Episode 75: In the first episode of 2023, I (Michael) spend some time reflecting on the stories of the past year but in particular on the most recently published article by journalist David Farrier about church harm and toxicity in more NZ megachurches - a story that prominently features the church in which I spent around 13 years of my life - both as a participant, and also on staff for around 8 years. In this episode I unpack as honestly as I can the feelings that come up in this whole conversation, about what it feels like to speak publicly about a community that I once helped to build, about the long-term relational impact, and about why I think we need to hold people and communities/systems to account - especially when they are closer to us. All of this feeds into some reflections on why it continues to be so muddled and conflicted for so many people, why it's so hard for members to leave and/or move on, and why it's the inability to hear, empathise, listen and learn that become the most problematic features of these organisations.
Get in touch via email: feedback@intheshift.com
Support via Patreon: www.patreon.com/intheshift
Feeding the machine
The multiple paths of ”deconstruction”
Life after death, panpsychism and the plausibility of hope - with Dr Thomas Jay Oord
Heavenly Creatures
The "mark of the beast" - it's not the end of the world after all
On Christian Humanism, LGBT+ inclusion, and what comes 'after Evangelicalism' - with Dr David P. Gushee
"I'm under spiritual attack!" (or am I just having a bad day?)
Speak of the devil
On fundamentalism, forgiveness and finding a better way - with Paul Young & Brad Jersak
Beyond the cliche: My thoughts on JC, reality, and building from the ground up
What's so special about Jesus? with Dr Tripp Fuller
"Tricky Jesus Questions" with Thomas Jay Oord
What if God isn't in "control" and doesn't know the future?
Divine Intervention and the subtlety of God - with Dr Nicola Hoggard Creegan
Divine Intervention, the Mind & Religious Experience - with Dr Sarah Lane Ritchie
Divine Intervention: Vulnerability and the question of divine presence
Divine Intervention: "God Can't" with Dr Thomas Jay Oord
Divine Intervention: Sovereignty and Suffering
Divine Intervention: Where in the world is God?
In the Flesh: Believing with our bodies
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)