Mid-faith Crisis

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...

We discuss truth and fakery, the simplicity and complexity of the good news, and about how we can encounter the risen Christ through art, music and, crucially, other people. Also Nick gets annoyed and Joe hasn’t put in his holiday request form yet. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: “Resurrecting...

After a false start last week, Joe is back with a bit of clarity about his theme for the year. Also, as we approach Easter, we think about what it means for us in this year of uncertainty and conflict. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: You Are Not a Frog: Podcast for Doctors The Shipwright's Arms

Yes, it's the fabled Mid-faith Crisis New Year's episode. We talk about how our themes worked out last year (spoilers: not so good) and what we want to focus on for the next 12 months. How appropriate for episode number 365! Also Nick eats a doughnut and Joe has been to a play. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned i...

Mid-way through Nick's writing month and it's time for a catch up. Nick has an apology to make and Joe wants to be Supreme Leader. Also we think more about all that sheepy and goaty stuff, and we discuss how best to prepare for the official Mid-faith Crisis New Year themes episode. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mention...

In this week's episode we think about goals and training, coping with overwhelmingly needy emails and, most importantly, dealing with the mubble fubbles. Also, Nick has an epiphany and Joe has dressed up for the occasion. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: “Resurrecting Faith” – A Lent Course Four...

We revisit genial sin, consider discipleship as an investment account and revel in the origins of the word 'Lent'. Also, Nick shows off and Joe is actually fully clothed. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: “Resurrecting Faith” – A Lent Course With great power comes great responsibility Isaiah 35:1...

As we enter Lent, how can we make space in our lives to hear from God? In this episode we talk about the role of the wilderness in our lives and how it can actually be a place of encounter and change, a place where you hear the voice. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: “Resurrecting Faith” – A Len...

More feedback this week on the key questions: are we friends of Jesus or are we followers? Can we really be friends with a tree? What is a soul friend? Just how great is Kate Bush? And what happened to Nick's head? So many questions… Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: “Resurrecting Faith” – A Lent...

In this episode we think about the metaphors we use for our relationship with Jesus. Are we friends of Jesus? Or followers? Or slaves? Does the relationship feel different at different times in our faith? And will Joe and Nick's relationship survive the revelations about tea? Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in...

We return to the subject of grace, forgiveness and justice. Are all sins really the same? If so, what do we make of 'serious sin'? Is the evangelical view of sin secretly Catholic? And has Nick accidentally created a new category of sin? Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: "Resurrecting Faith" A Le...

We talk about self-understanding (and our apparent lack of it), and reflect on whether you can have seasons of spirituality. And, in the light of revelations about another major Christian teacher, we discuss how you can never fall from grace, you can only fall into it. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this ep...

New year, new podcast. But same old us, sadly. Anyway, good to be back with you. This week we visit some old emails and talk about the 'right' way to grieve, how names for God are a bit like old streets, and why Jesus might be a dance teacher. Normal service has resumed, then. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in...

In our final (probably) podcast for 2025, we each look back on the three things we've learned this year. Which doesn't, apparently, include (a) watching the Ashes and (b) not eating mince pies while recording. Happy Christmas everyone and a massive thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast this year. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Face...

Joe is back from Mexico and Nick has recovered from man flu. We talk about who we really are as individuals, and how that affects our relationship with others. Also, we think about what it is that we really need to prepare for Christmas, and the difference between entertaining people and hospitality. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page...