Better on the Inside
By Better on the Inside
Better on the InsideFeb 09, 2023
Dianne Garcia (Part 2): Moving Beyond "Charity" for Real Relationships with Our New Neighbors
You can find Dianne on Instagram and her church here.
AI Summary
Summary
In this conversation, Jon Pyle interviews Dianne Garcia, the pastor and church planter of Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio, a church for immigrant families in San Antonio. Dianne shares her experience of starting a church that is led by and serves immigrant families. They discuss the importance of forming personal relationships with immigrants and the misconceptions surrounding immigration. The conversation highlights the need for churches and individuals to support immigrants in a way that truly helps and empowers them.
Keywords
church, immigrant families, church planting, community, relationships, support, misconceptions, empowerment
Chapters
00:00 Personal Connections and Changing Perspectives
07:02 Impact on the Soul through Engaging with Immigrants
08:40 Finding Meaning and Impact
09:24 The Challenge of Helping Many
09:54 The Most Meaningful Thing
10:36 Passion Rooted in Suffering
11:35 Moving Beyond Charity
12:30 Compassionate Relationship vs. Charity
13:21 Transformation through Suffering
14:17 Vulnerability and Empathy
15:16 The Impact on the Soul
16:01 Help that Hurts
17:12 The Danger of Dehumanization
18:08 Moving Beyond Transactional Help
19:41 Creating Safety, Narrative Change, and Empowerment
21:02 Seeking Sanctuary and Changing Narratives
22:29 Providing Emotional and Spiritual Sanctuary
25:08 The Emotional Journey of Asylum Seekers
26:01 Finding Joy in Watching Baby Chicks
27:52 Where to Find Diane
33:52 BOTI Outro Video.mp4
Dianne Garcia (Part 1): Immigrants Are New Neighbors Not Enemies
You can find Dianne on Instagram and her church here.
AI Summary
In this conversation, Jon Pyle and Dianne Garcia discuss the importance of treating immigrants with love, dignity, and respect. Dianne shares her experience as the pastor of a church that serves immigrant families and asylum seekers in San Antonio. They talk about the different categories of immigrants, the challenges they face, and the fear and uncertainty they live with. They also discuss the political and partisan aspects of immigration and the pushback Dianne receives for her work. The conversation highlights the need for a more humane and compassionate approach to immigration.
Keywords
immigration, immigrants, asylum seekers, church, love, dignity, respect, fear, uncertainty, political, partisan, pushback, humane, compassionate
Quick Announcement and Episode Preview
New Episode coming early next week.
Kadi Cole (Part 2): The (Pastoral) Future of the Church and Women’s Role in its Reinvention
Kadi Cole (Part 1): Empowering Women (And Everyone) in Ministry and Caring for Your Congregation
Find Kadi Cole at her website and on social media. She also has some INSANELY cool resources on here LinkTree. https://linktr.ee/kadicole
If you're not in full time ministry (90+% of people) what does it look like to fully engage your calling? That's one of the big questions Kadi is here to address and she does an amazing job guiding us to a fulfilling life at home, in church and at work.
Riana Shaw Robinson (Part 2): Moving Away from Transactional Church and Honoring Our Identity
Summary
In this conversation, Jon Pyle and Riana Shaw Robinson discuss the challenges faced by women and people of color in the church. They talk about the transactional nature of the church and the pressure to compromise one's identity for belonging. Riana shares her experience of being a co-creator with God and the importance of patience in birthing something new. They also discuss the need for non-conventional communities that cater to specific groups and the tension that arises from that. Riana emphasizes the importance of listening to and receiving the stories of others with gratitude. In this conversation, Riana Shaw Robinson discusses the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities and the power of community support. She shares her experiences at Miriam's Song, a church community that welcomes and uplifts women of color. Riana emphasizes the need for inclusivity and acceptance in religious spaces, challenging traditional boundaries and hierarchies. She also highlights the significance of self-care and joy in the midst of challenging times. Overall, the conversation highlights the transformative power of community and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels seen, held, and loved.
Takeaways
The church can be transactional and often pressures individuals to compromise their identity for belonging.
The Holy Spirit is creative and invites individuals to co-create something new with God.
Non-conventional communities that cater to specific groups can provide a sense of belonging and empowerment.
It is important to listen to and receive the stories of others with gratitude. Creating safe spaces for marginalized communities is essential for their well-being and flourishing.
Inclusivity and acceptance should be prioritized in religious spaces, challenging traditional boundaries and hierarchies.
Self-care and joy are important for maintaining resilience and finding strength in challenging times.
Community support and affirmation are transformative and can help individuals feel seen, held, and loved.
Chapters
00:00 The Struggle of Women of Color in Church Spaces
01:33 Transactional Relationships in Church
03:01 Identity and Belonging
03:57 Navigating Progressive Spaces
04:50 Challenging Traditional Christianity
05:30 Receiving Others' Stories
06:36 Creating Inclusive Spaces
07:35 Listening and Learning
08:39 Accepting Truths
09:29 Unconventional Approaches
10:47 Creating Safe Spaces
11:46 The Importance of Boundaries
12:28 Trusting God's Guidance
14:08 The Power of Women's Gatherings
14:39 Unconventional as Conventional
15:37 Creating Safe Spaces for Marginalized Communities
16:40 Finding Joy in Sunshine
23:31 Supporting Miriam's Song
26:53 Outro Video.mp4
Riana Shaw Robinson (Part 1): Space to Breathe and Birthing a Church for Women of Color
Rev. Riana Shaw Robinson can be found on INSTAGRAM! Check out Miriam's Song Church.
