A Few Minutes With...

The Rev. Matt Rhodes welcomes as his guest The Rev. Erin Jean Warde. An Episcopal priest, author, recovery coach, and spiritual director, she is the author of the recently released "Sober Spirituality: The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol" (Brazos Press). The two discuss her work as a recovery coach and spiritual director as well as a number of themes from the book including mindful sobriety, support for those struggling with alcohol, and using the parables as a lens through which to view sobriety, love, and acceptance. You can learn more about Rev. Warde's work at www.erinjeanwarde.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @erinjeanwarde.

This conversation was recorded on Thursday, September 7, 2023. You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFewMinutesWith.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes welcomes as his guest The Rev. Dr. Jay Augustine, senior pastor of St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, North Carolina. A nationally-known preacher, lawyer, and social justice activist, he is the author of the recently released "When Prophets Preach" (Fortress Press), an exploration of the necessity and value of prophetic preaching in inspiring congregations to engage in civic and political - but not partisan - action. The two have a wide ranging conversation on various aspects of the book, prophetic preaching, and guidance for preachers seeking to inspire more engagement. You can learn more about Dr. Augustine's work at www.jayaugustine.com, on Twitter at @jayaugustine9, and on Facebook at @jayaugustine9B91. This conversation was recorded on Friday, July 7, 2023. You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFewMinutesWith.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes welcomes back Traci Rhoades, blogger, Bible study leader, community builder, and author of the just-released "Shaky Ground: What to Do After the Bottom Drops Out" (Morehouse Publishing). The two share a conversational journey through the book and explore the liturgical, prayer, and personal experiences and resources that are at its foundation. Among the many topics covered are the holiness of silence and solitude, the importance of remembering the value of community in the Church, and ways of encouraging and offering support for those who feel they are unworthy or not enough. You can learn more about Traci's work at www.tracesoffaith.com, on Twitter at @tracesoffaith and on Facebook and Instagram at @TracesOfFaithBlog. You can also subscribe to her weekly "Saturday 7" emails through her website. This conversation was recorded on Friday, August 26, 2022. You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFewMinutesWith.

In this first episode of 2022, The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined by Becca Stevens, Episcopal priest, writer, social entrepreneur, founder of 10 non-profit justice initiatives, and founder and president of Thistle Farms. Her outstanding service has led to numerous honors, including being named a White House Champion of Change (2011) and a CNN Hero of the Year (2016). The two discuss the mission of Thistle Farms, an organization committed to aiding women survivors of addiction, trafficking and prostitution as they reclaim their lives. They also discuss her latest book, "Practically Divine," and some of the major themes she writes about including change, truth seeking, recapturing the joy of simplicity, and - in the words of Catherine of Siena - "doing small things with great love." You can learn more about Becca's work at www.beccastevens.org and follow her on the following social media platforms: Instagram (@beccastevens); Twitter (@revbeccastevens); and Facebook (@revbeccastevens). You can learn more about the mission and ministry of Thistle Farms at www.thistlefarms.org.

This conversation was recorded on Friday, January 14, 2022. You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFewMinutesWith.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by Traci Rhoades, blogger and author of "Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost" (Church Publishing). The two discuss the very personal nature of this book and touch on a number of the themes she writes about including her journey through various denominational and faith traditions, easing the pain resulting from church and clergy transitions, the joy of incorporating various styles of prayer in personal devotions, and her experiences in building communities of faith (both in-person and virtual). You can learn more about Traci's work at www.tracesoffaith.com, on Twitter at @tracesoffaith and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TracesofFaithBlog. This conversation was recorded on Friday, October 22, 2021. You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFewMinutesWith.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Presbyterian minister, professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion and author of the recently released "Hope in Disarray: Piecing Our Lives Together in Faith" (Pilgrim Press). The two discuss the very personal nature of this book for her and touch on several of the topics she writes about including flipping what she refers to as the "hierarchy of hope," the need for - and fear of - engaging in meaningful efforts to protect the environment, and the openness to vulnerability. You can learn more about Dr. Kim's work at https://gracejisunkim.wordpress.com.

This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFewMinutesWith.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rev. Dr. Will Willimon, professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Duke Divinity School. The author of more than 80 books, he has been named one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world and along with Henri Nouwen is the most frequently read writer by pastors in mainline Protestantism. The two engage in conversation about his recently updated and re-released book “The Gospel for the Person Who Has Everything" (Paraclete Press), looking at how the sometimes uncomfortable call to be active in our faith life can be re-visioned and reinvigorated in both pulpit and pew, in our liturgy and in our communal outreach to the wider world.

This conversation was recorded on Friday, December 11, 2020.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rev. Dr. Jan Fuller, university chaplain at Elon University. The two discuss her early years growing up as the daughter of missionaries in the war-torn Middle East, her call to college chaplaincy, and the many crucial ways chaplaincy is of vital importance to students and larger collegiate communities. She also reflects on her time as a student of Henri Nouwen at Yale University and the lessons she continues to learn from her time studying with him.

The audio clip of Henri Nouwen speaking at the Crystal Cathedral is used with the kind permission of The Rev. Bobby Schuller, lead pastor of Shepherd's Grove and of "Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller." For more information on the life and work of Henri Nouwen or to subscribe to daily devotional emails excerpted from his writing, please visit www.henrinouwen.org.

