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/

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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

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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

Take Away Ideas

• Deconstruction isn’t about losing faith, but about re-centering on Jesus.
• Doubt and curiosity are essential tools in questioning rigid religious structures.
• The power dynamics of church leadership need reevaluation; Christ-like leadership centers on humility and service.
• The shift from religious laws to virtues (like love, peace, and self-control) is essential for spiritual growth.
• The church should create space for dialogue, shared meals, and mutual support to foster genuine community.
• People are drawn to authenticity—leaders who admit their doubts and embrace communal wisdom.

Introduction:
Tommy is introduced as a musician and pastor with a love for art and church life. He shares about his background growing up in a Southern Baptist family, his love for music, and the early influence of church culture.

Journey into Ministry:
Tommy discusses how he found himself leading a church in his early 20s, dealing with church scandals, and eventually growing his congregation into a space for those questioning faith.

Deconstruction and Rebuilding:
Tommy explains his personal deconstruction process, including moments of doubt and skepticism. He talks about how his church evolved after leaving a traditional evangelical denomination.

Church Growth and New Models:
The conversation turns to how Watermark Church functions as a community for both deconstructing Christians and new believers, focusing on shared meals, dialogue, and Christ-like leadership.

Power, Capitalism, and Faith:
Tommy critiques the influence of power and capitalism on modern church structures, contrasting this with the teachings of Jesus, and emphasizing the need for a "cross-shaped" leadership model.

The Role of Doubt and Curiosity:
Tommy highlights how doubt and curiosity are vital for spiritual growth, encouraging open questioning of scripture and long-held beliefs.

The Future of the Church:
The episode ends with a discussion on the future of the church, Tommy's optimism about the current shifts in faith communities, and his belief that God's work is revealed in moments of upheaval.

Links:

• Book: https://www.zondervan.com/p/invisible-jesus/
• Music: https://presonphillips.bandcamp.com/
• Watermark Church: Watermark Church Website
• Substack: https://tommypresonphillips.substack.com

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

• Tom Rundel reinterprets the Book of James for modern understanding.
• Suffering is a common experience, not to be glorified.
• Spiritual bypassing dismisses the reality of suffering.
• Prayer should be an honest engagement with one's situation.
• Lament is a significant part of spiritual practice.
• Community support is crucial for those who are suffering.
• The role of elders in providing care and support is vital.
• Healing is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.
• Spiritual practices should be integrated into daily life.
• The church's role is to love and support those in need.

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

• The current political and cultural moment in the United States is characterized by the erosion of trust in democracy and the weaponization of fear and anger.
• Apocalyptic language is used in political discourse to create a sense of urgency and to rally support, but it often hinders productive conversations and solutions.
• Economic realities, such as rising prices and income inequality, are often blamed on political leaders, but the underlying problems are complex and require systemic changes.
• The current economic system is profit-centered, prioritizing growth and wealth accumulation over human flourishing. This has led to the exploitation of resources and the neglect of social services.
• Building a more egalitarian and pluralistic society requires a shift in values, prioritizing love, faith, and truth over domination, coercion, and control. Evaluate economic policies based on their impact on real people's lives
• Pastors can address political issues from the pulpit while maintaining the separation of church and state
• Being politically engaged is a responsibility as a Christian
• Take care of yourself and pay attention to your body's response to fear and anxiety
• Hold onto truth and challenge misinformation
• Be open to change and willing to repent

Chapters

• Introduction and Recap
• New Beginnings and Church Expansion
• Interpreting the Political Cultural Moment
• The Weaponization of Fear and Anger
• The Impact of Apocalyptic Language
• Blaming Economic Realities on Political Leaders
• The Profit-Centered Economic System
• Shifting Values for a More Egalitarian Society
• The Impact of Economic Policies
• The Role of Pastors in Addressing Politics
• Being Politically Engaged as a Christian
• Taking Care of Yourself in a Politically Charged Environment
• Holding onto Truth and Challenging Misinformation

Links:

https://gravitycommons.com/matt-tebbe/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gravity-leadership-podcast/id1356585852

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