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How the Baptist Landscape Has Changed, With Paul Raushenbush
In Episode 5, host Brian Henderson talks with Rev. Paul Raushenbush about his journey as a gay Baptist minister shaped by congregations like Madison Avenue Baptist and Seattle First Baptist, where radically inclusive, welcoming, and affirming communities showed him “what church could be” and sustained him through ordination. Paul reflects on how seminary education and ministry have evolved toward more practical, multi-faith, and justice-focused formation, and he offers a sharp critique of Christian nationalism as a power grab that distorts religion and threatens genuine religious freedom. Throughout the conversation, Paul returns to themes of courage, interfaith solidarity, and the quiet but firm act of simply being who you are--insisting that queer families and welcoming churches are not "controversial," but faithful witnesses.
About the podcast:
"Voice of the Turtle" is a podcast from the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB), produced in partnership with Good Faith Media.
The year 2026 brings some uncertainty for our LGBTQ+ family ... but we’ve been here before. Across eight episodes, we’re going to burrow our way through some of our history and talk to the people who made it ... and are still making it.
"Voice of the Turtle" was the name of an LGBTQ+ newsletter produced by Baptists in the late '70s and into the early '80s. Voice of the Turtle's motto was: "Behold the Turtle: It Makes Progress Only When it Sticks Out Its Neck." The podcast will honor the lives of those who courageously stuck out their neck, whether as an ally to or member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Season 1 of the podcast, hosted by AWAB executive director Brian Henderson, delivers the following themed episodes:
Episode 1: Finding a Home Among Baptists
Episode 2: At the Bar Where It All Began
Episode 3: Baptist Inclusion in Church & Academy
Episode 4: Black Church Welcome & Affirmation
Episode 5: How the Baptist Landscape Has Changed
Episode 6: A Church Conversation in Canada
Episode 7: Revisiting Truths & Lies
Episode 8: Black Queer Hermeneutics & Homiletics
Join us in April and May as we stick out our necks together to see how courageously we may keep moving forward today. We'll drop a new episode each Thursday, beginning April 9.
From the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists, in partnership with Good Faith Media, it's ... "Voice of the Turtle." Listen. Subscribe. Rate.
And stick out your neck.
About AWAB:
The mission of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists is to create and support a community of churches, organizations and individuals committed to the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the full life and mission of Baptist churches.
The inaugural season of "Voice of the Turtle" is made possible by grants from American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and the Missions Affiliations and Allocations Committee of Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Host / Producer: Brian Henderson. Editor: Cliff Vaughn. Music: Pond5.
Episode 5 release date: May 7, 2026.
Links:
Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: https://awab.org/
Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/
American Baptist Home Mission Societies: https://abhms.org/
Knollwood Baptist Church: https://www.knollwood.org/
"Finding a Home Among Baptists" book by C. Delane Tew: https://awab.org/book/
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By Brian HendersonIn Episode 5, host Brian Henderson talks with Rev. Paul Raushenbush about his journey as a gay Baptist minister shaped by congregations like Madison Avenue Baptist and Seattle First Baptist, where radically inclusive, welcoming, and affirming communities showed him “what church could be” and sustained him through ordination. Paul reflects on how seminary education and ministry have evolved toward more practical, multi-faith, and justice-focused formation, and he offers a sharp critique of Christian nationalism as a power grab that distorts religion and threatens genuine religious freedom. Throughout the conversation, Paul returns to themes of courage, interfaith solidarity, and the quiet but firm act of simply being who you are--insisting that queer families and welcoming churches are not "controversial," but faithful witnesses.
About the podcast:
"Voice of the Turtle" is a podcast from the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB), produced in partnership with Good Faith Media.
The year 2026 brings some uncertainty for our LGBTQ+ family ... but we’ve been here before. Across eight episodes, we’re going to burrow our way through some of our history and talk to the people who made it ... and are still making it.
"Voice of the Turtle" was the name of an LGBTQ+ newsletter produced by Baptists in the late '70s and into the early '80s. Voice of the Turtle's motto was: "Behold the Turtle: It Makes Progress Only When it Sticks Out Its Neck." The podcast will honor the lives of those who courageously stuck out their neck, whether as an ally to or member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Season 1 of the podcast, hosted by AWAB executive director Brian Henderson, delivers the following themed episodes:
Episode 1: Finding a Home Among Baptists
Episode 2: At the Bar Where It All Began
Episode 3: Baptist Inclusion in Church & Academy
Episode 4: Black Church Welcome & Affirmation
Episode 5: How the Baptist Landscape Has Changed
Episode 6: A Church Conversation in Canada
Episode 7: Revisiting Truths & Lies
Episode 8: Black Queer Hermeneutics & Homiletics
Join us in April and May as we stick out our necks together to see how courageously we may keep moving forward today. We'll drop a new episode each Thursday, beginning April 9.
From the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists, in partnership with Good Faith Media, it's ... "Voice of the Turtle." Listen. Subscribe. Rate.
And stick out your neck.
About AWAB:
The mission of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists is to create and support a community of churches, organizations and individuals committed to the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the full life and mission of Baptist churches.
The inaugural season of "Voice of the Turtle" is made possible by grants from American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and the Missions Affiliations and Allocations Committee of Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Host / Producer: Brian Henderson. Editor: Cliff Vaughn. Music: Pond5.
Episode 5 release date: May 7, 2026.
Links:
Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: https://awab.org/
Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/
American Baptist Home Mission Societies: https://abhms.org/
Knollwood Baptist Church: https://www.knollwood.org/
"Finding a Home Among Baptists" book by C. Delane Tew: https://awab.org/book/