Retired Cookeville Pastor Helps Christians Struggling In Faith Through Online Parish

With over 40 years in vocational ministry, retired United Methodist reverend Martin Thielen wanted to combine his love for writing and his love for his faith by helping others with their own faith.

That’s why he started Doubter’s Parish, an online parish where Christians with doubts or questions can bring them for discussion. Thielen said that he’s always enjoyed working with people who are honest enough to admit they have doubts, and wanted to create a safe place for people to explore their thoughts.

“Whether it’s traditional understandings of God and religion,” Thielen said. “Or struggles with institutional religion. Those folks have felt safe with me and I’ve had a lot of interesting conversations with both lay and clergy doubters. So the context today is tons of people are leaving church and faith and I thought this might be a good place to write.”

Thielen said that most conversations have discussions around old theology or whether god truly acts in the world. He said that when it comes to faith, doubt plays an ongoing role. 

“From the very get-go and the Bible and church history and certainly today, doubt and faith are twin sides of the same coin,” Thielen said. “The honest people would mostly say ‘Yes I do have questions and doubts and wonder about some of this.’ So I just say it’s a part of faith and always has been and always will be.”

Thielen said that he corresponds with both laymen and clergy via phone calls, emails, or one-on-one conversations. He said that he himself still constantly struggles with doubt. 

“But I still love Jesus, I’m still connected to my faith,” Thielen said. “I think the first step is being honest and saying ‘Yes, these are real,’ and grappling with those questions. I also think learning to live with ambiguity and unknowns. It’s okay not to have all the answers.”

Thielen said the most redeeming part of his work has been the craft of writing. He said his work allows him to feel like a pastor because he’s able to interact with people in a discourse about faith.