dchurched's podcast: Recent Episodes
Julian Holdsworth
A place to connect with Jesus beyond the doors of the church.... Sometimes in life we are called to let go of structures and forms that have been part of our lives up until this point. Like a lobster that leaves a shell that has become too constrictive. It's risky and vulnerable to take this journey, but you know you must. Maybe the church, as you have experienced it, is one of those forms or structures that you have had to leave. You have questions that are not safe to ask. You have found the community too conforming and unable to cope with differences of opinion or identity. Maybe you have had to hide your true self. Or struggled with how church related to the outside world. It might be that you have been wounded or violated by those in leadership. At Dchurched we want to provide a safe context to keep doing life with Jesus outside the church walls.
Sometimes life's journey takes us into places we hadn't anticipated. Maybe we have been a person of fatih and have reached a point where we find it hard to believe that there is a God. Surprisingly, there are ways of reading the bible that allow for that.
In this episode, Jools encourages those for whom the spiritual journey has led them to a place of atheism. Atheism may in fact be a necessary part of the journey for you. If so, that is fine, but maybe it's not the end of the journey...
Suppose there is a kind of truth claim that is not merely proved in a short piece of logic or evidence, but by a lifelong journey lived within that claim. The proof of the truth in such circumstances is not quickly obtained by argument but is a lived story. In this podcast, Jools explores that reality. Truth is like coffee - not merely described, but enjoyed for its aroma and best drunk slowly...
Easter Saturday is a day we all know. Hope is gone, or is it? Faith is as dead as the cold, lifeless body of Jesus in the arms of Joseph of Arimathea. And now on Sabbath, we wait to see what will emerge, re-orienting ourselves again to the greater purposes of life, unsure of the future. But maybe the future dawn will bring new hope... And so we wait.
Easter Saturday, or perhaps we could call it, 'The Day of Deconstruction' is the inbetween point where so many of us find ourselves sometimes. For those who struggle with faith, it is the point of brokeness where all seems lost. Where the world is caved in and you don't know what's next. Jesus has died and our faith seems to have died too. It is at this place that new challenges await and new direction may be birthed even within the pain of the moment.
John 19v38-42 and Luke 23v50-56 give clues to what that might look like.
Connecting with others well enables us to discover the whisper of God in our midst. The trouble is we are not silent long enough to hear. That way of relating requires learning how to park our truth and listen deeply. In this episode Jools explores 3 ways through which we might do that effectively and practically.
It's hard to love some people isn't it?! Everybody loves it when Jesus says love your neighbour, but how do we even start? In this episode Jools talks about the first steps in becoming more loving. He explores the process of taking Jesus' command out of the world of theory and abstract that everyone applauds and into the real world of our daily lives.
‘How can I be at home with others unless I am at home with myself?’
We are called to love others as we love ourselves. But loving ourselves should not be assumed. It requires an increasing apprehension of God's love for us. So many religious types end up being shrill about their truths and dumping their insecurities on others because of an inner script of judgement rather than the love of God. And so many walk away from faith because of this failure to communicate love by fellow journeyers. Christians can behave like jerks to gays, refugees, and many others not like them. Why? Because of how they perceive truth, humility and God's nature.
In this episode, Jools explores ways to overcome the tendency to force our will on others. Instead he offers ways to overcome the self defeating scripts in all our heads.
If you would like to support this channel, please go to https://gofund.me/18e1af49
Being certain of your faith is surely a given, isn't it? But what happens when our certainty creates a way of faith that is anything but loving?
In this episode Jools discusses the concept that our certainty is actually very often distorted even without us noticing. And the results are not pretty.
If you would like to support this channel, please go to https://gofund.me/18e1af49
Being certain of your faith is surely a given, isn't it? But what happens when our certainty creates a way of faith that is anything but loving?
In this episode Jools discusses the concept that our certainty is actually very often distorted even without us noticing. And the results are not pretty.
If you would like to support this channel, please go to https://gofund.me/18e1af49
In this, the third of three episodes Jools interviews two leading economists to talk about applying the ethics of Jesus to the world of economics. What does good news to the poor mean in practice at both a macro and individual level? Are things changing for the better? Is there hope for greater equality in the world?
