Mid-faith Crisis

22/03/2025

Episode 323: An interview with Bekah Legg

With Joe away in Mexico we have an interview with Bekah Legg. She talks about the work of Restored with the victims of domestic abuse, and shares a little of her own story of loss and grief.

With Joe away in Mexico we have an interview with Bekah Legg. She talks about the work of Restored with the victims of domestic abuse, and shares a little of her own story of loss and grief. Mentioned in this episode:

09/03/2025

Here by request. The blessing at the end of the last episode. Have a good week everyone.

A Blessing for the Fearful and the Kind

May you be held in the deep embrace of peace,
even when the world trembles around you.
May your heart, though heavy with sorrow,
find the strength to keep loving,
to keep hoping,
to keep shining light into dark places.
When fear rises like a tide,
may courage rise within you stronger still.
When despair whispers that kindness is too small,
may you remember that even the smallest flame
pushes back the night.
Blessed are you who weep for the world,
for your tears are prayers,
and your compassion a holy gift.
Blessed are you who long to be a blessing,
for even now,
your love is making a difference.
May you walk gently,
speak truthfully,
and love boldly,
trusting that no kindness is wasted
and no act of love is unseen.
And may you know, deep in your soul,
that you are not alone.
Peace be with you.
Always.

08/03/2025

Episode 322 : I would like to be your spiritual Stacey Solomon

It's our annual themes episode! We talk about our themes for the year, and reflect on how last year's themes worked out. And Joe has received an encouraging birthday card. Church notice: we're taking a brief break, so the next podcast will be in two week's time.

It’s our annual themes episode! We talk about our themes for the year, and reflect on how last year’s themes worked out. And Joe has received an encouraging birthday card. Church notice: we’re taking a brief break, so the next podcast will be in two week’s time. Mentioned in this episode:

02/03/2025

Another touching birthday card from
Nick!

01/03/2025

Episode 321: Stuck in a telephone box with only one headlamp

We discuss how culture shapes art, and especially, how the culture of the time affects the Bible. How do the cultural norms and assumptions affect the text? Can we give power to the powerless within the story? And what about our own cultural lenses? We touch on creating our own sacred texts and ask the crucial question: can still watch Carry On Films? Also Nick has had a dream. A very worrying dream, as it happens.

We discuss how culture shapes art, and especially, how the culture of the time affects the Bible. How do the cultural norms and assumptions affect the text? Can we give power to the powerless within the story? And what about our own cultural lenses? We touch on creating our own sacred texts and ask....

22/02/2025

Episode 320: 'Women are this, and men are that'

Or not. Because in this episode we delve into some follow-up to last episode's interview with Danielle Strickland. How can we address some of the deep, ingrained attitudes which affect all of us? What does this mean for ideas of femininity and masculinity? And how do we respond to loss of power and prestige without lashing out? Also the boys have had a business meeting in a place called Upham. No, really.

Or not. Because in this episode we delve into some follow-up to last episode’s interview with Danielle Strickland. How can we address some of the deep, ingrained attitudes which affect all of us? What does this mean for ideas of femininity and masculinity? And how do we respond to loss of power an...

15/02/2025

Great to have a full staff meeting today. Well, me and Nick. Lovely pub too! (Totally outshirted by Nick!)

15/02/2025

Episode 319: An interview with Danielle Strickland

This week, Joe interviews author and speaker Danielle Strickland, discussing patriarchy – the male-centring and male-ordering of the world. They discuss the challenges of calling it out, the heretical concept of the male-ness of God, and the way in which it affects our world and, of course, our church. Most importantly, they talk about some practical things we can all do to make a difference.

This week, Joe interviews author and speaker Danielle Strickland, about patriarchy – the male-centring and male-ordering of the world. They discuss the challenges of calling it out, the heretical concept of the male-ness of God, and the way in which patriarchal thinking and theology affects the wo...

14/02/2025

I’m enjoying the sun rays here today. Wishing all you lovely listeners a good day. Got a treat for you tomorrow as I interview Canadian author Danielle Strickland on the pod.

12/02/2025

Thanks to one of the 17 (you know who you are!?) who sent me this!

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL VERSION OF THE SONG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQOnssuC6F0Click "Show More" for all kinds of fun links!http://www.facebook.com/b...

08/02/2025

Episode 318: Inside we're all princesses

More on metaphors. We talk more about the idea of Jesus as 'Lord', and discuss how changes in culture, society or even technology might change our understanding of long-standing human metaphors. Also we talk about ritual and sacraments and how so many of them are simply heightened versions of everyday human activities. Meanwhile, Nick's preaching has some unexpectedly dramatic consequences and Joe thinks everyone should wear a tiara.

