Better on the Inside

BUY JENAI’s BOOK! Click the link or purchase a copy wherever you buy books. And you can find more of her stuff on her website and the Othered Substack: https://jenaiauman.substack.com/

Everyone knows what it feels like to be “othered”. As Jenai unpacks in our conversation, “othered” is a very provocative word that evokes some kind of emotion in us. While her experience is based primarily on being Filipina-American woman in predominantly white male spaces, there are countless ways to be othered: how much money we make, our hairstyle, the clothes we wear, our education, our faith, the books we read, our values, where we live, what we eat for lunch… the list goes on and on.

When have you been othered? What did it feel like?

As followers of Jesus, we cannot lose sight of creating community and belonging in diversity, not forced conformity. We represent a faith that encompasses an incredibly wide swath of humanity from every continent and nearly every country on the globe. Christianity is weird and eclectic. Let’s embrace that weirdness as a way to include everyone.

You can buy Sarah’s book The Way of Belonging, visit her website or subscribe to Sarah on Substack: https://sarahewestfall.substack.com/

Summary

The conversation is about soul care in the digital age and the importance of belonging. The guest, Sarah E. Westfall, discusses her book 'The Way of Belonging' and how belonging is about being rooted in who we are and embracing the love of God. She emphasizes the importance of being known and seen for who we are and not trying to fit in or change ourselves to belong. The conversation also touches on the challenges of belonging, the fear of rejection, and the need for genuine curiosity and attentiveness in relationships. The conversation explores the impact of withholding and the importance of vulnerability in relationships. It emphasizes the need for reciprocal relationships and the freedom that comes from expressing oneself and being met with kindness and acceptance. The discussion also touches on the distinction between isolation and loneliness, and the longing for belonging as a natural and good desire. It highlights the resilience that comes from experiencing deep pain and the importance of embracing one's true self. The conversation concludes with a discussion on finding joy in the work one was created to do.

This is where you can find my wonderful guests! They are incredible people.

Liz Daye- linktr.ee/Lizadaye, https://www.threads.net/@lizadaye

Dianne Garcia- rocaderefugiosatx.org

Amy Ickes- https://www.threads.net/@aymiejoi

Chris Lee- https://www.threads.net/@chrisj.lee

Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle and his guests discuss the spiritual discipline of service. They explore topics such as finding the right fit for serving, the tension between individualistic and collectivist approaches to service, and the importance of serving without expectations. They also touch on the challenges of serving in the disability community and the need for leaders to create spaces where people feel welcome and loved. In this part of the conversation, the speakers discuss the tension between serving and receiving in the church. They talk about the importance of allowing people to receive and be served, as well as the need for balance and rest. They also highlight the negative effects of consumer-driven church culture and the pressure to constantly be serving. The speakers emphasize the need for leaders to listen to the needs and whispers of their congregation and create a healthy culture that encourages people to serve in a healthy and whole way. They also discuss the importance of subverting expectations and being present to the needs of the community. The conversation explores the concept of service within the context of the church and beyond. It touches on the importance of recognizing the humanity of others and meeting their needs, the subversive nature of Christianity, and the need to reframe spiritual disciplines as communal experiences. The speakers also discuss the role of personal relationship with Jesus in American Christianity, the need for balance and rest in service, and the importance of developing a posture of service that allows for both giving and receiving.

Takeaways

Finding the right fit for serving involves starting somewhere, even if it's a small task, and being open to trying new things.

Service should be rooted in joy and passion, but there are also times when we need to do things that make us uncomfortable or that simply need to be done.

In collectivist communities, there can be pressure to serve and expectations that everyone should contribute. However, it's important to create spaces where people feel welcome and loved, regardless of their ability to serve.

Leaders should be mindful of not pigeonholing people and should take the time to get to know individuals and their passions and gifts.

Service is a deeply human act that can transform both the giver and the receiver, and it should be done with abundant generosity and without expectations. There is a tension between serving and receiving in the church, and it is important to allow people to receive and be served.

Balance and rest are crucial in the context of serving and being served.

Consumer-driven church culture can be detrimental, and there is a need to create a healthy culture that encourages people to serve in a healthy and whole way.

Leaders should listen to the needs and whispers of their congregation and be present to their needs.

Subverting expectations and being aware of the needs of the community are important in creating a healthy church culture. Service starts with recognizing the humanity of others and meeting their needs.

Christianity is subversive and pushes against our worst impulses as humans.

Spiritual disciplines should be reframed as communal experiences.

The focus on personal relationship with Jesus in American Christianity has influenced the idea of individual spirituality rather than community.

Leaders in the church should set an example of balanced service, rest, and grace.

Developing a posture of service allows for both giving and receiving.

Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle discusses the importance of spiritual disciplines, specifically the discipline of service. He emphasizes that spiritual disciplines help us thrive and become more like Jesus. Pyle explains that willpower is a limited resource and that disciplines can help us overcome our lack of willpower. He encourages listeners to develop the spiritual discipline of serving others, as it not only benefits them but also brings blessings into their own lives. Pyle provides practical examples of how to serve in various areas of life, such as marriage, workplace, and community.

