Better on the Inside

Visit Gabrielle's website: Returning to Joy

Check out Gabrielle's podcast: Returning to Joy

Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle and Gabrielle Michelle Leonard discuss the importance of soul care in a fast-paced, digital culture. Gabrielle shares her personal journey of how soul care became integrated into her walk with Jesus. They emphasize the need for a relationship-based approach to discipleship and spiritual practices. They also provide practical steps for engaging in soul care, such as taking a walk in nature, observing and reflecting on the surroundings, and having conversations with Jesus. The conversation highlights the importance of embodiment and the holistic nature of spiritual transformation. The conversation explores the theme of healing and wholeness in the context of community. It emphasizes the importance of repairing fractured relationships and seeking restoration within oneself. The guest highlights the need for both individual spiritual practices and communal support in the care for the soul. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating relationships and forgiveness, and the significance of embracing the messy middle of the healing process. The guest shares a personal experience of finding joy in the simplicity of being present in one space.

You can find Rohadi all over the internet.

Buy his book When We Belong: Reclaiming Christianity on the Margins from his website!

Check out his podcast: Faith in a Fresh Vibe

Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle and Rohadi discuss the topics of decolonization, dismantling racism, and reclaiming Christianity on the margins. They explore the impact of these issues on the soul and the importance of soul care in the digital age. Rohadi shares his personal journey and experiences as a pastor and author, highlighting the need for individuals to reclaim their whole selves and find liberation. They also discuss the significance of land-based theology and the connection between spirituality and the land. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of belonging, community, and a holistic understanding of God. The conversation explores the history and impact of mission work, highlighting the negative consequences and the need for change. It also discusses the lack of justice and inclusion in churches, the importance of embracing the whole family, and the need to reclaim Christianity from the margins. The conversation emphasizes the significance of embodiment and the value of rest and community. The guest, Rohadi, shares his joy in winter activities and baking with his partner.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:53 Rohadi's Journey to Canada

02:39 Writing 'When We Belong'

03:50 Reclaiming Christianity on the Margins

04:56 The Impact of Othering

05:24 The Crossroads of Assimilation and Reclamation

06:23 Expanding the Image of God

07:36 The Catalyst for Change

08:09 The Erosion of the Soul

08:47 Rohadi's Holistic Perspective

09:16 Belonging and Getting It Wrong

10:49 Rohadi's Vision for Belonging

12:20 Decolonizing Thought and Land-Based Theology

13:53 The Influence of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers

14:46 The Cookie Cutter Mentality in Church

15:17 The Uniqueness of Neighborhoods and Communities

16:15 The Relationship with the Land

19:18 Communing with the Land

20:35 Disembodied Christian Faith

22:12 The Pre-Curse World and Harmony with Creation

23:11 Vocation and Liberation

24:35 Reevaluating Mission Work

25:48 Questioning the Effectiveness of Church Mission Statements

26:43 The Erosion of the Church's Influence

27:31 The Failure of Contemporary Mission Work

28:27 The Lack of Connection to Justice in Mission Work

29:42 The Need for Inclusive Church Communities

31:05 The Importance of Family and Community in Church Planting

31:51 The Need for Justice and Family in Church Planting

33:20 The Difficulty of Implementing Change in Churches

36:14 The Journey of Decolonization and Reclamation

38:11 The Harm of Incomplete Church Families

39:36 The Poverty of the Soul in Success-Oriented Churches

41:59 The Desire for Inclusive and Impactful Churches

44:22 The Importance of Naming and Affirming the Body's Wisdom

46:24 Finding Joy in Winter Activities and Intentional Rest

49:41 Baking Together as a Source of Joy

51:15 BOTI Outro Video.mp4

Content Warning [9 minutes]: Animal violence

There are lots of different kinds of people that call CityChurch San Antonio (my church) home. When you look at the plaza on a Sunday and you’ll see a wide swath of age, gender, ethnicity, style and any other distinction you can imagine. To some degree, this just happened. God has brought a diverse group of people to our campus for us to serve. We didn’t recruit or seek out any one group. But, it was also intentional. Behind the scenes, our leaders continue to take steps to remove barriers so that ALL PEOPLE can believe and thrive in Jesus.

Belonging is a significant part of thriving and a deep need within all of us. It’s not just a basic human need, it is also a spiritual need. Followers of Jesus are the Church, AKA The Body of Christ, where each of us are a valuable part of a larger whole. We are designed to fit together in community and serve together in unity. Everyone is valuable and brings something unique and necessary to the table.

Sadly, there are more folks than ever that are lonely. To the degree that the Surgeon General of the United States called loneliness an epidemic. One of the hallmarks of loneliness is disconnection. A distinct lack of belonging to a group or a robust network of relationships. So, what do we do? My friend Prasanta Verma is here to help us navigate how we can bring people together, across ethnic (and any other) lines.

