Urban Mystic: Recent Episodes
Timothy Victor
The Urban Mystic Podcast: Conversation about Deconstructing Church, the Problem of Godde, and Cultivating Relational Spirituality
In this week's episode we continue Jesus as a mystic.
In this episode we explore Jesus' relationship with the Father and Spirit as He matured and was tested.
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In this week's episode where begin exploring Jesus as a mystic. I'm well aware that views of Jesus are incredibly diverse, and venturing into this territory can sometimes challenge deeply held opinions. However, our aim isn't to diminish or redefine His significance. Instead, we'll approach Jesus as our ultimate example and model, particularly focusing on the profound interpersonal dynamics between Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. It's precisely in understanding these intimate relationships that we can begin to grapple with the rich concept of Jesus as a mystic, revealing a deeper dimension of His life and teachings for our own spiritual growth.
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In this week's episode we explore Jeanne Guyon's Song of Songs. Guyon understands and expresses through the lens of the Song of Songs/Solomon.
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Song of Songs by Jeanne Guyon is available in plain English for the contemporary reader in print and ebook.
In this week's episode we explore Brother Lawrence and The Practice of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence epitomizes the intimacy with God that Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross sought for themselves and others.
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The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is available in plain English for the contemporary reader in print and ebook.
In this week's episode we explore John of the Cross and engage some of her thinking. John is among the great mystics who value intimacy with God.
Steve and Tim discuss the dark night of the senses and dark night of the spirit in the context of spiritual maturation and the attainment of authentic intimacy with God.
From The Dark Night on the the dark night of the senses and dark night of the spirit, by John of the Cross.
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In this week's episode we explore Teresa of Avila and engage some of her thinking. Teresa is among the great mystics who value intimacy with God.
Steve and Tim discuss spiritual growth, intimacy with God, and the role of mysticism in spirituality, drawing from the teachings of Teresa of Avila. They explore the ‘Interior Castle’ metaphor and the importance of personal experience in spiritual development.
Here's the key quote from the episode:
"It is as if the soul were a garden in which the Lord Himself delights to walk, and He enters it not by steps, but at a single bound, and takes possession of the will, which is the gate by which He enters. And how He enters, I cannot explain. But the soul is very well aware of His presence. It is not a vision; there is neither image nor form. But the soul feels Him so clearly that it cannot possibly doubt that He is there. It is a presence so certain that it is impossible to describe it in words."
From The Interior Castle on the Fourth Mansion, by Teresa of Avila.
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This conversation delves into the complexities of intimacy in relationships, both human and divine. The speakers explore how genuine intimacy requires effort and presence from both parties, emphasizing the importance of being fully engaged in the moment. They discuss the challenges of maintaining intimacy, the significance of recognizing absence, and the pursuit of a deeper connection with God. The dialogue also touches on the nuances of spiritual practices and the need for a relational approach to spirituality, moving beyond mere transactional interactions to foster genuine connection.
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Thank you for all the listens, encouragements, and support for the Podcast of the Urban Mystic. This is just a short year-end message to say thank you and let you know that we're taking a short break. We'll be back early in the new year.
Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and peace to all.
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In this thought-provoking episode of The Urban Mystic, we explore the journey from a surface-level relationship with God to a profound, authentic connection characterized by honesty and self-awareness. The episode delves into the challenges of maintaining an authentic relationship with oneself, others, and God within the often performative context of religious environments.
Our host shares personal experiences of confronting the discomfort of church practices that prioritize appearances over genuine emotional expression. This leads to a deeper discussion on the importance of vulnerability, self-reflection, and the courage to break through the facade of perfectionism.
Listeners are invited to consider the impact of externalizing emotions and the potential for growth when one turns inward to understand personal anger, sadness, and the desire for authenticity. The episode also highlights the importance of acknowledging God's presence—or lack thereof—in a real and tangible way, moving beyond faith-based assertions to a more experiential understanding of spirituality.
Join us on this journey of introspection and discover how embracing vulnerability can lead to a more fulfilling spiritual life, where honesty and authenticity become the foundation of our relationships with ourselves, others, and the divine.
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Welcome to the podcast of The Urban Mystic, a show dedicated to helping individuals understand and develop a practice of the presence of God. Our mission is to shift relationships from faith and distance to deep, nurturing, and fulfilling connections characterized by mutual desire and closeness. This podcast is for anyone seeking an intimate relationship with God, whether you're a church-goer, church leader, volunteer, or someone who considers themselves spiritual but not religious.
In this episode, we delve into the complexities of creating authentic intimacy with God and ourselves. Starting with a humorous reflection on the superficiality often found in religious practices, we explore the deeper, more meaningful ways to connect. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful dialogue, we discuss the importance of mindfulness, emotional awareness, and the willingness to face our inner selves.
We examine the challenges of recognizing God's presence, the necessity of being attuned to our own emotions, and the transformative power of genuine self-awareness. This conversation invites listeners to embrace the uncertainties of their spiritual journey, encouraging a practice of radical hospitality towards oneself and the divine.
If you enjoy this episode, we invite you to like the episode and leave a comment, to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider, and to contribute to the work of The Urban Mystic by following the link to PayPal in the show notes or the QR code on our website.
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In this episode, we delve into the intricate concept of practicing presence, particularly focusing on the presence of God. We explore the multiple dimensions of practice, including intention and awareness, and how these elements can enhance our spiritual lives.
Our conversation touches on the importance of being present to oneself, to others, and to God, drawing parallels to human relationships and the complexity involved in truly connecting. We discuss the different models of spirituality—faith, mystery, and a proposed third model that emphasizes a more intimate, relational approach.
Through personal anecdotes and reflective dialogues, we unpack the nuances of discerning God's tangible presence and the challenges that come with it. This episode encourages listeners to engage in a practice that is both deeply personal and relational, aiming to cultivate a genuine connection with the divine.
Join us as we navigate the journey of spiritual practice, balancing the simplicity and complexity of being present in our relationships with ourselves, others, and God.
