The Dismantling Doctrine Podcast

Are you prepared to deconstruct your faith, beliefs and presuppositions?  If so, then you won't want to miss this episode, as I talk with Dr Hector Avalos, professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University. Dr Avalos is a "New Atheist"--one who isn't trying to disprove the existence of God, but rather seeks to warn people about the dangers inherent within religion--and religionism. In this f...

What kind of an impact can a single sermon have on the lives of people? Not much, or a great deal? Historically, in 1095 AD Pope Urban II preached a sermon in Clermont, France, that launched the bloodshed of the Crusades to the Holy Land. Not only were hideous atrocities committed, the legacy of that sermon resonates down through the centuries. Even today, Christians, Jews and Muslims alike are st...

What effect does listening to years of sermons have on a person's psyche, behavior, and mental health? In this episode of the newly-named "MindShift" podcast (formerly "The Preacher's Forum podcast"), Gary Hayes and I tackle the subject of preaching, and its effects on people. If you're a preacher, then you will benefit from this episode! Question your biases, presuppositions and hermeneutical com...

Overheard in church: "God doesn't have emotions...and neither should you!" What constitutes a good Christian, anyway? Someone who is spiritually mature, is the common answer. But what if that person is  emotionally immature?  What then? This is precisely what I and Marc Alan Schelske, author of  The Wisdom of Your Heart: Discovering the God-Given Purpose and Power of Your Emotions , discuss in thi...

Reflect on the irony of the statement, "Leaving the church...to find God." And what is the church, after all, but a collection of individuals striving to do just that--find God? To find themselves, to discover their own humanity? It's hard to separate out, however, the oftentimes sordid history of the church in the past, and also what it has become today. In the midst of the formulaic religion, th...

Why would anyone even contemplate the idea of leaving the church in order to find God? Surely the church is where one goes to...find God, right?  But the truth is that for many, God can easily get lost in the midst of all of the rituals and traditions, formulaic worship, toxic or just bad theology, and rote practices. Besides, isn't God everywhere? He doesn't actually dwell in a building made by h...

"You can't be a Christian...and crazy!" says Steve Austin of the CXMH podcast and the iamsteveaustin.net website. He's my guest on this latest episode of the MindShift podcast series. There is unfortunately a stigma attached to mental health and the church. Throw in some questionable--or downright bad theology--like "the magic Jesus pill" (say a prayer and you're all better), and you've got a toxi...

Are you a survivor of childhood sexual abuse? Were you sexually abused as a teenager, or even as an adult? Perhaps the abuse is even now ongoing and you feel powerless to stop it. In the UK alone, according to a 2000 study by the NSPCC, one in 6 children will experience some form of sexual abuse by the age of 16. 8 out of 10 children abused know their abuser. In the USA, a person is sexually assau...

"Everything rises and falls on leadership" (John Maxwell). If you're a leader, or a member of a leadership team, how would you even know if the culture of your team is dysfunctional or unhealthy? For that matter, what are the qualities that make up a good and effective leader? In this second episode on the subject of leadership, I'll help you to begin to turn the negatives into positives. Beyond m...

Exactly how important is the culture of an organization? What role does leadership play in shaping and building the culture? How does culture fit into mission, vision and values? If you're involved in leadership on any level--be it a business, a church or any other organization--then this episode is for you. Whether you're a leader of a team, or a member of a leadership team, then join me for the...

Why did one fish turn to the other at fish church on a Sunday and say: "I'm sure glad the ocean turned up today." What does that have to do with our views of God? Explore the subject of  theoclasm with us: It has to do with challenging, deconstructing, and possibly even tearing down our received, inherited views of God. How do you see God? As an angry father? Or is he disappointed with your lack o...

What does it take to have a MindShift and move from being a negative, cynical person to a person of positivity? This involves far more than just "putting on a happy face" and pretending that everything is fine. It's a MindShift...a complete transformation of your mental awareness and thought-processes, which is extremely difficult. Lisa and I talk about how hard it is to become a "person of positi...

