Abbey Normal

76. Anniversary Party

Check in from Abbey on the THREE YEAR Anniversary of this show! From one human to another- thank you for listening. 

This month we're rereleasing five past episodes. If you missed 'em over the years, now's the time to tune in and enjoy. 

75. Shades of Gray

As a bookend to the Not The Same series, we're talking to a friend who's still in the EWCCCV*. Choosing to be in the Evangelical community may mean living in the tension, suspending some things to remain in relationships. Katie finds value in that community, so she doesn't get too weighed down by the issues that plague any institution. She tries to peaceably live her life in a middle place, showing love in unseen moments.

*Evangelical, predominantly-White Church of California's Central Valley

 

 

74. VM: You ARE The Father

In celebration of Father's Day we're talking about unplanned (and VERY planned) pregnancies. Dads share how it felt to get one of life's biggest surprises! And Reverend Maggie is back to explain the big decision she and her wife had to make in family planning. 

73. Hailing Mary

Religious affiliation can be so closely tied up in ethnic identity, you're not sure where one ends and the other begins. But academically-minded Carmelita found that her faith did not hold up when life fell apart. Battling depression and alcoholism, she wondered where the omnipresent God of the Catholics was. There was light at the end of that dark tunnel, but where would it lead her?

TW: Suicidal Ideation

72. Holy Yoga

Did you know there's yoga specifically for Christians? Yep, it exists because Evangelicals are nervous about the "bad juju" of traditional yoga.

But it turns out even "holy" yoga may be too much for the church, at least when it's a woman's idea. 

This is a story of trauma and betrayal, of pulling your family out of the ashes, and trying to find healing. With a little bit of yoga on the side.

 

 

71. Accidentally Chassidic

Sometimes we walk away right quick from our faith tradition of origin and live happily on the outside. Then one day, well into adulthood, G-d shows up unexpectedly.

This spiritual journey is full of twists and turns, trauma and healing; a life that accidentally comes full circle. 

70. Crack to Chasm

Rachel had a tight-knit community growing up in the LDS church. But as cracks in her belief system have widened, she's struggled deciding how she can continue to participate, authentically. Will those cracks become a chasm separating her from the culture she knows best?

Will she discover a Truth that doesn't cause harm?  

Part 8: The End of the World as We Know It...and I feel fine

Ready to burn it down? There's a lot that Evangelical wanderers want to burn away from our early faith, and what it represents now. But there are also changes afloat in the broader church. New ideas being explored, that redefine what church is, what happens there, and who's invited in. 

Not The Same series:

Not all Christians are the same.

There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliation. But there are some Christians who simply don’t fit into a box- who take their own faith seriously, and actively question the beliefs and practices of the U.S. Evangelical church. Those who would like to attend church services but can’t find one that “fits” them, right where they’re at.

This series is their stories. Stories of harm at the hands of the church, disillusionment, and the journey to redeem themselves, and maybe, the church. 

Songs: Burn it Down and Song for Henri by Jason Morrell

Part 7: The Reverends

Dynamic duo, Maggie and Spencer, met in seminary preparing for ordination in the Episcopal Church. They explain some of the history and theology of this denomination, how change is made (and what is allowed). Plus, answer some pressing Evangelical-style questions like, How are YOU a Reverend? and Can you be gay? and But, how do you get saved?

Not The Same series:

Not all Christians are the same.

There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliation. But there are some Christians who simply don’t fit into a box- who take their own faith seriously, and actively question the beliefs and practices of the U.S. Evangelical church. Those who would like to attend church services but can’t find one that “fits” them, right where they’re at.

This series is their stories. Stories of harm at the hands of the church, disillusionment, and the journey to redeem themselves, and maybe, the church. 

Part 6: The Bridge Builder

Growing up in a strict Nigerian (+Southern Baptist) household, there were big expectations placed on little Kenny's shoulders. He tried his best to achieve every goal, and meet everyone's needs. But eventually, at Seminary, it all caught up with him and his dreams came crashing down. Was it possible to work in Church ministry... and be gay? 

Not The Same series:

Not all Christians are the same.

There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliation. But there are some Christians who simply don’t fit into a box- who take their own faith seriously, and actively question the beliefs and practices of the U.S. Evangelical church. Those who would like to attend church services but can’t find one that “fits” them, right where they’re at.

This series is their stories. Stories of harm at the hands of the church, disillusionment, and the journey to redeem themselves, and maybe, the church. 

Songs: Never Was In Love With You and Into The Sky by Kenny O