Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.

Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode two with Alyssa Aldape, Thomas points out that members of marginalized groups are often given the cold shoulder. God’s arms are outstretched, but the North American church is most known for who it steers clear of. The American church’s history of exclusion and the implications are not up for debate but open to discussion.

Alyssa Aldape is a freelance writer and columnist for Good Faith Media.

Season three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.

Music: Pond5

Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.

Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.

Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.

Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.”

In episode one with Brian Kaylor, Thomas explores what’s costing the North American church “an arm and a leg.” Over one issue or another, the religious institution is losing members left and right. What does this say about the body of Christ?

Brian T. Kaylor is an award-winning author and journalist. He serves as President & Editor-in-Chief of Word&Way. Learn more at BrianKaylor.com

Season three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.

Music: Pond5

Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.

Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.

Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 3 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG3) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on May 5, 2022.

Love, not that sappy romance novel stuff, comes in a vulnerable, dependent, needy infant. Love nurtured and supported by Mary’s two swollen feet is on the way. In this episode, Jesus is coming to show us an unconditional, no strings attached, nothing in it for me kind of love.

Joy is a person with a capital “p.” Faith in Jesus, this Joy, is handed down by way of a cute baby passed around. He has everyone singing. In this episode, Jesus is the joy of Mary, Eva Mae, you and me.

Despite a tantrum- throwing king, Jesus comes in peace. King Herod is piecing together a plan to thwart his defeat, but the fight is fixed. In this episode, we fasten our eyes on the baby who comes not as a member of the ruling class but as a member of the family.

Some say, “Jesus is in my heart.” But Mary has faith the size of a newborn baby. In this episode, Mary and Joseph go door-to- door in search of a delivery room. Jesus is coming!

Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media.

Jesus, the hometown hero (or at least that’s what they say now), Mary’s boy, Joseph’s stepson. We have fancier names for him now, but I want to introduce us to the Jesus who came to a prepubescent teen girl as she is not featured in the nativity scene we have some version of. All her hairs and every animal in place, the serene scene is far from the truth. Birthing a child at any time of the day is never silent.

So please do not offer me your rendition of “Silent Night.” But I digress. Back to Jesus, sweet baby Jesus, divinity in pounds and ounces, can you see him? How do you ready yourself to receive him in an unkempt world? The season of Advent is one of preparation, a reminder of God the Family and that we are a part of it.

Jesus’ birth foretold by prophets. His arrival announced by angels. His presence felt by his cousin John before he comes out kicking and screaming, a bouncing baby boy. Jesus is coming and he comes bearing good news and carries the government on his shoulders. Jesus is coming and coming to undue every unjust system that robs me of you.

A season of preparation for a ‘kin-dom’ that is coming. Back up. Give everyone some space. There is “plenty good room.” Come one, come all to Jesus.

Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.

“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.

In Episode 8, we discuss the language of faith, what has been lost in interpretation due to American slavery, colonialism and Christian nationalism, and what the Church in North America should be saying now with Danielle Bridgeforth (Facebook: danielle.bridgeforth).

Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppod

Learn more -- and get caught up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/

Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/

Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.

“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.

In Episode 7, we discuss the politics of Jesus, the role of the Christian faith in the public square, and the Church in North America’s responsibility, perceived or otherwise, for civilization and the social order with Bill Lamar (Twitter: @WilliamLamarIV).

Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppod

Learn more -- and get caught up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/

Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/