Spiritual Directors Talking About Stuff

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie have a conversation with Maureen O'Connell, Associate Professor at LaSalle University. We discuss her book Undoing the Knots: Five Generations of American Catholic Anti-Blackness. We discuss how the white church, not just the Catholic Church, has been complicit in propogating anti-blackness and what we can do to undo those knots. We discuss how racism is baked into our society in its laws and customs. And we discuss how we as Christians can work towards justice. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Undoing the Knots: Five Generations of American Catholic Anti-Blackness by Maureen O'Connell The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk to Brian McLaren about his new book Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned. This book is a resource for anyone who is unsure of if they even want to remain Christian after they've been hurt and have doubted many of the claims of Christianity. The book provides hope and encouragement. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Do I Stay Christian? by Brian McLaren Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren We Make the Road by Walking by Brian McLaren Episode 37: Church of the Wild with Victoria Loorz Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk to Dr. Obery M. Hendricks about his book Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith. This conversation was wide-ranging. We talked about everything from what Jesus said is the root of the gospel, abortion, gun rights, and Donald Trump and the January 6 insurrection. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Christians Against Christianity by Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr. Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk with Victoria Loorz about the Wild Church movement and her new book Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites us Into the Sacred. We talk about how in the Bible, whenever God wanted to speak to people, he often called them out into the wilderness. We also discuss what a wild church is like and how you can get involved. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Church of the Wild by Victoria Loorz Wild Church Network Episode 7: Sacred Pathways Wild Grace Community, a wild church community in Knoxville, TN Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Maggie has a conversation with Rick Wilkerson and Desi Raines of the Agreed Podcast. Maggie, Rick, and Desi cover tons of ground in this episode, hence the name: Every possible topic ever! We hope you enjoy this conversation. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Agreed Podcast: https://agreed.captivate.fm/ Rick Wilkerson: https://rickwilkersonmusic.com/ Desi Raines: https://www.instagram.com/desiraines Teakwood: https://weareteakwood.com/ Jane Elliott’s work: https://janeelliott.com/ Spiritual Pathways episodes: https://sdtas.podbean.com/e/sacred-pathways-and-spiritual-direction/ Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk with Kellie Keylon about being an ally for the transgender community. Kellie talks with us about her journey of embracing her identity as a transgender woman and finding acceptance in the church. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Renovus, an Atlanta-based organization to connect LGBTQ+ Christians. Renovus.org Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk to Abigail Davis. In this conversation, we talk about finding the beauty in other world religions. In Christianity, we are often taught that the only reason to learn about other religions is to be able to refute them and convert their adherants to Christianity. But there is so much beauty and so many important things we can learn from them. Abigail speaks about how she embraces those religions and how it enriches her life. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Abigail’s blog: https://contemplativemillennialco.wordpress.com/ Agape Center for Spiritual Formation: theagapecenter.org A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Everything Belongs by Richard Rohr ... Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk to Todd Vick, the author of The Reconstructing of Your Mind, and The Renewing of Your Mind. Todd also has a podcast called The Reconstruction Rebel. We talk to Todd about deconstruction and reconstruction, what it means, and why it is an important part of the faith journey. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Reconstructing of Your Mind: A Post-Deconstruction Journey by Todd Vick The Renewing of Your Mind: Asking Modern Questions To Ancient Answers by Todd Vick Awaken 2022 Conference, March 18-19, 2022 in Nashville, TN ... Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk with Susanna Muntz about indigenization of theology. What do the teachings of Jesus look like in specific cultures, times, and geographies? How can we let theology grow out of the soil and people of a place instead of mass-producing a Christianity and exporting it everywhere? These are topics we discuss in this episode. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jay Matenga (https://jaymatenga.com/) The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery by Sarah Augustine The Robcast with Alexander John Shaia ... Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk with Susanna Muntz about indigenization of theology. How does theology grow in the cultures, societies, and worldviews in which they take root? In this discussion, Susanna discusses this topic and contrasts it with industrialization of theology, which says what works here can work everywhere and should be copied and exported. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a...

