The Holy Wild with Victoria Loorz When Churches Reimagine Land as Sacred Community with Forrest Inslee
In this conversation, Victoria Loorz and Dr. Forrest Inslee explore how Christian faith is expanding beyond human-centered concerns into a vision of beloved community that embraces all of creation. Drawing from his work with Circlewood and the Earthkeepers podcast, Forrest shares stories of churches learning to “listen to the land,” embrace ecological discipleship, and practice what he calls co-powerment—partnership rooted in humility and reciprocity. Together, they reflect on how theology, community development, and lived experience can guide us toward a new story: one where spirituality is woven through relationship with soil, water, creatures, and the wider web of life.
Dr. Forrest Inslee is a teacher, ethnographer, and spiritual guide whose work bridges culture, ecology, and faith. He is Associate Director of Circlewood, where he helps cultivate communities of ecological consciousness, and also serves as a Guide with Seminary of the Wild Earth. Forrest hosts the Earthkeepers podcast, drawing on decades of experience as a professor, social entrepreneur, and cross-cultural practitioner. His life and work reflect a deep commitment to reimagining Christian faith as a practice of belonging within the whole community of creation.
Connect with Forrest:
- Circlewood Website: circlewood.online
- Earth Keepers Podcast: earthkeepers.online
- Ecological Disciple Program: ecodisciple.com
Mentioned in the episode:
- A Rocha USA Website: arocha.us
- Book: Plundered: The Tangled Roots of Racial and Environmental Injustice by David W Swanson
- Book: Engaging the Powers by Walter Wink
- Book: The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why by Phyllis Tickle
- Book: Belonging Without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World by John A Powell
Connect with the Center:
- Website: wildspirituality.earth
- Victoria's Website: victorialoorz.com
- Email: hello@wildspirituality.earth
- Linktree: linktr.ee/ctrforwildspirituality
- Instagram: @center_for_wild_spirituality
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 06:06 – Community Development Beyond Human-only Needs
- 12:35 – Stories From The Inside Edges
- 17:24 – Creation Care Is Part of Our Heritage
- 19:28 – Redefining Cosmos
- 22:48 – Listening To A Triangle of Land
- 30:03 – Co-Powerment
- 32:12 – The Transition is Holy and Messy
- 36:26 – The Circlewood Vision
- 42:04 – Collaborating Without Othering
- 43:46 – Broadening The Vision
- 45:10 – Integrating Vocation
- 47:56 – Forrest’s “Landscaping” Experience
- 51:43 – Coyote
- 59:44 – Sacred Invitation
- 61:34 – Harold and Honeybees
- 64:29 – Credits