Episodios

  • Spiritual Leadership in a Fragile World
    Feb 10 2026
    Debbie Swindoll Kelly Arabie Debbie Swindoll joins BOW Ministry Team Member, Kelly Arabie, to discuss spiritual leadership in a fragile world. Too often people are afraid of being hurt and protect themselves by portraying a facade instead of sharing their real selves, even in the church. Debbie suggests a better way. If you are a leader in your church or community, this conversation will benefit you. Recommended resources Grafted Life Ministries website Life With God Journey by Grafted Life Ministries BOW's resources on Godly Living This episode is available on video as well. Timestamps: Time Stamps 00:21 Introductions 01:36 What is spiritual leadership? 03:56 What are the issues in our culture that make our world fragile? 08:25 What does it look like to lead people spiritually in a context of isolation and relational disconnection? 10:10 The importance of trust 11:42 How do we give people an experience of joy? 15:50 The importance of connection in our church communities 20:01 What are practical ways that small group leaders create that space in their groups? 23:40 Why is it so difficult to be in relationship in small groups & why do we feel the compulsion to fix, advise and rescue? 26:42 How do we move past the fear and shame in a group? 38:32 How is it different to lead a group like that? 41:41 Resources TranscriptKelly >> Welcome to the Beyond Ordinary Women podcast. I'm Kelly Arabie. I'm your host today. And our guest is Debbie Swindoll. Debbie is a spiritual director, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Journey Community Church in Allen, Texas, and the Executive Director of Grafted Life Ministries. As founder of Grafted Life, Debbie envisioned and coauthored ten studies for spiritual growth. And she currently writes and speaks and consults on issues of relational theology and spiritual leadership. Debbie's training is with the Talbot School of Theology's Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University. And we are thrilled to have her with us today. Welcome, Debbie. Debbie >> Thanks, Kelly. When you said all of that, I'm like, “Boy, am I tired!” Kelly >> Well, you know of what you speak. So and today's podcast is on Spiritual Leadership in a Fragile World. And so, Deb, I know you have a lot of experience, decades with spiritual leadership. Debbie >> Yeah. You know, some let me just start by saying, what is spiritual leadership? I think we're very practiced and maybe mind full of being good leaders. You know, how do we get leadership training? How do we develop our skills as leaders? To be better prepared to lead other people-whether that's we're in the pastorate or where some other kind of leader maybe we're just a small group leader. But we're mindful of skills to make us better. We purposed to talk about spiritual leadership today because I think that there's a maybe an under emphasis on the spiritual a part of leading in the church. What I mean by that is a life that's really grounded in their own relationship with God and is very aware of God in the world, in their own lives, in the life of the church, in the life of other people. And they're moving in that space all the time. So in some ways, the skills that we get as a leader we may practice as a leader are only there to serve the awarenesses we have of God in our life and in others lives and how they're serving that awareness. So there's this spiritual world that exists and are we attuned to that? Are we aware of it and open to it and moving in it? And that's kind of the spiritual part. That’s kind of the extra thing that I think is a part of spiritual leadership. So that's kind of the context we're talking about. In this topic, which actually spiritual leadership in a fragile world that's kind of almost the special sauce, right? That helps us to actually navigate in a fragile world. Kelly >> So what are the issues that you think in our culture make it a fragile world today?
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    43 m
  • Why We Are Protestant
    Jan 27 2026
    Sharifa Stevens Dr. Beth Felker Jones Why are we Protestant? Have you ever wondered what the differences are? BOW's guest for this episode is Dr. Beth Felker Jones, Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary, sits down with BOW Ministry Team Member Sharifa Stevens to talk about being a Protestant. They discuss how it intersects and differs from other Christian traditions. What are the major beliefs that differ? We so appreciate that Dr. Jones approaches this topic with grace and humility, not with an adversarial attitude. Dr. Jones' Resources Dr. Jones' book Why I Am Protestant Church Blogmatics Substack Bethfelkerjones.com This episode is available on video as well. Timestamps: 00:21 Introductions 01:46 Who is your audience? 04:35 Orthodoxy isn't about thinking right but about a right relationship with God. 08:50 God cannot be caged by a fallible church. 11:31 Why is Scripture alone, Sola Scriptura, such an important Protestant distinction? 16:31 Why is it good that Ecclesiology, the study of the church (the structure, etc.) is not that specific? 21:18 What makes Protestantism good for women? 25:30 The greatest challenge for Protestants today 26:33 What would you say to those who say that Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox aren't Christians? 