In the second half of my conversation with Bishop Mike Royal, the conversation pursues the question: "Is the church relevant today?" We explore this question from the point of view of the election and presidency of Donald Trump; the recent Grenfell Tower fire; and speaking out as a Christian, confronting the injustices and inequalities in society. Bishop Mike Royal is a committed social activist,...

Much of current theology and biblical studies, despite the multi-global and multi-ethnic makeup of our society and churches today, still tends to be predominantly white, Euro-centric, male and Protestant. In this landmark show--number 30 on The Preacher's Forum podcast--I'm excited to bring you the first half of my conversation with Bishop Mike Royal, recorded recently in Birmingham, UK.  Bishop R...

In the second half of my conversation with Mike Nimz of the Anabaptist Network UK, Mike shares his difficult experience as the pastor of a Mennonite church in Canada. If you're a pastor or church leader, then you need to listen in to his story! This is helpful because now, more than 3 years after burning out in ministry, Mike is able to reflect critically on his experiences. We also talk about pre...

What exactly is an Anabaptist, or a Mennonite? What's the relationship between those two traditions? Do you have to become an Amish person in order to join such a church? Mike Nimz and his wife Cheryl are part of the Anabaptist Network in the United Kingdom. Originally from the US and Canada, they now live in Birmingham, England, and are devoted to promoting the Anabaptist and Mennonite core value...

Does a person have to believe a set of theological doctrines in order to belong to a church? Or is it more of a priority for someone to belong first, and worry about beliefs later? Most churches and leaders would say that belief comes before belonging. And beyond that, what is the purpose of the church? Is it about attracting people into a building, or is about going out into the community? How do...

This episode is Part 1 of an amazing conversation I had in Birmingham, England, with Dr Ash Barker. He is an "immersed urban Christian activist", originally born in Australia, now living in Birmingham. Prior to moving to the UK, he and his family spent 12 years living in one of Bangkok's poorest slums. Ash is the author of 3 books, which discuss their experiences in Bangkok, and reflect on the rea...

If you are a Christian, and attend church regularly (or even semi-regularly), why do you go? What is the purpose of church, anyway? Does church exist to serve the people that attend, or do the people serve the church--and maybe get to be involved in some ministry on the side?  If these questions resonate with you, then be sure and listen in to the second half of my conversation with Ryan Warren. W...

How do you understand your own identity? Is it from your accomplishments in life, and the the skills and abilities you have? And where do you gain a sense of value? Is that found in what you do--or who you are? Do you judge people on their appearance and belief systems? Or can you learn to "see beyond the veil of humanity?" In this and the next episode of my podcast series "British Accents," I'm b...

"If I go down a blind alley, it's only because I went there looking for more of God. If I don't find him, I'll come back out and keep going!" Wise words from Mr Gary Hayes, describing what it means to have a "theoclasm." Listen in to Part 2 of our conversation, where Gary describes his transition out of a cult-like fundamentalist church experience in London--where he was one of the leaders, no les...

"I'd rather that an unsafe building be torn down, and rebuilt, than carry on living in it--just because I don't want change." Wise words from Gary Hayes, this week's "British Accents" episode on The Preacher's Forum podcast! What's a "theoclasm"? Have you had a "theoclastic experience" yourself? And what does all this have to do with the teachings of Father Richard Rohr? If you don't know what tho...

What happens when you begin to "run out of road" on the spiritual path you're on? When the faith you were brought up to believe in no longer works for you? Listen in to find out what happened to Keith Rycroft, who transitioned from a fundamentalist upbringing and now is a Quaker....who doesn't believe in God?!

What in the world is a "non-theistic Quaker"? What happens when you begin "to run out of road" on the path you're on in life? I'll let my friend, Keith Rycroft, begin to explain in this first half of my conversation with him. In this episode, we explore some of the history of the Quaker movement, which began in England in the 17th century amidst a time of religious, political and economic upheaval...

Are you a spiritual misfit? Don't fit into the mainstream church? Don't want to have anything to do with organized religion? Then this conversation is designed for you. How do you stay true to who you are, yet at the same time continue to grow and explore the path to spirituality and personal wholeness? Join us for this interview, and along the journey also. "Nurture the good that's already within...