This was a challenging conversation. In a good way. Riana Shaw Robinson birthed a new expression of church for Women of Color called Miriam's Song, and it challenges a lot of assumptions about church, women, Jesus and life in general. I loved chatting with Riana, and I think it'll be beneficial for you too.
Continue this conversation on our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Transition music: Lundstroem - Jazz lounge sofa & couch.mp3 (https://freemusicarchive.org/)
Leah Wrenne (Part 2): Mental Health in the Black & Christian Community and Reflections on Rest
Leah Wrenne is a singer-songwriter, worship leader, theologian, philosopher, mental health advocate, Philly Girl, and an absolute boss. Check her out on IG and hit up her Linktree!
Segment 1
What’s up y’all!?!? Great to see you again.
We’re back for Part 2 with Leah Wrenne… and let me tell you… it’s worth the wait. We ended on a bit of a cliffhanger talking about mental health. This time we dive right in to two communities that historically struggle with mental health care: the church community and the black community. Leah sits in the middle of both, and she shares about her experience.
Segment 2
When you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, fear, and more, how the community responds to you is critical to your care. If that’s you, please check out your local resources. But if you have no place to go, we’d love to help.
Next Leah digs in and we talk about rest. Looking back, I feel like I talked a little more than I would’ve liked to because I’d prefer to let Leah cook a little more. She has some wonderful insights about what It means to really rest and why that matters. Rest is a soul level issue. I want to be clear on that. It’s so much more than physical or emotional… rest is spiritual.
Segment 3
The Non-Judgment Zone of Joy with an actual singer! Yipes.
Continue this conversation on our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Transition music: Lundstroem - Jazz lounge sofa & couch.mp3 (https://freemusicarchive.org/)
Leah Wrenne (Part 1): Her Musical Journey from Songwriting at 8 years old to Dealing with Anxiety
Leah Wrenne is a singer-songwriter, worship leader, theologian, philosopher, mental health advocate, Philly Girl, and an absolute boss. Check her out on IG and hit up her Linktree!
Music truly connects with our souls. On a deep level, often in ways we don’t quite understand. In that way, music is a mystery. Leah Wrenne is someone who speaks wisely and empathically about that mystery. and I talk about the role of music in her life, when she started writing songs and her Family Country Duo. She also reflects on her mental health and the role music has played.
Continue this conversation on our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Kate Boyd + Liz Daye (Part 2): Re-framing Scripture, How We Measure Spiritual Growth and How the Church Views Disabilities
Check out Liz on Substack. You can find her on LinkTree too.
Join Threaded (Kate's Bible Studies), check out her website and her new awesome non-profit The Remembered Table.
For those deconstructing or struggling with Scripture, the start of this podcast will be a breath of fresh air. You don't have to keep reading The Bible the same way... there are different perspectives! We also talk about how churches use incomplete measurements of spiritual growth because of the focus on quantitative metrics like butts, budgets and baptisms.
And Liz ends dropping some serious truth about how the church treats families with disabilities and it is truly incredible.
Join us in this conversation with Kate Boyd and Liz Daye.
Kate Boyd + Liz Daye (Part 1): Making Peace with the Bible and Seeing Scripture Through Fresh Eyes
Check out Liz on Substack. You can find her on LinkTree too.
Join Threaded (Kate's Bible Studies), check out her website and her new awesome non-profit The Remembered Table.
Many folks have a complicated relationship with Scripture. Especially if religious leaders have quoted verses to shame or manipulate you. Other people have struggled making sense of The Bible, which I understand because it is an ancient religious text made up of multiple books, many genres and styles, written over thousands of years in at least 3 languages.
Either way, Scripture can be a major source of stress for people of faith. But what if it wasn't a struggle? What if it could be something that fed your soul? Join us as I dig into these questions with Kate Boyd and Liz Daye.
Seth Kaplan (Part 2): How Our Neighborhoods Impact Our Souls (And How the Church Can Help)
Part 2
Segment 1
What’s up, y’all? You’re about to hear Part 2 with Seth Kaplan, who wrote the book Fragile Neighborhoods. And my brother Seth knocks it out of the park.
In our last episode, Dr. Kaplan introduced us to the idea of why our places, work, home, schools and other institutions, matter so much to the quality of our lives. Over the last generation in America, we’ve experienced social decay. This is the thinning of relationships and a growing sense of isolation and loneliness. This isn’t an opinion, either. Every survey and study confirms this reality. You probably feel it too. Like we don’t have as many dependable, anxiety-absorbing institutions as we used to. Like it’s getting harder and harder to connect with people, even people we already know.
We’re in a prosperous and generally stable country, but we’re decaying from the inside out from lack of healthy relationships and communities. In Part 1, Seth left some insight as to how we can make that better in our own neighborhoods. In Part 2, we talk about the role the church can play in restoring and healing our communities.