This conversation was recorded on Monday, November 16, 2020.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by Julie Bogart, creator and owner of Brave Writer, an online writing and language arts program. With the sudden shift to virtual and homeschool learning as a result of the pandemic, many parents are struggling with this new face of education and seeking resources to help them through this time. Julie, who homeschooled all of her children, created Brave Writer as a way of providing a community of support along with original resources for parents and guardians who find themselves in the role of teachers. Julie and Matt+ discuss this new reality for many families and how to adjust to the learning environment, and she shares suggestions on resources and areas of support. Since Julie also completed a graduate degree in theological studies at Xavier University with an emphasis on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, there's also a bit of conversation about his life and work. For more information on Julie's work and the Brave Writer program please visit www.bravewriter.com. This conversation was recorded on Friday, September 25, 2020.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rev. Jack Gilpin, Episcopal priest and actor, who after more than three decades of work on the stage and in television ("Billions," "Law and Order," "Madam Secretary," "Succession") and film ("The Juror," "Funny Farm") discerned a call to the ministry and was ordained a priest in 2012. The two discuss his faith journey and call narrative, his unique bi-vocational work in the parish and on screen, and how his ministry, Christian faith and acting each influence one another. A complete listing of Jack Gilpin's acting credits can be found at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0319636/, and watch for him in the Julian Fellowes period drama "The Gilded Age," out on HBO in 2021. This conversation was recorded on Monday, September 14, 2020. 

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by Senator John Danforth, who in his career has served as a practicing attorney, the 37th Attorney General for the State of Missouri, a three-term member of the United States Senate, the 24th U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a special envoy to Sudan, and a special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice - all while living a vocation as an ordained Episcopal priest. The two discuss his discernment journey, the role of faith in the public square, and the religious and scriptural foundation for our call as people of faith to bring healing and reconciliation to a fractured and broken political system. Senator Danforth is the author of three books, most recently "The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics." This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rev. Dr. Gayle Fisher-Stewart, interim rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. and a former 20-year police officer with the city's Metropolitan Police Department. The two discuss the just published "Preaching Black Lives (Matters)," a collection of sermons and essays which she edited and contributed to about the need to preach prophetically about and against the sin of systemic racism and the need for widespread and committed action in order to change "this world into what God created it to be." This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. 

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, Lutheran pastor, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker and podcaster. Nadia and Matt discuss clergy fatigue and lament, her new podcast ("The Confessional"), and how her version of Jesus' Beatitudes may be a guide for what the Church might do in a post-pandemic world. This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rt. Rev. N. T. Wright, former Bishop of Durham (Church of England), current senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall (Oxford), and one of the world's preeminent New Testament scholars. The two discuss Bishop Wright's most recent book, "God and the Pandemic," and reflect on the scriptural basis for what the Church's response can be in times of crisis and how we can begin to shift our focus from "Why is this happening?" to "What can we do?" This conversation was recorded on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rev. Dr. Katie Hays, founder and lead evangelist of Galileo Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fort Worth, Texas. Katie is the author of the recently-released "We Were Spiritual Refugees: A Story to Help You Believe in Church." The two discuss the history and life of Galileo Church, how we as Christians can reach out to the "non-churchy" and encourage them to turn and see what the Church is doing, and the idea of - like Jesus - extending dangerous invitations. This conversation was recorded on Thursday, May 28, 2020.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined in this episode by The Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College and the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-2012). The two discuss the idea of resurrection during this time of pandemic and physical separation and its impact on the individual and Church levels. They also consider how resurrection may reveal itself through liturgy and worship in the future. This conversation was recorded on Thursday, May 7, 2020. 

Soundtrack: "Shenandoah," performed by the Choir of New College, Oxford.

Bob Grip, former president of the International Thomas Merton Society, joins The Rev. Matt Rhodes for a conversation on Merton's life and call to solitude in his hermitage at the Abbey of Gethsemani. They also reflect on the words of Merton from two special clips included in this video. More information on the ITMS can be found at www.merton.org, while more on the Cistercian community at the Abbey of Gethsemani can be found at www.monks.org. This conversation was recorded on Thursday, April 30, 2020. 

Soundtrack: "Shenandoah," performed by the Choir of New College, Oxford. 

Audio clips of Thomas Merton used with permission thanks to Learn25 in cooperation with the Thomas Merton Center and The Merton Legacy Trust. Hear the voice of Thomas Merton at Learn25.com/MertonTalks.

The Rev. Matt Rhodes is joined by The Rev. Laurie M. Brock, rector of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Lexington, Kentucky and author of "Horses Speak of God" (Paraclete Press). The two use the book, rooted in her experiences with riding and showing horses, as the framework for a conversation on adaptability and change, recognizing the value of boundaries, and where God is to be found in this time of pandemic and distancing. Mother Laurie blogs at revlauriebrock.com and can be followed on Twitter at @RevLaurieinLex. This conversation was recorded on Friday, April 17, 2020. 

Soundtrack: "Shenandoah," performed by the Choir of New College, Oxford.

The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, joins The Rev. Matt Rhodes for a conversation on the deeper meaning of Holy Week during this time of separation. She also revisits a talk given in 2007 on how the Church will change in this millennium as a result of technology and gives a word of encouragement to ordained and lay leaders during this time of pandemic. This conversation was recorded on Monday, April 6, 2020. 

Soundtrack: "Shenandoah," performed by the Choir of New College, Oxford.

The Rt. Rev. Frank Griswold, 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, joins The Rev. Matt Rhodes for a conversation on spirituality and living into our Christian vocation during a time of separation. They also consider what the future of the Church may look like given the current and innovative uses of technology during this time of isolation. Bishop Griswold's latest book is "Tracking Down the Holy Ghost: Reflections on Love and Longing." This conversation was recorded on Thursday, April 2, 2020. 

Soundtrack: "Shenandoah," performed by the Choir of New College, Oxford.