Keywords: spiritual disciplines, service, willpower, thrive, become like Jesus, limited resource, overcome, blessings

Takeaways

Find Josh & Megan's work at Future of Faith!

Summary

Dr. Josh Packard and Master Megan Bissell discuss the future of faith and their work as sociologists. They emphasize the importance of applied sociology and doing work that is useful, not just interesting. They talk about how they became a team and their journey from academia to founding the Springtide Research Institute. They highlight the need for sacred listening and treating every conversation as meaningful. They also discuss the importance of relationship and understanding the spiritual practices of young people. The conversation explores the importance of understanding and guiding young people in their spiritual journeys. It highlights the need for parents and adults to have curiosity and empathy when engaging with young people's spirituality. The conversation emphasizes the role of adults as guides rather than authorities, allowing young people to explore and find their own answers. It also encourages parents to take notes and track their children's spiritual growth over time. The conversation concludes with a reminder that adults don't have to have all the answers and can rely on the Holy Spirit to guide the process.

Keywords

future of faith, sociology, applied sociology, sacred listening, relationship, spiritual practices, young people, spirituality, young people, guidance, curiosity, empathy, exploration, parents, adults, notes, growth, Holy Spirit

Takeaways

Tim Sweetman is a freaking radical dude. You can find all his stuff at his website: TimSweetman.com. It's also worth checking out Tension, his Substack newsletter.

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You can find ⁠Pastor Trey on his website⁠. https://www.pastortrey05.com/

Buy his book ⁠Theologizin' Bigger on Amazon⁠.

Continue this conversation on our Facebook Group (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

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You can find Pastor Trey on his website. https://www.pastortrey05.com/

Buy his book Theologizin' Bigger on Amazon.

Summary

The conversation explores the idea that humans have limited their potential by creating their own image of God. This self-constructed version of God has corrupted our understanding and hindered our growth. The speakers discuss the need to embrace the true nature of God and strive to become the best version of ourselves.

Keywords

aspiring, constructed, hamstrung, capacity, best, limited, eternal, other worldly, incorruptible, God, corrupted, imaginations, potential, understanding, growth

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Self-Introduction

50:28 Defining Identity and Roles

52:28 The Impetus for Writing

53:42 Choosing a Non-Traditional Publishing Route

55:28 Building a Non-Traditional Audience

56:51 Making God Smaller

59:21 The Message of the Book

01:00:54 Why We Make God Smaller

01:05:26 Expanding Our Understanding of God

01:11:04 Avoiding Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

01:12:21 The Expanding Universe and God's Not Yet

01:14:35 Broadening Love and Avoiding Confinement

01:16:21 Idolatry and Shaping Ourselves

01:17:39 Introduction

01:21:56 BOTI Outro Video.mp4

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Transition music: Lundstroem - Jazz lounge sofa & couch.mp3 (https://freemusicarchive.org/)

You can find Dianne on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠her church here.⁠

⁠rocaderefugiosatx.org⁠

AI Summary

Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle interviews Dianne Garcia, the pastor and church planter of Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio, a church for immigrant families in San Antonio. Dianne shares her experience of starting a church that is led by and serves immigrant families. They discuss the importance of forming personal relationships with immigrants and the misconceptions surrounding immigration. The conversation highlights the need for churches and individuals to support immigrants in a way that truly helps and empowers them.

Keywords

church, immigrant families, church planting, community, relationships, support, misconceptions, empowerment

Chapters

00:00 Personal Connections and Changing Perspectives

07:02 Impact on the Soul through Engaging with Immigrants

08:40 Finding Meaning and Impact

09:24 The Challenge of Helping Many

09:54 The Most Meaningful Thing

10:36 Passion Rooted in Suffering

11:35 Moving Beyond Charity

12:30 Compassionate Relationship vs. Charity

13:21 Transformation through Suffering

14:17 Vulnerability and Empathy

15:16 The Impact on the Soul

16:01 Help that Hurts

17:12 The Danger of Dehumanization

18:08 Moving Beyond Transactional Help

19:41 Creating Safety, Narrative Change, and Empowerment

21:02 Seeking Sanctuary and Changing Narratives

22:29 Providing Emotional and Spiritual Sanctuary

25:08 The Emotional Journey of Asylum Seekers

26:01 Finding Joy in Watching Baby Chicks

27:52 Where to Find Diane

33:52 BOTI Outro Video.mp4

You can find Dianne on Instagram and her church here.

rocaderefugiosatx.org

AI Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle and Dianne Garcia discuss the importance of treating immigrants with love, dignity, and respect. Dianne shares her experience as the pastor of a church that serves immigrant families and asylum seekers in San Antonio. They talk about the different categories of immigrants, the challenges they face, and the fear and uncertainty they live with. They also discuss the political and partisan aspects of immigration and the pushback Dianne receives for her work. The conversation highlights the need for a more humane and compassionate approach to immigration.

Keywords

immigration, immigrants, asylum seekers, church, love, dignity, respect, fear, uncertainty, political, partisan, pushback, humane, compassionate