takeaways

• Jon has worked at Costco for 30 years and has a diverse personal life.
• He grew up in a religious household but questioned church teachings from a young age.
• Jon's early questions about the Bible led to feelings of rebellion during his teenage years.
• His experiences in theater challenged his views on homosexuality and church teachings.
• Jon's journey included studying various religions and ultimately identifying as agnostic.
• He reconnected with faith through the hyper grace movement, emphasizing God's unconditional love.
• Jon became a worship leader and preacher but struggled with the church's teachings on hell and salvation.
• His departure from the church was driven by a desire for authenticity in his beliefs.
• Jon maintains a friendship with his former pastor despite differing beliefs.
• The conversation highlights the complexities of faith, control, and personal growth. Universal salvation was a leading belief before modern teachings.
• Engaging in online arguments about faith can be exhausting.
• Identifying as a follower of Jesus rather than a Christian reflects personal beliefs.
• Christian nationalism has a loud platform that many reject.
• Political tensions are affecting faith communities today.
• Understanding the roots of anger can lead to healing.
• The church's connection to politics is concerning.
• Deconstruction can lead to new beginnings and perspectives.
• Creating a podcast allows for diverse voices in faith discussions.
• Community is essential in navigating faith journeys.

Links

Podcast: https://thisisnotchurch.com/

Book: https://amzn.to/3OIjubx

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

takeaways

• Catching the Northern Lights was a long-awaited dream.
• Growing up in evangelical communities shaped my worldview.
• Fear-based teachings can lead to obsessive faith practices.
• Experiencing spiritual abuse can lead to complex PTSD.
• Questioning beliefs is a crucial part of personal growth.
• YWAM provided both community and indoctrination.
• Different theological perspectives can expand understanding.
• The journey of deconstruction is often painful but necessary.
• Finding supportive communities is essential for healing.
• Books and podcasts can be valuable resources for exploration. Listening and taking a lot of input and learning is crucial.
• Music can reflect the struggle of faith and personal growth.
• There is a narrative of death and resurrection in belief systems.
• Finding grounding in new perspectives can lead to freedom.
• Community can provide stability but can also become cult-like.
• It's important to navigate the balance between individuality and community.
• Influences from music and thinkers can guide personal journeys.
• Spiritual practices like meditation can aid in personal growth.
• Beliefs can evolve beyond traditional dogmas.
• Authenticity in spirituality is a continuous journey.

Links:

https://www.blaircoylemusic.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@blaircoylemusic

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

• Leslie's childhood was marked by instability and a search for connection.
• She experienced a significant faith shift after a traumatic event involving her daughter.
• The journey of deconstruction led her to question long-held beliefs.
• Leslie emphasizes the importance of community and authenticity in faith.
• She learned to think critically and trust herself after leaving the church.
• The fear-based teachings of her past created anxiety and isolation.
• Leslie's experiences on Survivor China opened her eyes to diverse perspectives.
• She began to research and question the teachings she was raised with.
• The shift from destination-focused faith to journey-oriented spirituality was profound.
• Leslie aims to support others in their journeys of faith and self-discovery. I don't believe in hell anymore.
• I'm not turning my back on my Christianity.
• God is love.
• Discipline is for rehabilitation, not punishment.
• You don't have to do anything you're not ready to do.
• I was taught I was disgusting and unlovable.
• We've been putting the blame on everything else for so long.
• The kingdom of God is already here and it's in you.
• You can't take somebody someplace they're not ready to go.
• Honoring the journey looks different for both of us.

Links

Podcast: https://honoring-the-journey.simplecast.com/

Book: [Click Here]

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminalliving

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0ow

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

• Scot expresses discouragement over the political alignment of evangelicals with Trump.
• The conversation highlights the importance of character in leadership.
• Young people are increasingly disillusioned with the church due to its political affiliations.
• Scot emphasizes the need for political discipleship in the church.
• The rise of authoritarianism is a concern for many Christians.
• Scot believes that America will survive political turmoil.
• The church should not be tied to any political party.
• There is a trend of rightist leaders being elected globally.
• Scot argues that the evangelical church has failed to teach political engagement.
• The need for reevaluation of political engagement is crucial for the church. Our devastation is an indicator of our discipleship.
• Christians can care at a completely different level.
• Politics is about compromise; dissent is necessary.
• We should dissent as Christians when policies harm the least of these.
• Pastors need to create a culture of political discipleship.
• The church must resist becoming an oppressive force.
• We need to model constructive political conversations in churches.
• The church's future may involve smaller congregations.
• Informed political engagement is crucial for the church.
• The church's political orientation should be shaped by allegiance to Jesus.

Links:

Amazon Book: https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Jesus-Leaving-Church-Looking-ebook/dp/B0CW1MS88W

Scot's Substack: https://scotmcknight.substack.com/

Scot's Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IQZDNO

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

takeaways

• Mattie moved to New York City driven by a strong instinct.
• Growing up in Branson felt like living on a movie set.
• Her upbringing was wholesome but came with pressures.
• She recognizes the good and bad in her evangelical background.
• Stability in community provided comfort during her teenage years.
• Questioning beliefs began at a theater camp in New York.
• Evangelicalism often conflates knowing and believing.
• Love should not have an agenda in evangelism.
• The historical context of women in Christianity is often overlooked.
• Diversity in theater challenged her previous beliefs. The concept of divine love is often restricted by societal norms.
• Personal identity struggles can lead to questioning established beliefs.
• The pressure to conform to evangelical ideals can be overwhelming.
• Many truths taught in evangelicalism can be challenged and deconstructed.
• Faith should accommodate human growth and change.
• Questioning beliefs is a difficult but necessary process.
• Control within religious contexts often masquerades as love.
• Family support can play a crucial role in spiritual shifts.
• The future of Christianity may see a decline in conservative ideologies.
• Cultural factors contribute to the current political landscape.