27:12 Resources TranscriptSharifa >> Hello and welcome to Beyond Ordinary Women Ministry. I am Sharifa Stevens, one of the hosts of Beyond Ordinary Women. And today, I am very excited to talk to Dr. Beth Felker Jones. Dr. Jones. I love saying that, so I'll say that every time. Dr. Jones with a Ph.D. from Duke University, is a midwestern writer and professor of Theology at Northern Seminary. She writes theology and fiction, has published numerous books and writes regularly at her Sub Stack, which is entitled Church Blogmatics. I had to say that slowly. A lifelong book lover, as she writes about relationships, identity and redemption. Dr. Jones' latest book is entitled Why I Am Protestant. And we'll be talking about that book today. You can discover more about Dr. Jones on our website BeyondOrdinaryWomen.org. Welcome, Dr. Jones. Dr. Jones >> Thank you. Delighted to be here with you. Sharifa >> Thank you so much for being here. Let's jump right in, shall we? Dr. Jones >> Yeah. Sharifa >> Okay, so in your book, as you were writing your book, Why I Am Protestant, who did you imagine reading your book as you wrote it? Who are your ideal readers? Dr. Jones >> This is really bad writing advice, but I have trouble imagining my reader and I tend to just write. Really, it's awful. It's awful writing advice. But I suppose I hoped I was writing for other Protestants who might be thinking through both the joys and challenges of being Protestant, as well as for Christians in other traditions who might want to understand something more about the Protestant tradition. So that dual audience to mix it makes it a little bit trickier. Yeah, I just wrote what I was feeling, and that's really what I did. So, yeah. Sharifa >> What prompted you to this feeling? What prompted you to write the book in the first place? Dr. Jones >> Yeah. Well, the book was written by invitation of Intervarsity Press. So really grateful for that invitation. And it's in a little series. There's also a book called Why I'm Roman Catholic, perhaps, by Matthew Levering, and in future, there'll be a Why I Am Orthodox volume. And Intervarsity Press' desire was to have a series here that is clear about conviction from theologians in these different traditions, but is also peaceful and kind and ecumenical. There are some kinds of books like this out there that are more fighting words. Right? And this is intended more as a heartfelt testimony to my own tradition than as a why I'm not these things and those things. So I was grateful to be tapped by IVP to write the book. But I had wanted to write a book like this for a long time because it's the case that I understand...
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    29 m
  • Unplugging Like a Pro
    Jan 13 2026
    Kay Daigle Julie Pierce Julie Pierce reminds all who are leaders in any position of the importance of unplugging like a pro, taking time to decompress. In this conversation with Kay Daigle, Julie schools us on why it's so difficult to do. As an experienced leader and now a coach, Julie has lots of tips for ways to unplug that work no matter what your role or leadership position entails. Unplugging like a pro is doable and so necessary for the care of your soul and those who depend on you. Other resources Julie's website juliepierceleadership.com BOW's You As a Leader page Learn more about soul care in the series with Dr. Gail Seidel: 1. What Is It? 2. How is Your Soul? and 3. Nourishing Your Soul. Learn about burn-out in this 3-part series with Dr. Michelle Pokorny 1. The Burn, 2. On the Brink of Burnout, and Beating Burnout. Sign up for Julie's newsletter and download the document with questions to consider before unplugging. Or connect through the QR code below. This episode is available on video as well. Timestamps: 00:21 Introduction 02:06 What's going on in our culture that people don't unplug? 06:05 Why do you think ministry people don't unplug? 11:25 Learning to unplug 13:46 Preparing to turn your mind off 24:08 Knowing yourself and your needs 26:57 Unplugging also matters for those whom we serve and lead. 30:42 Final tips & tools 34:12 Other resources TranscriptKay >> Hi. I'm Kay Daigle. Welcome to the Beyond Ordinary Women Podcast and video series. My guest today is Julie Pierce. Julie, we are so glad to have you back. Julie >> I am thrilled to be here. Always loved being on the podcast with you. Kay >> Well, we love having you and you have such a wealth of information. I just want to get started so that the people who are listening can learn from you and learn how to unplug like a pro, because that's what we're talking about today. Let me tell you just a little bit about Julie. Julie does have a history of working on church staffs and leading communications and marketing efforts. And Julia and I met quite some time ago now on a church staff. We were working together on a church staff and those were the roles that she had. But she's also done leadership development in churches, and she now coaches executives and teams. There's a lot more about Julie on our website, so I don't want to go into every single thing that she's done, but it's a lot and she has a lot of experience in this area. And I know that you're going to want to hear everything that she has to say. You can find out more about her on our website, BeyondOrdinaryWomen.org. Go to the dropdown menu where it says About Us and go down to Video/Podcast Contributors and you can read more about what she's done. So Julie, this is a prevalent thing that people don't unplug. How would you describe what's going on in our culture that people don't unplug? Julie >> Yeah. Well, I love this topic because I desperately needed to learn how to do this. In other words, I learned the hard way. Kay >> Yeah. Julie >> And like we do so many of our lessons, right? Kay >> Yeah, pretty much I've learned everything I know, I learned the hard way. I messed up badly and learned. Yeah. Julie >> Yes. And so this was one of those things for me. And I think particularly now, we hear these phrases all the time. We're accessible 24/7. Everything is going 24/7, whether it's the news cycle or accessibility to anything and everything. You know, places rarely closed down, whether it's Sunday or at all. You know, there's, there are so many expectations as to be accessible and available all the time. Kay >> Yeah. Julie >> And we also live in a time where little things that can be blown up into huge things and everyone has this heightened sense of urgency all the time. And so we don't have a proper understanding or proportion for what priorities really are. And so it just adds on this pressure.
