Podcasts about Virginia Theological Seminary

In this episode of the Faith and Activism series, Abeer engages in a conversation with Rev. Dr. Sari Ateek to explore how theology, identity, and justice intersect in the life of a Palestinian Christian leader. They discuss Sari's journey from Israel/Palestine to leading St. John's Norwood Episcopal Church in Maryland, his commitment to inclusivity and radical generosity, and why he believes the true Christian message calls for the liberation of Palestinians.Together, they reflect on the challenge of holding onto faith in a polarized world—and the spiritual responsibility to pursue justice not from a place of partisanship, but from a deep conviction that God is always on the side of the oppressed.Rev. Dr. Sari Ateek is a Palestinian Christian pastor and the rector of St. John's Norwood Episcopal Church in Maryland. Born and raised in Israel/Palestine, and the son of an Episcopal priest, Sari brings a rich depth of experience to his ministry. His leadership is marked by a commitment to inclusivity, justice, and spiritual generosity. He holds a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary.If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes: St. John's Norwood Episcopal Church: https://stjohnsnorwood.org/Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center: https://sabeel.org/visit-sabeel/A Palestinian Theology of Liberation Book: https://www.amazon.com/Palestinian-Theology-Liberation-Palestine-Israel-Conflict/dp/1626982600

Do churches need to be more exclusive? For years, both Evangelical and Progressive churches have lowered expectations to get people in the door. In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. talks with Dr. Tricia Lyons, a leader in evangelism at Virginia Theological Seminary, about why churches should raise the bar to reclaim a compelling, transformative vision for sharing the gospel. Dr. Lyons challenges seeker-sensitive and all-are-welcome models, questioning whether they truly form disciples. Instead, she advocates for a high-bar Christianity—one that calls people into deep commitment rather than passive inclusion. The conversation explores church decline, the limits of hospitality, the power of formation, and why high expectations create stronger faith communities. Dr. Lyons currently teaches evangelism, works with the Lifelong Learning team, and serves as the Senior Advisor to the Dean for Evangelism Initiatives at VTS. She also directs the EvangelismFormationLab@VTS, a digital portal on YouTube and Facebook offering original content from the Seminary as well as thoughtful curation of resources in evangelism and formation for the wider church. Dr. Lyons was a lay chaplain and teacher of religion in Episcopal schools for 20 years before being ordained a priest and then serving parishes in Washington, DC, eventually serving as Canon for Evangelism in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Currently, Tricia serves as a non-stipendiary priest at the Church of Saint Clement in Alexandria, VA. Tricia is a member of the Presiding Bishop's Strategic Cabinet on Evangelism and one of the original writers of the “Way of Love.” Tricia is an honors graduate from Harvard College, the Harvard Divinity School, and received her doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary. She is the author of four books on faith formation, The Soul of Adolescence, Teaching Faith with Harry Potter, What is Evangelism? and her most recent, The Evangelist's Breviary.   Relevant Links  Mike Cosper episode: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-2m9ra-176f33e Andrew Root episode: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-jtzdu-1500e5e Lyons on Try Tank Podcast: https://share.transistor.fm/s/2983acab   Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.  Supporting Sponsors: Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you! Kokoro  Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.   Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer Alexander Lang - Production Assistant  

In this inaugural episode of the second season of Good News, hosts Deacons Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch sit down with the Right Reverend Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, the fifteenth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and the first woman to hold that role. Bishop Carrie shares highlights of her first year as bishop, including the privilege of ordaining others, and the joy of hearing transformative stories from congregants across the diocese. She discusses the importance of inclusion, intentionality in leadership, and how the Episcopal Church nurtures real conversations across differences. The episode concludes with reflections on her recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land and her hopes for the church's future, emphasizing the mission to follow Jesus and embody values that welcome and respect all individuals.00:00 Introduction to Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent00:51 Bishop Carrie's Journey and Election01:28 High Points and Joys of Ministry04:32 Challenges and Surprises in the Role05:28 Future of the Episcopal Church08:32 Inclusivity and Welcoming in the Church11:47 Impact of Women in Ministry15:02 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land19:04 Final Thoughts and FarewellThe Episcopal Diocese of Maryland: https://episcopalmaryland.org/Bishop Carrie's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.schofieldbroadbentListeningforClues website: https://listeningforclues.com/About Bishop Carrie: The Rt. Rev. Carrie K. Schofield-Broadbent was elected on March 25, 2023, as bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. She was ordained and consecrated on September 16, 2023, at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, with Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves as the Chief Consecrator.Bishop Carrie came from the Diocese of Central New York. She worked as the youth minister at St James', Skaneateles, as a conflict resolution trainer and consultant in educational settings until she entered Virginia Theological Seminary. After graduating in 2003, Bishop Carrie served in three small parishes, St. Paul's, Syracuse, and then as the rector of St. Matthew's, Liverpool for ten years. In 2017 she became a canon on diocesan staff serving in transition ministry and congregational development. She has served as a as a conflict resolution consultant for churches and a trainer in the College for Congregational Development.Deeply committed to honoring the dignity of every human being, Bishop Carrie consistently attends to her own work around race, climate change, economic justice, and full inclusion of LGBTQAI+ persons and is committed to helping the Church grow in these areas. She identifies her own core values of ministry as: trust and relationships, truth and transparency, and compassion and faithfulness. Bishop Carrie and her husband, Keith have two young adult children, Will and Kate. They have two dogs and enjoy traveling, camping, kayaking, and hiking together. Her hobbies include making pottery in a community studio, reading, growing houseplants, antique/thrifting and practicing yoga.© 2025 Listening for Clues

