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THE Way Podcast

THE Way Podcast

By Steve Carter

A place to explore all of the varied intersections between God, humanity and the social environment.
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Episode 4: Advent 2020 - My online neighbours

THE Way PodcastDec 17, 2020

00:00
01:18:08
Episode 4: #thinkingoutloud - obscurity

Episode 4: #thinkingoutloud - obscurity

Today I share some questions around the frameworks I use to weigh the meaning of my life: 

What does it mean to live a meaningful life?
Why am I drawn to the concept of having mattered and my voice having been heard?

Why do I have a knee jerk reaction to obscurity? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts, reactions or questions in relation to this episode.

Does your life matter?


Enjoy!

You can contact me on either:

steve@the-way.co.za

OR

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Nov 16, 202111:24
Episode 3: #thinkingoutloud - What is most important

Episode 3: #thinkingoutloud - What is most important

In this short episode I reflect a little on my creative process and how that ebbs and flows with the realities of life and it's ups and downs. It is also my first recording in a while and so is a jump start back into more regular publishing.
Hope you enjoy.

You can contact me on either:

steve@the-way.co.za

OR

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Nov 16, 202110:03
Episode 2: #thinkingoutloud - What prayer isn't

Episode 2: #thinkingoutloud - What prayer isn't

In this episode I look at the equation method of prayer, A + B = C spirituality, that captivates so many people, it seems, in the manner in which they pray. I posit an alternative, which is relational and based upon actual dialogue with God in the here and now. 

Enjoy!

You can contact me on either:

steve@the-way.co.za

OR

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay 

Apr 07, 202112:22
Episode 1: Pastors under pressure

Episode 1: Pastors under pressure

In this episode, guest David Tensen and I discuss the pressures pastors and ministers face across all denominations and church backgrounds. 

David also finishes with a live reading of two of his poems. 


We look at issues such as: 

- Understanding the pressure pastors face from vocational, familial, organisational and community perspectives

- Is psychology a four-letter word 

- Building cultural competency for mental health professionals


Blog articles mentioned in this episode:  

https://davidtensen.com/pastors-under-pressure-the-hidden-complexities-most-dont-see/ 

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay/photos/a.181037525738515/1148055752370016/


David's poems: 

https://davidtensen.com/kind-of-way/ 

https://davidtensen.com/for-the-pastor-who-nearly-died-by-suicide-a-poem/

Apr 01, 202101:09:43
Episode 5: Advent 2020 - Jesus, my neighbour

Episode 5: Advent 2020 - Jesus, my neighbour

This is the final episode in the Advent 2020 miniseries. In it I wrap up the various conversations with the emphasis on the expectancy of the arrival of Jesus, which we remember and celebrate at Christmas. Jesus incarnates into our world as a vulnerable and helpless baby. This should tell us a few things about God and how God draws near to be our neighbour. Jesus, I think, also identifies with the character of the Samaritan in the parable He tells - this should call our attention to the unexpected ways in which God draws near. Possibly in a way, person or situation that may feel strange, uncomfortable or perhaps even unwanted. 


May God awaken in us all an awareness to the surprising reality of the Divine Life manifesting in our daily lives and the life of this world.

I look forward to your responses to this miniseries. I hope it has surprised, comforted and challenged you. I would love to hear how...

 You can reach me on either: 

steve@the-way.co.za 

or 

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay 

Peace, 

Steve

Dec 18, 202029:12
Episode 4: Advent 2020 - My online neighbours

Episode 4: Advent 2020 - My online neighbours

In this episode I am in conversation with Dr Dion Forster, from Stellenbosch University, and John van de Laar, from EvoFaith. We're taking a look at what it takes for us all to be better online neighbours to each other. Given that 2020 has seen an exponential increase in online work, play and socialising, it is useful to look at how we are manifesting our various social contracts online, as well as whether we could do a better job at them.
John's bio:
John is a former Methodist minister, current non-denominational, interfaith spiritual seeker. He is also a writer, musician, public speaker, composer, poet, liturgist, graphic and web designer, and entrepreneur. John has 40 years of experience in spiritual practice and ministry and a Masters Degree in Theology.
John is married to Debbie and they have two grown sons. They live in South Africa.
Dion's bio:
Dion serves on the full time faculty of Stellenbosch University, as the Departmental Chair of the discipline group of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology, the Director of the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology, and as an Associate Professor in Systematic Theology and Ethics, (with a focus on Public Theology). He was formerly the Dean of John Wesley College, the seminary of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.
Dion holds two doctoral degrees. A PhD in Systematic Theology and a second PhD in New Testament studies and Empirical Theology.
Dion’s book suggestion:
Hauerwas, Stanley. The Character of Virtue: Letters to a Godchild.
Canterbury Press, 2018.
amzn.to/2W4mxPJ

I look forward to your response to this episode. You can reach me on either:
steve@the-way.co.za
or
www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay
Peace,
Steve
Dec 17, 202001:18:08
Episode 3: Advent 2020 - Why I pass you by...

