Elizabeth Oldfield - Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times (N326)
Aug 10, 2024
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Elizabeth Oldfield is an advocate for intentional community and works to bridge divides in our polarized culture. In this conversation, she discusses nurturing the soul amid turbulence, emphasizing the importance of empathy and connection. Elizabeth shares her insights on resisting despair and cultivating hope, as well as fostering relationships in an age of isolation. The hosts reflect on the transformative power of community and how intentional connections can shape their faith journeys.
Elizabeth Oldfield discusses the importance of tending to our souls amidst societal turmoil, highlighting practices that foster resilience and compassion.
The podcast explores the challenges faced in church communities, noting how unrealistic expectations can lead to disillusionment and frustration among participants.
Radical acceptance is emphasized as a transformative approach to relationship building, encouraging open dialogue and empathy across differing beliefs.
Hope serves as a cornerstone for resilience, suggesting that challenging times can inspire communities to unite and support one another more deeply.
Deep dives
Experiencing Community Dynamics
The dynamic of community relationships is explored, highlighting mixed experiences within church small groups. Many participants feel that the environment can breed unrealistic expectations, where being spiritually active isn't merely encouraged but mandated. A recurring theme is that groups often fall apart due to the inability to manage deeper emotional issues, particularly when dealing with individuals carrying significant trauma or distress. The pressure to maintain high engagement can lead to a disillusionment with the very communities designed to foster support and connection.
Mutual Support and Expectations
Shared experiences in church communities often include a pioneering sense of support but are accompanied by an overarching burden of expectation for growth and outreach. Individuals may feel inadequate if the group struggles to achieve evangelistic outcomes, leading to frustration instead of fulfillment. There’s a sense that these communities, while meant to foster deeper relationships, can sometimes feel transactional or conditional, undermining the very essence of true fellowship. These high-stakes environments might cause participants to overlook the positive qualities within their groups, leading to a cycle of dissatisfaction.
Diverse Backgrounds and Impacts
Stepping into diverse community dynamics can result in profound connections yet can also surface various tensions and challenges. The complexities of individual backgrounds can impact group interactions, with some individuals dominating conversations and experiences, which can push others away. These dynamics often highlight the significant emotional needs present within communities and the lack of training for leaders to manage these situations effectively. Consequently, groups may inadvertently drive away members who feel marginalized or overwhelmed by others’ intense needs.
Radical Acceptance and Non-Judgment
The concept of radical acceptance emerged as an essential theme, particularly regarding Jesus’ teachings on relationship building and compassion. The ability to listen and engage with those holding different beliefs presents a critical opportunity for growth and understanding. This non-judgmental approach encourages curiosity and empathy, inviting varied perspectives and opening avenues for deeper connection and dialogue. However, there exists a tension between maintaining firm beliefs while engaging with divergent viewpoints, highlighting the challenge of balancing compassion with conviction.
Resistance and Acts of Kindness
Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of resisting despair through humble acts of kindness, even in turbulent times. She illustrates how small gestures like baking a cake for a neighbor can combat feelings of hopelessness and contribute to communal resilience. This approach advocates for building connections amidst chaos, asserting that transformative change often occurs through united efforts to support one another. Emphasizing kindness fosters a more profound sense of humanity, which can create ripples of hope in a challenging world.
The Complexity of Tithing
The conversation touches on the controversial topic of tithing, highlighting differing views on its necessity and impact. While some see tithing as a vital practice for cultivating generosity, others argue it can lead to economic strain, particularly among marginalized individuals. The fairness of a one-size-fits-all approach to giving raises questions about the inclusiveness of religious practices. The debate encourages reflection on how financial giving should adapt to individual circumstances and broader economic realities.
Hope and Transformation Amid Crisis
Hope is presented as a foundation for resilience, even amidst societal breakdown and instability. Elizabeth articulates that human interdependence might flourish during challenging times, prompting communities to come together for mutual care and support. As traditional structures fray, unexpected opportunities for deeper relationships can emerge, leading to personal growth and societal transformation. This perspective offers a refreshing outlook, urging individuals to embrace the potential for positive change in difficult circumstances.
On this episode Elizabeth Oldfield joins us to talk about what it means to tend to our souls during turbulent times. Elizabeth shares the practices that are helping her become a depolarising presence in a culture of outrage, tribalism, and division, and forming intentional community in an age of disconnection and isolation. She also reflects on what hope has come to mean to her, and how she resists despair.
Following the interview Nomad hosts Tim Nash and Nick Thorley reflect on Elizabeth’s journey, and how her experiences of community and forming relationships across divides might shape their own evolving faith.