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo Lebrija chats with the Rev Tricia Lyons about the Mutual Ministry initiative at Virginia Theological seminary. A grant initiative and multi-year process designed to leverage the strengths and address the challenges of a residential, denominational seminary to meet the urgent need for clergy and lay leaders trained as ministry developers in local, culturally specific contexts by shifting from the model where professional clergy are the sole minister that others gather around. https://vts.edu/resource/mutual-ministry/ Patricia “Tricia” Lyons is a Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology at Virginia Seminary, teaching theology and evangelism. She works with the VTS Lifelong Learning team and serves as the Senior Advisor to the Dean for Evangelism Initiatives. Tricia was a lay chaplain and teacher of religion in Episcopal Schools for 20 years before being ordained a priest and then serving urban parishes in Washington, DC, and eventually serving as Canon for Evangelism in the Diocese of Washington. Tricia also serves as a non-stipendiary priest at the Church of Saint Clement in Alexandria, VA. Tricia is a member of the Presiding Bishop's Strategic Cabinet on Evangelism and one of the original writers of the “Way of Love” church-wide curriculum. She is an honors graduate from Harvard College, the Harvard Divinity School and received her doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Tricia also currently directs a 1-million-dollar grant from the Lilly Foundation, Inc., to study models of mutual ministry across the country. She is the author of five books on faith formation, “The Soul of Adolescence,” “Teaching Faith with Harry Potter,” “What is Evangelism?” “The Evangelist's Breviary,” “Thirty Days: A Devotional” and the upcoming devotional “From Rome to Home: A 30-Day Devotional for those traveling from Roman Catholicism to the Episcopal Church.” 

Ross Kane, a professor of theology, ethics, and culture at Virginia Theological Seminary, talks with Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about his new book The Good News of Church Politics. He also discusses local engagement, the biblical word for the church, and the importance of repentance and forgiveness. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And order a copy of Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism by Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood. If you buy it directly from Chalice Press, they are offering 33% off the cover price when you use the promo code "BApodcast."

Politics is a dirty word for a lot of people. We think about strife, conflict, waging war for power. But is there good news in politics? Well Ross Kane thinks so. In this conversation, we reflect on his latest book The Good News of Church Politics. Ross discusses how politics is about organizing common life and decision making in communities, large and small. He talks about how Jesus navigated politics skillfully in the Gospels. He also describes how congregations can cultivate "politics of love" by starting with caring for their own members and moving outward in concentric circles to care for neighbors and address issues in their wider communities. We focus on practical ways congregations can organize interdependently and engage in "bottom-up" social change by addressing local injustices. So join us as we discover the good news of church politics. Ross Kane teaches ethics and theology at Virginia Theological Seminary, where he also directs their doctoral programs. He's an author and pastor who writes about the complex intersections between theology, ethics, and culture. Ross' Book:The Good News of Church PoliticsRoss' Recommendation:Neither Settler Nor NativeJoin Our Patreon for Early Access and More: PatreonConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Threads at www.facebook.com/shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/shiftingculturepodcast/https://twitter.com/shiftingcultur2https://www.threads.net/@shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@shiftingculturepodcastConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowSend us a Text Message.Ashley T Lee PodcastAshley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Support the Show.

God's face is always shining toward us. Our God is not asleep, nor indifferent. But we don't always experience this nearness or the depth of how beloved we truly are--especially if we have experienced neglect, betrayal, or indifference in our formative human relationships. In her book, The Emmanuel Promise, Summer Joy Gross acts as a nurturing guide, as she helps us make our way to the transformative dynamics of presence, attachment and God's love. Together, we'll discover the Security of a Life Held by God. Summer Joy Gross (MDiv, Virginia Theological Seminary) is an Anglican priest, retreat leader, and spiritual director whose work is guided by the belief that our stories can be transformed by God's invitation to make his love our home base. She is associate faculty of spiritual formation and the art of spiritual direction at the Healing Care Ministries' spiritual direction school. She is the host of The Presence Podcast and lives in North Georgia with her husband and their three teenagers._________________________________________________________________Follow Gem on Instagram and grab a copy of her new book Hold That Thought. You can also join her in the Replenish Community.

Revered Dr. Russell J. Levenson has been the Rector of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas since 2007. Prior, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Birmingham-Southern College, a Master's of Divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation at Beeson Divinity School, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He has received uncountable accolades, honors, appointments, and awards and has contributed to innumerable boards, charitable organizatios, books, articles & journals, television programs, and churches around the country, even officiating and preaching at the funerals for the late First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush and 41st President George H.W. Bush. He has authored multiple books including Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush (2022) and In God's Grip: What Golf Can Teach Us About the Gospel (2023). At the time of this interview, Russ and his wife have three adult children and two gradchildren and call Houston, Texas home.

Addison McMillan, a seminarian at Virginia Theological Seminary, talks to us about covenant, animal husbandry, and God's relationship with God's people.

