Episodes
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We speak with friend of the show Ross Lockhart about his recent book (and PhD work) called West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver.
The book takes an in-depth look at 12 churches and two faith-based organizations in the Vancouver area. It takes up themes that are familiar to almost everyone who has been part of a church in the last couple of decades.
We talk about differences in approach to the “outside world” and how things have changed in regards to how churches relate to society as a whole. There is both consolation and challenge in our conversation. What might real theological change look like as compared with change of style or strategy?
Ross is the Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall, the Presbyterian Church in Canada college at the University of British Columbia. Ross is also the Professor of Mission Studies at Vancouver School of Theology, where he teaches courses in practical theology. Ross holds a PhD from Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam and is the author of Lessons from Laodicea: Missional Leadership in a Culture of Affluence; Beyond Snakes and Shamrocks: St. Patrick’s Missional Leadership Lessons for Today; co-author of Better Than Brunch: Missional Churches in Cascadia as well as Christianity: An Asian Religion in Vancouver and editor of Christian Witness in Cascadian Soil. Ross’ latest project is West Coast Mission: the Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver published this fall by McGill-Queen’s University Press. Ross lives with his family on Bowen Island, B.C. Ross’s newest book is available now.
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Mental health and matters of spiritual and mental wellness are often topics we address on Rector’s Cupboard and so we were very grateful to speak to Elise Girardin, Executive Director of The Woods Arts & Wellness, a North Vancouver based therapy practice addressing the well being of mind-body-spirit through engagement with nature and the arts.
Elise practices what she calls embodied therapy, helping people find healing and flourishing through connection and creativity. This kind of therapy is beneficial for those who have experienced trauma, those who feel disconnected, those who do not feel like they are flourishing. We highly recommend checking out The Woods and their programs. They offer a variety of therapies, some available virtually, and have sliding-scale pricing for accessibility.
If you’d like some extra credit, Elise recommends the following books on embodied therapy practices and research:
The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der KolkYour Brain on Art, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
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Shaila Visser is the National Director of Alpha Canada and the Global Senior Vice-President for Alpha International. She is the Executive Producer of both The Alpha Youth Film Series (2013) and The Alpha Film Series (2016), and currently holds a position on the Board of the Damascus Road Foundation.
We speak with Shaila about how and why Alpha works and has for so many years. What does it mean to talk about faith, but not prescribe a particular outcome? We also speak about what faith might look like for those who have pushed away from their previous church experience.
For information on Alpha, including finding a course, running a course, or helping support Alpha, you can check out their website.
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Dr. Aurelian Crăiuțu is Professor in the Department of Political Science at Indiana University, Bloomington, and Adjunct Professor in the Lilly Family School of Philanthropic Studies at IUPUI, Indianapolis. He is also affiliated with the Russian and East European Institute, the Institute for West European Studies, and the Ostrom Workshop. Crăiuțu has written extensively about the concept of political moderation and has argued that moderation is the strongest, most intellectually honest, and most radical political position in times of polarization.
Rector’s Cupboard co-host, Todd Wiebe, wrote an article for Church For Vancouver, in April 2024 reflecting on Crăiuțu’s latest work, Why Not Moderation?, in relation to Evangelical culture. Asking questions such as; What are the shadow sides of the calls for “radical commitment” in Evangelical faith? How might religious moderation by the strongest type of commitment?
After publication of that piece, Aurelian Crăiuțu reached out to Todd and asked for a conversation on religious moderation and how it might relate to political moderation. This episode is that conversation.
You may have grown up in a religious culture that demanded or rewarded a kind of fully-sold-out faith. While the appeals of this kind of neither-hot-nor-cold understanding of faith are evident, the dangers and weaknesses are often overlooked. If sold out faith means never questioning belief or leadership, than it is weak, not strong. If sold out faith means seeing people who don’t believe what you believe as obviously misguided or even evil, than it is weak, not strong. Political moderation moves us towards genuine consideration of the other. Christian faith, at its hopeful best, does the same. The concept of the Incarnation is the heart of God moving towards humanity. Faith that is truly strong (moderate) recognizes this call.
If you’d like to read more about moderation, you can find links to Todd original article and Dr. Crăiuțu’s book above. If you’re really keen about even more writing about moderation, you can also check out Todd’s other article about it, written earlier this year, in Evangelically Departed.
We hope you enjoy the conversation!
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As we close season 5 of Rector’s Cupboard and begin summer, Rector’s Cupboard hosts, Todd, Amanda, and Allison have gathered to talk about what is on our summer reading/watching/listening lists this year that we think you might find interesting. We hope that you are able to find time for beauty and rest and entertainment this summer and we will be back in the fall with season 6!