Order Prasanta’s book today! I also encourage you to check out Prasanta’s website and her Substack, Belonging and the Human Experience.

Belonging and the Human Experience Prasanta was born under an Asian sun and grew up in the shadow of Appalachians. She writes about belonging, identity, loneliness, culture, health and social connection. She wants to help us envision a world where we're all a little less lonely.By Prasanta Verma1

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Ethnic Identity and Loneliness

03:09 The Consequences of Assimilation

24:26 Exploring Ethnic Loneliness and Social Disconnection

32:45 The Power of Storytelling and Empathy

36:57 The Role of Theater in Fostering Empathy and Understanding

42:18 Embracing Discomfort as an Invitation to Growth and Connection

44:52 BOTI Outro Video.mp4

Grace E Kelley's website

Grace's Substack

Grace on IG

Summary

Grace E. Kelley, a farmer, mother, author, and poet, discusses her journey as a storyteller and the power of fiction. She shares how her desire for storytelling began at a young age and how she initially believed that fiction was not for her. However, she later discovered that fiction provided a healing outlet for processing her emotions and experiences. Grace emphasizes that fiction allows for the exploration of deep feelings and questions in a safe and fictional setting. She also highlights the importance of fiction in engaging audiences at a soul level and fostering authentic community. The conversation explores the themes of healthy relationships, the human act of sex, the connection between femininity and spirituality, and the beauty that can arise from destruction. The guests discuss how fiction, including romance novels, can provide a platform for discussing healthy relationships and consent. They also touch on the concept of purity culture and the need to unlearn shame surrounding sex. The conversation delves into the imagery of God as a breastfeeding mother and the connection between childbirth and the body of Jesus. The guests share excerpts from Grace E. Kelley's poetry book, 'As the Sparrow Flies,' which explore these themes. In this conversation, Grace E. Kelley and Jon Pyle discuss the importance of art and imagination in Christian communication. They explore the fear of the non-literal and the stifling of the divine imagination. They also touch on the control and interpretation of scripture, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of writing fiction. Grace shares her current project, a speculative dark romantic comedy called 'Just Drive.'

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Grace's Background

01:44 Discovering the Desire for Storytelling

02:57 The Healing Power of Fiction

05:54 Engaging Audiences at a Soul Level

09:26 The Subversive and Revolutionary Nature of Women's Book Clubs

23:50 Exploring Healthy Relationships and Consent Through Fiction

25:13 Unlearning Shame: Challenging Purity Culture

28:57 The Connection Between Femininity and Spirituality

32:03 Finding Beauty in Destruction: Childbirth and the Body of Jesus

38:06 The Power of Poetry: Capturing Complex Emotions and Experiences

44:30 The Role of Art and Imagination

47:58 Overcoming the Fear of the Non-Literal

49:27 Trusting the Holy Spirit in Interpretation

57:54 The Joy of Writing Fiction

Summary

Haley Hampton, a student at Bright Divinity School, shares her journey of pursuing community care and pastoral care. She discusses her background in food service and how it taught her about vulnerability and caring for others. Haley emphasizes the importance of being present with people and creating spaces where they feel seen and cared for. She also highlights the need to deconstruct and redefine church systems to prioritize redemptive community and soul care. Haley encourages individuals to invite others into their lives and be willing to be vulnerable, as this is where transformative relationships and community are formed. In this conversation, Haley Hampton and Jon Pyle discuss the importance of integrating faith into all aspects of life and the harm that can come from separating one's faith from their everyday existence. Haley shares her personal experience of feeling like she didn't fit in the church system and how she found healing and acceptance in a community that allowed her to be her authentic self. They also explore the concept of redemption and the tension between the already and not yet of the Kingdom of God. Haley emphasizes the importance of community care and the power of walking with others through their struggles.

Keywords

community care, pastoral care, food service, vulnerability, church systems, redemptive community, soul care, faith, integration, church, community, healing, acceptance, redemption, Kingdom of God, community care

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:09 Discovering the Call to Community Care

08:21 The Impact of Church Experiences on Identity

13:49 The Role of Food Service in Building Community

24:17 Caring for the Soul and Redefining Identity

27:47 Changing Spaces and Cultivating Redemptive Community

32:06 Introduction

32:14 Losing One's Soul: Separating the Spirit of God

36:46 Finding Healing and Acceptance in a Caring Community

38:30 Embracing Doubt and Wrestling with Faith

46:34 The Ongoing Process of Redemption and Resurrection

49:11 Finding Joy in the Midst of Difficult Seasons

57:24 Conclusion

01:00:18 BOTI Outro Video.mp4

In light of the attempted assassination of President Trump, I wanted to share this incredibly prescient conversation I had with Michael Wear, the Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life. The organization is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation's capital with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. We had this conversation back in February, but I really think it’s important to share now.