Robert Flanagan has served as an Episcopal priest since 2003. He is chaplain at General Theological Seminary in New York and serves as dean's advisor at Virginia Theological Seminary. We speak today about this 2022 book The Letters of an Unexpected Mystic: Encountering the Mystical Theology in First and Second Peter. We attend especially to how …

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Dr. Asa Lee, President of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, joins us and shares his unique journey from the classrooms of public education to the holy halls of ministry and academia and the reasons for his professional choices. About Dr. Asa Lee: Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee, a respected leader in theological education, assumed the role of President at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on June 7, 2021. With degrees from Hampton University, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Virginia Theological Seminary, Dr. Lee brings a wealth of academic and pastoral experience. Previously serving at Wesley Theological Seminary in various capacities, including vice president and director of African-American studies, Dr. Lee is known for fostering inclusive and academically rigorous environments. He is an ordained minister with a decade of pastoral experience at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, Va. Dr. Lee is a member of several prestigious organizations, reflecting his commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in theological education. As President, he envisions leading Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to rediscover its core strengths and embrace new opportunities in theological education. With a collaborative spirit and innovative thinking, Dr. Lee, alongside his wife, the Rev. Chenda Innis Lee, is set to shape the future of the seminary, equipping students for pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian tradition.4 Key Takeaways:1. Dr. Lee navigates through the sacrifice necessary to hone leadership skills.2. He shares his views on the power of intentional community building and the surprising perspective gained from parenthood. 3. He also reveals his unconventional stress-busting techniques i.e., Lego building and gardening, which might inspire you to pick up a new hobby!4. We delve into the significance of availability in leadership, the art of building a robust culture, and handling the weight of pressure.Quotes From the Episode:“Who you choose on your team helps to build the culture you want to have.”“The demands on being a neighbor aren't religious, they're communal, they're shared.”Resources Mentioned:LegosPittsburgh Theological SeminaryConnect with Dr. Lee:Linkedin | BlogRegister for our L3 One Day 2024 Leadership Conference at L3OneDay.com!

In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Episcopal priest -- and former rector of Kelly's local parish church -- Rev. Catherine Thompson to explore various aspects of the Episcopal church like:The origins of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and the Episcopal Church in the USThe differences between the Episcopal Church and the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America)The theological beliefs and practices in the categories of: God, mankind (LGBTQIA+ affirmation, egalitarianism, social justice issues, etc.), sin/salvation, heaven/hell, prayer, church polity/governance, sacraments & gatherings, the Bible, and more!To watch/listen to Mother Catherine's first appearance on the Let It Matter Blog during the Women of Valor series where we discuss Priscilla (and Paul/women in ministry): https://youtu.be/19skhNT4-cETo become a Patreon Partner with the podcast, go to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod and join us for as little as $4/mo (USD)!Guest Bio: The Rev. Catherine Thompson serves as the Priest-in-Charge of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland, a community of believers dedicated to growing in their love of God and love of their neighbors. She finds joy in learning and discovering new things, particularly in the area of congregational development. She also enjoys reading, traveling and spending time in nature. She holds degrees from Vassar College and Virginia Theological Seminary. She is married to Mark. They have two adult children and a 19-year-old poodle, named Mia, who offers daily lessons on the nature of unconditional love.

What does it mean to bring our imaginations to reading the Bible? Professor Judy Fentress-Williams says the Bible is there to guide us, challenge us, confuse us, inspire us, and that bringing our honest questions to the text can lead us into deeper truths and a deeper relationship with God. Biblical scholars Judy Fentress-Williams and Paula Gooder talk about the beautiful, inspiring and difficult parts of the Bible, why we should read it like poetry, and what Biblical authority really means. Dr Judy Fentress-Williams is Professor of Old Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary. Her latest book is 'Holy Imagination: A Literary and Theological Introduction to the Whole Bible'. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, a distinguished New Testament scholar and the author of numerous popular and academic books.

In this first episode of season four, Grace chats with Reverend Elizabeth Felicetti, author of Unexpected Abundance: The Fruitful Lives of Women Without Children, on the dignity and humanity of women without children and their gift to the church. The Rev. Elizabeth Felicetti is the rector of St. David's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia and the author of the new book Unexpected Abundance: The Fruitful Lives of Women Without Children. Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Christian Century and numerous other places. She holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and an MFA in Writing from Spalding University. To join the launch team for Grace's new book, Jesus through Medieval Eyes, click here: https://mailchi.mp/80cb6173698f/jtmelaunchteam

The Rt. Rev. Frank Logue is the XI Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, a diocese that traces its roots back to 1733. A graduate of Georgia Southern University and Virginia Theological Seminary, he served from 2010-2020 as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese before being elected Bishop for the diocese in November of 2019. He was ordained a Bishop in May of 2020. He is married to Victoria and they have a daughter, Griffin, who is a veterinarian in Albuquerque, New Mexico.   An Important Note for you: In this episode there is discussion of recent controversy surrounding mounting critique of the Episcopal Church's Title IV canon. A canon in this instance (as opposed to what was mentioned above) is a term used to describe laws that govern the church's work in the world. Title IV surrounds issues of harassment, sexual misconduct, and discrimination. For more information on this particular issue that the Bishop that I speak about I encourage you to visit the Episcopal News Service website that has provided stellar coverage on this. I just wanted to make you aware of some inside-baseball talk you might not be familiar with.

