PART 1 of 4: Many Christians wonder how it is possible to be LGBTQ+ affirming in light of what most people assume to be a clear anti-Gay message in the bible. In this special 4-part series, Kelly examines how affirming Bible scholars view the 6 verses in the Bible that deal with same-sex relationships in the context of their time and place, and ask whether these really are sweeping prohibitions of all same-sex relationships, or are about specific issues in a certain time–including violence, idolatry, and religious difference–that may not apply to modern LGBTQ+ people and relationships. (TW: Sexual Assault, Rape, Incest, Slavery, Infanticide)

We talk with the editors of the volume “ Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God: Sermons, Essays, and Worship Elements from the Perspective of Open, Relational, and Process Theology” about what process (or open and relational) theology is, how it answers many questions that modern believers struggle with, and how this rich collection of writings can help introduce people and churches to an innovative way of thinking about God and their own role in God’s work. Featuring Jeffry Wells, Vikki Randall, and Thomas Jay Oord.

: Mark talks with Brother Timothy Jolley, a life professed monk of the Order of the Holy Cross, an Anglican Benedictine monastic community of men, associated with The Episcopal Church, located in West Park, New York. Br. Timothy joined the monastery over 50 years ago with a calling to serve a vocation dedicated to children’s education, spiritual evolution, and spiritual direction. Our conversation covers how Br. Timohty was called to become an Anglican monastic, his work with the formation of the Holy Cross School in Grahamstown, South Africa, what can happen when we show radical welcoming to a guest, and how he lives out the founder’s mission statement: “Love must act as light must shine forth and fire must burn.” Find out more about Holy Cross, their beautiful campus on the banks of the Hudson River offering many types of retreats, and the monastic life at www.holycrossmonastery.com. Please support the Love Must Act and the Holy Cross School by visiting www.lovemustact.org.

This week Kelly talks with Lori Adams-Brown, who has an amazing story of resilience and healing after religious abuse from her work in a prominent megachurch. As this podcast is launching, the Southern Baptist Convention is having their annual meeting to talk about, among other things, the role of women in the church (and honestly, the role of women in life!) Lori is unique in that she has had a role of “Pastor” in a church that said it was pro-women, but found it was a front for exclusion, aggression, and abuse. In addition to her healing journey, Lori also talks about the work she does now, as a consultant and coach, bringing her spiritual lessons with her as she works for inclusion in that other sacred space–the workplace–and creating safe avenues for whistleblowers to make their voices heard.

Lori Adams-Brown is a business and nonprofit executive and inclusivity specialist with 30 years experience of living and working abroad in Central & South America, Asia and the San Francisco Bay Area. Lori is is a combination of international speaker, business executive, podcaster and relief and development expert. She hosts the popular podcast “A World of Difference,” celebrating humanity’s unique differences and encouraging us all to make a difference around the world.

PART 1 of 2: Many Christians wonder how it is possible to be LGBTQ+ affirming in light of what most people assume to be a clear anti-Gay message in the bible. In this special 2-part episode, Kelly examines how affirming Bible scholars view the 6 verses in the Bible that deal with same-sex relationships in the context of their time and place, and question whether these really are sweeping prohibitions of all same-sex relationships, or are about specific issues in a certain time–including violence, idolatry, and religious difference–that may not apply to modern LGBTQ+ people and relationships. (TW: Sexual Assault)

Dr. Ryan Joseph Allen, Author, Speaker, and Transformational Coach, talks with us about his life’s journey, which began with depression, addiction, shame, and alienation, and led him through a rollercoaster of ups and downs before he connected with God through the most unlikely of evangelists: His drug dealer. Dr. Allen shares with us how his experiences inspired him to break destructive cycles, embrace his authentic self–including his LGBTQ+ sexual identity, and to work with others to support, motivate, and lead them to love. Allen is the author of “My Drug Dealer Brought Me to God,” (available on Amazon and other booksellers) and works extensively in the nonprofit sector to help improve the lives of others.

Using Mark’s recent retreat at Holy Cross Monastery as a launching off place, we explore how mysticism, meditation, and contemplative traditions like monasticism can help answer questions, inform our beliefs, and offer insights into the divine that are deeper and more profound than those we find everyday churchgoing or scripture study alone.

How do you re-engage with God after deconstruction? How do you get over some of those major hurdles–the violence, exclusion, injustice and other problems that make traditional theology hard to swallow? Thomas Oord–theologian, writer, professor, and director of the Center for Open and Relational Theology–talks with us about the book that he and Tripp Fuller just released, God After Deconstruction. Together, these innovative theological minds systematically address the top problems that people have with modern Christianity, and take on each of them head-on. Oord offers thoughtful responses to many of the burning issues that are driving people away from churches, and presents some of the concepts of Open and Relational Theology, which many are finding as a reasonable yet faithful way of encountering God all over again.

We are so blessed to talk with Dr. Thema Bryant, psychologist, minister, and sacred artist, about the connections between mental health and faith, and how both can work together...