This continues an occasional series highlighting conversations that rarely occur in church circles.
Joining him are Amar Breckenridge, a leading economist working in Geneva and Brett Inder of Monash University, Melbourne.
In this, the second of three episodes Jools interviews two leading economists to talk about applying the ethics of Jesus to the world of economics. What does good news to the poor mean in practice at both a macro and individual level? Are things changing for the better? Is there hope for greater equality in the world?
This continues an occasional series highlighting conversations that rarely occur in church circles.
Joining him are Amar Breckenridge, a leading economist working in Geneva and Brett Inder of Monash University, Melbourne.
In this, the first of three episodes Jools interviews two leading economists to talk about applying the ethics of Jesus to the world of economics. What does good news to the poor mean in practice at both a macro and individual level? Are things changing for the better? Is there hope for greater equality in the world?
This continues an occasional series highlighting conversations that rarely occur in church circles.
Joining him are Amar Breckenridge, a leading economist working in Geneva and Brett Inder of Monash University, Melbourne.
After the restraints of covid, what will your spiritual life look like? In this episode Jools will explore nine different ways that people are already starting to choose for their spiritual journey. Knowing these categories may help you reflect on the choices we so often drift into without really thinking it through....
The motives of all humans is to get something, to find a new sensation or meaning or to escape something. Our cultures and economies thrive on such feelings. However, restlessness is a first step on the dechurched journey. Discovering how to keep that kind of energy moving towards God is vital because there are so many other things calling for our attention. If we are to make this journey not merely an escape but an expedition into the unknown with Jesus, then restlessness is just the starting point.
Is there ever a time to stop thinking? Is it a fair accusation to make against Christians that they act this way? In this episode, steering away from the sterile mindless fundamentalism of some Christian movements, Jools explores the link between asking questions, developing the mind of Christ and nurturing love.
Finding ways to embrace both uncertainty and confident assurance is a tricky path to walk in these post truth times. In this final episode of our interview with Dr Greg Laughery we look at some of the practical and uncomfortable implications of living between the poles of objectivity and subjectivity, between doubt and certainty, between opposing positions and between the present and future Kingdom. In short, to live in the middle. How should we live as imitators of the ultimate mediator?
Finding ways to embrace both uncertainty and confident assurance is a tricky path to walk. But in this day and age of fundamentalist certainty, it behooves us to walk with such wisdom. Perhaps saying, "I don't know everything" even if we then add quietly, "but this I feel fairly confident of".
To navigate the twin poles of objectivity and subjectivity, my special guest for this 2nd of 3 podcasts is Swiss-American theologian, Dr Greg Laughery. Greg has been a leader at the L'Abri Christian community in Switzerland for many years and continues to write and teach on a variety of subjects. In recent years, he has written books on Genesis 1-3 and on 1 Corinthians 7 perspective on the place of women.
Finding ways to embrace both uncertainty and confident assurance is a tricky path to walk. But in this day and age of fundamentalist certainty, it behooves us to walk with such wisdom. Perhaps saying, "I don't know everything" even if we then add quietly, "but this I feel fairly confident of".
To navigate the twin poles of objectivity and subjectivity, my special guest for this podcast is Swiss-American theologian, Dr Greg Laughery. Greg has been a leader at the L'Abri Christian community in Switzerland for many years and continues to write and teach on a variety of subjects. In recent years, he has written books on Genesis 1-3 and on 1 Corinthians 7 perspective on the place of women.
If I'm a Christian, do I have to be evangelistic? Is there an alternative to the words-based approach that people perceive as ramming religion down their throats? What might it look like to hold our truth lightly and join in with God's mission to God's world? A frequent (and often fair) criticism of the church is that it seems to see the gospel as a way of forcing people to join 'the club'. Jesus modelled a different way of wooing people with love. In this episode, Jools interviews Sue Holdsworth to talk about how to do mission in loving and open hearted ways. Sue is currently finishing a PHD on this very topic.
In this episode we interview climate scientist and theologian, Mick Pope. We explore the connections between God's justice, climate change and our roles as people of faith. If you've been burned by the 'other-worldliness' of church life, Mick has some fresh things to say.