Today on the show we have the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. In November of 2011, Bishop Budde was consecrated and ordained as the IX Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, an Episcopal Diocese of 86 congregations in the District of Columbia. She holds a doctorate and Masters of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, and has stood at the intersection of faith and public life her entire career. She's written a new book titled “How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith” and we cannot recommend this book enough. We hope you enjoy today's podcast.

In this episode Fr. Lorenzo talks with Fr Tim Bear about the rule of life that was developed for his congregation and how they have lived fully into it and how he thinks it has led to church growth.  Fr. Tim Bear Fr. Tim is a priest in the Diocese of Oklahoma and planted Grace Church in Yukon, OK in 2014 with his wife, The Rev. Kirsten Baer. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and Virginia Theological Seminary. A father of two kids and one dog, Tim enjoys cycling, hiking, and martial arts in his free time.  

Our traditional understanding of church and unity is being stretched as we make room for unconventional forms of community such as house churches and independent congregations. The Holy Spirit is moving, revealing, shifting, empowering, guiding, and gifting churches in new ways! It can be kind of scary too. In this interview we discuss the difference between biblical unity versus organizational conformity. What does the Bible say about Unity? In what ways has your congregation embraced unity? How has conformity affected the next generation? Why did your congregation leave the ICOC? How does culture contribute to an understanding of unity? About Will Archer: William Archer is a visionary Lead Pastor with over twenty-five years of experience leading missional communities in diverse ministry settings. He is an innovative Evangelist with a proven capacity to cultivate and amplify theologically sound and culturally relevant messaging across multiple digital platforms. He is deeply devoted to developing healthy communities of faith that engage the business community and community partners committed to helping the least of these in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He has served on several boards nationally and internationally. He is an alumnus of the 2019 Class of Leadership Prince William and of the 2022 Class of Lead Virginia. Pastor Archer has an Undergraduate degree in Public Policy from Arcadia University and a Master's degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He is currently a Doctorate of Ministry candidate at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. He has been married to the love of his life, Latosha Archer, for 23 years, and they have two adventurous children, 20-year-old Mekhi and 14 year-old Journey. He serves as the Lead Pastor for the Potomac Valley Church. The Potomac Valley Church is an Independent Christian congregation in Northern Virginia with a deep commitment to serving all people.

Mariann Edgar Budde is the bishop and spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., and the Washington National Cathedral. Prior to her election in 2011, she was a parish priest in Minneapolis for eighteen years. She has appeared on PBS NewsHour, Meet the Press, Good Morning America, and the Today show, among others. Bishop Budde earned her master's in divinity and doctor of ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary. In her new book, How We Learn to be Brave, Bishop Budde explores how key decisions in our lives, if navigated with faith and discernment, pave the way for us to become our most courageous selves. Budde weaves stories from her own life, religious texts, the Civil Rights movement, literature, pop culture, and current events to illustrate what goes into "being brave." The decisive moments—some flashy, some subtle—that make up the arc of a lifetime include deciding to stay, deciding to go, deciding to start, accepting what we cannot change, and more. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705987/how-we-learn-to-be-brave-by-mariann-edgar-budde/ Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast: https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

In this fourth episode of season 6 of Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, we speak with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for Good Friday. The texts covered in this episode are Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, and John 18:1-19:42. Our guests this week are:  The Rev. Lydia Bucklin, canon to the ordinary for discipleship and vitality with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan and the director of the Mutual Ministry Initiative at Virginia Theological Seminary. Canon Bucklin is from Marquette, Michigan. The Rev. Chanta Bhan, associate priest at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas. As the only active woman priest of Pakistani descent in the Anglican Communion, she is passionate about advocating for justice, dignity, and respect for every human being as an outworking of our Baptismal Covenant. The Rev. Phil Hooper, SMMS, associate priest at Trinity Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Northern Indiana. Phil has interests in writing, contemplative spirituality, and creation care. The following resources are mentioned in this episode:  Simon the Cyrenian Speaks by Countee Cullen Simon of Cyrene: A Case of Roman Conscription by Stephanie R. Buckhanon Crowder Prophetic Voices is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church's staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. For more information on Becoming Beloved Community, visit iam.ec/becomingbelovedcommunity.

Amy is joined by Dr. Christena Cleveland to discuss her book God is a Black Woman and unpack our assumptions about divinity, gender, and race.Christena Cleveland Ph.D. is a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist. She is the founder and director of the Center for Justice + Renewal as well as its sister organization, Sacred Folk, which creates resources to stimulate people's spiritual imaginations and support their journeys toward liberation.A weaver of Black liberation and the sacred feminine, Dr. Cleveland integrates psychology, theology, storytelling, and art to stimulate our spiritual imaginations. She recently completed her third full-length book, God is a Black Woman (HarperOne), which details her 400-mile walking pilgrimage across central France in search of ancient Black Madonna statues, and examines the relationship among race, gender, and cultural perceptions of the Divine.Dr. Cleveland holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara as well as an honorary doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary. An award-winning researcher and author, Christena is a Ford Foundation Fellow who has held faculty positions at several institutions of higher education — most recently at Duke University's Divinity School, where she led a research team investigating self-compassion as a buffer to racial stress. Though Dr. Cleveland loves scholarly inquiry, she is also a student of embodied wisdom. She recently completed the Art & So