Rector’s Cupboard Recommendations:Music:Outlaw Festival – taking place at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington, featuring Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and John Mellencamp
Shows:The Bear, season 3 – Disney PlusOutlaws – PrimeBlue Lights – Brit BoxPlant Earth 3 – PrimeTaskmaster - Brit Box
Books:Take What You Need – Idra NoveyReading Gensis – Marilynne RobinsonA Commentary on Jeremiah – Walter BrueggemannIncarnational Humanism Jens – ZimmermanThe Five Invitations – Frank OstaseskiI’m So Glad We Had This Time Together – Maurice VellekoopDucks: Two Years in the Oil Sands – Kate BeatonGilead – Marilynne RobinsonSmall Things Like These - Claire Keegan
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Benjamin Perrin is a professor at the University of British Columbia, Peter A. Allard School of Law and a senior fellow in criminal justice at the Macdonald Laurier Institute of Public Policy and the author of several books including Indictment: the Criminal Justice System on Trial and Overdose: Heartbreak and Hope in Canada’s Opioid Crisis.
We speak with Ben Perrin about a couple of his books. Ben does a fantastic job of describing challenges of criminal justice and the opioid crisis in Canada. He places himself within the frame of someone who used to believe one way, but changed his view – in his own description, because of his faith.
Ben’s research on the topics is extensive and his books offer a look into the many challenges and considerations. They also offer an example of the positive call of being open to change. It was a privilege to speak with Ben. We think that you will find his insight and example inspiring.
We are grateful as well to open this episode with a conversation with a member of the Reflector Project Board, the non-profit of which Rector’s Cupboard is a part. Tierney has professional experience working with people who have faced the trauma and stigma that Benjamin Perrin writes and speaks about.
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We were pleased to speak again to Dr. Marty Folsom about his latest work, Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics For Everyone, Vol 2 – The Doctrine of God: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Pros. Marty Folsom has taken up an expansive work of outlining the main points and the structure of Karl Barth’s multi-volumed Church Dogmatics. Those two words, “church” and “dogmatics,” both carry negative perceptions for many people. What you will find in Church Dogmatics, however, is helpful and hopeful, positive and thoughtful, and even healing.
Karl Barth presents a way of seeing faith and life that is bright, a way that calls us to solidarity rather than separation, all because God has chosen not to be God without us.
You might find it hard to believe what you used to believe, or hard to believe in the way that you used to believe. Marty Folsom shows us, through presenting the work of Karl Barth, that there is a better, more faithful way of believing.
Volume 2 of Folsom’s Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone has just been released. This book looks at Church Dogmatics 2 and outlines concepts such as the sovereignty of God in choosing to love humanity, and the hopeful doctrine of election, God’s love for ALL. We are grateful for the conversation about the new book.
If you’d like to listen to our interview with Marty about Volume 1 of his Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone series, you can find that episode here.
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This week on Rector’s Cupboard, we gather the Cupboard hosts, Todd, Allison, and Amanda, as well as Cupboard Master, Ken, to discuss what we’re watching and reading right now, as well as few articles that speak about the apocalypse, hope, fear, and changing understandings of faith.
Ken mixed us a delicious cocktail called a Bourbon Pecan Pie Cocktail, which contained vodka, whiskey/bourbon, and Pecan Liqueur, featuring Revel Stoke Roasted Pecan Flavored Whiskey.
If you’d like to read the articles we discuss in this episode, here they are:
“They broke up for their faith. Asking questions brought them back together” – CBC, April 1, 2024
“Climate Doom Is Out. ‘Apocalyptic Optimism’ Is In.” – New York Times, April 21, 2024
We hope you enjoy the conversation!
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This week on Rector’s Cupboard we are pleased to offer a collaboration with our good friend, David Goa.
David has been on the podcast a number of times through the years and in 2022 we partnered with David to record a series of conversations about the Church, the “ecclesia,” asking “who is she?” entitled The Church In-Between Times.
David’s love for the Church and his insight into the blessings and challenges faced historically and today are evident.David has continued these conversations with pastors, theologians, and other people interested in the Christian Church.
He recently invited Todd to speak about the Church with him and we are pleased to bring this conversation to Rector’s Cupboard.
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We speak with United Church Minister Deb Walker about her attendance at the COP 28 Climate Conference in Dubai. 85,0000 people attended the event, which was held in a country often referred to as a Petrol State.
Deb’s attendance was officially as a Faith Observer as a part of the Christian Climate Observers Program. Deb is informed on the issues around climate change and outlines the hope she felt at the conference in the midst of some of the most important challenges of our time.
Deb mentions many organizations and programs related to ecology, environmentalism, and activism during our conversation.