Episode 3: Advent 2020 - Why I pass you by...

Hi everyone,

In this episode of the Advent 2020 miniseries I am joined by my good friend Timothy Victor, from Urban Mystic, to talk though the theme of institutional religion, which I see Jesus raises via the characters of the Priest and Levite. 

We talk through the shortcomings of institutional religion and what we think are the antidotes to the callouses that can form over the dynamic present tense reality of relating to God, ourselves and others. 

I look forward to your response to this episode. You can reach me on either:

steve@the-way.co.za

or

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Peace,

Steve 

Dec 17, 202001:05:16
Episode 2: Advent 2020 - Who is my neighbour?

Episode 2: Advent 2020 - Who is my neighbour?

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the Advent 2020 miniseries: "who is my neighbour?" This is a new miniseries based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke's Gospel, chapter 10 verse 25 - 37. 

This is the main solo episode of this series. In it I go through the text in detail and have a look at what this particular set of narratives offers us as we grapple with the question of "'How can I be more neighbourly?". 

There are three further episodes in this miniseries, two of which have guest/s joining me in conversation around questions that have arisen as I have wrestled with this particular piece of text. Timothy Victor, from Urban Mystic, joins me to discuss the question of institutional religion raised by the Priest and Levite in the parable; and Dr Dion Forster, from Stellenbosch University, and John Van De Laar, from wwww.evofaith.com, join me to discuss our digital lives and how we can practice being more neighbourly online. The final session is a short solo wrap up looking at Jesus as our neighbour. 


Listen out for my surprise guest on this episode - Chrissie the Christmas Cricket. You get 10 points if you spot him/her first. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts or comments on this miniseries. You can contact me at either

steve@the-way.co.za

or

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay 

Peace,

Steve 

Dec 17, 202001:12:20
Episode 1: Advent 2020 - Teaser
Dec 11, 202014:02
Episode 13: #thinkingoutloud - Monkeynuts

Episode 13: #thinkingoutloud - Monkeynuts

This is a reflection on the intergenerational nature of my family, and the emerging gift that has been to me over the years. I came to this thought while having a peanut snack with my eldest two this morning. There is benefit in doing hard things, in taking the long way round, in the patient wisdom of our elders. Even if the overt reward seems to be small, what we learn and how we are formed while doing these things can be of tremendous benefit. 


Enjoy!

Would love to hear from you in response to this episode.

You can contact me on either:

- steve@the-way.co.za

OR

- https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Nov 12, 202012:35
Episode 12: #thinkingoutloud - Do you see her?

Episode 12: #thinkingoutloud - Do you see her?

Here's a simple thought on short turns of phrase in the Christian Scriptures - phrases that sometimes jump out and command my attention as I read. These moments often lead to some deep thinking - wonderful considering their humble origins. 

This one emerged while I was preparing content for an online conference happening at the end of October. The theme for the conference is from Luke 7:44 - 'Do you see her?'. 

Enjoy! 

Would love to hear from you in response to this episode.

You can contact me on either: 

- steve@the-way.co.za

OR

- https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Oct 22, 202014:02
Episode 11: #thinkingoutloud - My modelling career

Episode 11: #thinkingoutloud - My modelling career

Today I thought I'd share a thought with you that originated in two experiences, which then led me to reflect on my long and enjoyable modelling career. You might be surprised to find out that I have had a career here, so listen in to find out more. 

Would love to hear from you in response to this episode.

You can contact me on either

steve@the-way.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Sep 17, 202011:22
Episode 10: #thinkingoutloud - Get off my lawn!

Episode 10: #thinkingoutloud - Get off my lawn!

On a walk through the park today I was suddenly struck by intrusions into our lives. So I thought I'd share some immediate thoughts on whether we should be untouchable, or whether intrusions can be healthy for us.