“The Spirit of God, She has made me, and the breath of the nursing God, She gives me life.” - Job 33:4When you close your eyes and envision God, who do you see? Like me, you probably envision God as an old, white male sitting on a throne looking down from on high with an air of judgment and anger toward the world. This is the god of authoritarianism, patriarchy, domination, and purity culture and he's been entrenched in our hearts and minds for years. But what if we've gotten God wrong all along? What if instead of a Divine dictator, God is Creator and Mother, the Sacred sustainer of life? The Divine Feminine is the spiritual concept that there exists a feminine counterpart to the patriarchal and masculine worship structures that have long dominated organized religions. The Divine Feminine extends well beyond one belief system, and instead can be used as a spiritual lens to balance our perspective on what it means to envision the Sacred. She shows up in all of the world's great religions including the Black Madonna, the Black Kali, and the Black Tara. It is high time we recovered God in female form for the sake of everyone. BioChristena Cleveland, Ph.D. is a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist. She is the founder and director of the Center for Justice + Renewal as well as its sister organization, Sacred Folk, which creates resources to stimulate people's spiritual imaginations and support their journeys toward liberation. An award-winning researcher and former professor at Duke University's Divinity School, Christena lives in Boston, Massachusetts.A weaver of Black liberation and the sacred feminine, Dr. Cleveland integrates psychology, theology, storytelling, and art to stimulate our spiritual imaginations. She recently completed her third full-length book, God is a Black Woman, which details her 400-mile walking pilgrimage across central France in search of ancient Black Madonna statues, and examines the relationship among race, gender, and cultural perceptions of the Divine. Dr. Cleveland holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara as well as an honorary doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary. An award-winning researcher and author, Christena is a Ford Foundation Fellow who has held faculty positions at several institutions of higher education — most recently at Duke University's Divinity School. A bona fide tea snob, lover of Black art, and Ólafur Arnalds superfan — Christena makes her home in Boston.Quotables“It's not just white Jesus that I hate, it's male Jesus too.”“What does God do all day? God Gives birth.”“Whitemalegod is the spiritual or religious organizing principle behind this white patriarchy that flows in our land.”“It's scary to see how whitemalegod has poisoned so much of global Christianity.” “As a Black woman, I couldn't even show up (in church) as both Black and female.”“No one person has broken my heart like the Church has.” “I had no idea Saints across history have seen Jesus as female and feminine.” “I trust Black women to get the job done.”“I can relinquish a lot of the need to control others because God is a Black Woman, and She has it handled.” “I'm passionate about people finding themselves in the Divine.”“Gosh, wouldn't it be amazing if white men actually knew they were Sacred? That would solve pretty much all the problems in the world.” “The idea of God as a Black woman is the only thing that can only heal white patriarchy.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review

JULIANNE E. WALLACE Of Messengers of Peace: A Liturgy for Our World in the Voices of Merton and Francis Please join us for a special Tuesdays with Merton as we gather to celebrate a liturgy for peace. This service, integrating music, readings, poetry, and reflections from the wisdom of Thomas Merton and St. Francis of Assisi, will provide a moment of reflection during times where peace often seems just out of reach. We invite you to be renewed and nourished in the wisdom of Merton and Francis. Dr. Julianne E. Wallace is Vice President for Mission at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She holds a Doctor of Ministry in Educational Leadership from Virginia Theological Seminary, a Master of Theological Studies in Word and Worship from Washington Theological Union, and a bachelor's in Music Performance from the University of Mary Washington. She has been active in Franciscan higher education for almost twelve years, most recently as Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Alvernia University. She served as Associate Director of Faith Formation, Worship, and Ministry at St. Bonaventure University in New York. She has been an active ITMS member since 2015, site-coordinator for the 2017 Annual Meeting and coordinating the liturgical life at many other ITMS conferences.

Stephen Cook, Ph.D. (Sept. 23, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Kate Sonderregger, Ph.D. (Sept 14, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. (Sept. 6, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Ross Kane, Ph.D. (Sept. 27. 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Melody Knowles, Ph.D. (Sept. 7, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Shawn Strout, Ph.D. (Sept 9, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Canon Altagracia Pérez-Bullard, Ph.D. (Sept. 13, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Ruthanna Hooke, Ph.D. (Sept 8, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Ross Kane, Ph.D. (Sept 15, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Katherine Malloy (Sept 16, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Katherine Sonderegger, Ph.D. (Sept. 20, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

Lisa Kimball, PhD (Sept. 23, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

The Rev. Laura White (Sept. 22, 2022) by Virginia Theological Seminary

In many churches, innovation and experimentation is avoided, often due to a fear of failure. Author and Episcopal Priest Lorenzo Lebrija joins the pod to talk about Design Thinking, why frameworks can be helpful in church contexts, and why failing is okay. Lebrija believes that God rewards faithfulness, not success and encourages leaders to examine their goals rather than just aiming to get people in the seats! The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija is the Chief Innovation Officer of Virginia Theological Seminary and the founding director of TryTank Experimental Lab, an action laboratory for church innovation. Prior to launching TryTank, Fr. Lorenzo was the Chief Development Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. He also served as the Pastor on behalf of the Bishop at St. John's Episcopal Church in San Bernardino, CA, and as priest associate at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles. He studied at the General Theological Seminary in New York City where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. His book How to Try is available by print or audio. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.  

