- "To love someone is not first of all to do things for them, but to reveal to them their beauty and value, to say to them through our attitude: 'You are beautiful. You are important. I trust you. You can trust yourself.' We all know well that we can do things for others and in the process crush them, making them feel that they are incapable of doing things by themselves. To love someone is to reveal to them their capacities for life, the light that is shining in them." - Jean Vanier, founder of the L'Arche communities
- For statistics on trauma - The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
- The Body Keeps the Score

If you enjoy listening to My Faithwalking Journey Podcast, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds and leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes … Thank you!

In this conversation, Jim and Trisha consider the impact of how we read the bible on how we love. It is possible for people who are committed to the authority of the Scriptures to come to different conclusions about important social issues? And when that to happens how do they relate to one another? How do you love another person who reads the Bible really differently than you do?

"I believe that Jesus says in multiple, unequivocal ways that love is the supreme value. I believe It is more important than theology . . . more important than preference or tradition . . . more important than politics . . . more important than race or culture or context. It's more important than anything.

Yet across the country, congregations are divided and dividing because they have differing views of politics, of same-sex-marriage, of immigration reform, of black-lives-matter, and of so many other things. By their actions many congregations are saying that it is more important to be right (often based on their personal interpretation of the Bible) than it is to stay in loving relationships where disagreements - even sharp ones - exist." (From my Facebook Post)

How can we experience the deep change needed to increase our capacity to love? Spiritual formation.

1. Spiritual formation is a human process
2. In spiritual formation you get say over what forms you
3. Everyone has a first formation

If you enjoy listening to My Faithwalking Journey Podcast, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes … Thank you!

It’s a normal impulse to want to work for justice. How do you do that in a way that actually brings change? In this episode, Jim and Trisha explore a very counter-intuitive way of bringing about the change you want to see. And, they assert that to engage this counter-intuitive strategy will require you to continue growing your emotional maturity.

• "Three Laws of Performance" by Steve Zafforn and Dave Logan
• Peter Rollins
• "To Change The World" by James Davidson Hunter

If you enjoy listening to My Faithwalking Journey Podcast, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes … Thank you!

In this episode, Jim talks with Marty Troyer, author of The Gospel Next Door.

Overview of the book on Amazon: "As Christians, we pray for God’s kingdom to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” But what does that even mean? Would we recognize God’s kingdom if it moved in next door?

Learn to see God’s work in your neighborhood, city, and the world—and learn how to join it. With stories from his own city of Houston, Texas, author Marty Troyer introduces a theology of place that empowers us to truly see the work of God where we live, work, and play. The Gospel Next Doorunpacks the gospel through the lenses of following Jesus, making peace, and overcoming injustice. Those seeking to connect more deeply with the world that God so loved will find compelling stories and practical ideas for healing brokenness and imagining new life. Start living out the kingdom of God here and now."

You can get the full show notes on Jim's blog, www.jimtherrington.com

Marilyn describes herself as an "MBA graduate and perpetual learner committed to helping the Church love their neighbors, with a background in corporate recruiting and event planning." After receiving a BA from Rice and an MBA from the University of San Fransico with some time in the workforce in-between, Marilyn found her way back to Texas where she now works to advance community transformation by helping churches serve local schools as the Communications Manager at Loving Houston. 

You can learn more about Loving Houston on their website, by visiting their Twitter page, or you can reach out by email.

If you enjoy listening to My Faithwalking Journey Podcast, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes … Thank you! 

"Kevin Palau is president of the Luis Palau Association, a Portland, Oregon based ministry that has shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with 1 billion people around the world through Kevin’s father, evangelist Luis Palau.

The first CityServe in Portland, Oregon has developed into a long term movement for the Gospel and city transformation around the Portland-metro area. Cities across the country have begun to take notice, and now similar movements are taking place under Kevin and the Palau Association’s guidance, with or without a Palau festival." (Palau Organization)

Kevin is also the author of Unlikely: Setting Aside Our Differences to Live Out the Gospel which is an "inspiring story of an unlikely partnership between a band of churches and the openly gay mayor of Portland that led to unprecedented change throughout the city and launched a nationwide movement called CityServe." 