Links:

Website: https://www.mattiejocowsert.com/

Book:  Amazon Page

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminalliving

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

takeaways

• Hiking the Camino was a transformative spiritual experience.
• Reflecting on life in three-month segments helps maintain focus.
• Faith was a spacious concept in Cassidy's upbringing.
• Questions about existence began at a young age for Cassidy.
• Deconstruction of faith can lead to deeper self-understanding.
• Thomas Merton's writings opened new avenues of contemplation.
• Queering contemplation invites a broader understanding of spirituality.
• Engaging with political issues is crucial for community support.
• Hope can be found in the innocence of children.
• Silence holds infinite possibilities for personal growth.

Chapters

• Introduction and Background Stories
• The Camino Experience: A Spiritual Journey
• Reflections on Life and Time Management
• Faith and Spirituality: Early Influences
• The Journey of Deconstruction
• Thomas Merton: Influence and Impact
• Queering Contemplation: A New Perspective
• Engaging with Political Polarities
• Finding Hope in Local Connections
• Silence and Its Infinite Possibilities
• Liminality and Queerness: Embracing Uncertainty

Links:

Connect with Cassidy: https://cassidyhall.com/

Buy her Book: [click here]

Listen to her Podcast: [click here]

Watch Her Merton Film: https://www.dayofastranger.com/

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminalliving

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0ow

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

takeaways

• The journey of life often involves navigating liminal spaces.
• Emotional transitions can be profound and transformative.
• Writing is a deeply personal and exploratory process.
• Names hold significant power in shaping identity.
• Self-definition is an essential part of personal growth.
• Grief can be processed in various ways, including observation.
• Self-awareness must be balanced with self-compassion.
• The present moment is all we truly have.
• Creative expression can lead to deeper self-understanding.
• Life's experiences shape our understanding of ourselves and others. Learning how we became us is essential for growth.
• Personal histories can illuminate patterns in our lives.
• Trauma is rooted in our cellular nervous system.
• Understanding our emotions can lead to healing.
• Anger can be navigated without harming others.
• Being human involves navigating highs and lows.
• Mythologies provide meaning in our lives.
• The political is an amalgamation of the personal.
• Art helps us transcend our pain.
• We can trust in new futures as old myths die.

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Takeaways

• Bradley Jersak emphasizes the importance of community in spiritual growth.
• He reflects on the trauma experienced within his faith journey.
• The problem of evil is a significant challenge for many believers.
• Jersak advocates for a nonviolent interpretation of atonement.
• He believes the cross represents God's love rather than divine violence.
• The intersection of goodness and suffering is a central theme in his theology.
• Jersak highlights the need for healing and recovery in faith communities.
• He discusses the importance of acknowledging complicity in societal issues.
• The conversation calls for bridge-building across ideological divides.
• Jersak's work at St. Stephen's University focuses on peace and reconciliation. We are training bridge builders for reconciliation.
• The exhaustion from political entanglement may lead to healing.
• Fear of existential crises leads to doubling down on beliefs.
• Deconstruction should not lead to spiritual arson.
• Religion gestures towards a greater mystery.
• The incarnation should not justify Christian supremacy.
• God's wrath is not violent anger but self-giving love.
• Consequences of turning from love are often called wrath.
• Retribution is a dangerous concept in faith.
• Faith in violence undermines the teachings of Jesus.

Links:

Author page [click here]

Amazon Book Link [click here] 

St Stevens University link [click here] 

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminalliving

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0ow

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Takeaways

• Transparency and clarity are essential in church communities, particularly when it comes to issues like LGBTQ inclusion.
• Churches should clearly communicate their theological stance and actively work towards creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
• The concept of covenantal relationships, where individuals are bound together in a covenant of community, allows for diversity of theology while maintaining a sense of unity.
• Churches should prioritize open and honest conversations, embracing the mystery and wonder of God rather than trying to control or limit understanding.
• Pastors should focus on meeting the spiritual needs of their community and creating spaces for diverse spiritual exploration and community. Shifting from winning people to walking with them allows for a more authentic and compassionate approach to relationships.
• Questioning and letting go of beliefs, such as eternal conscious torment, can lead to a deeper understanding of God's love and grace.
• Creating spaces of love and service, like the Open Table Collective, allows for the inclusion and support of diverse individuals and communities.
• Living in liminal spaces, embracing change and uncertainty, can lead to personal growth and a deeper connection with the divine.
• Practicing spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and silence, can help cultivate awareness of God's presence in everyday life.

Chapters:

• Introduction and Background
• Challenges within the Evangelical Church
• The Power of Covenantal Relationships
• Leaving the Pastoral Realm and Starting Open Table Collective
• From Winning People to Walking with Them
• Creating Spaces of Love and Service
• Living in Liminal Spaces
• Practicing Spiritual Disciplines

Links:

https://www.theopentablecollective.com/about-us 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-table-collective-podcast/id1667876129

Support Links:

https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction?coupon=LIMINAL

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminalliving

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0ow

Follow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living 

All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree