Still Christian

Unconditional Belonging with Cara Meredith | S5E5

What change might we witness in future generations of young people if adult Christians emphasized unconditional belonging over the pressure to believe 'correctly'? In her book Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation, author and former camp speaker Cara Meredith wrestles with the complicated legacy of Christian camps in America. Throughout our conversation, Cara offers a loving critique that celebrates the joys of Christian camp life while also calling such camps to a higher standard ministry, for the sake of our youth and the people who lead them. _____________________ Find the book here! [https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9798889831006/Church-Camp] Cara's Substack! [https://carameredith.substack.com/] Cara's Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/carameredithwrites/]

Letting Go of Evangelicalism's Nonessentials with Michelle Van Loon | S5E4

In life and in faith, downsizing is a necessary process that helps us move from one phase of growth to the next. Amid what can often feel like a disorienting process, what's okay to let go of and what should we hold on to? Join us and Michelle Van Loon, author of Downsizing: Letting Go of Evangelicalism's Nonessentials, as we explore releasing the accumulated baggage of religion in order to step into a truer, simpler expression of our faith. __________ Buy the book! [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884626/downsizing/] Check out Michelle's Substack! [https://michellevanloon.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Find her on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/mishvl/]

Coming Home to Yourself with Lauren Cibene | S5E3

How do we rebuild trust in God, ourselves, and others after life-shattering betrayal? In her travel memoir Tiger in a Lifeboat , Lauren Cibene invites us to accompany her through India as she experiences recovery and homecoming in the beauty of unfamiliar places. We talk with Lauren about what it looks like to come home to yourself with courage and integrity after things fall apart. Our number one takeaway? Hang in there, church kidz; we're gonna be alright. ________________ Check it out: Lauren's Substack! [https://laurencibene.substack.com/] Buy the Book! [https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/tiger-in-a-lifeboat/] Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/laurencibene/]

Rekindling the Spark of Faith with Nicholas McDonald | S5E2

Is it possible to find a balanced approach between conservative and progressive beliefs? We believe it is—especially after interviewing author and pastor Nicholas McDonald about his treasure of a book, The Light in Our Eyes: Rediscovering the Love, Beauty, and Freedom of Jesus in an Age of Disillusionment. Whew—can we get an Amen? In this interview, Nicholas guides us through an exploration of the roots of the distinctly American Evangelical movement, concluding that our most compelling witness may be the fact that because we belong to Jesus, we belong to each other—in spite of all that could divide us.  ___________________ Check it out: Nicholas’s Substack! [https://thebardowl.substack.com/] Buy the book! [https://sites.prh.com/thelightinoureyesbook]

Church Kidz: Where Are They Now? | S5E 1

We’re low key thrilled to introduce the Still Christian Podcast’s fifth season! Church Kidz: Where Are They Now? follows the stories of ordinary Evangelical church kids who grew up going to Sunday school. As adults, they’re wrestling with how to appreciate their childhood faith heritage while embracing the new thing God is doing in their lives and churches. If you find yourself having grown up in the American Evangelical church and also wanting to experience more breadth and depth to your faith, you’re not alone. Each author and ministry leader featured in Season 5 offers a unique perspective on what it looks like to live out authentic faith in today’s spiritual and cultural climate. More than anything, we hope these stories inspire you tokeep pressing in to Jesus—the source and goal of our faith. So buckle up, Church Kidz. . . there are beautiful things ahead.