In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of spiritual practice and the pursuit of genuine relational presence with God, others, and ourselves. We explore the nuances of attending a Quaker meeting and the significance of waiting on God in silence. This leads to a broader discussion about the challenges of differentiating between authentic spiritual experiences and those shaped by expectations and social environments.
The conversation also touches on the difficulties of achieving deep relational connections in large groups versus smaller, more intimate settings. We discuss the importance of personal spiritual practices, the struggle to maintain them, and the transformative potential of truly encountering oneself and God in solitude.
Join us as we navigate the intricate landscape of spirituality, examining how our paradigms and practices shape our experiences and understanding of divine presence.
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Welcome to a milestone episode of our podcast, where we celebrate our 100th episode! Join us as we reflect on the journey we've undertaken to help listeners develop a practice of the presence of God, transforming relationships characterized by faith and distance into ones marked by deep, nurturing, and fulfilling closeness.
In this special episode, we reminisce about the genesis of the podcast, the challenges we've faced, and the personal growth we've experienced. We discuss the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and mutual respect in building not just a podcast but a deep friendship. You'll hear about our struggles, triumphs, and the invaluable lessons we've learned along the way.
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Welcome to The Urban Mystic, a podcast dedicated to helping you develop a practice of the presence of God. This episode dives deep into the journey of transitioning from a faith characterised by distance to one filled with mutual desire and closeness with God.
Join us as we explore the dynamics of experiencing God's tangible presence in public gatherings and how to carry that profound experience into your personal, one-on-one relationship with God. We'll discuss the challenges, the process of learning to trust your intuition, and the distinction between human intuition and divine communication.
Whether you're a church-goer, church leader, volunteer, or someone who considers themselves spiritual but not religious, this episode offers valuable insights into cultivating an intimate and fulfilling relationship with God.
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Rediscover the Intimacy of Faith on Urban Mystic
This week on Urban Mystic, we embark on a profound exploration: rekindling a close relationship with the divine. We'll delve into the practice of cultivating God's presence, guiding listeners from a distant faith to a connection marked by mutual desire and closeness.
Our host Steve bravely shares their personal journey, including the vulnerabilities of carving out dedicated time for connection with God. Through this raw conversation, we'll explore the intricacies of faith, the challenges of guilt, and the yearning for a deeper spiritual life.
Whether you're a churchgoer, a spiritual leader, or simply someone seeking a nurturing connection with the divine, this episode offers invaluable insights. We'll discuss the challenges and revelations of seeking God's presence in our busy modern world.
Join the Conversation!
Like this episode? Leave a comment and subscribe on your favorite platform! You can also support Urban Mystic's work by following the link in the show notes or QR code on our website.
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Dive deep into the transformative power of personal relationships with God on this episode of Urban Mystic. We'll explore the nuanced difference between personifying and anthropomorphising the divine, and how your own experiences shape your understanding of God's character.
"A deep dive into personhood and faith" unpacks the complexities of God's personhood and how our interactions with the divine influence our faith. We'll move beyond traditional religious activities to explore the power of intimate encounters with God.
Discover how firsthand experiences with the divine can transform your spiritual understanding. Learn why personal encounters are so crucial to many faith systems, and the importance of cultivating your own unique connection with God.
This episode is an invitation to embrace your personal journey. We'll encourage you to:
- Own your experiences: Recognise the value of your unique relationship with God, yourself, and others.
- Discern your language: Explore how word choices can impact your spiritual growth.
- Break free from limitations: Reject restrictive religious impositions and embrace the full potential of your personhood.
Join us on this contemplative exploration of the profound mystery that connects humanity to the divine. Trust your experiences, cultivate meaningful connections, and evolve your spiritual journey with Urban Mystic.
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Is God a helicopter parent? Rethinking Control in Your Faith
This episode explores the surprising link between control, faith, and healthy relationships. We challenge the idea of a controlling God and unpack the power of self-control.
You'll discover:
- How control shows up (and hides) in your spiritual life
- The surprising benefits of letting go (a little)
- Why self-control fuels deeper connections with God and others
This episode is for:
- Everyone seeking a more fulfilling faith journey
- Those questioning the role of control in their relationships
- Anyone who wants to ditch the struggle and embrace healthy growth
Tune in and learn how self-control can transform your relationship with God, yourself, and your community.
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Embrace the Transformation:
Join us as we guide you on a path of self-discovery, encouraging you to embrace vulnerability for profound healing. We explore the parable of the two sons, reflecting our spiritual search for connection with the divine. Through this journey, cultivate a sense of being loved, accepted, and valued. Discover how "mirror work" and authentic engagement with the divine can lead to spiritual metamorphosis.
Listen and unlock the potential for a deeper connection with yourself and God!
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Embark on a transformative exploration of intimacy with the Urban Mystic podcast.
This episode, "Exploring Intimacy: A Journey to Self, Others, and the Divine," dives deep into the profound impact of healthy connections on our lives. We'll explore:
- The ripple effects of attachment disorders and how they can hinder our ability to connect.
- The universal human need for love and belonging, regardless of faith or background.
- How our sense of self-worth and experiences with rejection shape our relationships.
- The importance of self-awareness and healing to cultivate stronger bonds.
- Misconceptions within spiritual beliefs that can limit connection.
Discover how to foster deeper connections:
- Learn how conscious choices and self-care pave the way for healthier relationships.
- Explore the importance of balanced communication and reciprocity.
- Delve into the concept of prayer as a form of intimacy with the divine.
- Gain insights from personal stories and expert guests on the path to self-discovery and stronger connections.
Join us on the Urban Mystic podcast and embark on a journey of profound personal growth.
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Embracing Change: Faith, Loss, and the Path to Deeper Connection
This episode of The Urban Mystic explores the powerful intersection of faith, church, and personal loss. We'll delve into how our experiences with religious institutions shape us, and guide you through the process of renegotiating your spiritual boundaries.
Prepare to explore the emotional complexities of navigating a deeper connection with the divine, drawing from personal stories that unveil profound spiritual sentiments. We'll discuss how severing ties with traditional structures can impact your relationship with yourself, God, and your community.
