Nothing dramatic, but still an interesting story I didn't get into in the book.
By the late 1940s, Fifield had become a little burned out with all the national political work.
He originally tried to hand Spiritual Mobilization off to his friend Norman Vincent Peale, but Peale ultimately decided he could make more money staying in NYC and writing books.
He originally tried to hand Spiritual Mobilization off to his friend Norman Vincent Peale, but Peale ultimately decided he could make more money staying in NYC and writing books.
Instead of Peale, Fifield wound up turning Spiritual Mobilization over to James C. Ingebretsen, the former US Chamber of Commerce official and lawyer who had served as his aide.
(I talk about him briefly in the book, but his papers and Pew's were the key to my research on SM.)
(I talk about him briefly in the book, but his papers and Pew's were the key to my research on SM.)
The problem was that Ingebretsen wasn't a minister, and had some unorthodox views about religion.
Among other paths to spirituality, Ingebretsen took part in early experiments with LSD.
As he did so, the organization fell apart on his watch.
Among other paths to spirituality, Ingebretsen took part in early experiments with LSD.
As he did so, the organization fell apart on his watch.
Fifield continued to preach, and to publish the books I drew on in that chapter, until he passed away in 1977.
In recent years, First Congregational has undergone a radical change in its politics, and now has a liberal congregation that's still wrestling with Fifield's legacy.
In recent years, First Congregational has undergone a radical change in its politics, and now has a liberal congregation that's still wrestling with Fifield's legacy.
When the book came out, I was thrilled to get an invite from the current pastor, Scott Colglazier, to come out and give a talk there after services one Sunday.
It was terrific to tour the church but also to get to know the great people there now.
rscolglazier.com/blog/archive/h…
It was terrific to tour the church but also to get to know the great people there now.
rscolglazier.com/blog/archive/h…