Part of what I really love about this is that Seth is Jewish. He’s not a church insider, but rather a sociologist who has recommendations based on his research. He doesn’t really have a dog in the fight, nor does he have an ax to grind. Dr. Kaplan is as unbiased as you are liable to get to talk about the future of the church.
Listen to what he has to say.
Segment 2
I think Dr. Kaplan shares a worthwhile challenge for the church. There was a question I heard at a conference awhile ago that I think applies: “If your church left your community, would anyone besides your congregation notice?” That boils down to impact. If your church is having a positive impact on your community, people would miss it.
And I think Seth is encouraging us to be deeply embedded in the local fabric of our neighborhoods. If you want to make a difference in your community, thickening relationships will be massive. He believes it so strongly, when I asked him if he wanted to share anything else, he wanted to address church leaders.
Segment 3
Can you feel that fire? Dr. Kaplan was preaching. Don’t just hear his words, I challenge you to put them into action. How can you make your “place”, neighborhood, school, college, workplace, church, or other organization, stronger. How can you forge thick relationships that enrich the fabric of people’s lives?
At last we’ve come to the Non-Judgment Zone of Joy. This one is different…
Segment 4
Y’all…I think we have a lot to work on. What Seth and I talked about is a curious kind of solution to social decay. In one sense, we can make it better right away. And the ownership is in our hands. We’re not waiting for the powers that be to change something.
In another sense, it feels a little daunting because we’re fighting against the design of modern America. Because the systems and processes and architecture that disconnect us from one another is the result of choices people have made. That can be kind of overwhelming. But anything done, can be undone. We have a chance to reinvigorate our communities with thick relationships to one another. And progress may be slow… but it’s worth it.
Buy Seth’s book: Fragile Neighborhoods. It’s a great read. And I’ll see y’all next time.
Seth Kaplan (Part 1): How Our Neighborhoods Impact Our Souls
Seth Kaplan Part 1
Segment 1
What’s up, y’all? I’m so pumped to be back. This week we have a real humdinger of an episode, talking about something that you might not think about, but affects you every single day: place.
Our guest today is Seth Kaplan, who wrote the book Fragile Neighborhoods. He’s an expert on fragile states but took his knowledge and expertise that is usually applied to volatile nations and examined the social decay in modern America.
Place is a concept we think about a lot on some level and NEVER on another. Like, we consider where we are and where we want to go pretty often. Probably on a daily basis. But we rarely consider how our environments: homes, workplaces, schools, parks, common spaces and churches, shape our relationships. Whether we know it or not, we are profoundly impacted by the design of where we live, work, eat, shop, and worship. And that design has changed dramatically over the last few decades… whether it’s good for us or not.
Listen to Seth talk about this.
Segment 2
I really enjoyed talking to my dude, Seth. We joked around that we practically recorded an entire podcast before I hit record. I definitely want to talk to him again.
In his book, Seth spends a lot of time talking about the difference between place-based community and network-based community. He’ll define it well in this segment, but it’s important to note that network-based community is VERY new and has been enabled by technology. Up until very recently, all humans have been dramatically limited by our place. Our ancestors lived almost their entire lives in a bubble of a few miles. Think about that! Even our grandparents were constrained by where they happened to be born. But, that’s not the world our kids live in now. And that matters. How? Listen to Seth.
Segment 3
I love the concept of THICK and THIN relationships. That’s really good terminology for us to adopt that I think could bring more clarity to how we define community. I know that it’s MUCH easier to have a lot of THIN relationships than even just a few THICK ones. That’s something to think about this week.
Part 2 drops next week, where Seth and I dive deeper into the role churches and places of worship can play in healthy community.
In the meantime, pick up his book Fragile Neighborhoods by Seth Kaplan wherever books are sold. Love y’all and I’ll see you next week!
Traci Rhoades (Part 2): Discovering New Church Traditions and Ancient Truth
Find Traci on her website and subscribe to her to her newsletter. You can also follow her on Twitter or Instagram.
Summary
In this conversation, Traci and Jon discuss the busyness of modern life and the need to simplify. They explore the importance of embracing different traditions and perspectives, even those from outside the church. They also discuss overcoming negative experiences with church and finding what works for each individual. They emphasize the importance of respecting different church traditions and appreciating different ways of experiencing Jesus. Finally, they share their joy in routine and the fall season.
Takeaways
- Modern life is busy and cluttered, making it important to simplify and find moments of stillness.
- Embracing different traditions and perspectives can enrich our understanding of faith and spirituality.
- Negative experiences with church should not deter us from exploring different expressions of worship.
- Respecting and appreciating different church traditions allows for a more inclusive and diverse faith community.
Traci Rhoades (Part 1): Discovering New Church Traditions and Ancient Truth
Find Traci on her website and subscribe to her to her newsletter. You can also follow her on Twitter or Instagram.
Summary
In this conversation, Traci and Jon discuss the busyness of modern life and the need to simplify. They explore the importance of embracing different traditions and perspectives, even those from outside the church. They also discuss overcoming negative experiences with church and finding what works for each individual. They emphasize the importance of respecting different church traditions and appreciating different ways of experiencing Jesus. Finally, they share their joy in routine and the fall season.
Takeaways
- Modern life is busy and cluttered, making it important to simplify and find moments of stillness.
