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Why I Stay

Brian Zahnd on Discovering a Rich, Substantive Faith EPISODE 8

Brain Zahnd is the founding pastor of Word of Life Church in Saint Joseph, Missouri and an author of multiple books. In this interview, Brian talked with us about his Christian journey so far, from finding faith in the Jesus Movement to his involvement in the Charismatic movement to the founding of Word of Life Church and then eventually to the radical and very public renovation of his faith in his 40s (before it was cool). In that process, he was accused of heresy and lost many members of his church. But he continues to press on, now a leading voice for people who cannot find a home in conservative evangelicalism or within liberal mainline communities. He's written several books including "Water to Wine" and "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God". His latest release is "When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes". If you or someone you know is struggling with their faith, then consider this book. It focuses on renovating faith in light of its historical and intellectual richness.

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Why I Stay is part of the Patheos Podcast Network. We will hear from guests like Lecrae, Bridget Eileen Rivera, Jennifer Knapp, Dr. Gregory Coles, Andy Mineo, and Pastor Greg Johnson.

Lecrae on Race, Religion, & Restoration

Lecrae on Race, Religion, & Restoration

Lecrae is a rapper who came to fame with his 116 Clique and unashamed rhymes. He was a darling of the young, restless reformed movement until he began to speak up about his experiences as a Black man in church. Lecrae has never been one to hold back, and his courage and clarity about race in America cost him dearly. His career suffered, his marriage nearly fell apart, and his faith was empty for a time. It was a trip to Africa that gave Lecrae the separation he needed to find the core of the Gospel and begin his journey to restoration and healing. You can get a copy of Lecrae's book "I Am Restored" wherever books are sold.

Bridget Eileen Rivera on Sexuality, Celibacy, & Community

Bridget Eileen Rivera on Sexuality, Celibacy, & Community

Bridget Eileen Rivera is an author, speaker, and educator. And a Christian lesbian. Like so many others, she grew up thinking all LGBTQ people were going to hell, but discovered she was a lesbian in college. Bridget’s revelation was not comforting or easy for her. She felt dirty, unlovable, and damned. She had trouble going to sleep at night because she thought God would send her to hell while she slept. After wrestling with her own faith and the Bible, Bridget began to understand that God did still love her and that she need not be ashamed of this burden. However, she also felt, and still feels, that she should remain celibate. This puts her in a strange place of having to defend her choices and thoughts to both conservative and progressive people. Bridget’s road has not been an easy one, but she has not hesitated to stay true to her calling to help all of us be more empathetic and loving. Bridget’s book “Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church” can be found at your online bookstore of choice.

Taylor Schumann on Tragedy and Compassion

Taylor Schumann on Tragedy and Compassion

Taylor Schumann grew up in Virginia and had a mostly comfortable and easy life until she was shot by a stranger at her job in 2013. As some of Taylor's views began to evolve after that trauma, she started speaking out publicly about her experience. Although Taylor has experienced enough cruelty to make her question her faith, she remains committed to courageously sharing the lessons she’s learned. You can buy a copy of "When Thoughts and Prayers Aren't Enough" at your online bookstore of choice.

Jennifer Knapp on Kindness, Empathy, and Humility

Jennifer Knapp on Kindness, Empathy, and Humility

Jennifer Knapp is a singer-songwriter, activist, author, and speaker. While she didn't consider herself an Evangelical until she was in college, she had a lot of exposure to religion in her upbringing, both its good and bad. It wasn't long after Jennifer found faith that fame found her. Her first album, "Kansas," was a huge success and put her on a path of constant touring, writing, and promoting. Jennifer kept it all together until 2004 when she went on sabbatical to Australia to take some earned rest. She never really considered her sexuality and how it interacted with her faith until her mom outed her to herself in her late twenties. Jen didn't have a lot of the baggage about LGBTQ+ issues many other Christians did, but it still led to a lot of wrestling and learning. Eventually, Jennifer made her relationship with another woman public, and she faced the backlash she expected. But that didn't push her away from faith. She dug in, spoke out about compassion, graduated from divinity school, and kept playing music and speaking up for LGBTQ+ communities.

Dan Stringer on Struggling with Evangelicalism

Dan Stringer on Struggling with Evangelicalism

Rev. Dan Stringer is a Christian pastor, author, and campus minister in Honolulu, Hawaii. In this episode, Dan talks about his struggles with Evangelicalism, why he hasn't left, and what he hopes will change. Dan is a missionary kid who grew up all over the world and hardly lived in the continental US until he went to Wheaton College. Dan has spent his years since then serving the Church, but that doesn't mean he's comfortable with it all. His unique experience of growing up in multiple cultures and being bi-racial has given him a wise and patient perspective on the good and bad parts of Evangelicalism. Rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater, he has sought to use his voice and position to call for changes that will make Evangelicalism a better home for all. You can get your own copy of "Struggling with Evangelicalism: Why I Want to Leave and What It Takes to Stay" at your online bookstore of choice.

Andy Mineo on Race, Rap, and Paid Religion

Andy Mineo on Race, Rap, and Paid Religion

Andy Mineo is a multi-talented hip hop artist, producer, and director. He started producing his own hip hop music while he was still in high school, honing his craft before signing to Reach Records, the label founded by CHH legend Lecrae, in 2011. Andy grew up praying for his dad to come back into his life, but it never happened. He's learned over the years that while his dad didn't show up in meaningful ways, God provided men who taught and invested in Andy. Andy's journey to and through Christianity has been full of mountains and valleys, often wrestling with Christian culture and some of the ways it comes up short. Also, being a white man inside of a historically Black art form means he has made some mistakes and learned some lessons from which we could all benefit. Andy talks about how he got into the rap game and the pitfalls of being a professional Christian. His latest release is "Never Land II", and you can buy it or stream it anywhere music is sold.

Greg Coles on Being Single, Gay, & Christian

Greg Coles on Being Single, Gay, & Christian

Dr. Gregory Coles is an author, speaker, and worship leader, and he describes himself as a single, gay Christian. Greg grew up in the Philippines as the youngest son of missionaries. Whenever his youth group talked about sex and purity, Greg didn't understand why everyone seemed to struggle with lust. Then he realized that it was so easy for him because he was not attracted to girls. Greg's experiences in evangelicalism have been less severe than others he knows, but his story is still full of trauma and heartbreak. Despite the judgment and cruelty Greg faced once people discovered his sexual orientation, he still serves in his local church and works to help others find community within its walls. His story is full of setbacks and hope and will surely bring a smile to your face. His latest book is called "No Longer Strangers: Finding Belonging in a World of Alienation" and it can be found at your online bookstore of choice.

Greg Johnson on Being Gay and On Trial

Greg Johnson on Being Gay and On Trial

Greg Johnson is the lead pastor at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri and is the only senior pastor in his entire denomination who is publicly celibate and same-sex attracted. Though Greg grew up in an atheist family, that didn't spare him from the shame and embarrassment that so many LGBTQ+ people experience, especially in their youth. Dr. Johnson always had a close community of friends who knew of his wrestling and experiences with his sexual orientation, but it was not public information until he published an article with Christianity Today in 2019. Although the members of his church welcomed and accepted him after he started telling his story, part of the fallout of that public coming-out is that Pastor Greg has been on trial for his sexuality within his denomination (Presbyterian Church of America). Dr. Johnson has recently released a book about the conversion therapy movement and some of the lessons we can draw from its failure. The book is called "Still Time to Care: What We Can Learn From the Church's Failed Attempt to Cure Homosexuality" and you can pick it up at your online bookstore of choice.

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