For nearly 15 years Trisha and I have worked together closely to equip people to live missionally. We have written a book, developed materials for training pastors and congregational leaders, and have traveled together to cities across the country to implement the training.

We both hold deep convictions that the relationships between men and women present one of the systemic challenges that we face in our families and communities. We believe It is in the design of God for men and women to collaborate as equals in the missional life. As we have worked here in Houston and in congregations across the country, we are frequently asked about our beliefs and practices related to working together as an unmarried couple.

We’ve recently decided to do this series of five podcasts that address the questions and concerns that we have heard expressed by people in a wide variety of settings. In this episode, we address some questions that have come up during this series.

The 3 main questions we address are:

For nearly 15 years Trisha and I have worked together closely to equip people to live missionally. We have written a book, developed materials for training pastors and congregational leaders, and have traveled together to cities across the country to implement the training.

We both hold deep convictions that the relationships between men and women present one of the systemic challenges that we face in our families and communities. We believe It is in the design of God for men and women to collaborate as equals in the missional life. As we have worked here in Houston and in congregations across the country, we are frequently asked about our beliefs and practices related to working together as an unmarried couple.

We’ve recently decided to do this series of five podcasts that address the questions and concerns that we have heard expressed by people in a wide variety of settings. In this episode, we address the question, “How can men and women support each other in this journey?”

Show Notes:

• (2:06) – Recap previous 3 conversations in this series
   
• (6:15) – Getting into the topic of conversation: How women and men can support each other in this journey
   
• (10:30) – Choosing discomfort over resentment
   
• (16:17) – How can men support women in this work?
   
• (20:35) – Maybe you need a token woman
   
• (25:05) – Looking at experience and pay
   
• (27:09) – The importance of affirmation and public recognition
   
• (30:10) – Increasing awareness to what we don’t know
   
• (32:45) – The importance of mutual respect and appreciation

If you enjoy listening to My Faithwalking Journey Podcast, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes … Thank you!

Series Links:

• Part 1: What is God’s design for men and women as they work together?
  
• Part 2: What about the Billy Graham rule?
• Part 3: Can you hear what I am saying?
• Part 4: How can men and women support each other in this journey?
• Part 5: Q&A with Jim and Trisha

In our next podcast, we want to dig into some of the questions that have come up for you as you have listened to this series. You can submit your question in the comments section, on Facebook, or however else you can reach us! We look forward to hearing from you!

For nearly 15 years Trisha and I have worked together closely to equip people to live missionally. We have written a book, developed materials for training pastors and congregational leaders, and have traveled together to cities across the country to implement the training.

We both hold deep convictions that the relationships between men and women present one of the systemic challenges that we face in our families and communities. We believe It is in the design of God for men and women to collaborate as equals in the missional life. As we have worked here in Houston and in congregations across the country, we are frequently asked about our beliefs and practices related to working together as an unmarried couple.

We’ve recently decided to do this series of five podcasts that address the questions and concerns that we have heard expressed by people in a wide variety of settings. In this episode, we address the question, “What is God’s design for men and women as they work together?”

Notes:

• God Created both male and female in His image
• Jesus redefines power and authority
• Authority, roles, and collaboration
• The importance of context
• Do we take the scriptures literally?
• Mutual submission
• Why this conversation is important

If you enjoy listening to My Faithwalking Journey Podcast, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes … Thank you!

Join us next time for a conversation on the “Billy Graham Rule”

Series Links:

• Part 1: What is God’s design for men and women as they work together?
  
• Part 2: What about the Billy Graham rule?
• Part 3: Can you hear what I am saying?
• Part 4: How can men and women support each other in this journey?
• Part 5: Q&A with Jim and Trisha

Nate Foster is Assistant Professor of Social Work at Spring Arbor University as well as a writer, and pastor. Nate is the author of "The Making of Ordinary Saints" where he "explores the classic spiritual disciplines in fresh, creative ways, sharing engaging personal stories that show how these ancient practices can help us live more like Jesus in everyday life." He frequently contributes to Renovare through blogs and podcasts. He is currently lives in Jackson, Michigan with his wife of 21 years and two children. 