- Embracing different traditions and perspectives can enrich our understanding of faith and spirituality.
- Negative experiences with church should not deter us from exploring different expressions of worship.
- Respecting and appreciating different church traditions allows for a more inclusive and diverse faith community.
Better on the Inside: The State of the Podcast
In this episode, host Jon Pyle discusses the purpose of the podcast and the shift back to its original focus on soul care. He highlights the importance of soul care in the digital age and the need for transformation from the inside out. Jon emphasizes that churches should be spiritual places and calls for a shift from behavior modification to true transformation. He explores the impact of the church industrial complex and the value of the soul. Jon invites listeners to join him on a journey of becoming better on the inside and caring for their souls.
Takeaways
- Soul care is essential in the digital age and requires a focus on transformation from the inside out.
- Churches should be spiritual places that prioritize love and the well-being of souls.
- True transformation comes from internal work and the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Taking responsibility for healing and growth is necessary for a flourishing life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
03:02 The Church Industrial Complex and Soul Care
07:19 Transformation from the Inside Out
10:32 Soul Care and Becoming Better on the Inside
14:23 The Journey of Transformation
17:00 The Church's Lack of Love
19:21 The Impact of the Digital Age on Souls
21:48 The Value of the Soul and the Need for Soul Care
25:38 Taking Responsibility for Healing and Growth
28:01 Gratitude for the Community and Future Plans
The Anxiety Sermon I Always Wanted to Hear!
As a Pastor who suffers from significant depression and anxiety, I NEEDED to preach a different kind of sermon about Philippians 4:6-8. So, I preached the sermon I always wanted to hear. I hope this message is helpful for you too!
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
The Exorcist with Dr. Laura Robinson
In honor of this spooky season, Dr. Laura Robinson and I sit down and unpack what is often considered the scariest movie of all time... THE EXORCIST. It is Dr. Robinson's favorite scary movie, and you can tell immediately because her passion for it shows in this episode. The Exorcist is definitely one of my Horror Mount Rushmore picks and what I believe to be THE BEST CHRISTIAN MOVIE OF ALL TIME! (hot take alert)
This movie didn't just change horror movies, it changed movies and had a profound impact on society at large. We talk about key themes, great scenes, Priests as heroes, how gross and disgusting the special FX are, the novel, William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist: Believer, and how it even influenced the Satanic Panic of the 80's. While the goal may have been to scare the hell out of people, Blatty & Director William Friedkin may just have scared the hell into us.
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraRbnsn
Subscribe to her Substack, where she's posting great stuff including a deep dive on Operation Underground Railroad: https://laurarbnsn.substack.com/
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Rey De Armas: Being a Local Missionary, Finding Your Purpose and Helping People
Rey De Armas is an incredible dude who left vocational ministry to pursue a completely different kind of ministry and find a sense of purpose. Rediscovering a passion from his Pre-Med days to help people through medicine, Rey totally shifted the course of his life and is investing directly in the common good of his community. You love to see it!
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Dr. Laura Robinson: Finding God in Stories We Love (Or Don't Love) and What Characters Can Tell Us About Ourselves
Dr. Laura Robinson is an absolute pop culture and theological genius. I've been trying to get her on the podcast for a LONG TIME and we finally made it happen. (We recorded this episode in April, so things have changed since then.) Hopefully we'll get a chance to deep dive a movie soon.
In this episode, we journey through a number of movies, books and TV shows (House of the Dragon, Redeeming Love, Black Snake Moan and more) and how these stories tell us about God and ourselves. Laura's brain moves a million miles an hour and we both get super excited, so we move quickly through a number of subjects with tons of references and analogies. Buckle up!
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraRbnsn
Subscribe to her Substack, where she's posting great stuff including a deep dive on Operation Underground Railroad: https://laurarbnsn.substack.com/
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Kyle Burkholder: Make the Church Local Again!
Kyle Burkholder is not an easy person to talk to if you like to be comfortable. He's very affable and kind but he will always challenge you to prioritize growth, health and contentment over the status quo. Our conversation touches on a variety of subjects but most importantly, what church actually looks like Beyond Sunday. Kyle's focus is HYPER LOCAL, which he defines in this episode, and he talks about what that reality looks like in his Ohio church. Honestly, I think we can all embrace this relationally-driven mentality.
Check out his Substack here: https://kylejburkholder.substack.com/
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Nathan Perrin: Honesty, Suffering, Healing, Authenticity and (Christian) Art
Imagine yourself floating down the Frio River. It's a warm day but not nuclear hot like this summer has been. The water is cool, your tube is comfortable and your cooler is full (with Topo Chico or other beverages of choice). And 2 of your friends are philosophizing about suffering, art and a host of other topics... that's what this conversation with Nathan Perrin feels like.
Nathan and I dig in around his spiritual journey and ending up as an Anabaptist-Quaker Pastor. We talking about the amazing healing powers of art, movies and writing to speak to our suffering and reflect on our pain. Nathan is also a fiction writer and a great storyteller, so I really delighted in this thoughtful and redemptive conversation.
All of Nathan's Links: https://allmylinks.com/nperrin-writer#
Nathan's Website: https://www.nathanperrinwriter.com/
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Justin Nava: Church Marketing in the Digital Age
*This episode description was generated with the help of ChatGPT* Would love to hear your feedback.
