Podcasts about inclusive faith

Today we are joined by a super special guest - Mel's big brother, Tim! Tim is a teacher, performer and choir conductor and along with his love of the Bravo franchises, has so generously shared his story of coming out as gay in his thirties with us. Tim reflects on his journey to owning his sexuality and the impact that has had on his relationships, his sense of self, and his faith. Tim's story is his own experience but we're sure you'll agree, it's an honest and vulnerable share, full of wisdom, bravery and love that so many will be inspired and encouraged by. You can find Tim's singing page here: https://www.facebook.com/timreynoldssings/ Tim mentions Inclusive Faith - a website supporting those that identify as christian and LGBTQ+ as well as their allies. https://inclusivefaith.lgbt/ As always, please feel free to get in touch with us about any life or food dilemmas, issues or questions you have and we will offer our best advice & thoughts in future episodes. Reach us on hello@makinganeffortpodcast.com! And you'd be so welcome to support the podcast by joining our Patreon! For just £$5/£4 a month you'll get access to our Making An Effort Magazine stacked with all our favourite things we're buying, eating, reading and watching and get invited to join us for our MAE Patreon only recordings and cocktail hours. Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/makinganeffortpodcast

Ever wondered what it truly means to be part of a community of believers? Prepare to reimagine your understanding of community as we journey back to the early Church, drawing inspiration from the diverse group of individuals Jesus spent three years teaching. From uneducated fishermen to tax collectors, even extending his grace to female prostitutes, Jesus modeled a powerful demonstration of community that still holds valuable lessons for us today. We'll reflect on how this can shape our own commitments to building a community that prioritizes God's kingdom.Are you ready to redefine your perception of the Church's role within the local community? We'll be highlighting the exceptional work of the Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network and our Cuddle Bundle Ministry, an inspiring example of a church making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Starting in 2009, this ministry has been providing basic hygiene items for babies, touching countless lives through their loving outreach. We'll explore the origins and operations of these ministries, inspiring you to seek out opportunities to serve your own community.As we wrap up our discussion, you'll be energized by the power of fellowship and service within the church. Using the Brooke County area as a case study, we'll share how these communities are harnessing their resources to fortify partnerships and address local issues. We'll discuss the various avenues through which individuals can get involved in the Cuddle Bundle Ministry. Then, we'll reflect on Jesus' emphasis on time spent in the synagogue - a potent reminder of the crucial role the church can play as a support pillar for those in need. So, come join us on this faith-filled journey that will inspire you to action.

As we grow in our faith, it's important to also consider those with different needs in their spiritual lives. Father Dave receives a question from Ignatz who says, “Being autistic, some of my perceptions of spirituality and religion are limited. I find that the way my mind works does not allow me to genuinely believe or practice something that is not tangible. Is it still possible for me to try or be included in religious spaces?”  

What's Good? Having an empowering spiritual life. In this episode, I catch up with Rev. Jason Powell, an ordained minister, musician, singer, songwriter, recording artist, spiritual teacher and author. He is fueled by the following ministry mission statement: raising the consciousness of humanity to the heavenly reality – revealing the Christ within, by manifesting heavenly music, teaching divine truth, and building healing communities of love and affirmation among diversity. Jason and I talk about the importance of affirming spiritual spaces and what its like to reinvent as a faith leader. Catch up with Jason - https://www.jasonpowell.faith/about Catch up with Ebony - https://www.ebonychappel.com/ Get your tix to Testimony Service (11/12/22) - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-testimony-service-part-of-the-spirit-place-festival-tickets-420917564767 Get your tix to Free People Party (11/20/22) - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-people-party-tickets-442007756097

