small congregation. The adjustment from city life to country dweller is something of a shock - Taylor is one of the only professional women in the community - but small-town life offers many of its own unique joys. Taylor has five successful years that see significant growth in the church she serves, but ultimately she finds herself experiencing "compassion fatigue" and wonders what exactly God has called her to do. She realizes that in order to keep her faith she may have to leave.

Taylor describes a rich spiritual journey in which God has given her more questions than answers. As she becomes part of the flock instead of the shepherd, she describes her poignant and sincere struggle to regain her footing in the world without her defining collar. Taylor's realization that this may in fact be God's surprising path for her leads her to a refreshing search to find Him in new places. Leaving Church will remind even the most skeptical among us that life is about both disappointment and hope - and ultimately, renewal.

©2006 Barbara Brown Taylor (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

loved it,

Well written. Helps one to get out of the traditional "safe" boxes of life to enter into the greater life that God has offered to each of us.

Extraordinary!

Would you consider the audio edition of Leaving Church to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version

What was one of the most memorable moments of Leaving Church?

When BBT began speaking of the difference between the life of faith and the life of "Mother Church," and the demands Mother Church places on the person of faith -- demands which can negatively nuance the person's faith walk.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I loved the fact that the reader had some characteristics (like over-pronounced consonants at the ends of words) that characterize BBT's speaking style. I did not care for the reader's predictable inflections, which gave the narration a "sing-song" quality.

A good read.

Leaving Church was excellent. Barbara told her journey into spirituality and becoming an ordained minister and on to leaving ministry and her relationship with God throughout. As a therapist, I can relate to caregiver fatigue, even when you love what you do. I have also chased my spirituality sometimes doing better without being tied to a church, and sometimes needing what a church can provide. This provided some excellent perspective. I highly recommend!

Engaged me head, heart, faith and bodily

Perhaps it’s because I’ve been on a similar journey - but I know these are salient questions for many… BBT shares here in a way that helps me ponder, wonder and heal.

I do prefer it when she personally reads, but
Can’t complain about this narrator.

I’m really grateful for this “offering “

Good account, lovingly written, tritely read

Taylor's open account of her personal struggle with vocation is a lovely read. Her way with words is as vivid as ever. The narration however makes the book seem trivial and affected. I yearn to listen to Barbara read this herself.

Not her best but still good

I’ve read several things by BBT all very well written as is this. But this doesn’t have the power of Learning to Walk in the Dark. At least not for me, but still worth the time.

Well Read -- Little Long

Good autobiography of her calling and discernment. Some of the nuggets got lost in the over writing of details and story telling that took away from the narrative.

Book is Better Than recording

What did you love best about Leaving Church?

The personal stories and the informal writing style

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

What didn’t you like about Karen Saltus’s performance?

It was too syrupy sweet. Sounded like a voice over for a commercial.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

It's a good book if you are interested in what it's like to be in the clergy.

Barbara Brown Taylor Does it Again!

If you could sum up Leaving Church in three words, what would they be?

Spirituality is everywhere!

What did you like best about this story?

Barbara's heartfelt honesty about her decision to leave the Episcopal Church priesthood as a full-time career and her transition into her new life in which she felt just as close to God as ever.

Which character – as performed by Karen Saltus – was your favorite?

Barbara - only character - it is an autobiography

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I am now listening to, "An Altar in the World," and then I will move right along to "Learning to Walk in the Dark." Barbara's imagery is amazing and her writing style so easily allows me to make a personal connection with her and her life. I enjoyed every word.

Wonderful book, incredible vocal performance

This was so life giving. I highly recommend listening in the morning as you get your day started. The words are transcendent, practical, helpful, and well articulated. Karen Saltus was a joy to listen to. The perfect combination indeed :)