In this episode, Justin takes us back to the origins of his agency, Nava Church Marketing. He recounts his journey of creating a proven roadmap to help churches gain prominence within their communities. With a decade of experience in freelance marketing, Justin developed strategies that elevated his clients' profiles, making some of them notable enough to have streets and neighborhoods named after them.
Unconventional as it may sound, Justin's narrative unfolds, revealing how his agency's efforts resulted in a church being protected by a local gang due to the community's recognition of its positive impact. He shares anecdotes about charismatic churches and their unique presence in their neighborhoods, emphasizing the importance of reaching diverse audiences while maintaining the church's values.
Justin's agency, Nava Church Marketing, specializes in utilizing a definitive church marketing method, revolutionizing how churches connect with their communities. By working closely with churches, his team offers services ranging from website development to online advertising. As the founder of the agency, Justin highlights the role of his team in fulfilling services while he ensures that churches receive the quality they deserve.
While Justin acknowledges the profitability of serving businesses, his passion for church marketing stems from a deep conviction to help local churches thrive. His personal connection to churches and his belief in their potential to create meaningful impact drive his dedication to transforming churches into vital community pillars. Through his podcast, Justin aims to shed light on the challenges and triumphs of church marketing while offering invaluable insights into making churches better known within their communities. Join us as we explore his remarkable journey and learn from his expertise in church marketing.
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Dr. John Harris: Digital Church, Metrics That Matter and The California Raisins
What do church metrics and California Raisins have in common? Dr. John Harris tells us in this great conversation, including a lot about the digital church and how we make disciples online. What gets me excited is how Dr. Harris is taking advantage of the digital medium and building something unique and wonderful. He also gets very real about metrics that really matter.
Get his book Sharing Jesus Online: Helping Everyday Believers Become Digital and Metaverse Missionaries!
Continue this conversation on our Substack (https://beyondsunday.substack.com/) and our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside)
Please rate and leave a 5-star review on the Podcast app of your choice!
Jenn Layte: Digital Discipleship, Spiritual Direction and Creating Community Online
Jenn Layte blessed the conversation with her journey and how she's helping others take those steps! Jenn is an author, Pastor and trained Spiritual Director. I love how she tells stories and help others tell better stories with their lives.
Check out her LinkTree (https://linktr.ee/jenniferaglayte) and/or her website (https://jenniferaglayte.com/) to learn more about the work she's doing. There, you'll have the opportunity to join one of her online studies.
Continue this conversation with us in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I spoke at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can purchase the entire conference here (use the code "JON" to give me credit): https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Sharifa Stevens + Kate Boyd: Re-Imagining How Women Can Use Their Gifts in the Church and Creating New Paths for Discipleship
Sharifa Stevens and Kate Boyd join me on this episode. Y'all, these ladies absolutely blew me away. I am gobsmacked.
Sharifa & Kate are the best of what a theologian should be: brilliant, passionate, principled, loving and clear. And they dropped knowledge for nearly an hour. I truly think every professing believer should listen to this podcast. Because it's not just about how we can help women utilize their God-given gifts and talents within the church... it's truly about how we can disciple people to the fullness of Jesus' vision for HIS CHURCH. WHEW!!!!
Subscribe to Sharifa's newsletter: https://sharifahstevens.substack.com/
Buy Kate's book: https://www.anuntidyfaith.com/
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I spoke at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can purchase the entire conference here (use the code "JON" to give me credit): https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Eric Hoke: The Genesis of I Help Pastors Get Jobs and Re-Thinking Vocational Ministry
Eric Hoke is the proprietor of "I Help Pastors Get Jobs", a wonderful website that does exactly what it says... help Pastors (and other folks in vocational ministry) transition out of church jobs and into the marketplace. He helps people follow the path that he himself has walked, and even more importantly, he still has skin in the game as part of a local church in NYC.
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I spoke at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can purchase the entire conference here (use the code "JON" to give me credit): https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Ben Hardman: Turning Volunteers into Dreamers and Unleashing People for Kingdom Impact
My dude Ben Hardman comes by and PREACHES! Ben runs the Kingdom Dreams Initiative , where they bring to life the Good Work you have been uniquely created and uniquely called to do. He has a totally unique perspective on church and how to unleash folks with the skills, talents and gifts to make this world a better place. I'll be honest, you can't listen to Ben and then go to back to doing "church as usual". I think he'll challenge your perspective and hopefully open your mind to invest in people's kingdom dreams.
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I spoke at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can purchase the entire conference here (use the code "JON" to give me credit): https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Emily & Coen Snook: The Great Disney Snook Fest (Part 2)
Part 2 is here!
This episode is super fun. Emily and her eldest son Coen set the interwebs ablaze when they released their exhaustive rankings of the best animated Disney films of all time. So, I got them on the podcast to chat about it... and we talked for 3 hours.
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I spoke at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can purchase the entire conference here (use the code "JON" to give me credit): https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Emily & Coen Snook: The Great Disney Snook Fest (Part 1)
This episode is super fun. Emily and her eldest son Coen set the interwebs ablaze when they released their exhaustive rankings of the best animated Disney films of all time. So, I got them on the podcast to chat about it... and we talked for 3 hours. This is just part 1!!!!!!