Discovering the divine presence outside the walls of the church comes in many forms. In this reflection, Sue Holdsworth opens up about her journey.
For those outside Australia, her reference to the Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.
In this conversation with PHD candidate, Sue Holdsworth, Jools asks whether there are other ways of being alert to the spiritual dimensions of life that might be more helpful than our limited denominational experiences. If you've struggled with the definitions of spirituality that you've experienced, perhaps it's time to discover fresh ways of being alive to the divine presence.
Have you ever played Jenga*? That moment when a number of floors of bricks are balanced precariously on just one brick? For many that one brick is like the unresolved question that all of us have that threatens to collapse our faith. In this episode Jools provides reflections on whether to walk away from the faith because of that particular question.
In this conversation with Dr John Capper, Jools and John talk about ways of becoming embracing and inclusive of those 'not like us' and of ways to deal with the rejection of being branded an outsider.
In this wide ranging episode Jools and John talk about stages of faith, the trinity and embracing mystery as part of the journey of moving beyond judgement. This is part 3 of an ongoing conversation with theologian, Dr John Capper.
Creating space for those different to us requires spiritual and emotional maturity. Creating communities like this requires great wisdom. Becoming, not just tolerant of difference, but gracious and welcoming of the 'other' calls us beyond judgement and into a space where we discover the one who was the friend of 'outsiders'.
Creating space for those different to us requires spiritual and emotional maturity. Creating communities like this requires great wisdom. Becoming, not just tolerant of difference, but gracious and welcoming of the 'other' calls us beyond judgement and into a space where we discover the one who was the friend of 'outsiders'.
It feels like most of the world has become dechurched! What might Jesus say to us as we physically isolate, watch our economies falter and above all feel the existential threat of this global pandemic? In this devotional episode , interrupting the normal schedule, Jools share some reflections on Jesus' words in Matthew 6v25-34.
If you have issues or concerns that arise because of social isolation, please join our facebook community and if you feel able, contact us at dchurched.com.
There are a multitude of reasons people leave the faith community of which they have been part. Many of these are very understandable if we take the time to listen. In these two podcasts Jools talks about some of the people and stories he has heard for why people leave and reflects on how to respond. This is Feeling the Pain of those who Walk Part 2.
There are a multitude of reasons people leave the faith community of which they have been part. Many of these are very understandable if we take the time to listen. In these two podcasts Jools talks about some of the people and stories he has heard for why people leave and reflects on how to respond.
Josh Daffern in a recent article highlights some reasons he has found why people are leaving the church. (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/newwineskins/10-reasons-why-your-friends-and-family-are-leaving-the-church/)
In this podcast Jools shares the reality that this has always happened and Jesus had some things to say about this but that we should handle the pain of this with grace and gentleness, particularly towards those who are journeying away from the faith community.
What is the place of Mary the mother of Jesus in the panorama of biblical history? Was she a victim of assault by God? Did she set up a theological basis for female subservience to men? Or quite the opposite, does she present a potential example for the feminist movement? Or is she something else?
To discover who we truly can become we must first allow ourselves to be found. In this devotional podcast, Jools explains the story of the lost coin with fresh insights for an age of self worth, self image and self absorption.
This is a two part podcast that examines fresh ways to think of healing. Jesus healed. One of God's names is healer. So how can we think of healing in the light of our own woundedness and particularly when we have been exposed to false theologies of healing? In these podcasts Jools shares something of his own experience of healing and gives us three words that help us reframe how we think about this thorny topic.
This is a two part podcast that examines fresh ways to think of healing. Jesus healed. One of God's names is healer. So how can we think of healing in the light of our own woundedness and particularly when we have been exposed to false theologies of healing? In these podcasts Jools shares something of his own experience of healing and gives us three words that help us reframe how we think about this thorny topic.
This is the second of two podcasts with special guests, Rachel Garofalo and Sue Holdsworth. In it they talk about their experience and reflections on being wounded and alienated in church life and ways they have found to move forward from those experiences.
This is the first of two podcasts with special guests, Rachel Garofalo and Sue Holdsworth. In it they talk about their experience and reflections on being wounded and alienated in church life and ways they have found to move forward from those experiences.