Would love to hear from you in response to this episode.

You can contact me on either

steve@the-way.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Sep 09, 202007:40
Episode 9: #thinkingoutloud - Tipping point

Episode 9: #thinkingoutloud - Tipping point

Why would I choose suffering?

Sometimes suffering finds me, so what do I do with it? 


Would love to hear from you in response to this episode.

You can contact me on either

steve@the-way.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Sep 03, 202012:22
Episode 8: #thinkingoutloud - Catharsis

Episode 8: #thinkingoutloud - Catharsis

Why do we behave like idiots on the interwebs? Especially towards other idiots? 

Could it be that we lack the skills to handle our own emotions and stresses... 


Would love to hear from you in response to this episode.

You can contact me on either

steve@the-way.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Sep 03, 202012:00
Episode 7: #thinkingoutloud - Zombie apocalypse

Episode 7: #thinkingoutloud - Zombie apocalypse

Are we experiencing elements of a zombie apocalypse right now? I think so...


Would love to hear from you in response to this episode.

You can contact me on either

steve@the-way.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay

Sep 03, 202009:24
Episode 6: #thinkingoutloud - Snippets of God's voice

Episode 6: #thinkingoutloud - Snippets of God's voice

A thought on our prayer interactions with God - how we hear God's voice, and how much of God's voice we hear. 

How much of God's voice do we actively hear in conversation? Does our capacity to hear God's voice increase over time? 


Would love to hear from you in response to this episode. 

You can contact me on either

steve@the-way.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/TheosHumanityEnvironmentWay 

Sep 03, 202005:45
Episode 5: #thinkingoutloud - Intro

Episode 5: #thinkingoutloud - Intro

This is a short intro to a new miniseries I'm busy recording. In these episodes, always prefaced by the thinkingoutloud hashtag, I will explore a variety of different topics in a very unrefined format - usually just one or two takes. I'm wanting to capture the essence of a thinking out loud process, and so provide you, the listener, with some raw ideas, which I hope will stimulate some of your own thought processes and questions. 

I'd love to hear from you in response to these episodes. They're not meant to disappear into a vacuum, so please get in touch!

Peace, 

Steve

Sep 02, 202004:11
Episode 4: Ernie Amos - T(r)opical Christianity

Episode 4: Ernie Amos - T(r)opical Christianity

In this episode I chat with Ernie Amos about his comment on Facebook about topical Christianity. In it we unpack his thoughts on this statement and what he sees as the alternatives available to those who are willing to go beyond just the shape of religion and into the very heart - a present tense, authentic relationship with the person of Jesus.

Ernie is a man I really admire, mostly for his genuine heart and his core identity as a follower of Jesus, husband and father. He is also an excellent musician and deep thinker - who has been blessed (plagued?) with a restlessness within his soul when it comes to authenticity in relationship with God. We have enjoyed some great conversation in the past over a cup of coffee around some of the ideas we talk about in this podcast. He continues to stimulate my thinking with thoughts like, "I want to be for what I'm for, not just against what I'm against!", and "what is the reality of God in the room right now?".
My deep thanks to Ernie for his time and willingness to share so articulately and openly on his convictions!
If you would like to support Ernie in his ministry you can connect with him on Facebook. Watch out for his album, which he mentions at the end of the episode; I'm sure it will reflect a life lived in authentic pursuit of God.

To support our ministry please visit our website.
Jul 29, 202001:02:54
Episode 3: #BLM

Episode 3: #BLM

This is part 2 of the conversation between myself, Jay and Scelo. In it we take further the investigation into the underlying issues of the #blm movement, responses to the polarity between #blm and #alm, and thoughts on a way forward for our divided society.
Jul 02, 202001:04:33
Episode 2: #BLM

Episode 2: #BLM

This is part 1 of the conversation between myself, Jay and Scelo. In it we begin with some opening thoughts on the movement, then the dialogue moves to responses on those thoughts.
Jul 02, 202038:42
Episode 1: #BLM Introduction

Episode 1: #BLM Introduction

This is a 3 part miniseries conversation on the #BLM movement. In this introduction I set the background for the further conversation, and discuss the framework with which I approach the discussion. Episodes 2&3 are the conversation with Jay and Scelo as we talk through their thoughts and feelings around this pivotal movement in global history.
Jul 02, 202013:38