Spirituality Adventures

Interview with a Gay Pastor - Spirituality Adventures feat. Brian Ellison

In this episode, Fred interviews Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians: Brian Ellison.

https://www.covnetpres.org/

Brian Ellison has served since 2012 as Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, leading its mission of strengthening the Church through equipping and engagement, advocating and educating for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the Church’s life and leadership.

Brian also serves as stated clerk of the Synod of Mid-America. He has served previously as pastor of Parkville Presbyterian Church (near Kansas City, Missouri) and as stated clerk of Heartland Presbytery. He has previously served the national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in numerous roles, including as moderator of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment and the Stated Clerk Review/Nomination Committee. His writing on matters of faith and theology has appeared in numerous church and independent publications. A graduate of Harvard University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Brian also is host/contributor at NPR affiliate KCUR-FM. He and his partner, Troy Lillebo, live in Kansas City with their two dogs, the recalcitrant Willoughby and the dopey Sage.

Brian is available for working with congregations, councils and groups of interested Presbyterians about inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people, fostering and navigating difficult conversations, organizing and advocating for transformation, and on the Covenant Network of Presbyterians and its mission. Contact him at brian@covnetpres.org.

Helpful Resources from this Episode:

1. God and the Gay Christian - Matthew Vines: https://a.co/d/aUyGsxo

2. Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships - James V. Brownson: https://a.co/d/7THPlNT

3. The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical’s Change of Heart - Mark Achtemeier: https://a.co/d/ci0SlpD

4. Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgendered Christians - Austen Hartke: https://a.co/d/iLfYsNi

 

The Gospel According to Donald Trump - Spirituality Adventures feat. Robb Ryerse

In this episode, Fred interviews author, pastor, and political director of Vote Common Good: Robb Ryerse. 

https://www.robbryerse.com/

https://www.votecommongood.com/

https://www.thegospelaccordingtodonaldtrump.com/

After pastoring in fundamentalist churches for a decade, in 2006, Robb and his wife Vanessa co-founded Vintage Fellowship in Fayetteville Arkansas. He retired from pastoral ministry in 2021.

Robb is the Political Director of Vote Common Good.

​Vote Common Good urges religiously-motivated voters to use the common good as their primary voting criterion. Vote Common Good trains Democratic candidates to speak authentically about their faith and about how political issues are connected to progressive faith.

​In 2018, Vote Common Good went on a 31-stop bus tour urging religiously-motivated to help flip the House. In 2020, Vote Common Good went to all 50 states asking people to bring change to politics through faith, hope, and love.

 

The Naked Pastor - Spirituality Adventures feat. David Hayward

In this episode, Fred interviews artist and pastor, David Hayward, https://nakedpastor.com/

Hey, I'm David.

I’m a pastor turned artist painting, drawing, and thinking about what it takes to be free...to be you. If you’re interested in deconstruction, spiritual journeying, freedom of thought, or looking for your authentic self, you’re welcome to join me while I search too.

In case you’re wondering, I’m not actually naked. The idea behind my name, NakedPastor, is to seek to tell the naked truth - no matter how vulnerable it feels. I used to be a pastor but I’ve been creating art and working towards freedom with this community for over 10 years now.

What It Means to Be Free - Spirituality Adventures feat. Genesis Be

In this episode, Fred interviews artist, musician and advocate, Genesis Be, https://genesisbe.com/

Learn more: https://www.peoplenotthings.com/

Genesis Be harnesses the power of art to heal divided communities and challenge oppressive archetypes. Raised in south Mississippi, Be has had to navigate the prison of identity in a state whose history is rife with racial violence, homophobia and suppressive systems. Be’s work focuses on bridge building, racial healing, civil discourse and healing divided communities. Be is directly influenced by her grandfather, civil rights activist Reverend Clyde Briggs.

Her paintings, poetry and music serve as her platform for self exploration, radical self expression and self examination. Her artistry transcends entertainment, serving as a catalyst for civil dialogue and action rooted in human connection and compassion. As an outspoken creative and advocate for human rights and collective liberation, she lobbied to have the Confederate flag removed from the design of the Mississippi state flag. Be continues to inspire and ignite difficult conversations that resonate far beyond the stage and gallery. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, VICE, Billboard and more.

As Global Ambassador for Moral Courage ( https://www.moralcourage.org/ ), Be teaches leaders how to have productive dialogue around polarizing issues, how to stand your ground while creating common ground. She is the subject of the documentary "Mississippi Turning" (unreleased) and continues the fight to improve race relations in her home state of Mississippi. She is the founder of Strive Till I Rise and People Not Things.

Healing the Soul of Preachers - Spirituality Adventures feat. Dr. Casey Sigmon

In this episode, Fred interviews Rev. Dr. Casey T. Sigmon, Project Director and architect of Pause/Play: https://www.pauseplaycenter.com

Casey is the Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship and Director of Contextual Education at Saint Paul School of Theology. She is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is a co-founder of TheoTechnics, a team consisting of a theologian, practical theologian, and audio video engineer helping congregations make decisions about implementing technological tools with theological discernment.

Casey’s first book, Engaging the Gadfly: How to Move from Reactionary to Reflective Hybrid, Online, and In-Person Preaching in the Digital Age comes out later this year!

Knock at the Sky - Spirituality Adventures feat. Liz Charlotte Grant

In this episode, Fred interviews Liz Charlotte Grant, author of "Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible”.

A Love For All - Spirituality Adventures feat. Jonathan Merritt

Teaching Theology - Spirituality Adventures feat. Dr. Adam Clark

Year End Reflections with my Producer

Breaking Free - Spirituality Adventures feat. Jim Palmer