Melody Winderweedle shares her journey from growing up in a conservative charismatic church to becoming the lead pastor of Ecclesia Christian Fellowship. She discusses her experiences with witnessing exorcisms as a child and the anxiety it caused her. Melody talks about her desire to lead and pastor people, which was sparked by seeing a female leader in college. She shares the challenges she faced as a woman in ministry, including pushback from congregants and an elder board. Melody also discusses the church split that occurred when she and her husband became affirming and the importance of fostering inclusive and curious conversations in the church. Melody Winderweedle discusses the importance of creating a community that values everyone's presence and giftings, and how her church has flattened the hierarchical structure to achieve this. She emphasizes the need to be curious, foster conversations, and bring healing to one another. Melody also shares her experience of crossing unspoken boundaries as a woman pastor and the importance of self-awareness. She talks about her journey of deconstruction and how she has fallen back in love with the Bible, offering alternative ways of thinking about scripture and the Christian faith. Melody encourages listeners to embrace their authenticity and know that they are enough. Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collisionpodcast⁠⁠⁠ Keywords: Christianity, conservative charismatic, exorcisms, anxiety, leadership, women in ministry, church split, affirming, inclusive, curious conversations, community, presence, giftings, hierarchical structure, curiosity, conversations, healing, boundaries, woman pastor, deconstruction, Bible, alternative ways of thinking, authenticity

Matt Nash, founder of Kardia Community, shares his journey of addressing pastoral burnout and building resilience. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family, rest, and Sabbath in ministry. Matt also discusses his transition to a different church community and the healing process after experiencing burnout. He highlights the need for reimagining and evolving the church, focusing on what's right with the church rather than critiquing what's wrong. Matt encourages intentional practices and rhythms that foster soul care and spiritual formation. In this conversation, Matt Nash discusses the importance of slowing down, being curious, and asking questions. He emphasizes the value of listening to people's stories, their pain, and their experiences of God. Matt also highlights the need for leaders to take breaks and retreats to prevent burnout. He shares practices such as breath prayers, focusing on scripture, and embracing unconditional love. Matt encourages individuals to hold things loosely, prioritize relationships over achievements, and cultivate a healthy soul's relationship to ministry.

Find Matt Nash:

https://kardiacommunity.org/

Substack:

aslanonthemove.Substack.com

Instagram:

@matthewnash1

@kardiacommunity Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collisionpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keywords:

pastoral burnout, resilience, family, rest, Sabbath, church community, healing, reimagining the church, intentional practices, soul care, spiritual formation, slowing down, curiosity, listening, pain, burnout, retreats, spiritual direction, breath prayers, scripture, unconditional love, relationships, achievements, healthy soul, ministry

Bridget Black shares her journey of faith and spiritual development, from growing up in a non-religious household to finding her place in the church. She discusses her experiences with altar calls and the lack of follow-up, as well as her conversion to Christianity in her mid-20s. Bridget also talks about her exploration of theology and her shift in beliefs, including her affirmation of the queer community. She shares her passion for spiritual formation and soul care, and her desire to sit alongside people and help them on their spiritual journeys. Bridget also touches on the concept of church and the importance of belonging. Bridget shares her journey of reimagining church and creating her own practice of church through her Instagram account. She reflects on the elements of church that she finds important, such as gathering with others and learning to be with humanity. Bridget also discusses the lack of diversity in church communities and the importance of experiencing different cultures and perspectives. She emphasizes the need for the church to have conversations about its history and to be open to different interpretations of scripture. Bridget's hope for the church is that it continues to evolve and reimagine itself, embracing diversity and being faithful to the movement of the Spirit.

About Bridget Black:

Bridget Black is a Certified Spiritual Director and Theologian at Soul Kin Community, where she helps people heal and grow in their personal and spiritual lives, by exploring their inner world and story while learning to notice the presence and movement of God in and around them.

Find Bridget Black:

Website- SoulKinCommunity.com

Instagram- @thebridgetblack

Email: Bridget@soulkincommunity.com Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collisionpodcast⁠⁠

Keywords:

faith, spiritual development, church, altar calls, conversion, theology, beliefs, affirmation, queer community, spiritual formation, soul care, belonging, reimagining church, gathering with others, diversity, church history, different interpretations of scripture, evolving church, movement of the Spirit