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I spoke at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can purchase the entire conference here (use the code "JON" to give me credit): https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Sharifa Stevens: Ravenclaw Accounting, Faith, Justice and Love
I'm honestly laughing just thinking about recording this episode with Sharifa Stevens! Not hilarious and witty, she's also insightful, wise, compassionate and brilliant. A true Wizard! I'm excited to share this free-flowing conversation where tackle all sorts of topics like Hogwarts Houses, Harry Bellafonte, the pettiness of John the disciple, growing up in the Bronx, being an only child, injustice, love and theology.
To hear what JK Rowling would name Sharifa's character, pay for a YEARLY subscription to Sharifa's Substack and in the notes let her know you want the name! https://sharifahstevens.substack.com/
Go to Sharifa's LinkTree to read all of what she writes and listen to some of her podcast appearances. https://linktr.ee/sharifawrites
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I'll be speaking at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can register for FREE here: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530380/oF6L4sE2
If you would like the All Access pass, which allows you to access the conference on-demand, use the code "JON" to give me credit: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Pastor Keith Myer: Advocating for Survivors and Confronting the SBC Abuse Scandal Head-on
Pastor Keith Myer has been advocating for survivors of the widespread (and often covered-up) abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Not only with bringing awareness and changing procedures, but also in the tangible way of helping survivors travel to the annual meeting in New Orleans, LA. Please help Keith by donating to the Go Fund Me to pay for survivors travel, food and lodging expenses.
Order Kyle Meyaard-Schaap's book Following Jesus in a Warming World from IVPress. Use the code "BETTERIN" to get 30 percent off, plus free shipping at ivpress.com until 5/8/23.
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I'll be speaking at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can register for FREE here: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530380/oF6L4sE2
If you would like the All Access pass, which allows you to access the conference on-demand, use the code "JON" to get 10% off: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Kyle- Meyaard Schaap: Following Jesus in a Warming World and Creation Care as Discipleship
Besides mispronouncing his name (SMH), I enjoyed every second of my conversation with Kyle Meyaard-Schapp. I honestly didn't know what to expect from my conversation with someone from the Evangelical Environmental Network. But Kyle absolutely delivered with some really challenging and (dare I say) mind-blowing stuff about what it means to follow Jesus in the midst of climate change. If I had to boil what I learned down to the essence, it would be this: caring for God's creation is a discipleship issue, not a socio-political one or a fashionable cause.
Order Kyle's book Following Jesus in a Warming World from IVPress. Use the code "BETTERIN" to get 30 percent off, plus free shipping at ivpress.com from 4/24-5/8.
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I'll be speaking at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can register for FREE here: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530380/oF6L4sE2
If you would like the All Access pass, which allows you to access the conference on-demand, use the code "JON" to get 10% off: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Ezra Byer: Why Should Christians Care About AI and Changing How We Do Church to Impact the Next Generation
I met Ezra Byer at a cool conference I had the opportunity to attend a few months ago. We hit it off, at least in part, because we care so much about the practical application of the Christian faith and moving it out of the Sunday morning box. Ezra created and leads The Monday Christian, a website and podcast focused on turning Sunday belief into Monday action.
You can continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside
I'll be speaking at the Thrive & Cultivate Summit in May with a bunch of other amazing speakers like Kay Warren, DJ Chuang and Nona Jones. You can register for FREE here: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530380/oF6L4sE2
If you would like the All Access pass, which allows you to access the conference on-demand, use the code "JON" to get 10% off: https://www.thriveandcultivate.com/a/2147530379/oF6L4sE2
Kate Guthrie: Presence and Soul Care in a Digital Age Where We're Spread Thin
Kate Guthrie is brilliant. A Pastor, Chaplain, Spiritual Director and just overall wonderful person, Kate wrote a prophetic dissertation in 2014 that is even more relevant today. While some of the terms may need updating, her observations about how our souls are shaped by digital media are prescient. Kate's grasp of modern spiritual formation is beyond necessary and wildly helpful.
I connected with Kate looking for a Spiritual Director, but she was so gracious enough to send me her dissertation too. And I was immediately hooked. I tore through her writing in one plane ride because what she was talking about was so pertinent to the world as I see it. I couldn't wait to talk to Kate, so I invited her on the podcast and wanted to share it with everyone.
You can learn more Kate's Spiritual Direction practice at Anam Cara.
Continue the conversation in our Facebook Group.
Andrew Sears: His Spiritual Journey, Building Community Through Gaming and the Maclunkey-verse
Raconteur and Benevolent Cult Leader(?) Andrew Sears joins me on this episode. Andrew shares about the evolution of his spiritual journey, his experience with church and finding a home. We also get to talk about Tabletop Games, Video Games and the communities built around play. He said something profound that I think can apply to the church: everybody shows up and plays! That's so important.
You can find Andrew on Twitter, but the best place is the Andak Media website for all that's going on.
You can also listen to Andrew's podcasts: Rebooted and I Freaking Love That Movie (w/ Rob Fike).
Join the conversation in our Better on the Inside Facebook Group.