• (6:00) Introduction to the difference between spiritual disciplines and spiritual formation 
• (6:35) What does the word saint mean to you?
• (9:20) If we are going to take seriously the call to make disciples, what does it mean to make?
• (12:10) What is the role or impact of authenticity in the spiritual formation process?
• (16:08) The solution is not that we are just honest about everything and then we just stay there but there is hope for change and that we get to grow. 
• (16:35) How do I know if I am loving more maturely? 
• (19:30) What would you say to a pastor who wants the work of spiritual formation to be the first work they do?

Michael De Ruyter is a husband, father, and pastor who lives and serves in Midland, Michigan. Mike serves his city and his church by focusing his ministry on pastoring the city. In this episode Mike shares how he and his church increasingly saw a need to not only pastor their congregation but pastor the city from within the congregation. Thank you for listening to this conversation! 

Show Notes:

Nate Pyle serves as Lead Pastor at Christ’s Community Church in Fishers, Indiana. Nate has written, "As I follow Jesus, I have found that I need to unlearn how to live in the world in order to learn a new way of living. The way Jesus lived.” He shares his thoughts on this new way of living through his blog and his new book “Man Enough.” Thank you for listening to this conversation with Nate. 

Show Notes;

• (3:00) The importance of intentionality in building community
• (6:35) What can I take off my plate so I can focus on relationships 
• (7:20) Building loving communities isn’t a task It is about being present with God, with yourself, and with others.
• (8:00) The conversation about being in community is a conversation about learning how to love.
• (9:50) The unspoken idea of having to prove yourself and the implications on building loving communities 
• (13:30) Nate shares a story that really shaped him
• (19:00) Our need to be known
• (21:40) The book is about being fully human as Jesus was fully human

Nate Pyle's Book: Man Enough: How Jesus Redefines Manhood by Nate Pyle

Other Book Mentioned: The Making of Ordinary Saints by Nathan Foster and Richard Foster

Show notes: 

• We learn how to ​do relationships​ by the age of 5 years old
• Trauma changes our brains and makes loving self and others much more challenging​
• ​A​bout 40% of American children will have at least one potentially traumatizing experience by age 18*
• Our level of person safety ​in key relationships impacts our capacity for intimacy
• We need to develop a deep level of compassion for what we see around us
• Building loving communities is almost impossible to do solo
• Missional marriage - our culture gets healthier as our families get healthier**

*The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma

**Upcoming Missional Marriage Workshop!

For over 25 years Jim has been serving the church in Houston Texas by working to mobilize individuals and congregations into collaborative efforts that are designed to serve the common good. In this podcast series Jim is talking to community leaders in Houston and across the country who are working to build more loving communities as a systemic solution to the big challenges that our communities face today. 

Today's conversation is with John Ogletree, Pastor at First Metropolitan Church in Houston, Texas.

• (1:40) Is it obtainable to live in a world where everyone is safe and everyone has enough?
• (4:53) How might you, John, come to this conversation differently than someone who is not african-american?
• (9:05) The impact of labeling events as racially motivated, specifically around the Deputy Goforth tragedy. 
• (14:57) Political rhetoric, loving others, and moving away from either or thinking
• (18:05) If we are going to build loving communities we need to do two things: 1. Learn to love people who see the world differently than I do. 2. Move away from either or thinking

For over 25 years Jim has been serving the church in Houston Texas by working to mobilize individuals and congregations into collaborative efforts that are designed to serve the common good. In this podcast series Jim is talking to community leaders in Houston and across the country who are working to build more loving communities as a systemic solution to the big challenges that our communities face today. 

In this podcast Jim and Cindy Wu explore the what it looks like when we are fully present and fully committed to our communities. 

Our Global Families: Christians Embracing Common Identity in a Chancing World by Todd Johnson & Cindy Wu 

A brief overview:

• The impact on Cindy and her family by connecting with her neighbors. 
• How connecting with our communities brings a broader perspective which is a vital part of why we need to know our neighbors
• How does Cindy's heritage impact her perspective on building community? 
• Cindy talks about religious demography and specifically Christian demography and how the data she is finding paints a picture of how the world and the church is changing
• Shares some key concepts from Our Global Families that give insight into building loving communities.