Mid-faith Crisis

We continue our thoughts about encountering God through nature with thinking about how we also do that in urban landscapes. Where do we find the beauty there? How do we hear from God on the high street? What moments of delight can inspire worship? Also, Joe has been celebrating like a Mexican, and Nick has been going too fast. The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend 2027 - book your place Support the...

In this episode we delve deeper into how we relate to nature, in particular, how Joe leads his reflective 'Wild Awake' walks. We talk about paying attention, intentionally entering a place and, most of all, how wonder is another name for worship. Also, Joe talks about how he had some business to do with the big cedar, and how you don't see a lot of anxious fungus. The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weeke...

It's our tenth anniversary! Who'd have thought it? We're so grateful for the support of this great community. Anyway, in what can only be described as 'more of the same', we reflect on the origins of the podcast and what, if anything, we have learnt along the way. The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend 2027 - book your place Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith...

Joe talks with our friend Lacy Finn Borgo about the importance of acknowledging our bodies, of listening to them, and of recognising their fundamental importance to spirituality and how we encounter the Divine. As the blessing at the end says, we have holy hands, holy face, holy feet, and holy everything in between. The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend 2027 - book your place Support the podcast Con...

The big announcement this week is the Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend 2027. All the details in the link below. Meanwhile, in a possibly ill-advised move, we explore a Psalm together. We talk about sacramental moments, what fulness of life really means, find out the names of Joe's enemies, and discover why Nick hates Bible study. So dig out your spiritual ears and have a listen. The Mid-faith Crisi...

We're back! Nick is back from Canada and Joe has forgotten to read the Bible. In our continuing tour of the house of faith, we revisit the attic but also consider the bar and even the playroom. Also, there are some very important announcements and an update from Denmark. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Joe's Webpage Wint...

Joe talks to Mary and Charles Hippsley about their excellent book, Reimagining the Landscape of Faith. What is our map of faith - and what do we do when the map is no longer helpful? How can we find new pathways? Who will help us on our travels? Mary and Charles share their own experience of spiritual change and offer wise, encouraging and helpful insights into the crucial journey of spiritual tra...

We're coming to the end of our season of spiritual decluttering, and taking a look at some of the things that we have hidden away in the attic. What practices have we stored away up there, hoping they might come in useful again some day? Also, we check in on our themes and Nick has been thinking about the topic of maintenance. Thrilling stuff, I'm sure you agree. Support the podcast Contact the po...

In a slightly unexpected moment, we delve into the ritual of communion. Last week we talked about it as a key Christian activity, but what is our understanding of it? We discuss the importance of ritualism, but also the dangers of exclusion. Also, we announce new ways of supporting the podcast, and Nick may or may not be able to balance on one leg and be a tree. Support the podcast Contact the pod...

We continue our journey unpacking the rooms of faith by looking at 'church' – a big word, with so many meanings. But what is it really? Is it just people talking about God? What about things like communion? We discuss the necessity of community, the fundamental practices of faith and, most importantly, reflect on what Christian Gandalf has to say on the matter. Support the podcast Contact the podc...

More on the theme of worship, but this week we focus on the why. Why do we worship? What is the role of gratitude? Is God really that needy, or are there other gods who are a lot more needy than the Divine? Should worship songs be sea shanties? We explore what the Bible actually says about worship, and how it might be more of a choice of direction than just saying nice things about God. Also, keep...

So, Joe is still away, but here's a little something from the vaults – an interview with Brian McLaren about his book Life After Doom . Given all the extreme weather we're experiencing at the moment, this seemed like a good episode to revisit! We'll be back with you next week. In the meantime, remember, humans are a mess, but the birds are awesome! Support the podcast Contact the podcast through y...

This week's episode brings us to worship. How do we define it? Is it just music, or does worshipping God involve more than just warbling? What are our places of worship, and do we still have to sing? Also we talk about death and head injuries, just to cheer everyone up a bit. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in...

We're back in the library as we continue to sort out our house of faith. This time we're thinking about books we don't use as much, and why it's worth keeping old bits of the Bible around, because you never know which bits are going to come in handy. Also, Joe has had some issues with paint, and Nick has been giving martini recipes to medical staff. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through...

As we continue our journey around our house of faith we've come to the library. And this week, we're restocking the shelves with your book recommendations. You can find a full list on our website. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: The Sacred Veil | Eric Whitacre Books mentioned in the episode. Se...

We continue our discussion about prayer, this time focusing on our current approach to prayers and praying. We talk about the role of personality, about confession and the need to be 'meeked', and about finding simple ways to trigger moments of stillness and prayer. Also, Nick reveals his impressive new technique for avoiding difficult prayer situations. Support the podcast Contact the podcast thr...

In the first of our sort-of series on decluttering faith, we look at the prayer room. We discuss the mystery of intercession and think about prayer as 'primary speech', as an art more than a science. Prayer is crucial in our journey of understanding, both of God and of ourselves. So what needs clearing out? And what do we want to keep? (And keep those book suggestions coming!) Support the podcast...

Joe has a sickness bug. Nick has a bad back. In this short and utterly inadequate episode, we talk a little bit about well-meaning but tone-deaf sermons and what really might bring us happiness in the life to come. Also we think a little about books for mid-faith crisis. What are your favourites? Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick...

We're back with our reflections on the Mid-faith Crisis weekend. We discuss the theme of spiritual decluttering and the joy of generous conversation. Also Nick wonders if he's actually had a mid-faith crisis and Joe is accidentally biblical. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Pied Flycatcher

We talk, in an incredibly expert way, about the afterlife, about nostalgia and longing, about a new heaven and a new earth and about the different dimensions of existence. Also, is Nick the worst Anglican ever, and should Joe be the new Knepp-based host for Springwatch? Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this e...

We have a very special interview this week. Joe talks to our friend Ruth about how she is facing terminal cancer. She talks about focusing on what matters, about the normality of death, and about the importance of talking about grief, loss and mortality. There is hope. And there is, above all, 'The ever present one who loves me more than I can imagine and who is with me every step of the way.' Sup...

We talk about the power of vulnerability, about how noisy fear can be, and about those times when we vent instead of lament. Thanks for all your feedback - it really meant a lot this week! Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Stevens & Pound John Shelby Spong - Wikipedia

We talk about change and the anxiety which often accompanies it. How do we live in that space where one thing is ending, but a new thing has yet to begin? Also, Joe has been listening to frogs and Nick turns out to be a great evangelist for atheism. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Wilhelm Worri...

How do we talk about mystical or transcendent experiences without appearing to be nuts? More than that, what is the motivation for talking about them in the first place? We discuss the problems with loaded words, the desire to call people into deeper experiences and whether we are refugees from culture. Also, why it's best not to respond to the 'How are you?' with a PowerPoint. Support the podcast...

We think more about the personalisation of the good news. What is the evidence for fullness of life in our lives? Are we the best judges of our own spiritual development? Does salvation look different for different people? Also, Joe has been birdwatching and Nick has had enough joy, thank you very much. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Pa...