The Living Church Podcast

Abigail Favale, a writer and professor at the University of Notre Dame, and Pieter Valk, an expert on vocational singleness and LGBT+ matters, dive into the intricate intersections of transgender experiences and Christian pastoral care. They discuss the importance of language and relationships while navigating the complexities of gender identity. The conversation emphasizes compassionate engagement, community support, and the significance of understanding individual stories, all while promoting charity and human flourishing within faith communities.

Today is a conversation between a pastor and a farmer. What might working the land, protecting local economies, and nurturing Christian communities have in common?We'll be speaking with Mary Berry, executive director of the Berry Center, and daughter of poet, farmer, and essayist Wendell Berry. My fellow interviewer today is the Rev. Clint Wilson, rector of St. Francis in the Fields, Harrods Creek, KY, not far from the Berry Center. We talk about joy of hard work, and hard work that is good work. Growing up with Wendell Berry as a dad. Faith and farming. Decisions to live with or against a given landscape. What is home? How do you make a home and dedicate yourself to it? The thick fabric of a place, and how work might be interwoven with neighbors, family, and seasons.What does it mean to actually "Love your neighbor as yourself"? We'll also touch on special challenges the suburbs pose to meaningful life together.Mary Berry, Executive Director of The Berry Center, grew up at Lanes Landing Farm in Henry County, KY. She has farmed for a living in Henry County, and started The Berry Center in 2011 to continue the agricultural work of John Berry, Sr. and his sons, author Wendell Berry and former Kentucky state senator, the late John M. Berry, Jr. The Berry Center focuses on issues confronting small farming families in Kentucky and around the country.Hear Mary speak at the Living Church conferenceLearn more about the Berry Center or Home Place MeatGive to support this podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Fr. Martin Browne, a Benedictine monk and Vatican official focused on Christian unity, reflects on his experience with Pope Francis. He discusses the pope's unique leadership style that transcended political divides and fostered ecumenism. Personal anecdotes reveal the warmth Francis extended to marginalized individuals. They explore his impact on global issues like poverty and environmentalism. A critique of the film 'Conclave' also highlights media misrepresentations of the papal election process, adding depth to the conversation about Francis's enduring legacy.

How can Christian leaders face the "overwhelm" of our times, in politics and national life, in personal life and relationships, and in ministry? We live in an age of what our guest today calls "polycrisis." Issues interconnect, pile on, and come hard and fast, faster than we can fix or, often, respond to in a thoughtful or Christian way.How do we avoid either inaction or anxiousness?We'll seek what our guest today calls "apocalyptic clarity." And we'll ask, "How do we recognize what's true, despite appearances, resist what's false, and participate joyfully in what God is doing?" This turns out to be a helpful window to perspective and practical decision making in a 21st-century Christian life. Our guest today is the Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink, principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College and canon theologian in the Diocese of Montreal. And we'll be discussing his latest book, Faithful, Hopeful, Creative: 15 Theses for Christian Witness in a Crisis-Shaped World. He's also the author of four books about Christian history and global Christianity, as well as an introduction to theology and mission in the Episcopal Church called A Faith for the Future. Jesse's bio and booksStudy guide for Faithful, Creative, HopefulBook Jesse mentioned: What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of MarketsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Join Magnus Persson, an ordained minister in the Church of Sweden and network co-ordinator of Re:formera, as he shares his journey from charismatic success to embracing the traditions of the institutional church. Discover the unique 'Three streams' of Swedish Lutheranism and its Anglican connections. Magnus reflects on the spiritual richness of Lent and the importance of ecumenical dialogue within Lutheranism. Enjoy insights on navigating vocation and spirituality, alongside the quirky sauna analogy for communal experiences.

In a compelling conversation, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, a transformative leader focused on reorienting the Episcopal Church towards inclusivity, discusses the urgent need for restructuring within the church. He tackles the divisive issue of same-sex marriage head-on, calling for unity despite differing views. Bishop Rowe also highlights pivotal proposals aimed at fostering collaboration in the Anglican Communion and reflects on the importance of maintaining meaningful connections amid diverse beliefs. His vision for a beloved community is both inspiring and necessary.

