Mid-faith Crisis
A podcast for every Christian who has ever asked ‘Is that it?’ Mid-faith Crisis explores the Christian faith with honesty and humour. If you feel that you have more questions than answers, if you feel as though your faith is changing, if you feel that if the worship leader sings that chorus one more time you will strangle him with his own guitar strap, then this is the podcast for you. Warning. Contains traces of theology and occasional innuendo.
Episodes
We talk cynics, sceptics and assorted doubters. What is it that pushes us towards cynicism? How can we remain open to the possibilities of prayer? Does anyone still play the prophetic bongos? And most importantly, what's happening with Nick's apricots?
People have sent in limericks about the Trinity. Joe is wondering what to do about the climate crisis. Nick is very grumpy about AI, a mood not improved by the AI-generated description of their photo on Facebook. We talk about the need to be people who care, who live lives of both gratitude and action. So join our long-term partnership, as we prioritise our relationship and spend quality time together.
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Tim Hewes is the author of Finding Beauty Behind Bars - A Climate Activist’s Enforced Retreat, a book he wrote after being arrested during Extinction Rebellion protests. He tells us about how he became so concerned, why he got involved with non-violent protest and the remarkable story of the day that eight Met policemen were sent to arrest a highly dangerous clergyman.
Back after our break, we celebrate an episode with all the threes by totally solving the issue of the Trinity. I mean, we absolutely nailed it. Completely sorted. It's not like Batman, but it might be like a canal. Anyway, you're welcome.
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In this Nick reflects on saying goodbye to his beloved dog, Bill, so we talk about joy, prayer, vulnerability, grief and love. Please be warned – along with the usual nonsense, this has some very un-English, tearful moments. But that's love for you.
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- Nick's Blog
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...This week we tackle some feedback, talk about elders and gatekeepers and Joe has an update on his theme. Also, we think about why theology is such a loaded word, how the creed ignores most of Jesus' life and how the manager of Tottenham Hotspur reminds us of something important about the Kingdom of God. Oh, and Nick has some very helpful medication.
In an episode recorded actually together in the same room, we talk about getting older. What is the invitation of this part of life? How does it affect our faith? We talk about being an elder, becoming an 'adult of God', and what our new roles might be as we age disgracefully.
...In an unexpected move - well, unexpected for Joe, at least – we revisit an episode from 2017. Eight years ago we had a stab at writing our own creeds and now, having completely forgotten even doing it, we go back to see what we wrote and whether we still agree with it. Also we have important clarifications about cauliflowers, and we worry whether both the podcast and our lives are now travelling in reverse.
This week's topics include the ethics of slug control, the 1700th anniversary the council of Nicea, whether transformation is always difficult and what it would be like if we met our internal critic at a party. Also, how do we approach difficult events when it really seems like God is to blame? Oh, and Nick has a theory that stories are like cauliflowers. Or something like that.
Nick gives his belated thoughts on Easter and reflects on how it's not about the doctrine but about the story: we are invited to live in the story of Easter and to allow it to give pattern to our lives. We talk about some classic story shapes, and how the Easter story is embodied in baptism and in the eucharist. Finally we reflect on what meal would tell our story: chicken Madras, or cheese and wine?
It’s the Easter Special! Well, half an Easter Special maybe. Nick has the flu so in this shortened episode, it's Pastor Joe to the rescue, reflecting on how the Easter story of suffering, bewilderment and joy is a challenge to us to live all of life. Maybe, like the disciples on the Emmaus road, 'we had hopes'; but maybe, also like them, we can look back and recognise that Jesus was with us all along. Now, anyone for a liturgical b...
As we head into Holy Week, we discuss what it's like to celebrate Easter in mid-faith crisis. We explore how Easter is about our identity as Christians and how, by examining the practices of the early church, we might be able to develop a shape for our own rituals. Also we touch on why the Mid-faith Crisis is like owning an old car, and we say hello to Grandpa Joe!
We're back! Joe has returned from Mexico and Nick has returned from an unfortunate act of wire-cutting. We catch up on how things are going with our themes, discuss how life (and theology) keeps adding complexity, and think about how we respond to fear when, inevitably, it arrives. Also we talk a little more about the need to embrace uncertainty, and the importance of telling yourself some good stories. Meanwhile does Nick have a p...
With Joe away in Mexico we have an interview with Bekah Legg. She talks about the work of Restored with the victims of domestic abuse, and shares a little of her own story of loss and grief.
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- Contact the podcast through your email machine
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- Nick's Blog
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It's our annual themes episode! We talk about our themes for the year, and reflect on how last year's themes worked out. And Joe has received an encouraging birthday card. Church notice: we're taking a brief break, so the next podcast will be in two week's time.
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- Contact the podcast through your email machine
- Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page
- Nick's Blog
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We discuss how culture shapes art, and especially, how the culture of the time affects the Bible. How do the cultural norms and assumptions affect the text? Can we give power to the powerless within the story? And what about our own cultural lenses? We touch on creating our own sacred texts and ask the crucial question: can we still watch Carry On Films? Also Nick has had a dream. A very worrying dream, as it happens.
Or not. Because in this episode we delve into some follow-up to last episode's interview with Danielle Strickland. How can we address some of the deep, ingrained attitudes which affect all of us? What does this mean for ideas of femininity and masculinity? And how do we respond to loss of power and prestige without lashing out? Also the boys have had a business meeting in a place called Upham. No, really.
This week, Joe interviews author and speaker Danielle Strickland, about patriarchy – the male-centring and male-ordering of the world. They discuss the challenges of calling it out, the heretical concept of the male-ness of God, and the way in which patriarchal thinking and theology affects the world and the church. Most importantly, they talk about some practical things we can all do to make a difference.
More on metaphors. We talk more about the idea of Jesus as 'Lord', and discuss how changes in culture, society or even technology might change our understanding of long-standing human metaphors. Also we talk about ritual and sacraments and how so many of them are simply heightened versions of everyday human activities. Meanwhile, Nick's preaching has some unexpectedly dramatic consequences and Joe thinks everyone should wear a tiar...
Happy Candlemas to one and all. In this episode we talk a lot about baptism: what is it, where did it come from and does it still matter? And did Nick really write a book on it without realising? Also we have more on the neurodiverse approaches to church, we touch on different ways of understanding justice, and we think about whether laying down your life for others means denying who you truly are. Finally, we have a worship song a...
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