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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