"Why do I not seem to be a better person than this time last year?" Is it the church's fault or mine? It just doesn't seem to be working!"
Western culture emphasises a passive, consumerist, individualistic and privatised faith. Jools argues that the church of the 2-3rd centuries instead encouraged patient, community-shaped, habits of grace. In this series of 3 podcasts Jools talks about how we might learn from the pre-Christendom church in becoming like Jesus.
"Why do I not seem to be a better person than this time last year?" Is it the church's fault or mine? It just doesn't seem to be working!"
In this series of 3 podcasts Jools talks about 3 elements that are often missing from the way modern, western churches develop discipleship and how different this is to the nurturing of Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
"Why do I not seem to be a better person than this time last year?" Is it the church's fault or mine? It just doesn't seem to be working!"
In this series of 3 podcasts Jools talks about 3 elements that are often missing from the way modern, western churches develop discipleship and how different this is to the nurturing of Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
Leaving a church or other community is never easy, particularly if there is pain and woundedness involved. In these podcasts Jools will explore the dynamics of such circumstances and identify some suggestions for moving forward. In this episode, Jools looks at the interactions of King Saul and David as an illustration of leaving well. He also outlines 8 suggestions for leaving well.
Leaving a church or other community is never easy, particularly if there is pain and woundedness involved. In these podcasts Jools will explore the dynamics of such circumstances and identify some suggestions for moving forward.
Christians are called to steward the natural world, for the benefit of all creation and for future generations. All humanity is accountable (using an analogy by Jesus), to the ‘owner of the vineyard’. This is a major part of our whole purpose on Earth.
God's first book was not written with ink, but in the fabric of life itself. This final episode in our series "Noticing God" looks at the mystery of connecting with God in nature and human art and culture.
This series is inspired by the short book, 'Noticing God" by Richard Peace
When we notice God in ourselves through habits of reading, prayer, reflection and serving others we learn to be at home with others and notice him there too.
This series is inspired by the short book, 'Noticing God" by Richard Peace
Perhaps you struggle with the Bible because you've seen its abuse at the hands of those in religious power. Or you have felt that it was not inclusive enough.
In this episode, Jools shares fresh ways of reading this cultural icon that help us re-connect with divine love.
This series is inspired by the short book, 'Noticing God" by Richard Peace.
Jacob … arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep.
As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway…
At the top of the stairway stood the LORD…
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”
Genesis 22
In this episode Jools talks about dreams, visions and mystical encounters and asks the question if we are open to such things or have been so conditioned to dismiss them?
This series is inspired by the short book, 'Noticing God" by Richard Peace.
Like learning to spot the 3D image in a Magic Eye book, God is there to be found.
“The disciple is one who, intent upon becoming Christlike . . . systematically and progressively rearranges his affairs to that end.” Dallas Willard The Spirit of the Disciplines.
There are spiritual practices within our grasp that can help us to grow in noticing God. So just make a start. Begin doing what you can to situate yourself within reach of God's presence.
This series is inspired by the short book, 'Noticing God" by Richard Peace
“Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.” ― Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Are we failing to notice God? Is every common bush afire with God’s presence to you.? In this series Jools helps us to reimagine a world in which the presence of God permeates everything.
In this episode Jools briefly explores how Genesis 1 and the entire old testament leads up to Jesus' declaration in Luke 17v20-21 that God is present and near - God is there to be seen if we have eyes to see. He likens our failure to see being similar to fish in an aquarium who cannot perceive a world of "dryness" or the true origin of their food source.
This series is inspired by the short book, 'Noticing God" by Richard Peace
“Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.” ― Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you..? And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ -- Jesus, Matt 25.
Are we failing to notice God? Is every common bush afire with God’s presence to you.? In this series Jools seeks to help us to reimagine a world in which the presence of God permeates everything.
This series is inspired by the short book, 'Noticing God" by Richard Peace
What does the exile of ancient Israel have to say to exiles from today's church?
The capacity of the bible to cope with rethinking and reframing is larger than you might think.
In this interview with Dr Sawyer, we will talk about how the exile of Israel became a catalyst for discovering God in fresh ways and unexpected places. In turn, it caused the people of Israel to re-examine what it means to be God's people. Likewise our journeys of exile from faith communities and even the sense of God's absence can be transformative in our experience and understanding of spirituality.