If you’re interested in looking into some of these yourself, here are the resources Deb spoke to us about:
The Mother TreeFaith Pavilion YouTube ChannelClimate IntercessorsA Rocha Canada
New York Times article referenced in this episode:
Bravo! Hurray! Wahoo! (Meh.) – New York Times, April 11, 2024
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Do you have a testimony?If you are familiar with the culture of evangelical church, you will know what is being asked. Maybe you heard someone give their testimony at church, or at camp.
In this context, testimony meant a personal account of your life or background with an emphasis on your conversion to evangelical faith. It was communicated, largely, with the intent and hope that those listening, who had not experienced such a conversion, may, themselves, make a declaration of faith.
Spiritual memoir is different than testimony.
Richard Lischer’s book, Our Hearts are Restless, introduces us to the spiritual memoir of some interesting people. In describing spiritual memoir, Lischer says, “some lives are construed as if lived in the presence of God.”
We found the book wonderful and thoughtful. Lischer skillfully and compassionately (for subject and reader) opens the accounts of the people to whom he introduces us in a way that helps to ask meaningful questions about life and faith.
Enjoy the episode and if you are so inclined, read the book – it really is good.
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Dr. J. Warren Smith is Professor of Historical Theology at Duke Divinity School. Professor Smith is a great guide in helping us to see hope for the future in listening to voices of hope from the past.
We talk with him about how some sayings, perspectives, and experiences of those who lived many centuries ago can be resonant in the midst of the challenges of our time.
Besides being compelling and interesting, and at times upsetting, encountering theology in history can be a lot of fun.
Enjoy.
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At least once a season, we speak with David Goa, a spiritual friend and mentor.David is a writer, professor, and theologian and has been a great help to us as we hope to articulate a hopeful vision of faith and theology.
When we speak with David, we tend to ask about life and faith in relation to the current cultural and religious landscape.Given what is happening in the world right now, in this episode David talks about the ongoing crisis in Israel/Gaza and about the nature of righteousness, rightness, and evil.
David’s words to us are insightful, considerate of the challenges of our time, and even consoling.
Blessings as you listen.
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We are pleased to speak with J Alkana about his work in architecture and design. J thoughtfully asks questions of meaning, humanity and faith in relation to the work that he does.
What is vocation? What gives your work meaning?
Various understandings of work in relation to faith historically have often divided work into realms of the sacred and the secular. J speaks with us about inspiration and spiritual hope around his work and offers insight into what can compel and positively motivate us to make a difference in the world.
Our hope for this episode is that you will feel inspired in whatever you do for work and vocation.Perhaps you are drawn by questions of how your faith animates your work. For some, work and faith come together in even more direct ways. Wherever you are at, we hope that you feel inspired by hearing J.
References in this episode:The Many Lives of Martha Stewart – CNN, 2024
Don’t Feel Bad About Your Laundry Chair – The Washington Post, January 29, 2024
Growing Up Evangelical: Moms and Daughters – Rector’s Cupboard Season 1, April 25, 2020
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The image of a new leaf implies new season, new hope. Elle Pyke, Director of Programs and Innovation at New Leaf Network, helps to navigate people and organizations through some of the significant changes in what it means to be a church with a particular Canadian focus.
You may feel a sense of longing for a time of apparent certainty in what church looked like. Conversely, you may be glad that things as they were have come apart.
Rector’s Cupboard host, Allison Williams and guest Elle Pyke speak about reasons for hope in a time of change.
For more information about New Leaf, the work they do and upcoming events, check out their website.
Books referenced:The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
Leaving Christianity: Changing Allegiances in Canada by Brian Clarke and Stuart Macdonald
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There are some truly terrifying Christmas/winter characters out there. Many may have heard of Krampus, a German partner of St. Nick who punishes poorly behaved children, but what about Peruchty, a winter witch who likes to disembowel naughty children?
Santa, also, may fall into these terrifying categories, although in less severe ways. Lumps of coal in stocking, running naughty and nice list, even Jolly St. Nick has taken on the role of scaring children into behaving well with threats.
This year, we gathered to talk about some of these characters and the way in which they have been shaped by and, in turn shape, imaginations in Christian understanding.
It’s not all scary, though, we also talk about a Christmas tradition from Catalonia where a log poops out Christmas treats, so there’s something for everyone!
We had a special guest for this recording, Amanda’s puppy, Luna, who greatly enjoyed chewing on our chairs throughout the episode, providing much joy and additional noise while we chatted.
We hope you enjoy this conversation and that you have a blessed Christmastime.