Anglican Bishops are starting to consider what 'redemptive action' for the horrors of slavery could look like. The history of the transatlantic slave trade casts a long shadow. Over three million black Africans were transported in British ships to a life of slavery. The legacy of a practice that spanned three centuries has been keenly felt in recent years, from the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, to the toppling of statues of slave traders. Calls appear to be getting louder for institutions, corporations and individuals to offer redress. The historic links of Christianity with slavery have been examined and some feel there is a debt to be paid. What might that look like? What responsibility do the heirs of the oppressor have to the heirs of the oppressed? Ernie is joined by theologian and broadcaster Professor Robert Beckford, legal specialist on reparations Esther Stanford-Xosei, and Professor Nigel Biggar, Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford. Plus he hears from the Virginia Theological Seminary in the US who have started paying reparation to the descendants of those it says laboured on it's campus under slavery or segregation. Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producers: Josie Le Vey and Peter Everett Editor: Dan Tierney

In this introductory episode of the second season of The Podechesis Podcast, the guys are joined by Dr. Ryan Danker, Director of The John Wesley Institute, and talk about the document, “The Faith Once Delivered” that came out of a summit of over 50 Wesleyan scholars.  This document will be the foundation of the Podechesis discussions throughout this season. Listen and Subscribe to Podechesis on: Apple (Leave a 5-Star Review!!!), Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Google, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Listen Notes, and Deezer. Questions? Send us an email or leave a voicemail. questions@podechesis.com Voicemail: (404) 635-6679‬ Spirit & Truth The Podechesis Podcast is a proud member of the Spirit & Truth Podcast Network. Spirit & Truth is a movement of Wesleyan-minded Christians seeking to awaken and equip the 21st century church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to share the Gospel and make disciples of Jesus Christ. We long to see a new movement of Christians who are empowered by the Spirit, rooted in the truth, and mobilized for the mission. For more information and resources visit www.spiritandtruth.life Dr. Ryan Danker Dr. Ryan N. Danker was named the Director of the John Wesley Institute in October 2021. Danker is an author, historian, and Wesley scholar committed to the Wesleyan vision. He has degrees from Northwest Nazarene University, Duke University, and Boston University. His doctoral research, overseen by David Hempton and Karen Westerfield Tucker, ultimately became his first monograph, Wesley and the Anglicans: Political Division in Early Evangelicalism (IVP Academic, 2016). Danker edited Exploring a Wesleyan Political Theology (GBHEM, 2019) and he co-edited The Next Methodism (Seedbed, 2022). Danker is currently finishing a monograph on the context of the Evangelical Revival and the Wesley brothers' ministry in eighteenth-century Britain. He has published articles in the Wesleyan Theological Journal, the Proceedings of the Charles Wesley Society, Methodist Review, and Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. His popular work has appeared in The Living Church, New Directions, and Firebrand Magazine where he is also an assistant editor. Danker has extensive work in ecumenical efforts having served on the United Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue and now serving on the Steering Committee of the Wesleyan Holiness Connection. Danker has served on the faculty of Greensboro College and Wesley Theological Seminary. He has taught at Trinity School for Ministry and Virginia Theological Seminary. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.   Important Links The Faith Once Delivered The John Wesley Institute John Wesley Institute Videos Firebrand Magazine The Daily Text Plain Truth Podcast Reclamation Podcast Episode Credits: Episode written, produced, and hosted by Brett Maddocks, Jim Morrow, and Allen cason. Post Production by Stanton Creative, LLC. About Stanton Creative Stanton Creative seeks to serve by providing inspiration & support for fellow creatives through a variety of resources including podcast and video editing. But it's not just WHAT we do that excites us…it's WHY. As followers of Jesus Christ, we strive to honor God in everything that we do. This includes using our creativity to ascribe glory to our Creator. But our mission doesn't stop there! Our goal is to empower other creatives to utilize their gifts, talents, and imaginations to glorify God through their creations. Need help on your next project? Then book your consultation now! Stanton Creative LLC

What an honor it was to have the esteemed historian of the Episcopal Church Robert Prichard join Drew and James for the podcast today. Dr. Prichard is a Professor Emeritus of Virginia Theological Seminary (a seminary in the Episcopal Church) where served as the Arthur Lee Kinsolving Professor of Christianity in America and Instructor in Liturgy, and was on full-time faculty from 1983 to 2019. He is an authority on Episcopal Church history and has written numerous books, publications, and articles, including the widely-read A History of the Episcopal Church Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O86GMQS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Dr. Prichard is joining us today to touch on a few different interesting aspects of Episcopal history, about controversy and consensus within the church during the 19th century, as well as some American Prayer Book history, and recent General Conventions. God Bless! This is a link to read a work we reference throughout the podcast, his book The Nature of Salvation: Theological Consensus in the Episcopal Church (1801-1873) https://archive.org/details/natureofsalvatio0000pric