In this two part podcast, Dr Sawyer gives us fresh insight from her life experience and in her studies in Isaiah into spiritually thriving outside the walls of the church...
What does the exile of ancient Israel have to say to exiles from today's church?
The capacity of the bible to cope with rethinking and reframing is larger than you might think.
In this interview with Dr Sawyer, we will talk about how the exile of Israel became a catalyst for discovering God in fresh ways and unexpected places. In turn, it caused the people of Israel to re-examine what it means to be God's people. Likewise our journeys of exile from faith communities and even the sense of God's absence can be transformative in our experience and understanding of spirituality.
In this two part podcast, Dr Sawyer gives us fresh insight from her life experience and in her studies in Isaiah into spiritually thriving outside the walls of the church...
What keeps you walking with Jesus amongst the doubts?
In this final podcast of 3, Jools adds a final two components to his worldview - appetite and community. He encourages us to develop our own reference points for meaning in life with Jesus. He argues that, developed well, a good worldview can be greater than the sum of its parts. He also provides some suggestions for going from here.
What keeps you walking with Jesus amongst the doubts? Most people don't have a well thought out way of viewing the world. They can't identify those anchor points that give rootedness in life when their world comes crashing down. In this second of three podcasts Jools shares some of the elements that keep him walking with Jesus. He explains those things, both philosophical, theological, experiential and subjective that sustain him in shadowy times.
It's not a complete worldview for everyone (that would take 100 podcasts!), but more a personal collection of just some of his go-to resources in times of crisis. In the process, he encourages us to identify our own convictions and resources for faith that will sustain us in the valley of shadows.
What keeps you walking with Jesus amongst the doubts? Most people don't have a well thought out way of viewing the world. They can't identify those anchor points that give rootedness in life when their world comes crashing down. In these 3 podcasts Jools shares some of the elements that keep him walking with Jesus. He explains those things, both philosophical, theological, experiential and subjective that sustain him in shadowy times.
It's not a complete worldview for everyone (that would take 100 podcasts!), but more a personal collection of just some of his go-to resources in times of crisis. In the process, he encourages us to identify our own convictions and resources for faith that will sustain us in the valley of shadows.
The Christmas Story without all the cultural mistakes! The following are all mistakes applied to the Christmas story...
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Mary is heavily pregnant when she arrives in Bethlehem.
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She goes into labour almost right away.
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There is no space for them at the inn.
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The birth takes place in a stable, away from human eyes.
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They immediately have to flee to Egypt.
Find out why these are wrong and the significance of the stories for those who have left a faith community...
This episode builds on the brilliant work by Middle Eastern expert Ken Bailey.
In this episode we will explore the observations developed by anthropologist Paul Heibert of bounded and centred set. In the bounded set, people are either in or out. In the centred set there is a greater fluidity of movement around a centre. There is still a centre, but the orbits and paths fluctuate and vary. In this talk we will show how this relates to Jesus way of doing things in welcoming the outsider and how it applies to the de-churched.
When we treat others as outsiders, we 'other' them. We smother their identity. Jesus identified both as the one who was an outsider and the one who brings comfort and new life to the outsider.
This is the first of 3 podcasts talking about thriving as an outsider. Humans define themselves through story. The Christian narrative can be framed in open or closed ways. Thriving with Jesus as an outsider begins with stepping out from a constrictive story.
An introduction to Dchurched - A place to connect with Jesus beyond the doors of the church....
Sometimes in life we are called to let go of structures and forms that have been part of our lives up until this point. Like a lobster that leaves a shell that has become too constrictive. It's risky and vulnerable to take this journey, but you know you must. Maybe the church, as you have experienced it, is one of those forms or structures that you have had to leave. You have questions that are not safe to ask. You have found the community too conforming and unable to cope with differences of opinion or identity. Maybe you have had to hide your true self. Or struggled with how church related to the outside world. It might be that you have been wounded or violated by those in leadership. At Dchurched we want to provide a safe context to keep doing life with Jesus outside the church walls. So if you are dechurched, join us at Dchurched. Our facebook community can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pg/Dchurched-571706469919796/about/?ref=page_internal