More on metaphors. We talk more about the idea of Jesus as ‘Lord’, and discuss how changes in culture, society or even technology might change our understanding of long-standing human metaphors. Also we talk about ritual and sacraments and how so many of them are simply heightened versions of ev...

01/02/2025

Episode 317: The Candlemas episode

Happy Candlemas to one and all. In this episode we talk a lot about baptism: what is it, where did it come from and does it still matter? And did Nick really write a book on it without realising? Also we have more on the neurodiverse approaches to church, we touch on different ways of understanding justice, and we think about whether laying down your life for others means denying who you truly are. Finally, we have a worship song about Worthing and we launch the mystical experience helpline.

Happy Candlemas to one and all. In this episode we talk a lot about baptism: what is it, where did it come from and does it still matter? And did Nick really write a book on it without realising? Also we have more on the neurodiverse approaches to church, we touch on different ways of… Read More ....

29/01/2025

As we know, the 17 of you are brilliant! Thanks to David who has kindly re-written the hit worship smash 'Is he Worthy'.

Do you feel the town is broken?
(We do)
Do you feel the pier’s worth keeping?
(We do)
But do you know that all the junctions
Stop the cars from getting through?
(We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new?
(We do)
Is the railway station groaning?
(It is)
Is a new station coming?
(It isn’t)
Is the glory of the town to be the sunlight through the mist?
(It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this?
(It is)
Is anyone in Worthing? Has anyone gone?
Is anyone going to the Sea Lane cafe to buy me a scone?
It’s like the people of Findon, who have conquered the waves
It’s the seaside town off the A24 that the bypass has saved.
Is it Worthing? The bay of Worthing?
Is it Ferring with Shoreham and Lancing?
Is Worthing like this?
It is!

25/01/2025

The wonderful view across the “Gulf of Worthing”.

25/01/2025

Episode 316: The neurodivergent church

Lots of interesting feedback this week, including more reflections on worship songs, our calling to attend to our own 'small' world, the difficulties of Bible translation (and food translation come to that) and why, for the Goths, Jesus was head of the household. Also we talk about neurodiversity and churches. How can we attend to different ways of thinking and different learning styles? Must one size fit all? Oh, and lots of TV watching homework because, as Joe says, 'Life's too short to not watch a lot of TV'.

Lots of interesting feedback this week, including more reflections on worship songs, our calling to attend to our own ‘small’ world, the difficulties of Bible translation (and food translation come to that) and why, for the Goths, Jesus was head of the household. Also we talk about neurodiversit...

24/01/2025

Hey friends. Here's a link to Nick's blog about worship songs. Enjoy!

Mid-faith Crisis 315: Mandatory biblical metaphors Jan 18, 2025 There’s a lot about metaphor in this week’s show triggered, partially, by my latest irritation with a worship song, but also by a heartfelt email about the patriarchy in religion. Metaphors are, of course, vital. Apart from mystical...

18/01/2025

Episode 315: Mandatory biblical metaphors

Joe has forgotten how to count and Nick is bewildered by a worship song. We discuss whether the metaphors we use are helpful, how God is always 'in translation' and what we can do to avoid reinforcing unhelpful patriarchal systems. Also, we touch again on the subject of judgment, and think about relationship, restoration and reading the Bible more in sorrow than in fury.

Joe has forgotten how to count and Nick is bewildered by a worship song. We discuss whether the metaphors we use are helpful, how God is always ‘in translation’ and what we can do to avoid reinforcing unhelpful patriarchal systems. Also, we touch again on the subject of judgment, and think about...

11/01/2025

Episode 314: Whacking our biblical moles

We return to the Bible this week, to the thorny topic of how we deal with difficult Bible verses, particularly verses about eternal punishment and divine vengeance. As our correspondent puts it, it’s like biblical whack-a-mole: you hammer one passage down, only to see new ones pop up. So we talk about the inadequacy of systematic theology, the need to recognise contradiction and mystery and how everybody, frankly, is whacking their moles. Most importantly, we consider how, despite the difficulties, we can continue to engage with and be inspired by the scriptures.

https://midfaithcrisis.org/podcast/episode-314-whacking-our-biblical-moles

We return to the Bible this week, to the thorny topic of how we deal with difficult Bible verses, particularly verses about eternal punishment and divine vengeance. As our correspondent puts it, it’s like Biblical whack-a-mole: you hammer one passage down, only to see new ones pop up. So we talk a...