Materials referenced:Church Fights: King vs. Liquorish, Season 3"Shock of the Old" - The Guardian, December 5, 2023Tio de Nadal article Raising Children UnFundamentalistTis the Grinch Holiday Talk Show
Tasting Notes:On this episode, we enjoyed blueberry tea, a lovely warm cocktail, prepared by Cupboard Master, Ken Bell. Here’s a recipe if you’d like to mix one for yourself. We used some local spirits in our version with Amaretto from Sons of Vancouver Distillery and Triple Sec from Copperpenny Distilling Co.
You can find pictures of the Bible inscription, fill-in afterlife destination card, and the scary Santa from Allison’s house on our website.
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In recent years, there has been a growing number of people who have moved from one Christian faith tradition to another. Some of the lines within Christian expression have been fairly rigid. This rigidity has even led, in some instances, to the assumption that “those other churches” are not even Christian.
One of the main lines of distinction has been between mainline churches and evangelical churches and now, more than in years past, people have begun moving across this line in one direction or the other. Perhaps you grew up in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church and now attend a United Church. Or maybe you were Presbyterian for most of your life and now you are part of a Baptist congregation.
We speak with Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall in Vancouver, about the history of how some of these divisions came to be and how they exist today. We aim towards a more accepting and grateful view of the other (whatever “the other” means in your background) as enlivening and helpful to Christian faith in general.
Terminology:Ecumenical – Representing a number of different churches and denominationsMissiology – The theological study of the mission of the church, particularly the character and purpose of missionary workEcclesiology – The study of the church
Books Referenced:Ross’s Books:Christianity: An Asian Religion in Vancouver (2023)Christian Witness in Cascadian Soil: Coworkers with God in the Land of Hiking, Hipsters, and Hand-Crafted LattesBetter Than Brunch: Missional Churches in Cascadia (2020)Beyond Snakes and Shamrocks: St. Patrick’s Mission Leadership Lessons for Today (2018)Lessons from Laodicea: Missional Leadership in a Culture of Affluence (2016)
Phyllis Airhart – A Church with the Soul of a Nation
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Have you been feeling like things are a little precarious at the moment? If so, you are certainly not alone. For our first Host Only episode of season five, we gather to discuss some of the precarious nature of our current days.
The conversation is not entirely serious, the facial expressions of cats and destructive nature of a local bear come up as well.
Whatever you’re feeling at this point, we hope this conversation provides some levity and encouragement as we all walk through some rather precarious times. Blessings from all of us at Rector’s Cupboard.
Articles referenced in today’s episode:“The End of Retirement” by Cathrin Bradbury, from the December 2023 edition of The Walrus
“Think cats are aloof? They make nearly 300 facial expressions, study says” by Kevin Melnick, The Washington Post, November 7, 2023
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John Lennox is a mathematician and bioethicist at Oxford University, where he is a Professor of Mathematics. He has spoken internationally and written many books on the intersection of science and philosophy and religion. His latest book, 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity, came out in 2020.
While most of us here at Rector’s Cupboard have had fraught relationship with what has been called “apologetics,” we are pleased to welcome Professor Lennox as a guest.
The discussion took place on a visit to Oxford. We speak about artificial intelligence, about John Lennox’s public engagement (discussions, debates) with various neo-atheists, including Richard Dawkins, and we address the larger question of the role of apologetics in faith and belief.
You can find more information about John Lennox’s publications, debates, and other resources he has made on his website.
Books referenced in this episode:Bittersweet - Susan Cain
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Around this time last year, we had the distinct pleasure of speaking to musician, author, theologian, and all around wonderful person, Julian Davis Reid. Next week, October 13 and 14 in Vancouver, BC, we are having an in-person conference around the theme of vocation and rest and Julian is our keynote speaker. In honour of that we thought we’d replay this episode from last season. If you’re in the Vancouver area and would like to attend, there is still time to register. You can check out the Rector’s Cupboard social pages or click here.
Original episode notes:In so many ways, we often feel ground down, in the words of this episode’s guest, “disintegrated.” Julian Davis Reid speaks to us about rest. This is more and better than simply disengagement or a break from the grind; rest is an essential part of what it means to be human, in the image of God.
Julian starts from a recognition of the profound restlessness that marks much of our lives and moves us towards the promise of the final and complete resting in God. Along the way, we talk about what theology and aesthetics, music and culture have to do with rest. We hold on to the promise that we might know rest, rest for our soul.
Julian’s website has links to all his music, both his solo work and work with the JuJu Exchange, his retreat work, as well as his newsletter where you can get more of his thoughts on rest.
Articles referenced in this episode:Do You Really Want a New Kitchen Counter - The Atlantic, November 18, 2022
A Parent’s Typical Day, As Envisioned By My Child’s Preschool - McSweeney’s, November 10, 2022
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