Ryan Nanni: Breaking the Rules of Podcasting to Build Authentic Community, Do REAL Good and Fight the Creeping Cynicism of the Digital Age
I wanted to talk to Ryan because I think there is much to learn from cultivating a deep, vibrant community around things you love. And I'm a huge fan of Ryan in general. You can find Ryan Nanni on Twitter and on the Shutdown Fullcast.
If you want to dive into the Fullcast, Ryan suggests the Disaster Episodes. There is a great playlist here: open.spotify.com/playlist/6bLJmgr4qE1zFw6y97cweh?si=66607843e622497a
Join the conversation in our Better on the Inside Facebook Group.
After Better On The Inside (w/ Charlotte Elia): Becky Castle Miller
Let's-a-go! Join Charlotte Elia and Jon Pyle as they dig deeper into the previous episode, answer your questions and share your insights. With an eye on how to apply, After Better on the Inside is meant to make an actual difference in your home and work life.
This week, Charlotte and I reflect on the diamonds from the phD mines that Becky Castle Miller dropped from her work on emotions in Scripture. We take some time to talk about the mystical/spiritual side of Christianity, contemplative prayer and dig deep into some emotional reflection. I believe integrating emotional health into discipleship is ABSOLUTELY necessary to find the freedom and peace we're all searching for. It is hard, but rewarding work.
You can find Becky Castle Miller at her website: beckycastlemiller.com or subscribe to her Substack: beckycastlemiller.Substack.com
You can find Charlotte on Twitter or her website.
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.
Becky Castle Miller: Changing How We Think of Our Emotions and How The Bible Talks About How We Feel (AKA Maybe We Aren't Just Depraved Little Worms)
Have you ever been made to feel bad about feeling good? Were you taught that "above all things, the heart is deceitful?" If so, you gotta listen to this conversation with Becky Castle Miller! If not, you should listen too because you will still learn something.
Becky challenges (and kinds debunks) many of the ways we think about our emotions, feelings and desires. She drops a bunch of diamonds from the phD mines and blows my mind a few different times. The way we've been taught about how Jesus and the Bible view of our emotions may be quite limited... and changing that perspective could have a massive impact on your life. Listen to the end to get Becky's final word about emotional health and uncomfortable emotions.
You can find Becky Castle Miller at her website: beckycastlemiller.com or subscribe to her Substack: beckycastlemiller.Substack.com
Join the conversation in our Better on the Inside Facebook Group.
After BOTI (with Charlotte Elia): Sarah Styf
Let's-a-go! Join Charlotte Elia and Jon Pyle as they dig deeper into the previous episode, answer your questions and share your insights. With an eye on how to apply, After Better on the Inside is meant to make an actual difference in your home and work life.
This week, Charlotte and I dive into my conversation with Sarah Styf around furthering the Kingdom online. The algorithm is not neutral. The algorithm is not your friend. The algorithm is gonna get you. [Cue the Miami Sound Machine]
For more about Sarah: Sarah has a great newsletter (On the Journey) and an AWESOME BOOK over at Amazon called Embracing the Journey: Learning to Grow When Life Doesn’t Work Out as Planned
You can find Charlotte on Twitter or her website.
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.
Sarah Styf: Don't Be The Reason Someone Else Isn't a Christian and Others Ways to Further The Kingdom Online
Sarah Styf is a very cool English Teacher and more! We had a great conversation about how important it is for believers to consider our conduct online. When every tweet or comment section can become a digital hellscape, our posture, our words and our presence matter. Do we need to be perfect? Absolutely not. But we certainly can make the effort to be loving. We also discuss echo chambers, silos and have a Non-Judgment Zone of Joy that would make the Swifties proud.
Sarah has a great newsletter (On the Journey) and an AWESOME BOOK over at Amazon called Embracing the Journey: Learning to Grow When Life Doesn’t Work Out as Planned
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.
After Better on the Inside: Charlotte Elia
Let's-a-go! Join Charlotte Elia and Jon Pyle as they dig deeper into the previous episode, answer your questions and share your insights. With an eye on how to apply, After Better on the Inside is meant to make an actual difference in your home and work life.
This week, Charlotte is both co-host and guest as we dive into her points about resigning from volunteer roles and making the digital hellscape safer for your people. We actually roleplay a successful conversation and strategize about how to respectfully avoid job creep.
You can find Charlotte on Twitter or her website.
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.
Charlotte Elia: How Small Churches Can Win in Digital and Teach Large Churches a Thing or Two
What can small rural churches teach large churches about digital ministry? And how can we all (rural, urban, big, small, new, old) do digital better, together? Charlotte Elia is here to help expand our digital imagination and find our respective lanes in the digital space.
Charlotte is one of the funniest people ever but more importantly, an incredible voice in both rural and digital church spaces. She is the host of the How We Do Digital Ministry and Heavenly Banquet podcasts, valuable resources for anyone not just church leaders.
You can find Charlotte on Twitter or her website.
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.
Dr. Josh Packard: The Spiritual Realities of the Next Generation, Shifting our Church Models and a Posture of Curiosity (Season 2 Premiere)
Today my conversation is with Dr. Josh Packard, Executive Director of the Springtide Research Institute. Through their extensive research (perhaps the largest data set on the planet) on the spiritual lives of young folks, Springtide and Dr. Packard discovered some mind-blowing things. You might think you know about the spirituality of the next generation (13-25 year olds), but you're probably wrong. The "decline narrative" is way too simplistic. Yes, you might see less young people attending church... but that doesn't mean they're out on Jesus. And it doesn't mean they're going to come to us for help.
