Mid-faith Crisis

Joe is struggling to concentrate. Nick is inadvisedly drinking limoncello. We talk about the confidence to be quiet, the origins of liturgy and how communities can bring comfort in tough times.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

Mentioned in this episode:

• Where the Crawdads Sing

We talk to Brian MacLaren about his new book – Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned. The book explores the reasons for leaving and reasons for staying, and the real question that affects us all, whether we stay or leave: 'what kind of person do I want to be?'

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

Mentioned in this episode:

• Cotswold Sculpture Park
• Brian McLaren: Do I Stay Christian?

A bit of a short episode today, for personal reasons which we talk about in the podcast. Thanks for all your support, as always.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

In a week where suddenly a lot of people are concerned about their integrity, we look at thankfulness in prayer, how silence is quite risky and whether anyone should be a hermit. Also, a much needed reminder that, whatever the news, there really is a lot of love in the world.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

Mentioned in this episode:

• 'Organising the natural goodness of people': Rev Richard Coles
• Elvis
• St Michael and St Mary's, Melbourne
• St Mary & St Hardulph, Breedon on the Hill
• The Eynsham Shirt Race
• Guile Point Lighthouse
• Sister Wendy
• Simeon Stylites
• Cenobitic monasticism
• Eremitic

Nick is tired, Joe is hangry, so in a slightly shorter than normal episode, we reflect on the recent interview with dave steell about leadership. We talk about the problems of over spiritualising what happens in church, confusing unity with uniformity and whether the most important tool is empathy. Also, an unusual fact about orchids and Nick receives an alarming email from his co-host.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

Mentioned in this episode:

• Orchid -etymology
• Storytelling with Alan Moore

In this second part we talk about dealing with conflict. How do you deal with conflict with staff members, other churches, and, most importantly, within your own congregation? We discuss what unity really looks like, how disagreeing well is a prophetic act and the importance of having an imaginary riot shield.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

Mentioned in this episode:

• One Church Brighton

In the first of a two-part special, we interview Dave Steell, pastor of One Church Brighton on the challenges of leading a church through changing culture and theology. How far can you share the journey you are undertaking? What do you do if your spirituality is at odds with that of your church? And is it possible for leaders live out a life of authenticity and integrity without losing your job?

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

Mentioned in this episode:

• One Church Brighton

It's a tale of two Andrews this week, as we are mildly– and not so mildly – rebuked for previous episodes. We talk about John the Baptist, revival, the importance of the gospels and whether God's presence is just, well, imaginary. Also, is the tricycle of faith less stable than the bicycle of belief?

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine

Mentioned in this episode:

• Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks
• Episode 198: No such thing as the great commission

It's the 200th episode! So we spend some time looking back at the origins of the podcast, share some of the things we've learned and think about what has changed since October 2016. Oh, and we also decided to re-listen to the very first episode, which was apparently recorded in a toilet. All this and the return of a much-loved correspondent.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine
• The Mid-Faith Crisis week at Lee Abbey - Book Now!

Mentioned in this episode:

• San Salvador - La Fin de la Guerra
• San Salvador in Performance
• Paul Merson - A Walk Through My Life
• Episode 1: The Hungry Caterpillar of Faith
• Episode 84: Now that’s what I call Ethel vol 1

Don your lycra, sew on your sequins and and prepare to give nil points to the podcast, because we have an interview with journalist Lisa-Jayne Lewis who talks about community, diversity and what the church can learn from the Eurovision Song Contest. It's boom-bang-a-bang-tastic.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine
• The Mid-Faith Crisis week at Lee Abbey - Book Now!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Eurovision Song Contest on Youtube