Throughout the episode, we'll acknowledge the stages of grief that often arise during this journey – feelings of sadness, anger, denial, and bargaining – mirroring the loss of a loved one. We'll approach the Scriptures with open hearts, acknowledging their potential as both sanctuary and source of conflict.
This episode encourages introspection. Reflect on your own spiritual path, and explore the possibility of an intimate connection with God that transcends traditional contexts.
Join us as we navigate the "ocean of change" with compassion and vulnerability. We'll explore the complexities of reshaping your faith while navigating loss, adaptation, and the search for a new sense of belonging.
Prepare for a transformative dialogue that emphasizes the power of grief in our spiritual evolution. We'll discuss how grief's unique timeline can shape our perception of self, others, and the divine. We'll delve into its regenerative power, a catalyst for growth leading to acceptance and profound change.
Tune in to this heartfelt conversation and embark on your own journey with renewed clarity and a sense of hope.
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In this episode of The Urban Mystic, we explore the often-complicated dynamics of 'church' and 'parachurch'. Engage with us in an insightful discourse as we shift focus from mere institutionalized church functions to the essence of its existence – the people. Discover how terms like 'church' and 'parachurch' have evolved over time, resulting in a complex tapestry of power dynamics and politics.
We grapple with the conception of the church being purely a physical institution and highlight the importance of understanding its various functions and activities that fall under the term 'parachurch'. Immerse in spirited discussions around accountability, diversity, and identity within the church and join us as we reimagine a structure that roots its primary accountability in people.
Participate in our exploration of societal and cultural evolutions, and their implications. Learn more about bureaucracy's stifling nature and how it appears not only in worldwide governments but also within church institutions. Delve into the concept of 'parachurch' and discover how it can effectively foster divine connections, particularly when traditional frameworks fail to evolve or adapt.
Dare to question your perspectives regarding the current structures of church and engage in the possibility of your discomfort providing an avenue for introspection and thus, transformation. Unearth the potential to disrupt unwholesome dynamics, transform relationships, and instigate meaningful change by understanding the true nature of these structures as merely facilitative to a higher purpose.
We invite you to explore how shifting focus onto tangible encounters with the divine and a deeper connection with God can foster genuine intimacy and dismantle unhealthy dynamics within institutionalized concepts of faith. Embark on a transformative journey with us and redefine your understanding of the dynamics of church and parachurch, fostering transformative engagement with God and each other.
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Unveil the Mysteries Within: An Exploration of the Paradox of Mystery and Knowing
Embark on a transformative journey in this episode of The Urban Mystic. We delve into the profound connections between consciousness, intimacy, spirituality, and self-discovery.
Key themes we'll explore:
- The Divine Spark: Uncover the path to a deeper connection with the divine, navigating the nuances of religion, spirituality, and mysticism.
- Urban Spirituality: Discover how to integrate spiritual practices into your modern life without sacrificing your relationships or career.
- The Paradox of Intimacy: Explore the seemingly contradictory journey of uncovering intimacy through acknowledging the mysteries of ourselves and the universe.
- Relationship Architects: Learn from renowned experts like Esther Perel, Carl Jung, and Brené Brown as we navigate the complexities of connection.
- The Power of Narrative: Discover how personal stories shape our perception and relationships. Cultivate kindness, flexibility, and curiosity for deeper connections and self-growth.
- The Hero's Journey Within: Begin your adventure of self-discovery. Learn to forge authentic narratives that reflect your true essence.
- Love's Many Forms: Dive into the intertwining of human and divine love. Explore the spiritual dimension of relationships through scriptures.
- Emotional Intelligence: Address personal struggles with emotions and their impact on forming close bonds. Begin your journey to more fulfilling intimacy.
- The Tapestry of Consciousness: Gain a deeper understanding of consciousness and its influence on our connections. Explore the impact of our presence and the significance of "falling off" moments.
- Personal Encounters with the Divine: Hear firsthand accounts of experiencing the divine as a catalyst for personal transformation.
Don't miss this enlightening exploration!
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This episode is Part Three in our exploration of Ministry Time and brings us to the end of Season 5. Here we recognise the contribution of the Vineyard to Evangelism and the Altar Call bracket following the message in church. Yet we also acknowledge that this deconstruction of Evangelism does not go deep enough, it does not bring a focus on the numinous, on the manifest presence of God, into our culture of doing church or practicing spirituality.
We’d like to thank everyone who currently supports the Urban Mystic. We don’t charge for anything we do or put oursleves and our material behind a paywall. We are in need of more financial supporters to continue this work and would appreciate once off and regular contributions. To contribute please follow the PayPal link in the shownotes.
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In this episode we recognise that the values, priorities and practices of our ‘doing church paradigm’ makes worship and the message central, with the latter the primary event. This is so for those who lead churches and the congregations. Yet there’s the possibility of a constellational paradigm where intimacy with God stands as primary and indispensible.
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In this week's episode we begin a conversation about "Ministry Time". Given the recent release of The Jesus Revolution and the Asbury Revival the reality is that revival movements don't last. There's also a mix between wanting something similar in our own lives or churches and many different dynamics in terms of how this plays out. A model of ministry such as the one developed within the Vineyard Movement and likewise found in the New Wine Movement and The Alpha Course enables a healthy, balanced, and practical approach to the dynamic participation of God in gatherings.
Are revivals such as this the best we can hope for an experience and about doing church? Or are they a personal introduction of God to people and therewith a point of departure for a spirituality centred on the presence of God?
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In this week's episode we consider a three story apartment as an analogy for understanding the general presence of God in contrast with relational engagement with God.
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In this week's episode we consider the relationship we have to theology as a stand-in for a relationship with God.
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In last week’s episode we reflected on The Alpha Course and the kinds of tensions and sub-cultures that can emerge between those running Alpha and the host church. This is a tension between the regular experience of Church and the kinds of experience expected on The Alpha Course.