In this week's episode, Chris speaks with Veteran Chaplain Adrian Dixon on his journey of becoming a spiritual leader as a Resident Chaplain at Duke Raleigh Hospital. While still in Divinity school, Adrian started working as a Staff Chaplain at Duke Raleigh Hospital providing pastoral services to patients.Through his diligent work, he slowly expanded the Chaplain program to include a new clinical pastoral program “Care For Eachother (CFE)”, a partnership with Duke University Hospital, and a team of five full-time chaplain residents and 8 to 10 interns to provide pastoral services. Adrian also shares two emotional stories that have resonated with him over his nearly 20 years with Duke.The first recounts a past patient's recovery and recognizes the gift of presence and the effect his support meant to the patient. The other talks about a dying patient's last wishes and how Adrian handled and came to terms with his final requests. Through these stories, Adrian shows how by simply being present and providing support during times of need deep connections can be created between patients, doctors, friends, families, and teammates. Furthermore, drawing from his own journey through illness at a young age, Adrian urges listeners to never lose faith and let the “seed of fear” deter them from pursuing the life and goals they want.Through diligent work and unwavering faith in God, Adrian overcame his obstacles and is destined to help his followers and patients do the same.More About Our Guest:Adrian is an experienced Chaplain Services & education department administrator with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. Skilled in nonprofit management, public speaking, pastoral ministry, entrepreneurial organizations, and healthcare chaplaincy, Adrian has a strong education with a Doctor of Ministry focused in Ministry Development from Virginia Theological Seminary.Adrian is the Founding/Lead Pastor of Northside Community Church. He is also the full-time Director of Chaplain Services & Education at Duke Raleigh Hospital where he has worked since 2003. Adrian grew up in the Raleigh area and earned a bachelor's degree at Campbell University, an M.Div. at Duke University, and a D.Min. at Virginia Theological Seminary.Adrian is married to Shoshannah and together they have three children. He's a fan of the NC State Wolfpack and loves Cincinnati Reds baseball.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-dixon-31437a14/https://www.dukehealth.org/hospitals/duke-raleigh-hospital

Mtipe Koggani is a member of the Class of 2022 at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Corey Smith is a member of the Class of 2022 at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Kathleen Schotto is a member of the Class of 2022 at Virginia Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Robert S. Heaney, Ph.D., D.Phil. is Professor of Theology and Mission at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Mother Julie attended college and law school at the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia, receiving her undergraduate degree in business administration in 1980 and law degree in 1983. Following law school, Mother Julie joined the Army as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, serving as a prosecutor at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  She also served in the Office of the Judge Advocate General at the Pentagon, specializing in medico-legal and constitutional law.  After leaving active duty, Mother Julie worked as a consulting attorney at the Federal Aviation Administration and for a private consulting firm. Although raised Roman Catholic, Mother Julie began attending an Episcopal church in 1986.  In 1999, after years of active lay ministry, she entered the discernment process in the Diocese of Washington.  She was ordained to the diaconate in July, 2003, and served as deacon at her home parish, Holy Trinity, Bowie.  After her graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary she was called as Assistant to the Rector at St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where she was ordained to the priesthood in June 2004.  After four years at St. Barnabas' and feeling ready to serve as a rector, Mother Julie accepted a call to St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church in Morgantown, West Virginia, where she served for 8 years. Unfortunately, life took a hard and difficult turn for the Murdoch family in February 2012 when one of her sons, Christopher, was in a catastrophic car accident.  As a consequence of the accident and Christopher's grueling hospitalizations and lengthy recovery, Mother Julie was later diagnosed with severe PTSD.  In consultation with her bishop and her therapist, and after much prayerful discernment, Mother Julie decided that she needed to leave active ministry.   Following a time of rest, and restoration, and realizing God still had work for her to do, in late 2017 Mother Julie accepted her first call as an interim rector, serving Christ Church, Fairmont, as the parish recovered from a time of conflict and change.  In late 2018, Mother Julie moved with her husband, Scott, and Christopher to Pittsboro to be closer to her two sisters and mother, who all live in Chapel Hill.  She then served as interim associate rector at Emmanuel, Southern Pines, from November 2019 through August 2020, and is currently serving as interim priest-in-charge at Good Shepherd, Asheboro, during the rector's medical leave. Mother Julie has been married to Scott, a retired Army civilian attorney, for over 35 years.  They have three sons:  Travis, Christopher, and Morgan. Connect with an Affirming Church in Asheboro, NC (Try an Episcopal Church in your area) The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

