Spiritual Misfits Podcast Creating Communities of Sacred Curiosity with Mike Hardie
10 snips
Nov 29, 2025 Mike Hardie, a Uniting Church minister and founder of the inclusive faith community Oasis in Sydney, shares his fascinating journey through various Christian denominations. He discusses creating spaces that honor both mystery and conviction, essential for fostering spiritual growth. Mike dives into topics like theological struggles over LGBTQI inclusion, the importance of active listening, and nurturing children's spirituality. His vision emphasizes authenticity, embracing sacred curiosity, and the need for communities that can hold complexity while promoting justice and harmony.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Healing That Didn’t Hold Up
- As a 12-year-old Mike witnessed an apparent healing that later turned out to be false and it sparked long-term distrust of simplistic claims.
- He resolved to never let himself be duped again and began a quiet deconstruction journey that shaped his faith path.
Character Over Doctrinal Certainty
- Mike stayed in faith because he saw mature Christians whose character and life bore deep transformation, not just doctrine.
- He remained drawn to Jesus’ ethic of love and mercy as the most compelling feature of faith.
Crisis During The 2017 Debate
- During the 2017 marriage debate Mike faced calls to declare a firm stance and experienced rising cognitive dissonance as a pastor.
- He resigned from his role, left for business work, then later joined the Uniting Church to start a new community aligned with his convictions.