In this week’s episode I get to speak to Lehlohonolo Lepele and explore how they’ve evolved The Alpha Course to avoid such sub-cultures and tensions in their church. It's a clear example of how one can solve it without sufficiently addressing the question of intimacy with God. Yet it’s also a window into how others are thinking about integrating the course in the broad tapestry of African spirituality and the South African context.
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When considering the language of values, priorities, and practices we can see the disconnect between our values and our practices. Many value relating to God and yet this is often not what's practiced. In this episode we reflect on the practice of the presence of God in the context of churches hosting the The Alpha Course. Here sub-cultures emerge around the experience of God and the place thereof in church and spirituality.
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In seeking to establish a Relational Spirituality on the foundation of our value for intimacy with God several things come into focus. Here there’s an interplay between the Personhood of God of a God understood as transcendent, understood as universal cosmic presence, and understood to draw near in Person.
In this episode we dive into the false binary between God being confined as a religious offering and God as a universal and cosmic presence we're never separate from. We propose that this is a false binary as neither pole has reciprocity or intimacy in view.
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In seeking to establish a Relational Spirituality on the foundation of our value for intimacy with God the question of whether our experience is constructed is important. Here there's a difference between on one hand relating to a religious service or activity and pressure dynamics and on the other relating to God as a Person who draws near to speak and act.
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In seeking to establish a Relational Spirituality on the foundation of our value for intimacy with God several things come into focus. Here there’s an interplay between the Personhood of God of a God understood as transcendent, understood as universal cosmic presence, and understood to draw near in Person.
In this conversation we pick up on a quote from Sarah Bessey on FB. Are we really caught between charismatic/pentecostal experience in meetings and a universal presence of God found in the appreciation of life? I think personhood differs to universal presence and, without setting these against each other, let’s recognise that a personal relationship is a reciprocal dynamic between two persons. It is not between a person and an abstracted or conceptual presence.
We rely on your generous support to continue this podcast and the rest of our work. Please consider making a contribution toward the work of the urban mystic. There’s a link to follow in the show notes to PayPal.
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In this episode we continue speaking about our value for ‘intimacy with God’. I put forward that there is profound difference between the ‘faith as intimacy paradigm’ and the ‘intimacy through relational engagement paradigm’.
The ‘faith as intimacy paradigm’ has a low value for intimacy with God as there’s no intent to cultivate relational engagement. It wraps the bow of peak experience around meaningful engagement with God and then defines such as for the needy and immature. The ‘faith as intimacy paradigm’ sounds awfully like taking a relational partner for granted while not valuing their presence or seeking their attention. The result is that the ‘faith as intimacy paradigm’ is a very tough environment to make headway toward intimacy with God within.
We’re exploring the possibility and potential of a genuine relationship with God. Is there a bar or a standard for this? Or are we to expect relational engagement to be few and far between if possible at all? These are important questions for anyone seeking a Relational Spirituality.
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In this week’s episode we take a break from our current exploration of foundational values for relational spirituality, to feature a guest, Jackie Barker. In many ways this episode reflects the kinds of conversations we have with our listeners.
Jackie is a Presbyterian minister in Johannesburg, South Africa, and runs a foster home, Omphile House, where they give a small group of children their ‘forever home’. Please support this initiative (link below) - as this family is doing amazing work and it is a cause close to both my and Tim's heart.
In this episode we spend much time teasing out the experience of “abandonment”.
How are we understanding abandonment?
Is there room for growth in relationship when we experience a stepping away?
But what if there’s been no experience of God's presence? How do we then understand that...?
Omphile House
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In this episode we dive into another of our key values: intimacy with God.
Though we can draw on a number of analogies from our human-to-human relationships these often support the idea that God is practically distant and that engagement with God constitutes a peak or mountaintop experience. This is, however, untrue as the image of intimacy is presented by God to us as the true depths of what a relationship with God can be like and what we can attain in this life. Are we perhaps selling ourselves short and substituting faith and limerance for genuine relationship? And, if so, what beginnings do we make at exploring and establishing intimacy with God as our highest and deepst value?
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When editing this episode I noted that we spoke a lot about "deep listening" which mirrors the mystics saying a tremendous amount about "silence". This sparked a conversation and Steve suggested we speak of this value as "active silence". This works really well and helps us distinguish our value for "active silence" from the priority and practice of "reflective listening" in our one-on-one sessions and "deep listening" in group sessions.
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"I want to be right there at the coal face of meaning because I think that’s the truest true: to be there in the meaning at the depths of the relationship."
– Steve Carter
In this episode we dive into one of our key values: storytelling.
Storytelling is vital to Relational Spirituality as its vital to relational depth. We all live in relation to stories, and yet we can live more in relation to stories than to the people those stories are about. And, we also often live more in relation to our own story and so can bound to it and lost within our own self.
The art of storytelling lies in self-discovery and then the sharing of this discovery with others. Through storytelling we can arrive at the true depth of living and loving and enter deeply into our relationships.
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In this episode we entertain the possibility of beginning from the ground up with the individual focusing on values which translate into priorities and practices. We also consider the introduction of processes into existing communities centred around the activities of doing church.
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We continue tackling this foundation block of preaching in this second exploration of preaching and process. Preaching is often seen as a non-negotiable when it comes to church/spiritual community practice, with a huge value placed on it’s ability to transform individuals and groups.
This episode considers the difference between preaching and process. We explore the way that trust rests in the preacher with preaching and with the participants and God with processes. We also explore how process can be added to or fit into the context of church as is, and yet that there's a need for and hope in a new paradigm centred on process and participation.
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We continue tackling this foundation block of preaching in this second exploration of preaching and process. Preaching is often seen as a non-negotiable when it comes to church/spiritual community practice, with a huge value placed on it’s ability to transform individuals and groups.
This episode considers the relation between preaching and the presence of God.
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Following the episode on the Bible, Tim and Steve tackle one of the next foundation blocks in institutional religion: preaching. It is often seen as a non-negotiable when it comes to church/spiritual community practice, with a huge value placed on it’s ability to transform individuals and groups.