What is the future of theology? We asked that question of several leading theologians 7 years ago, including today's featured guest, Katherine Sonderegger, The William Meade Chair of Systematic Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary, a priest in the Episcopal Church, and has written widely, covering Creation, Christology, Election, the Jewishness of Jesus...Her approach to theology is beautifully summed up in the following, “There really is no more beautiful thought in all reality than the thought of God. I believe that theology is ultimately just that: thinking the thought of God and worshipping the Reality who is God.”In this conversation, Katherine Sonderegger joins Matt Croasmun to discuss the importance of a free and unapologetic, unembarrassed approach to Christian theology; the interplay of Christian theology with other religious texts and pluralistic perspectives; the practice of peace, listening, and being knit together even in difference; the strong unity and center of theology, which is the capital-R Reality that is God, who is, in Sonderegger's words, "the great hope of theology."About Katherine Sonderegger Katherine Sonderegger is The William Meade Chair of Systematic Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary. She joined the VTS faculty in 2002, after fifteen years as a professor of religion at Middlebury College. Her academic career began at Smith College, where she undertook interdisciplinary research in medieval studies. Her priestly vocation began at Yale Divinity School, where she completed her M.Div. and STM degrees, writing a thesis on feminist theology. The first years after graduation brought her to congregational ministry and chaplaincy training at Yale New Haven Hospital. Raised a Presbyterian, the Reformed roots run deep in her vocation. She brought these into the Episcopal Church when she was ordained deacon and priest in 2000.Twin topics have characterized her academic career: the dogmatic theology of Karl Barth and constructive work in systematic theology. She has published in several areas of Barth studies, from Barth's interpretation of Israel, Jews, and Judaism, to his Doctrine of God, his Christology, and his remarkable exegesis of Scripture. More recently, Sonderegger has turned to constructive theology, writing shorter works on the Doctrines of Election, Creation, and Christology, and launching a new systematics. Volume 1: The Doctrine of God appeared under the aegis of Fortress Press in 2015, and Volume 2: The Trinity: Processions and Persons was published in 2020. She is currently working on Volume 3: Divine Missions, Christology, and Pneumatology.Sonderegger is also the author of That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew: Karl Barth's “Doctrine of Israel” (University Park: Penn State Press, 1992) and coauthor, with artist Margaret Adams Parker, of Praying the Stations of the Cross: Finding Hope in a Weary Land (Wm. Eerdmans Press, 2019).Production NotesThis podcast featured theologian Katherine Sonderegger and biblical scholar Matthew CroasmunEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction and Editorial Assistance Nathan JowersA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Marjory Zoet Bankson leads this contemplative practice, "Made by Hand: A Meditation with Clay." Listen here on the podcast or follow along with the video on our website. Marjory Zoet Bankson is a published author, working artist, and seasoned spiritual guide. As a skilled potter, her biodegradable burial urns have been shown in Baltimore and Washington, DC. A graduate of Radcliffe College (Harvard University), Marjory has an MA in American history from the University of Alaska and an honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary—cited for her work in lay ministry. Some of her books include Call to the Soul, Creative Aging, The Soulwork of Clay, and most recently, Stalking the Spirit, a history of @seekerschurchdc, a Church of the Saviour community in DC., where she is a Steward and regularly preaches and teaches. She and her husband, Peter Bankson, have been married more than 60 years and currently live in Washington, DC. Read the Winter issue, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, leave us a voice message here on the podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

In 2023, Virginia Theological Seminary will be celebrating its bicentennial. (Congratulations, VTS, on 200 years!) As part of preparing for that celebration, they've cooked up an interesting project. Send a preacher all around the world to preach in 200 pulpits. And along the way, as you're preaching and teaching, see what you can see, learn what you can learn. What kind of survey do you get of the state of the church that way? Today we'll talk with the very man who's been finding this out, the Rev. Dr. Mark Andrew Jefferson. Mark is Assistant Professor of Homiletics and the Associate Director of the Deep Calls to Deep Preaching Program at VTS. He has also taught at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Candler School of Theology at Emory. He has been a director of Christian education, and his academic work focuses on critical engagement of the American social imagination and African American socio-political enfranchisement and empowerment. He has an upcoming book, tentatively titled, The Mis-education of the African American Preacher. He is an internationally respected preacher and teacher of preachers. We talk about this preaching project, the importance of history and place, Christian unity, preaching in Cape Town after the death of Archbishop Tutu, and what revival might be looking like. Most of us are ministering week by week in a local parish, getting that intimate, zoomed-in view of what God is doing here, in this spot. But what do we get from a bird's eye view? What do you see particularly when you're a guest preacher? Give to help support this podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/living-church/support

Airing originally on WYXR 91.7 FM in Memphis, Tennessee on November 11, 2021, this episode of Faithfully Memphis features Emily Austin in conversation with the Very Reverend Kim Coleman, Dr. Lavonnie Perry Claybon, and Mr. Swazoo Claybon. Mother Kim serves as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia and she is also the current national president of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). Lavonnie and Swazoo Claybon - both parishioners at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mason, TN - are active in their local chapter of the UBE and in many outreach initiatives tethered to St. Paul's historical dedication to education. https://www.ube.org/ MORE ABOUT MOTHER KIM The Very Rev Kim L. Coleman has served as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia since November 2002. An Episcopalian since 1993, Rev. Kim graduated cum laude from Virginia Theological Seminary in May 2001 and was ordained to the priesthood in December 2001. In addition to a Master of Divinity degree, Kim holds Bachelor of Arts degrees (1980) in Political Science and Economics from The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Prior to entering the ordination track, Kim pursued a career in the association management and human resources. She has served as a Delegate to General Convention and member of the Union of Black Episcopalians and has served on both the Diocesan Standing and Executive Committees as well as an Adjunct Professor for VTS. Mother Kim believes in the therapeutic power of laughter and describes herself as a "committed, striving, often obedient yet still imperfect follower of Christ who loves sharing God's joy with others". MORE ABOUT DR. PERRY CLAYBON Lavonnie Perry Claybon, Ph.D. is a Research Assistant Professor and the Director of the Mid-South Access Center for Technology at the University of Memphis, where she is responsible for implementing, coordinating, and evaluating a comprehensive Assistive Technology Program that provides services to individuals of all ages with disabilities. For over 32 years, Dr. Perry Claybon has worked as an expert in the fields of education, human development, budgetary management, assistive technology, grant writing, and professional development and training. She holds multiple certifications in her fields of expertise. She has presented at local and national conferences in her various fields of experience. Aside from her work in human resources, assistive technology, and human development and training, Dr. Perry Claybon has taught traditional classes and online classes. These classes have focal points on educational technologies, teacher education, research methods, critical issues in distance education, and learning disabilities. She has taught these classes for the University of Memphis, George Washington University, and Drexel University.