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie sit down with Ashley Robbins and hear about her fundamentalist upbringing and how she broke free from that. We discuss religious trauma, purity culture, and Ashley's more expansive view of God. Warning: we get into some heavy stuff, so we just wanted to let you know if you have little ears around. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Ashley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spellboundshears_ (underscore included) The Shack - William Paul Young The Universal Christ - Richard Rohr Joshua Harris: Why I regret writing ‘I Kissed Dating Goodbye’ - https://www.premierchristianity.com/home/joshua-harris-why-i-regret-writing-i-kissed-dating-goodbye/275.article Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher sits down with two of his friends, Jason Elam and Derek Myers, to talk parenting, specifically being a dad, through deconstruction. How do we teach our children about our faith while our own beliefs are constanting changing? How do our discipline techniques change? We talk about these questions and many others in this episode. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jason's podcast, Messy Spirituality: https://messyspirituality.podbean.com/ Derek's Instagram, Your Favorite Heretics: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteheretics/ Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

This is a continuation of the conversation from Episode 28. In this episode, Christopher and Maggie sit down with Chrystal Brown, Chris Battle, and Mary Terry. Their bios are below. We discuss Chrystal's and Chris's experiences being Black in America and in the church, in particular. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. We also recorded this video, so you can watch that here: https://youtu.be/jYHFjikPkx4. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources Mentioned: Racial Diversity in U.S. Congregations, 1998–2019 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jssr.12681) Chris Battle: Chris Battle is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He did his undergraduate studies at Morehouuse College in Atlanta, GA. He furthered his education with a Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, he would later do a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Bible at Cincinnati Bible College. He has pastored congregations in Bowling Green, KY, Hackensack, NJ, Cincinnati, OH and Knoxville, TN. In 2018 his life trajectory changed when he began a community garden and started understanding the effect of food disparity in his community. This led to the creation of multiple community gardens, The Eastside Sunday Market and Battlefield Farm and Gardens. He presently is the Lead Pastor of the Underground Collective and he his wife Tomma are the parents of 20 children. Chrystal Armstrong Brown: Passionate about equity, justice, and inspiring the next generation of kingdom thinkers, Chrystal Armstrong Brown has served in nonprofits, ministries, and educational institutions across the country for fifteen years. She is a writer and consultant, currently completing her MBA in Leadership while working as the VP of Program Development for Emerald Youth Foundation in Knoxville, TN. She spends her weekends in urban ministry, cheering on the UT Vols, and creating adventures and memories with her three year old daughter, Keris. Mary McMillan Terry: Mary McMillan Terry’s desire to follow Christ in fighting racism led her and her family to the multiethnic Knoxville community where they live. She teaches on justice and racism. Her passion for equity in education has led her to volunteer and serve on the board at Shora Foundation (an after-school and summer program for children) and to serve in her children’s school system. She also loves hiking with her spouse and two sons and writing. Her poetry, nonfiction, and fiction have appeared in small-press journals and books. Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie sit down with Chrystal Brown, Chris Battle, and Mary Terry. Their bios are below. We discuss Chrystal's and Chris's experiences being Black in America and in the church, in particular. We cover alot of ground in this episode, so this is the first part of a two-part conversation. We also recorded this video, so you can watch that here: https://youtu.be/jYHFjikPkx4. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources Mentioned: Racial Diversity in U.S. Congregations, 1998–2019 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jssr.12681) Chris Battle: Chris Battle is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He did his undergraduate studies at Morehouuse College in Atlanta, GA. He furthered his education with a Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, he would later do a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Bible at Cincinnati Bible College. He has pastored congregations in Bowling Green, KY, Hackensack, NJ, Cincinnati, OH and Knoxville, TN. In 2018 his life trajectory changed when he began a community garden and started understanding the effect of food disparity in his community. This led to the creation of multiple community gardens, The Eastside Sunday Market and Battlefield Farm and Gardens. He presently is the Lead Pastor of the Underground Collective and he his wife Tomma are the parents of 20 children. Chrystal Armstrong Brown: Passionate about equity, justice, and inspiring the next generation of kingdom thinkers, Chrystal Armstrong Brown has served in nonprofits, ministries, and educational institutions across the country for fifteen years. She is a writer and consultant, currently completing her MBA in Leadership while working as the VP of Program Development for Emerald Youth Foundation in Knoxville, TN. She spends her weekends in urban ministry, cheering on the UT Vols, and creating adventures and memories with her three year old daughter, Keris. Mary McMillan Terry: Mary McMillan Terry’s desire to follow Christ in fighting racism led her and her family to the multiethnic Knoxville community where they live. She teaches on justice and racism. Her passion for equity in education has led her to volunteer and serve on the board at Shora Foundation (an after-school and summer program for children) and to serve in her children’s school system. She also loves hiking with her spouse and two sons and writing. Her poetry, nonfiction, and fiction have appeared in small-press journals and books. Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talk to Jason Elam, who hosts a podcast called Messy Spirituality, and is an author and good friend of Christopher's. We discuss Jason's faith journey, deconstruction, why the church is so opposed to (actually afraid of) deconstruction, and what is faith? We hope you enjoy the episode. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jason's Podcast https://messyspirituality.podbean.com/ Before Your Lose Your Mind, with a chapter by Jason, edited by Keith Giles Core vs Periphery: https://groupleaders.org/curriculum-feed/core-vs-periphery Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie talked with two of Christopher's long-time friends, Jan and Ernest Taylor, about their experience walking the Camino de Santiago across Spain. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago by John Brierley. Jan & Ernest's blog, Taylors on Camino Americans Pilgrims on the Camino Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie discuss talk to Kevin Baldesare about his faith journey, how his faith is so important in his life, and a bit about what his life is like as a gay Christian. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Renovus, organization for gay Christians to find safe community - Renovus.org Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis Lost World series by John Walton The Bible Project - https://bibleproject.com/ Peter Enns - Bible for Normal People podcast - https://peteenns.com/podcast/ Silence, Movie Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