For a topic that's truly "on pointe," our guest today reminds us of the joys and rewards of freedom and discipline, just in time for Lent: ballet dancer and choreographer Silas Farley.We discuss his early journey in discipleship and liturgical dance, holy coincidences that connected him with his Russian ballet hero, how discipline can lead to freedom in the Spirit both in dance and liturgical life, and understanding the meaning of "grace."We hope you've done your work at the barre, because Silas will stretch our imaginations for worship and discipleship, and even what's possible when it comes to dance in church. Hold on to your leotards. Silas is Armstrong Artist in Residence in Ballet in the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He's been a teacher and choreographer at places like the New York City Ballet, the Guggenheim, the Washington Ballet, the Met, and all over the world.More about SilasJoin a Living Church conferenceGive to support this podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Poet Christian Wiman said of today's guest: “She has a rare ear, a keen mind, and a vivid spirit. Like the faith that is her chief subject, her poems cut and console in equal measure.” What Wiman says about her poetry is true about her conversation, too.Today's episode features a chat with writer Kate Kilcup Marsh. Kate is a poet, priest's wife, and mother, and is working on a memoir. Her story is one of continual surprises with God, incuding a head over heels Eastern Orthodox conversion, followed by a call to enter the Anglican world. We talk about how Jesus finds us, how to be with kids in church, sobriety and asceticism, and what Eastern and Western Christians learn from each other. This is one woman's journey into the church, into a clergy marriage, into an Episcopal community and now motherhood — a dialogue delightful and instructive.Kate is a poet and essayist. She's also served as a Russian linguist for the U.S. Army, a janitor, a firefighter, an editor, a farm hand, and a factory worker, among other things. Kate’s writing addresses matters of faith, addiction, motherhood, mental illness, work, gender, and prayer. Her yet-untitled memoir will be published by Eerdman's in 2026. You can keep up with her work and news on her websitekathleenkilcup.com. Now brush off your Chrysostom and your Augustine. We're going East and West on a journey of healing. We hope you enjoy the conversation.More about Kate and her writingSubscribe to the Living Church magazineJoin a Living Church conferenceGive to support this podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What hath Martin Luther to do with Thomas Cranmer? This episode explores a fascinating shared history between Anglicans and Lutherans. These two Reformation-born groups were not only finding their feet at the same time, they were also interested in friendship from early on. We'll also be learning what it means to be Lutheran, and what Anglicans and Lutherans continue to do together and learn from each other today.We talk about Lutheran "distinctives"; how politics can be a way of holiness; how Henry VIII was asked to sign the Ausburg confession; and why the Lutherans are asking for an 8th ecumenical council (which might put them out of a job).This is part of our series on Episcopal Church Full Communion Partners. You can warm up to these conversations by listening to our interview with Christopher Wells, "Who Cares About Communion?," Episode 129.Our guest today is Lutheran Bishop, Reformation scholar, and motorcycle man, the Most Rev. Matthew Riegel. Matthew is Bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As a scholar, his primary research interest is the sanctification of ecclesiastical politics. Matthew serves on the West Virginia Council of Churches’ Civic Life and Faith Task Force, and in a previous life has worked as a park ranger. Who Cares About Communion? with Christopher WellsWittenberg articles of 1536Fraternal Appeal to the American ChurchesLiving Church EventsGive to support this podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mike Cosper, a Louisville-based writer and Senior Producer at Christianity Today, discusses the insights from his book, "The Church in Dark Times." He examines how dangerous ideologies infiltrate church leadership and their impact on communities. Cosper shares lessons learned from past church failures, advocating for a focus on genuine relationships over mere attendance. He also explores the significance of patience and strategic growth in renewal efforts, highlighting the value of small, intimate church communities amidst challenging times.