- Why is it seen as the pinnacle of so much community practice?
- Why the high value attributed to it’s transformative ability?
- What are some of our personal experiences of preaching and it’s impact?
- What are some of the possible egos and agendas at play in a church dynamic that keeps preaching at the top of the practice pyramid?
This episode puts down some thinking and possibilities on which a subsequent episode can build and focus on how process and embodied relational spirituality may provide much more than preaching in both it’s transformative efficacy and self & community relational integrity.
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In this episode Tim and Steve take their first aim at the question of "What do you have to say about the Bible?"
This is a deeply complex subject, so this is both a stand alone episode within Season 5, but also must be understood as an introductory take on this important and multifaceted conversation.
We hope you enjoy it, and would love to hear your thoughts in response.
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We're sharing our own experience of God. This is by way of example of how deep and real these conversations can go.
This episode is the conversation that follows the morning after Steve shared his early experience of God with Tim.
If you'd like to explore your journey with us, contact us via the form on our website. The link is below.
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We're sharing our own experience of God. This is by way of example of how deep and real these conversations can go.
In this episode Steve share's the story of his early experience of God. In telling our stories in this way we gain insight into an enriching spirituality connected to God's attentive, active, and relational presence.
If you'd like to explore your journey with us, contact us via the form on our website. The link is below.
Support Urban Mystic
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We're sharing our own experience of God. This is by way of example of how deep and real these conversations can go.
This episode is the conversation that follows the morning after Tim shared his early experience of God with Steve.
If you'd like to explore your journey with us, contact us via the form on our website. The link is below.
Support Urban Mystic
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We're sharing our own experience of God. This is by way of example of how deep and real these conversations can go.
In this episode Tim share's the story of his early experience of God, covering the early years of 1987 - 1993. Not everyone's journey begins at the same point in their life and the details will vary considerably. It is important to distinguish our experience of God from what we make of it and how we've been schooled into interpreting and presenting it.
If you'd like to explore your journey with us, contact us via the form on our website. The link is below.
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In this episode we introduce a section of episodes in Season 5 in which we share our own answers to the questions we've posed to all of our previous guests. That is, an exploration of our own early experiences of God. We also share some thoughts on why we're introducing them at this point in the season.
There's also 10 bonus points awarded to Gryffindor for the first listener to spot where Tim's timer goes off in the episode. We wanted a tighter timeframe for this intro and so put ourselves under pressure to be more concise than usual :)
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In this episode we explore this season as a conversational pilgrimage shared between the hosts, listeners, and conversation partners. We go on to consider that our human-to-human relationships offer insight into our human-to-divine relationship, and therewith honesty in terms of where our relationship really is at.
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In this episode we explore the remarkable difference between the silence and absence of God in the spirituality of the beliver and of the mystic-to-be. This is a very important discussion for anyone wanting to gain a sense of God’s drawing near and withdrawing. And especially important for anyone wrestling with a relational disconnect with God.
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We primarily believe and belong as those raised Christian in a mostly Christian world. In this episode, we explore the shift from presence to mystery and the challenge of trying to engage God relationally in the context of a life and faith defined by silence and absence.
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In this episode we continue the conversation around relational experience in relation to other people and in relation to God.
Here we distinguish between God’s non-relational relationships and God’s relational relationships. This might sound complex but it really comes together as we talk about our human to human relationships and the relationship we can have to 'the idea of God within us' as opposed to having ideas about God and relating to God as the Person who draws near and withdraws.
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In this episode we begin establishing what Relational Spirituality is. As people we have diverse relationships – with ideas, values, objects, institutions, and persons – and it's important to shift from relating to God as an idea to relating to God as a Person who draws near and withdraws.
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This is our introductory episode to Season 5 of the podcast of the urban mystic. Here Tim Victor and Steve Carter talk about the season and what's ahead. This is our most ambitious season yet and we'll be establishing Relational Spirituality in concept and in practice.
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Here is another bonus episode for you of quality conversation with a wise and humble guest, Wayne Jacobsen. Wayne generously gave us an hour and a half of his time to explore his experience, his thinking and current work and life. Wayne leads us to “new spiritual trailheads” as he works with “hungry people” – hungry people who are interested and yearning for engagement with God. It is a conversation which covers more than 40 years of life history; so a rich and insightful tapestry.
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In This episode we speak to Phil Drysdale from The Deconstruction Network. With deconstructers standing as perhaps the fastest growing spiritual movement in the west, this research is tremendously important. Phil is among those doing research into deconstructers which evidences a different picture to what institutional supporters paint them out to be.
This is a bonus episode that best slots in with Season 2 where we spoke with fellow deconstructers.
The Deconstruction Network
https://www.phildrysdale.com
https://thedeconstructionnetwork.com
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This is the final episode of our miniseries on Open and Relational Theology. Tim and I wrap up our thinking following all of the conversations with our guests and take aim at some of what we hope the future holds for us.
It is also our book giveaway episode. Thomas Jay Oord, of the Center for Open and Relational Theology, was kind enough to send us some copies of his new book to giveaway to some fortunate listeners.
Thank you for listening, we look forward to hearing from you.
You can find us on Facebook here, and on Patreon here.
Apologies for one or two poor patches of audio in this episode.
In this week’s episode we squeeze in one final guest to our exploration of Open and Relational Theology. Tim stumbled across an article Bob had written and so we decided to extend the series and include our conversation with him. Bob has also published a number of books, some of which he speaks to in this conversation. You can find his work here if you would like to dig further into his thinking.
Next week will be our season conclusion, with an exciting extra thrown in! So look out for that.
Thank you for listening, we look forward to hearing from you.
You can find us on Facebook here, and on Patreon here.
This is a bonus episode we're squeezing in between conversations with our miniseries guests. It arises from a Facebook post Tim wrote (link) about healing and how we follow the Kingdom of Jesus behaviour to go in an ambassadorial way into the world to do as Jesus did/does. It is a stand alone conversation, though in many ways it connects deeply with so much of our thinking and conversing over the past year.