Welcome back to Season 2 of Spiritual Directors Talking About Stuff. We're so glad you're here! We have so many great episodes lined up for you. Today, we have Dr. Thomas J. Oord who will talk to us about open and relational theology and the uncontrolling love of God. This conversation was so live-giving and brings so much hope to a world where we often wonder Where was God in this terrible situation or that catastrophe or that disaster? Dr. Oord helps us understand this in a way that makes sense. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Books & Resources Mentioned in this Episode: The Uncontrolling Love of God God Can't Open and Relational Theology Center for Open & Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary The Oldest Known Coptic Icon: Christ and Abbot Mena Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie speak to Sara Martin who describes herself as an exvangelical. In this episode, Sara describes her faith journey that led her down the path of deconstructing her evangelical upbringing to where she is now. This is our final episode of Season 1. We hope you enjoy it and will return with us in the Fall for Season 2. We are already recording episodes for Season 2. They're really great, and we're excited about bringing them to you. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Resources mentioned in this episode: Sara's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC49ikLIIIwWj74BySg9M8OA Sara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_martin24/ Sara's website: https://www.sara-martin.com/ Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org

In this episode, Christopher and Maggie speak to Jenn McMillian. Jenn is the family ministry director at Buckhead Church (https://buckheadchurch.org/) in Atlanta, Georgia. We talk about Jenn’s journey as a woman in ministry. Christopher and Maggie are spiritual directors that like talking about spiritual things. Spiritual direction is a listening ministry that creates a sacred space for you to listen to God, see where God is at work in your life, and grow in awareness of who you were created to be. We would love to hear from you! Email Christopher and Maggie at SDTASinfo@gmail.com. Our ministries: Christopher: Steppingstoneslife.com Maggie: Ravachministries.org