The way we think about Jesus impacts the way we talk about faith and how we treat those around us. Who is Jesus to you? Where did that frame of reference come from and has it ever changed?
We don't do a lot of sermon discussion focused podcasts on Finding Free Podcast but there was so much dialogue around Amy's sermon at Cedarbridge Baptist Church on March 3rd that we wanted to dive a little deeper into this conversation.
Our discussion is lively and in our typical style, we laugh a lot as we each discuss, 'Who is Jesus to Us'! Even if you don't partake in sermons regularly, we think you will find this conversation insightful and thought provoking.
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Episode 51 - Holiday Story Time
In this episode we share memorable holiday moments from our growing up years. Some are 'remember when' stories that have been talked about at family gatherings time and time again. Others are more serious and somber, as we talk about loved ones who are with us no longer. It's funny, sentimental and also a reminder to slow down and let the light of love in where possible. Laugh as Craig talks about the time his grandpa accidentally got sloshed at a family gathering. Giggle as Amy shares her most memorable Christmas present (double AA batteries required). And Jeff has a family 'oops' moment that will have you in stitches. And much more!
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Episode 50 - Finding Your Free and Feeding Your Soul
In this episode, Craig, Amy, and Jeff talk about the practices and activities that enable them each to live life from a space of generosity and freedom. From looking at beautiful mountain views to time spent at the beach or doing creative things, they discuss several different ways they have found to feed their souls. Whether through travel or nature, people or adventure, making time to do things that are life-giving and spirit-freeing is crucial to one's personal physical, mental and spiritual health - and it's often the first thing to go when life gets busy and overloaded. When life gets busy and hectic, how do we give ourselves permission to breathe and how do we become grounded once again?
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Episode 49 - Faith Deconstruction: A Hard Journey that Challenges the Church to Show Up
In this episode, we discuss how lonely the deconstruction process can be, what it's like when spouses have different faith beliefs and how the church can respond. This is an important conversation about holding space for 'what is' for each us. The process of asking questions and waiting for answers doesn't have to provoke fear, though it often is riddled with anxiety and worry from those in the process themselves or those watching others walk that path. How can the Church hold space, create stopping points of peace and allow room for the process of deconstruction?
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Episode 48 - Purity Culture, Sex and the Church - Part 2
In Part 2 we continue the conversation about purity culture and its impacts. We talk more about how conversations about purity and sex can be done better, focusing on dialogue about consent, body autonomy and integrity rather than shame and silence. It's time to hand purity culture, sexual shame, purity rings and lack of positive conversations around sex back to the church and simply say "We can do better!" This is a two part series that you don't want to miss!
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Episode 47 - Purity Culture, Sex and the Church - Part 1
We bring back our friend Jeff Bell to talk openly and honestly about our personal experiences with purity culture, sex and the church. We discuss everything from the orgasm gap to masturbation and how the lasting impacts of the purity culture mindset still impact many people today. It's time to hand purity culture, sexual shame, purity rings and lack of positive conversations around sex back to the church and simply say "We can do better!" This is a two part series that you don't want to miss!
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Episode 46 - Leaving Christian Evangelical
_undamentalism - We Got the “F” Out!
In this episode, our friend Jeff Bell joins us to talk candidly about what it was like to grow up in and be a part of Christian fundamentalist evangelical organizations and churches in the 90’s. We discuss what it was like to have this as our main faith experience during our formative years and what it was like to come out of that way of thinking. What did we have to unlearn? What evangelical teachings never set well with us? What was our journey to move past evangelical fundamentalist thinking? Christian fundamentalism had big impacts on our lives that took us years to unravel. In this episode, we share the highs and lows of what we learned and what we learned to unlearn as we grew up and out of Christian fundamentalism. And of course, Jeff Bell brings his much needed humor to what can be a hard and triggering conversation....
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Episode 45 - Our Response to the SBC Statement on Women in Ministry
This June, the Southern Baptist Convention approved an amendment to the Baptist Faith and Message to be approved next summer during their Annual Convention. The amendment restricted women in ministry, who were already not supposed to hold lead pastor roles, from having any pastoral position, where the title of "pastor" was deserved. Why are we still talking about this? Jesus celebrated and supported women in ministry so why shouldn’t we? In this episode, Craig and Amy share their reflections, frustrations and thoughts about the recent SBC decision. No, we are not Southern Baptist, but when a large denomination makes a statement like this; it is up to those standing with women in ministry to speak loudly against oppression and discrimination...
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Episode 44 - LGBTQ Conversations in Local Churches - Part 2: A Conversation with Stan Mitchell
In this episode we bring back our friend and colleague Stan Mitchell. Stan was founding pastor of Gracepointe Church in Nashville, TN and walked with that church through the process of becoming an open and affirming church in 2015. Stan has since mentored numerous churches and families as they wrestle with their own stories of inclusion. In Part 2 of the LGBTQ Conversation in Local Churches series, Stan gives us his insight on why these conversations are difficult but necessary in local churches.