Since the next generation is less likely to seek out traditional church attendance (they don't trust institutions or institutional leaders), it's important we go to them. Let's look beyond the assumptions and meet them where they are. But they don't need more Fun Uncles... Reddit is better for that. It means shifting our models from Knowledge Transfer to Relational Authority. From the Sage on the Stage to the Question Consultant.
Follow Springtide on Twitter.
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.
Jon Pyle: Working for a Church Without Losing Your Soul and How to Make Church Better on the Inside (Season 1 Finale w/ Andy Mage)
My guest this week is me. I invited my good friend Andy Mage to interview me because I wanted to share what I've learned this year.
When I started this podcast, it was because I was looking for answers. With all the scandals, abuse, and controversy surrounding the church, I wanted to know how to make the church "better on the inside". Specifically for those working, going to, visiting, volunteering for the church: how can you work for a church without losing your soul? Meaning, how can you do ministry and love Jesus even more?
And the answers I've gotten are incredible. I had the privilege to speak to some of the most wonderful, wise and inspiring people this year. (I only name-dropped a few of y'all, but ALL OF Y'ALL were wonderful) So, I wanted to take the time to share what I learned from 25+ conversations that have changed how I see church, discipleship, pastoring, theology, miracles, Jesus and almost everything else. Andy & I dig into what has come out of this season, how it's changed me and what is coming next.
You can find Andy Mage at Bay Hope Church, Lux Digital Church or on Twitter. He's wonderful.
To keep up with us and get updates about the new season of Better on the Inside: SUBSCRIBE and join the conversation in our Facebook Group.
Rob Fike: The 4 M's and Why Movements Matter in Messed Up World
Rob Fike is the first guest I've ever had on my socks!! (True story)
Rob & I are friends IRL and he's a fantastic dude. We've worked together, podcasted together, watched movies together, played basketball together and dreamed together. As a PK and non-profit sector veteran, Rob has a unique and impactful view of how to start and sustain movements. This is absolutely worth a lesson as we reflect on what it means to be a force for good in this world!
You should also buy Rob's fiction books: The Department of Mutated Persons
I Freaking Love That Movie Podcast
Keep the conversation going in The Better on the Inside Facebook Community.
Jason Kirk: Leaving the SBC, Deconstructing Your Beliefs and the Lack of Curiosity in the Church
Jason Kirk is one big part of the Shutdown Fullcast, the internet's ONLY college football podcast, and the proprietor of Vacation Bible School, a podcast about the big, weird Holy Bible, made by and for Sunday School kids. (Support them on Patreon!) Jason is also a wonderful theologian and thinker about religion and spirituality, but firmly outside the Evangelical Industrial Complex, so I wanted to talk with him about how to make the church better on the inside. He has a unique perspective, going from the ultimate insider in Southern SBC megachurch Youth Groups to somewhat of an outsider, with many VALID critiques and concerns about the church. (And a great taste in Christian music.)
I love talking with Jason so much. Please listen to this conversation with an open mind. Some of what he has to say, you may disagree with (is Job a real story?) but please don't let that discourage you from hearing him. Jason has a prophetic edge, which I love, and he's speaking to a deeply spiritual longing that I think many in and out of the church will recognize.
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you belong here and I'm glad you're here.
If you want to continue this conversation, join us on Facebook: Better on the Inside Facebook Group.
Kevin Nye: Author of "Grace Can Lead Us Home", Loving the Unhoused, and Fighting the Savior Complex
Helping unhoused people is often divisive and politicized work that doesn't have a lot of easy solutions. So, what can we do to help?
As with many things, it starts with relationship. While I don't have all the answers, I do know we all need to start listening to people like Kevin Nye. Kevin has worked directly with our unhoused neighbors in a number of capacities and has an invaluable perspective that transcends party lines and challenges our preconceived notions. In our conversation, Kevin unpacks his experience and really paints a picture of what help and humanization can look like. He is brilliant, and I loved talking to him. He also gets the first non-musical "Non-Judgment Zone of Joy" intro.
Please read Kevin's book: https://kevinmnye.com/grace-can-lead-us-home-book/, subscribe to his newsletter and support him generally. Truly a good dude. If you want to continue the conversation, check out our Facebook Group!
Holly Stallcup: Starting RISE, Serving Women and Getting in the Real-Life Trenches of Ministry
Holly Stallcup is the Founder and Executive Director of Rise (https://www.nowsherises.org/), an organization that connects, equips and empowers people to build a Church where women thrive. And she is a delight to have a conversation with. Thankful to meet her through Hector and Sarah of the Pocket Pulpit Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pocket-pulpit/id1590925649)
Holly has a unique perspective and experience on how the Church (the Big C church, the universal Church) can support women that transcends theology. She says it in the episode, but Holly and Rise believe women are already out there doing good work, being the hands and feet of Jesus out in the world. So how can you empower them? Listen to this episode and Holly has some amazing ideas.
If you want to continue this conversation, join our Facebook Group.