At the root is a desire to take seriously the God who speaks and acts in this world, and draw near to that God, to self and to others in a way that acknowledges the living presence and desire of this alive God.
We'd love to hear from you in response. Drop us a message or email so we can connect.
TC Moore joins us this week on the podcast for a conversation about Open and Relational Theology. Of course, we start by digging into his life story and first experiences of God – and it’s a fascinating story.
We also spend some time looking into TC’s ROSE acronym which he offers in contradistinction to John Calvin’s 5 points of Calvinism – most often referred to by the TULIP acronym. You can access the Youtube link here to a longer and deeper dive into TC’s work on Open and Relational Theology.
We’re so grateful to TC and our other two guests, Delvyn and Rory, for joining us on this miniseries. Next week will be the last episode in this series as Tim and Steve wrap up and reflect on the guests and the three conversations.
Rory Randall from the Center for Open and Relational Theology joins us in conversation on this week's episode of the podcast. Rory has published a book recently entitled, "An Open Theist Renewal Theology: God's Love, the Spirit's power, and Human Freedom". We asked Rory to share some handles with which to understand this emerging theology. As usual though the theory is woven into the backdrop of life story, and so Rory shares his first experiences of God within the telling of his life story. Towards the end of the episode we return to the question of how we experience God and what it means to 'practice the presence of God'.
We hope you enjoy this conversation. We'd love to hear from you in response to any of our conversations or topics.
You can also support our work through our Patreon Page.
In this first episode of the miniseries, Delvyn Case joins us in conversation on his first experiences of God, his work and ministry in ecumenical spaces.
Delvyn has written on Open and Relational Theology for the ORT Center, and his story of process and deconstruction brings nuance to the impulse to look for a new theological framework within which to move and breathe more freely. For this reason we thought we’d include our conversation with him as the first episode of this series.
Del is a musician, educator, writer, scholar and speaker. You can head across to his website to connect with some of his current work, or connect with him on Facebook.
https://www.delvyncase.com/
Our next two guests in this series dig into the specifics of Open and Relational Theology, but, again, we explore this from the richness of their own stories. Next episode drops a week from this one.
This is a short miniseries between episodes, and so is bonus content to the end of Season 3. In this intro we look briefly at why we took this tangent into Open and Relational Theology, and how we came across our three wonderful guests.
We hope you enjoy. Check out our website or Patreon page for more info on how you can support the work of the Urban Mystic
Urban Mystic Patreon Website
We've loved Season 3 of this podcast and not yet taken breaks between guests to reflect. And, in fairness, given the subject matter we've not been sure how best to do so. Having landed at such an enriching season that really is best left to speak for itself, we're drawing Season 3 to a close with a clear idea of where we'd like to go in Season 4.
Thank you to each and every one of our listeners and to each of our guests for being part of this incredible journey!
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
Our guest for this week's episode is Greg Farrand, Executive Director of Second Breath. We are privileged to get to know Greg as he shares the story of his early experience of God, the cultivation of a contemplative practice in the context of marriage and ministry, and his evolution toward the broader Christian Wisdom Tradition.
We highly recommend Second Breath's app which is available on Google Play and App Store. The app is for anyone looking to cultivate a great presentness their self, others, cosmos, and God.
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
Costa served as head of the Association of Vineyard Churches South Africa until retirement. Costa is a Leadership Coach, specializing in the development and growth of leaders wherever and whatever they lead, whether business, board, team, department or family.
Costa is the author of Learn to love yourself: Developing a healthy self-image and Giving leadership: Taking others with you on a journey to destiny.
We get to speak to Costa about his experience of God, life journey and ministry, and dive deep into the Vineyard Model of Ministry and the need for a relational theology and spirituality.
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
Our guest for this episode is Derek Morphew. In this conversation we explore Derek’s early and ongoing experience of God and delve into his recent work titled The Kingdom Theology.
You can follow the links below to Derek’s works on Amazon:
- Breakthrough
- The Kingdom Reformation
- Demonstrating the Kingdom
And you can follow this link to Derek's website: kingdomtheology.net
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
In this episode we're joined by Professor Christo Lombaard from the University of Pretoria. This is a bit of an anomaly in the series as it was recorded close to a year ago. Here we explore postsecularism, a new era following secularism alongside secularism.
You can find Christo's publications on Academia.
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
Our guest for this episode is Richard Kearney, a philosopher and theology with deep mystical leanings. He is the author of Anatheism: Returning to God after God, Reimagining the sacred: Richard Kearney debates God, and Radical hospitality: From thought to action, with his recent work Touch: Recovering our most vital sense (no limits).
In this episode we get to know Richard's early experience of God and dive into his work.
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
This week we're joined by John W. Morehead, Director of Multifaith Matters. John's religious diplomacy approach takes people past "us vs. them" intergroup conflict, and in this conversation his interest in cognitive and neuroscience shine through. John us as we explore John's experience of God and the conversation that emerges as we explore his work.
You can dive into John's contributions, among others, in A Charitable Orthopathy: Christian Perspectives on Emotions in Multifaith Engagement, and Encountering New Religious Movements: A Holistic Evangelical Approach, and Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue.
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
This week we’re joined by Thomas Jay Oord, a philosopher, theologian, and scholar who directs a doctoral program in at Northwind Theological Seminary and the Center for Open and Relational Theology. Tom has authored a number of books, such as God Can’t and The Uncontrolling Love of God. Join us as we get to know Tom through his life story and thinking about God and his new book Open and Relational Theology.
Follow any of the hyperlinks above to connect with Thomas or to find his books on Amazon.
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
This week we’re joined by Jared Byas, cohost of the podcast The Bible for Normal People together with Pete Enns. We speak to Jared about his experience of God and new book titled Love matters more: How fighting to be right keeps us from loving like Jesus.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe, it really helps the podcast get noticed by the algorithms. If you love what we do consider supporting us on patreon.