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Episode 43 - LGBTQ Conversations in Local Churches - Part 1: Questions, Thoughts and Our Experience
Over the last few years, we have received a lot of questions about this very process. What was it like to have a conversation on inclusivity in a local church? What did you actually do, talk about, and how? What did you learn along the way? In this episode, we dive into the process of what that was like for our local church, and we hope our story helps if your local church congregation is discussing inclusivity soon.
Since there are typically a lot of theological perspectives, lived experiences and long held beliefs, this conversation in particular can get heated very quickly. Because many denominations are having conversation like this, being clear and honest in messaging regarding LGBTQ affirmation is crucial for churches.
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Episode 42 - Holding Space & Sharing Stories: An Interview with Zachary Pomeroy
Stories matter. Telling our stories matters. And hearing the stories of others matters. Craig and I are honored to hold and share Zachary Pomeroy’s rich and powerful story of discovery, heartbreak and healing. We invite you into this space knowing that you will hear things that are difficult, humbling and transformative. It certainly was that for us as we had this conversation with Zach in our small and sweaty podcast shack in late June. But Zach's is a story we all need to hear and we are honored to bring it to you.....
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Episode 41 - Limping Into the Kingdom with Layne Rogerson
Every experience we have in life impacts us. Some experiences leave a huge impact, like a canyon in the desert. Others might leave such a tiny ripple that we don't even notice the effects. Religious trauma, hurts from the institutional Church, or any pain we experience at the hands of those who represent the spiritual to us are deep wounds that leave an impact that often takes years to process....
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Episode 40 - Faith Deconstruction: Finding Your Own Answers with Stan Mitchell
“In the most general sense, faith deconstruction begins with people realizing that the answers they possess are answers they have memorized that were achieved or developed by other people or authority figures...
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Episode 39 - Just for Laughs: Dad Jokes with Craig Andrews and Jeff Bell
Recently Craig and Jeff Bell did a “dad joke” video for Cedarbridge Baptist Church as a fun way to highlight Father's Day.
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Episode 38 - Faith Deconstruction: Craig Shares Experiences From his own Journey
Deconstruction is a bit of a buzz word these days, but for right reasons. Many people, especially those who grew up in a church atmosphere, find that at some point they need to rethink, unpack and "deconstruct" the theology, ideas and foundations...
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Episode 37 - Sexual Abuse in the Church: An Interview with Survivor Keith Morris
*Trigger alert: sexual abuse, rape, sexual trauma, religious sexual abuse
There are some experiences none of us want to have inside knowledge about. Yet too often the unbelievable happens, and we find ourselves living through experiences that are so horrifying, our lives are instantly and forever changed. ...
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Episode 36 - Trauma & Our Bodies: An Interview with Therapist Sarah Lewis
Any amount of research on stress and your body will tell you that chronic unresolved stress has a negative impact on your overall health. But what happens when life hands us more than stress, and in fact, we have to deal with experiences that are traumatic?
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Episode 35 - LGBTQ+ Affirmation: An Interview with Trauma Therapist Sarah Lewis
Despite our best efforts, sometimes we hurt those we love with our words and actions, causing trauma and pain that has to be unpacked and worked through for years. This happens in every family; it is a part of life as we know it. ...
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Episode 34 - Finding Full LGBTQ+ Affirmation: A Conversation with Stan Mitchell
We are excited to share our conversation with Stan Mitchell with you on Finding Free Podcast! This episode is a must-listen for our community.
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Episode 33 - Finding Full LGBTQ+ Affirmation: A Closer Look at Scripture
During any conversation on LGBTQ+ inclusivity and the Church, the topic of scripture takes center-stage. What does the Bible say about same sex orientation? What does Jesus say?
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Episode 32 - Finding Full Affirmation: Our Journey to LGBTQ+ Inclusion
I have heard it said many times before, “The Gospel is either good news for everyone or it is good news for no one.” Yet time and time again, one group or another gets pushed aside, deemed not acceptable, excluded...by the Church.
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Episode 31 - Originally Sinful or Originally Blessed: What if We Have Thought About it Wrong All Along?
Often there are ideas and theologies that we are taught that we hold onto for a while in life, but that eventually we realize need reframing and rethinking.
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Episode 30 - Pandemic Life: We're Struggling Too!
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has everything in life as we knew it either on hold or moving forward in a very different way than we have known before. Every decision seems to take so much effort and yield more problems.
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Episode 29 - Mo's (my dad) Last Game Coaching at Apex
From 1972 to 1980, my dad (aka Mo, short for Morris) was the varsity basketball coach at Apex High School. When Amy and I were starting our Finding Free Podcast I needed to do a sound test for our phone interview equipment.
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Episode 28 - Power & Position: Religious Leaders Should Use it for Good and Not Harm
Power dynamics in churches...this not something we like to talk about often, especially in today's political and social climate.
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Episode 27 - Amy's 7-12-2020 Sermon - Patience: The Link Between Patience and Grace
Living in a culture that thrives on "more" and "faster," it's no secret that most of us have a hard time waiting for anything. When we begin to associate what we can get quickly with what is successful, we set ourselves up for a spiritual life of discontent.
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