This act of (political) violence has left a lot of us shaken and a uneasy. Some even may be afraid. And I understand why. This is scary stuff. It feels like the country is teetering on the brink of potential disaster. I also feel many of the harmful divisions deepening. It’s insane we have to say this but: No candidate, no matter how we feel about them, should be murdered. They shouldn’t be subject to any violence, or even the threat of violence. That’s not the vision of America. While violence is (unfortunately) part of our country’s history, and perhaps even our DNA, our government is designed for the peaceful transition of power. And we’ve done a pretty good job of that since 1776. That is an anomaly and absolutely, 100% worth protecting. So how should followers of Jesus “do politics” going forward? What can we do to make this partisan divide better? Michael gives us a great vision in his conversation and his book The Spirit of Our Politics.

Buy his book wherever books are sold, and check Michael out at his website.

I met Daniel Yang at a San Antonio Church Planting event and had the pleasure of driving him to the airport. He shared so much insight and wisdom in our time together that I truly appreciated. Then Daniel invited my good friend Humbie Cervera to a wonderful conference about the future of the church and I got to tag along! It was mind-blowing. Now, Daniel works for World Relief overseeing their Churches of Welcome Initiative. You can find him on socials too.

I appreciate Daniel taking some time to chat with me about what he’s doing and what it means for us.

Find Sandy at the Glean Network, a place for faith and innovation.

Summary

Find Richard Clark at Area Code Audio, where you should visit before you start your own podcast. And you can check out his current podcast Area Code Batavia. Tweet at him!

Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle interviews Richard Clark, the proprietor of Area Code Audio, about the importance of active listening and understanding the lived experiences of others. Richard shares his journey of empathy and how podcasting has allowed him to facilitate connection and help people connect with others. He emphasizes that love is more important than theology and discusses the need for inclusivity and diverse perspectives in Christian spaces. Richard also talks about the challenges of certainty in Christian culture and the importance of listening and empathy in fostering understanding and love. The conversation explores different approaches to reporting and opinion pieces, highlighting the importance of giving people a sense of humanity and understanding. It discusses the need to move from critique to creation and the value of movies in understanding different perspectives. The conversation ends with a playful discussion about musical influences and what brings joy to both participants.

Keywords

active listening, understanding, empathy, connection, love, theology, inclusivity, diverse perspectives, certainty, Christian culture, reporting, opinion pieces, humanity, understanding, critique, creation, movies, perspectives, joy

Takeaways

Active listening is important in Christian spaces to foster understanding, empathy, and love.

Love is more important than theology.

Inclusivity and diverse perspectives are crucial in Christian spaces.

Certainty in Christian culture can hinder listening and empathy.

Podcasting can be a powerful medium for facilitating connection and understanding. Different approaches to reporting and opinion pieces can provide valuable insights and lived experiences.

Opinion pieces that focus on maintaining the status quo can be damaging and paternalistic.

Acknowledging and appreciating the humanity of individuals is important in fostering understanding.

Moving from critique to creation allows for positive change and growth.

Movies can serve as a medium for understanding different perspectives and experiences.

Finding joy in cultural experiences, such as video games and movies, can bring fulfillment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Introducing Richard Clark

04:08 The Importance of Active Listening

05:01 Richard's Background at Christianity Today

06:38 Richard's Career Journey

07:56 The Importance of Active Listening in Christian Spaces

10:57 The Impact of Active Listening

14:27 Richard's Story of Active Listening

21:48 The Certainty in Christian Culture and the Lack of Listening

22:52 Richard's Experience at Christianity Today

24:21 Different Approaches to Reporting and Opinion Pieces

25:12 The Pitfalls of Opinion Columns

26:09 The Importance of Giving People a Fair Say

27:05 The Need for Genuine Empathy

27:47 The Complexity of Orthodoxy in Evangelicalism

29:01 Moving from Critique to Creation

30:04 The Value of Movies in Understanding Different Perspectives

31:00 The Trap of Looping Arguments

31:56 Modeling Vulnerability in Conversations

32:42 The Joy of Creating and Exploring Year-End Movies

35:59 Musical Influence: Drake

37:05 Non-Judgment Zone of Joy

38:25 Year-End Video Games and Movies

43:03 Movies as a Text for Understanding Perspectives

43:44 The Value of Empathy in Movies

44:52 Closing Remarks

45:07 BOTI Outro Video.mp4

Lark Kelsey is an absolute gem. You may know here as Lark Theosis on social media platforms.

Lark is incredibly insightful about a host of things, particularly when it comes to soul care. She is an insanely wise theologian and ministry practitioner. Through Lark's own journey and her extensive study, she drops some serious knowledge here.