Links
Jared's book The Bible for Normal People is on Apple Podcasts
Urban Mystic
website | patreon
We're joined by Michael Ward, author of The Sixth Sola, for this the second of two episodes. In this episode we dive into a discussion around what walking in the spirit means in terms of experiencing God. These are great conversations for anyone whose deconstruction leads toward exploring the reality of God within the context of faith.
Episode links
The Sixth Sola on Amazon
https://www.6thsola.com
Our links
https://urbanmystic.co.za
https://urbanmystic.blog
https://patreon.com/urbanmystic
We're joined by Michael Ward, author of The Sixth Sola, for two episodes. In this episode we get to know Michael and explore his early experience of God and some of his deconstruction. These are great conversations for anyone whose deconstruction leads toward exploring the reality of God within the context of faith.
Episode links
The Sixth Sola on Amazon
https://www.6thsola.com
Our links
https://urbanmystic.co.za
https://urbanmystic.blog
https://patreon.com/urbanmystic
We're joined by Jean-Ray Knightonfitt for this episode. Jean-Ray has a ton of experience working with faith-based NGO's/NPO's such as Cape Town City Mission (http://www.citymission.org.za), Cast (https://www.cast.org.za), and is presently taking up a new role as director of U-Turn (https://homeless.org.za).
Join us as we explore Jean-Ray's early experience of God and musings on intimacy with God.
https://urbanmystic.co.za
https://urbanmystic.blog
https://patreon.com/urbanmystic
We're joined by Karl Teichert, director of OC Africa, for two episodes. In this episode we hear about the research conducted by OC Africa into the training needs of church leaders in South Africa. This work is profound in that leaders self-reported a lack of relational engagement. Church leaders are starved for intimacy with God and longing for mentors. This is a deep dive that frames the research and dials into the need for relational engagement with God.
https://urbanmystic.co.za
https://urbanmystic.blog
https://patreon.com/urbanmystic
We're joined by Karl Teichart, director of OC Africa, for two episodes. In this episode we hear about his early experience of God and journey into ministry.
https://urbanmystic.co.za
https://urbanmystic.blog
https://patreon.com/urbanmystic
This is the episode where we talk about our Patreon page to raise support not only for the podcast of the urban mystic but also for the broader work and vision. This is the episode to dive into if you want to hear the vision and process we're following and understand the work we're doing to get there.
Follow the links below to our updated website and Patreon page.
https://www.urbanmystic.co.za
https://www.patreon.com/urbanmystic
Welcome to Season 3 of the podcast of the urban mystic. In this episode Tim and Steve chat about the vision of the urban mystic, the value for intimacy with God, and look to the future based not on doing church but on practicing the relational presence of God.
This is our fifth bonus episode and the conclusion to Season 2 of the podcast of the Urban Mystic.
The final three guests all deconstruct as persona and people. Yet there is a depth in their sharing as individuals no longer speaking on behalf or for a group. This is the human face of deconstruction, the felt depth of living, and the vibrant and lively spirituality of those wandering in the urban desert.
This is our fourth bonus episode.
In this bonus episode Tim and Steve explore the acceptance of deconstruction as valuable to communities and the rejection of deconstructors as the norm. Its a tragic reality that believing, behaving and belonging come as a package. The result is that institutionalism and the control of people takes precedence of their growth, exploration, and evolution.
Our guest for two episodes is the author of "Why I left the church to find Jesus: A personal odyssey". She has worked in a church running women's ministries and as a worship leader. She now supports others in their journey of deconstruction.
Join us to get to know Julie McVey.
Julie's book is available online at Amazon and connect with her via her website.
Our guest for two episodes is the author of "Why I left the church to find Jesus: A personal odyssey". She has worked in a church running women's ministries and as a worship leader. She now supports others in their journey of deconstruction.
Join us to get to know Julie McVey.
Julie's book is available online at Amazon and connect with her via her website.
Our guest for two episodes is a former pastor. She has been married nearly 25 years and has 3 sons. She has taught English for the past 12 years in both junior and high school. She loves reading fiction more than non-fiction. Join us as we get to know Natalie Simmons.
Find out more by reading her blog You can read her blog http://nataliesimmons-eanutbutterandhoney.blogspot.com.
Our guest for two episodes is a former pastor. She has been married nearly 25 years and has 3 sons. She has taught English for the past 12 years in both junior and high school. She loves reading fiction more than non-fiction. Join us as we get to know Natalie Simmons.
Find out more by reading her blog You can read her blog http://nataliesimmons-eanutbutterandhoney.blogspot.com.
Our guest for two episodes is the visionary behind a national worship event called the Newsong Festival and planted the Newsong Vineyard Christian Fellowship which used to meet at the River Club in Observatory, Cape Town. Newsong was untypically progressive and successfully homed people in their 20s and 30s during a period where this demographic was unlikely to stay in church. He went on to pastor Kenilworth Vineyard Christian Fellowship untill 2010.
Join us for our conversation with John Eliastam.
Our guest for two episodes is the visionary behind a national worship event called the Newsong Festival and planted the Newsong Vineyard Christian Fellowship which used to meet at the River Club in Observatory, Cape Town. Newsong was untypically progressive and successfully homed people in their 20s and 30s during a period where this demographic was unlikely to stay in church. He went on to pastor Kenilworth Vineyard Christian Fellowship untill 2010.
Join us for our conversation with John Eliastam.
Our guest for this episode is the author of several books, hosts a number of courses, and creates a cartoon every day. He holds a Masters in Theological Studies, as well as Diploma in Religious Studies and Ministry, and University Teaching. His art expresses the stories and struggles of spiritual refugees and independent thinkers who question, doubt or oppose the confines of religion. Each piece encourages difficult conversations and acts as a catalyst for critical thinking.
David Hayward is the NakedPastor. After 30 years in the church, he left the ministry to pursue his passion for art. His work challenges the status quo, deconstructs dogma, and promotes critical thinking.
Find out more on https://www.nakedpastorstore.com/.
This is part two of two episodes with an author of several books including "A new kind of Christianity", "Faith after doubt", "The secret message of Jesus", and "The great spiritual migration".
Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people for the common good.
