Finding Our Way Forward

"It's a little like pulling a thread on a sweater, and worrying that the whole sweater is going to unravel. But I'd rather be sitting in a whole pile of yarn than wearing what I think is a sweater, but is actually a strait jacket." - Rachel ClarkThis week's discussion with Rachel Clark will feel like a familiar journey to many. Raised in an evangelical home near the hub of Jim Bakker's Praise the Lord TV network, Rachel intimately understood the value of being close to "Christian Celebrities." Following in the footsteps of a father who worked in television production, she grew up to choose the same career path for herself. But as an adult, something began to pull her away from the lights and cameras and closer to the pursuit of who God actually is...and isn't. You will want to tune in for this talk around showbiz in the sanctuary, seeking God in the wilderness, parenting through the process, and finding spiritual community among the wanderers. Connect with Rachel through her website.

"The apostles remembered what many modern Christians tend to forget—that what makes the gospel offensive isn't who it keeps out but who it lets in.” -Rachel Held EvansRHE aptly called Karen González " One of the most talented storytellers of faith in a generation. The skill with which she weaves together personal narrative, biblical text, intimate detail, and sociopolitical analysis is as impressive as it is seamless." If you have always wanted to see immigration from God's perspective, or understand how to decolonize your theology, this is the podcast for you.Say hello to Karen on Twitter or IG @ _karenjgonzalez, or learn more about her work here.To purchase "The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong" click on over to Amazon.Connect with Melissa Harris, our podcast host.Remember to like, share, subscribe and leave a review! 

Is there a scriptural basis for immigration? How do you answer people who say that migrants should "obey the law of the land?" And what is a healthy way to approach allyship in collaboration with LatinX communities? If you've wondered how to answer these questions, be sure to listen to Part I of the discussion with Karen González (@_karenjgonzalez), acclaimed author of "The God Who Sees."Karen González websiteBuy the Book: The God Who Sees

Join us for the continuation of our conversation with Dave Nalette of By Grace International (@bygraceintl) as we contemplate the tenets of modern evangelicalism -- including why the Religious Right has embraced rage (as well as their rifles), and how Jesus would respond. We also chat about how pastors who are troubled by Christian Nationalism can move toward a healthy spirituality which embraces love, wisdom, and justice for all people.

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Dave Nalette of By Grace International (@bygraceintl) to have a candid conversation about the rise of Christian Nationalism, and the  danger of Flashpoint and the "Patriots of Faith" movement -- where evangelicals have prioritized power over people, and country over Christ. We discuss how politics became enmeshed with the Gospel, and how  church bouncers began demanding proof of Conservatism before granting  entrance into their clubs. We also talk about how Dave, and his wife Shellby, migrated from a season of ministry in the mainstream "Faith" religious camp, into a place of healthier and balanced spirituality centered around grace.This conversation is relevant to everything you are seeing and hearing in the world today, and an important listen for those who may be confused about what happened to Western Christianity.

In our culture,  perfectionism is often seen as a desirable trait. Because of this, most of us have crafted an emotionally guarded facade. We smile when we feel like crying. We laugh when we feel like screaming. And even when our relatives say hurtful things at the holidays, we curate our emotions so that we can appear in control. But emotional masking causes us to live inauthentically and can even lead to physical illness. In this episode with Deanna Harris, we take a humorous look at how we can embrace vulnerability, learn to voice our feelings, and speak our truths.Podcast HomeMediumInstagramThe Real Mel Harris

Join me for this enlightening discussion with Dr. Andre Vlok (@vlokandre), licensed clinical psychologist, as we talk about mental health and mass incarceration, substance abuse in the LGBTQ community, and finding and founding safe spiritual communities. Dr. Vlok, who grew up in South Africa under Apartheid rule, now works with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, overseeing one of the most complex substance abuse treatment programs in the Southern United States. In his spare time, he also serves on the pastoral staff of the largest queer affirming church in the world.

In this episode, Erin Green, M.Div./2nd Degree Black Belt, and I talk about the flagrant mistranslation of the Biblical Canon which has lead to the marginalization of women and queer people in the traditional Church. We also discuss how LGBTQ+ students of faith are making headway on conservative Christian College campuses across the nation. Erin is not only a devoted seminarian, but a great resource on the conversation around spiritual inclusion and equality. Look her up at erinrgreen.com or on IG @ _runningerins_.

In this episode, Janackeh Blackwell and I talk about the power of sound. We take an in depth look a the intersection of spiritual leadership and social justice; when do we speak up and when do we remain silent? And what happens to people who have been impacted by unhealthy religious and socioeconomic structures - especially those who have lost their song and cannot find it in the sanctuary?

In this thought-provoking episode, Michael and Johnathan Turnbull (former affirming church pastor and fabulous domestic engineer, respectively) and I discuss why some marriages in the LGBTQ+ community succeed...and why they fail. We also talk about embracing the mysteries and discovering the Christ-like spirit in people and places outside of the Christian church.

You won't want to miss this dialogue with passionate trans-activist and committed fountain pen collector, Elijah Segarra. Laugh and learn with us this week as we dive into questions such as "Can we keep God inside the binary box?" And, "How do you answer self-appointed scholars who are experts on Genesis 1:27?" You can connect with Elijah on Instagram @ecsegarra.

Part I of the podcast with Dr. Clint Schneckloth, Pastor of the first reconciling  Lutheran church in the Southern U.S. Join us as we discuss what healthy leadership and inclusion looks like within a spiritual community, and find out how we can better meet the needs of our neighbors.

Introductory Episode with Melissa Harris: What is Spiritual Deconstruction, who is the host, and should we question the Bible? Plus, a brief overview on the intersection of social and spiritual justice, and distilling what it means to belong to healthy spiritual community.