Tribes usually think a lot of themselves. Exclusive groups are sometimes arrogant. Even whole nations can be this way. In the 19th century, several European countries felt they were the descendants of the first people in the world.   With religion, this can be infinitely worse. With Christianity, critics often say the exclusive nature of it is just unfair. They cite the Christian view that the only way to be reconciled to God is through Jesus Christ, and say that's degrading to people of other faiths, or those with no faith. Other worldviews claim to have truth and a few claim a superior view of the world, but none are quite like the Christian faith.   Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." All meaning all. That's the meaning of the verse, and this is offensive to a lot of people. Christianity though, doesn't force itself on anyone, at least not in the modern world. It's been said that the holy spirit is a gentleman, meaning he won't force a person to yield to God. Instead, God offers grace to all who want it.   Paul made it clear in particular that in order to be born again, one must believe in Jesus Christ. Rather than see this as exclusive, maybe we should change our perspective just a little and see how inclusive it really is. Many religions claim truth, but not absolute truth. Along with that, many believe all religions lead to God, but the totality of scripture tells us clearly that it is in Jesus that we find the truth, and satisfy the longing in our souls.   In John 8:31–32, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples and then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." So you see, far from being a hateful dominant view, the Christian faith shows people everywhere how to be free from sin. Not a work-spaced religion, but one that makes the very most of God's grace and that is true truth.   Let's pray. Father God, your Word is truth. In it, we discover who we are and what our relationship with you can be. Thank you that you haven't left us in the dark about our world and the world beyond. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Week FourDecember 22, 2021An Inclusive FaithEphesians 2:11-22He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near…. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household. Ephesians 2:17, 19As we near the culmination of the celebration of Advent, the juxtaposition of today's Hebrew and Christian lectionary texts provide an interesting meditation on the journey and transformation this Advent makes possible. Indeed, the incarnation demonstrates for us what Willie James Jennings in The Christian Imagination calls an “intimate joining” we are called to manifest in our own lives. As those who have been grafted into another's story, made fellow citizens and also members of God's household, one would think by now that Christians would be better witnesses to learning from others' varied experiences, reconciling and loving across differences. Instead, we too often use religion—whether Christianity broadly or denominations more specifically—to exclude. By contrast, today's Hebrew text from Micah reflects a monotheism, to be sure, but not a closed monotheism. Even in “the last days,” it allows that “all the nations may walk in the name of their gods.” Likewise, Revelation 21 surprises us with the mention of “nations” and “kings of the earth” in the New Jerusalem. Both Micah (4:2) and Revelation (21:24) speak to the nations seeking God's wisdom and coming to walk in God's paths.May this Advent season's example of humility and emptying inspire us anew to empty ourselves and open our hearts, eschewing our own “wisdom” that we may seek God's alone and walk in the ways set before us.Kaaryn McCallAlumna (2020) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Discussions surrounding the barbaric practice of conversion therapy continue as progressive faith leaders and activists work to end this dangerous psuedoscience. Leveraging survivor testimony is undoubtedly a key part of this strategy. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance's weekly radio program and podcast, we will discuss Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story, a […]

The Spiral Dynamics model describes the last fifty years as a massive shift from Orange to Green as the leading edge of Western society. Green is the space of inclusion, equality, globalism: lifting up the inherent value in each person and story. It's easy to recognize Wildwood as a generally Green church... how did we get here? And what does it mean to be healthy and whole in our Green approach to faith?

Sermons from Christ Community Church, Ardmore Oklahoma

Jesus sets a table where the guest list is open to all, even those who are suffering, marginalized, and abandoned by the world. All are included at his table of grace.

SCRIPTUREROMANS 4:18-25

In the episode, Empowerment Starts Here with Rev. Gwen Thomas. In it, she speaks passionately about the value of not only welcoming people in their differences but celebrating them in their differences. She gives a thoughtful run down on the Bible passages that are typically used to deny LGBT persons their full humanity and then advocates the idea of a radical Jesus that comes to give it back to them. Finally, she talks (along with the host) about the paradox of the black church that both comforts and harms those that have been racially oppressed.

I respond to an email from a Muslim listener who tells me that Islam is an Inclusive Faith and that it DOES NOT 'force' it's beliefs on others. Read the full Story at www.fortressoffaith.org

A pre-eminent voice for liberal Christianity, John Shelby Spong was the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2000. His admirers acclaim his making contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary lay person—he's considered a champion of an inclusive faith by many both inside and outside the Christian church. His challenges to the church have also made him a target of hostility, fear, and death threats. Calling himself "a joyful, passionate, convinced believer in the reality of God," he seeks not to create a new religion, but to reform the church he loves. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion and Society" [Humanities] [Show ID: 9117]

A pre-eminent voice for liberal Christianity, John Shelby Spong was the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2000. His admirers acclaim his making contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary lay person—he's considered a champion of an inclusive faith by many both inside and outside the Christian church. His challenges to the church have also made him a target of hostility, fear, and death threats. Calling himself "a joyful, passionate, convinced believer in the reality of God," he seeks not to create a new religion, but to reform the church he loves. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion and Society" [Humanities] [Show ID: 9117]

A pre-eminent voice for liberal Christianity, John Shelby Spong was the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2000. His admirers acclaim his making contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary lay person—he's considered a champion of an inclusive faith by many both inside and outside the Christian church. His challenges to the church have also made him a target of hostility, fear, and death threats. Calling himself "a joyful, passionate, convinced believer in the reality of God," he seeks not to create a new religion, but to reform the church he loves. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion and Society" [Humanities] [Show ID: 9117]