Join us as we get to know Brian McLaren and find out more on www.brianmclaren.net.
This is part one of two episodes with an author of several books including "A new kind of Christianity", "Faith after doubt", "The secret message of Jesus", and "The great spiritual migration".
Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people for the common good.
Join us as we get to know Brian McLaren and find out more on www.brianmclaren.net.
This is our third bonus episode.
Our first two guests process their calling and redefine their careers in ministry while our next two guest, Richard Jacobson and John van de Laar, deconstruct the institution of the Church. In this bonus episode, Tim and Steve reflect on those conversations and their own journey as deconstructors seeking an alternative to Church as we know it.
Our guest for two episodes is a writer, musician, public speaker, composer, poet, liturgist, graphic and web designer with a Masters Degree in Theology. He recently resigned from serving as a Methodist minister. He has over 40 years of experience in spiritual practice and ministry seeking to establish a new kind of spiritual community that breaks free of the limitations of geography and specific times for the community to gather. EvoFaith turns spiritual practice into an on-demand, 24/7, global experience.
You can find out more about EvoFaith and get to know John van de Laar through our conversation over two episodes.
Our guest for two episodes is a writer, musician, public speaker, composer, poet, liturgist, graphic and web designer with a Masters Degree in Theology. He recently resigned from serving as a Methodist minister. He has over 40 years of experience in spiritual practice and ministry seeking to establish a new kind of spiritual community that breaks free of the limitations of geography and specific times for the community to gather. EvoFaith turns spiritual practice into an on-demand, 24/7, global experience.
You can find out more about EvoFaith and get to know John van de Laar through our conversation over two episodes.
Our guest for two episodes has a TED Talk, explainer videos, books, blogs and a podcast. You can find links to everything at unchurching.com. Join us as we deconstruct with Richard Jacobson. In this episode we focus on unbundling the identity of the individual and community from the brand or business of doing church.
Our guest for two episodes has a TED Talk, explainer videos, books, blogs and a podcast. You can find links to everything at unchurching.com. Join us as we deconstruct with Richard Jacobson. In this episode we explore his early early experience of God and career in ministry.
This is our second bonus episode.
Our first two guests note there to be a tension between one's calling and preparation for a career focused on doing church. Here Tim and Steve deconstruct spirituality and discuss their journey into new terrain as deconstructors.
This is our first bonus episode.
Our first two guests process their calling and redefine their careers in ministry. In this bonus episode, Tim and Steve reflect on their experience of calling and deconstruct ministry as a narrow career mostly in tune with the business of doing church.
Our guest for two episodes is an academic for the church active engaging church, state, economic, and race relations. Join us as we get to know Dion Forster. This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dion Forster. Here both Tim and Dion push back at each other over the institution of the church and whether it is necessary or relevant. It is an example of the points of agreement and difference between around the necessity of the institution of the church and why many really understand it to be essential.
(My apologies as the sound is a bit scratchy in these episodes.)
Our guest for two episodes is an academic for the church active engaging church, state, economic, and race relations. Join us as we get to know Dion Forster. In this episode we explore his early early experience of God and career in ministry.
(My apologies as the sound is a bit scratchy in these episodes.)
Our guest tonight is a retired Methodist Minister who now works as Missions Coordinator supporting churches to establish new forms of church for our changing culture and a missional coach enabling people to find new ways to grow disciples to make disciples.
Join us as we get to know Christopher Harrison.
We're super excited to back with Season 2! In this episode Tim and Steve chat about the upcoming season and introduce our guests. This is the season of deconstructors. We hope you enjoy listening to these conversations as much as we enjoyed having them.
In this episode Tim and Steve continue the conversation around the model of personal mystical experience. This is part 4 of a 4 part conversation. Here the focus is on distinguishing relational engagement with God from faith as the emporer's new clothes.
In this episode Tim and Steve continue the conversation around the model of personal mystical experience. This is part 3 of a 4 part conversation. If you’d like to see the diagrams provided please look them up at https://urbanmystic.blog/2020/06/19/understanding-personal-mystical-experience-part-1/
In this episode Tim and Steve briefly discuss some emerging caveats. These are by way of answering some of the questions we've been fielding offline.
In this episode Tim puts forward a model enabling us to understand personal mystical experience while respecting the diversity of the phenomena. This is part 2 of a 3 or 4 part conversation. If you’d like to see the diagrams provided please look them up at https://urbanmystic.blog/2020/06/19/understanding-personal-mystical-experience-part-1/
In this episode Tim puts forward a model enabling us to understand personal mystical experience while respecting the diversity of the phenomena. This is part 1 of a 3 or 4 part conversation. If you’d like to see the diagrams provided please look them up at https://urbanmystic.blog/2020/06/19/understanding-personal-mystical-experience-part-1/
This is the second episode of the two part conversation where Tim and Steve share their own personal or mystical experiences. These are normal experiences that can be pursued, cultivated, and shared. This is a refreshing alternative to the notion of faith as somehow disconnected from daily life and relationships.
In this episode Tim and Steve share some of their own mystical experiences. This evidences how down to earth such experience is and how well it can integrate into daily life. This is Part 1 of 2.
In this episode Tim and Steve explore the interaction between human beings and spiritual beings. This phenomenon is central to the three great monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and near-universally present in primal cultures and our present world. Head on over to urbanmystic.blog for a mindmap summarising the phenomenon.
In this episode Tim and Steve discuss worldviews and some problems of translation and interpretation that arise across worldviews.
In this episode Tim is joined by Steve and they share a somewhat focused yet meandering conversation around the transition from institutional religion to what may come after.
In this episode we explore how practical language enables us go about changing our experience. Here the idea of the horizon is explored along with the meaning of the transcendent.
Welcome to the podcast of the Urban Mystic. In "S01E01 Introducing UM, definitions and caveats" we introduce and explore the relationship of and differentiation between spirituality, religion and mysticism within our capacity to relate to ideas, causes, objects, processes, institutions and persons. This is the podcast to follow if you're interested in a post-religious relational pursuit of God rooted in experience.