Sharifa Stevens—The Goodness of God in a World of Suffering

Winter Solace 2024: Home

Aye y'all, what's good?!?! I'm back, and I missed you people. In this conversation today, I'm joined by Pastor Jenn Layte and Robert Monson (alumni guests of this podcast) and Leah Wrenne. They are all participating in the Winter Solace Conference that will be from January 12-14, 2024! This conference was started by Pastor Jenn as a space for people who are weary in their faith to divulge their disappointments and grief with the hopes of connecting them to a God who sees them compassionately. This year's theme is Home, which we talk about in this wonderful conversation I hope y'all enjoy. Check out details about Conference Registration and ways to support guests below: Registration Link for Conference: https://www.45days.co/offers/7cF3f2v2/checkout [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.45days.co%2Foffers%2F7cF3f2v2%2Fcheckout%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0d3dOnf4SxW2A_g3sdWrZuMA9EHQqmzLfoYqX6vezckEGbYB-_KqNh46U&h=AT1BOrk5DSFfaXrVSYZq_x2brYq7CKFE2DcowYUaGz4gMSy2xYwqU961Wg2TKQdlrI5NRUHx05UkT24yORsyo_dYiw3Ba3_y1j_wBelVfFNCaVlL64gu-XNEHOzeKP4FjlttYTw&__tn__=q&c[0]=AT3SL5l1pyJG-M_F3O_2ft0xGNQb60KEyT6bBl9pF9N7_x_otM1HzexDb1Yp6aU6bA-LXFyyTEPipTwqms0m4zLJLi3PMaBoopJASjcoipxAIaxSGJcXD3Qmtt3Z-N1XkDbflzkmd5PBZC_mu7MBdv6MOVWg] Ways to Connect with Jenn https://jenniferaglayte.com/ https://the-pilgrimage.org/home/jenniferaglayte/: On this website it would be worth locating the donation tab as Jenn is often generous to discount already low prices.  https://the-pilgrimage.org/donate/ https://jennwith2ns.substack.com/: This newsletter is so insightful and lovely. Subscribe! Venmo: @Jenn-Layte Ways to Connect with Leah Twitter: https://twitter.com/arene204?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahwrennemusic/?hl=en Ways to Connect with Robert Substack - Robert posts soft reflections here on God and life, guiding us on an existence that is learning to honor our bodies' calls for rest and breath. https://musingsfromabrokenheart.substack.com/ Black Coffee and Theology Podcast - Robert is a solo host on this podcast and brings on many guests, exploring the multivalent realms of practical theology. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-coffee-and-theology-podcast/id1577198625. Three Black Men Podcast- Robert co-hosts with Sam Gay and Pastor Trey Ferguson, and they look at life and theology from their intersections. Incredible conversations here. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/three-black-men-theology-culture-and-the-world-around-us/id1535582503 Venmo: @Robert-Monson-2

Sharifa Stevens—The Goodness of God in a World of Suffering

Aye, y'all, what's good?! I had my big sis Sharifa Stevens on the episode today. We talked about the legacy of colonization that affects being a Black woman in the church, the seminary space, and as a mother. We also hit on imagining the goodness of God when all seems to be going to ruin. What is God's disposition for those who worry and have been battered? I think you'll be encouraged by Sharifa's powerful reflections. I also hope you enjoy the laughter. This episode was a joy. You can follow Sharifa's work on these different sites: Twitter - @sharifawrites Substack - https://sharifahstevens.substack.com/ Linktree - https://linktr.ee/sharifawrites Sharifa's Tip Jar: Venmo - @Sharifa-Stevens

Pastor Jennifer Layte—The Pilgrimage of Shepherding and Spiritual Direction"

Aye, y'all, what's good?! We got Pastor Jennifer Layte on the Podcast! She shares the story of her ministry (which my podcast shares a name with). We talked Shepherding, Spiritual Directing, Chaplaincy and More! Pastor Layte has ministered with many hats on, but most recently she's taken on the role of a Shepherd to her church and has a particular affinity for the deconstruction community who have faced many barriers to God from within the institutional religious world and guides them towards the boundless love of Jesus. I pray y'all are blessed by the conversation! You can follow Jenn's work on these different sites: Twitter - @JenniferAGLayte Instagram - @thejennstagram Facebook - Jennifer Layte (author page under same name) Newsletter - https://the-pilgrimage.ck.page/a4459c8c4e Linktree - https://t.co/S6QfsXXqLo [https://t.co/S6QfsXXqLo] The Pilgrimage Ministry is part of a nonprofit and so even though there are costs associated with some of the programs, it’s mostly funded by tax-deductible donations: Donate here: https://the-pilgrimage.org/donate/ [https://the-pilgrimage.org/donate/] Jenn's Tip Jar: Venmo: @Jenn-Layte

Pastor Trey Ferguson—Battle Rap, Preaching, Loving, and Theologizing

Aye y'all?! What's good? We have a revisiting guest in Pastor R.G.A. Trey Ferguson III on this episode. We chop it up about how battle rap has influenced his preaching by way of helping him craft words that land and sit with people in meaningful ways. I had fun with this one, family. We talk about pastoral care, love, and accountability. Also, Trey is writing a book!! It's called Theologizin' Bigger and I'm anticipating it's release ever-so fervently. In all reality, I just really trust Trey and his heart for people and his walking according to the path God has him on. If you'd like to financially support him on the way to publication, here is his GoFundMe where he explains the reason behind his fundraising technique as a Black Writer: https://www.gofundme.com/f/theologizinbigger You can follow Trey's work on these different sites:  Twitter - @PastorTrey05 Instagram - @PastorTrey05 Substack - https://pastortrey05.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile New Living Treyslation - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-living-treyslation/id1576078435 Three Black Men Podcast- Trey co-hosts 3 Black Men with Sam Gay and Robert Monson. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/three-black-men-theology-culture-and-the-world-around-us/id1535582503 Here are Robert and Sam's individual podcasts:  (Robert) Black Coffee and Theology Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-coffee-and-theology-podcast/id1577198625.  Sam We Gon' Talk About It - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-gon-talk-about-it/id1620682591 Trey's Tip Jar Trey's Venmo: @PastorTrey05 Trey's Cashapp: $PastorTrey05 My Socials Twitter - @ZeruFitsum Instagram - @zeru_fitsum Substack - https://zeru.substack.com/

Wesley Mills—Communicating Love Through Metaphor

Aye, y'all, what's good?! Hope y'all have are enjoying the advent of this Spring season. I know it's snowing in some of y'all's cities, so y'all must not be praying hard enough... Anyway, I brought my pastor Wesley Mills back onto the podcast to speak about the Pilgrim's journey of sacralizing metaphor. It's not an easy practice, but it is a worthwhile one. Language works inasmuch we're reaching people's hearts, and what better thing to reach people with than love? We talk about different layers of metaphor, so I have it sparks thoughts and models conversationally what can be present in your daily interactions. Hope y'all enjoy :). Luh ya big time. Wesley's Socials:  Twitter - @_WesleyMills Instagram - @wesley_mills Wesley's Sermons: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mosaic-knox-sermons-messages/id1547291136—some of mine are on here too :). Wesley's Tip Jar:  Venmo - @MillsWesley My Socials Twitter - @ZeruFitsum Instagram - @zeru_fitsum Substack - https://zeru.substack.com/