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    39 m
  • For Churches Rethinking Women in Leadership
    Dec 16 2025
    Dr. Sandra Glahn Dr. Lucas Rogers Don't miss this important conversation if you are a leader in your church! Dr. Lucas Rogers shares with Dr. Sandra Glahn what he has learned from his research on conservative churches rethinking women in leadership. His extensive study of churches going through this process provides wise and practical advice for any church leadership considering this issue. Dr. Rogers is available to consult with churches who are interested in being true to the Scriptures while being open to other interpretations. He suggests that it's not where the church ends up, but the process used that will determine the health of the church. Recommended resources Cultural Intelligence: Living for God in a Diverse, Pluralistic World by Darrell Bock The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt Women in the Church’s Ministry: A Test Case from Biblical Interpretation by R.T. France Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism from editors John Piper & Wayne Grudem Discovering Biblical Equality: Biblical, Theological, Cultural and Practical Perspectives by Ronald Pierce and Cynthia Westfall This episode is available on video for those who prefer to watch. Timestamps: 00:33 Introductions 02:57 Introduction to Dr. Rogers' research on conservative churches that landed on different sides of the issue 10:23 Various influences on the churches' decisions about this issue 14:08 The approaches to understanding Scripture in the various churches researched 16:20 Best practices to work through this issue 19:12 What Dr. Rogers learned from the three churches studied 26:32 Consulting with churches about the process of considering this issue after this study 28:59 The need to take the time necessary and involve the congregation 32:21 Resources used in this process, sunk costs bias and cultural engagement all affect this process. 35:13 Suggested books on both sides of the issue 38:33 Any other advice to help this process go well? 45:04 BOW resources on other issues facing the church TranscriptKay >> Hi. I'm Kay Daigle. Welcome to the Beyond Ordinary Women Podcast and video. We are so happy that you've joined us today. We have two special guests. We have Dr. Sandra Glahn with us. Welcome Sandi. Sandra >> Glad to be here as always. Kay >> Yeah, it's always a treat to have you. We always look forward to having you. Dr. Glahn is a professor at Dallas Seminary. She is a professor of Media Arts and Worship there. She's written over 20 books. She has so much to say about her that you just need to go to our website and read her bio because she has done a lot and she has produced a lot of work. And you can find her in many of our videos. So hopefully this won't be the last when you watch go on to BeyondOrdinaryWomen.org and search for her name. And you can connect with some of her other conversations that we've had. And Sandra invited another friend to be with us, the third male that we have had on our podcast. And it is Dr. Lucas Rogers. Welcome, Lucas. Lucas >> Thank you so much. Great to be here. Kay >> We are so happy to have you. Lucas is the lead pastor at Easton Bible Church in Hainesport, New Jersey. And he has both a master's and doctorate degrees from Dallas Seminary as well. And we're really happy to have you. And despite the fact that you're only the third man, we really appreciate it. Sandra >> That's true. Lucas >> Well, it's my honor. Kay >> Well, since our ministry is Beyond Ordinary Women, we have tended to focus on women in these conversations. But we're so happy to have you. And I'm going to turn around over to Sandi and Lucas to talk about our topic today, which I'm very excited about. I feel like many, many churches need to hear about the research that Lucas has done. Sandra >> So Lucas has done a hard look at the best practices for churches that are reconsidering wh...
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    47 m
  • The Beauty of Following the Church Calendar
    Dec 2 2025
    Dr. Nika Spaulding Dr. Nika Spaulding joins Dr. Kay Daigle once again in this episode on the Church Calendar. If you are unaware of what that is, Nika will help you not only be informed, but also appreciate its beauty and how it can deepen your faith. We are now at the beginning of the church calendar year with the period of time leading up to the coming of Jesus, Advent. Other BOW Resources with Nika on the Church Calendar Why Celebrate Advent? Why Celebrate Lent? Other resources Study from the Daily Grace Co. Easy Explainer for the calendar Great family devotional book on the calendar This episode is available on video as well. Timestamps: 00:32 Introduction to Nika and the church calendar 14:59 What is Pentecost? Why and how should be celebrate it in the church or even at home if our churches don't? 23:32 What is Ordinary Time? 27:12 So what? Why should we follow the church calendar? 32:34 Recommendations for someone leading in the church in any role 36:26 Resources on this topic TranscriptKay >> I'm Kay Daigle. Welcome to the Beyond Ordinary Women Podcast and video. Today, our guest is Nika Spaulding. Welcome, Nika. Nika >> Thank you. I'm excited to be here. Kay >> We're glad you're here. You know, I was looking at your bio. You sent us a new bio the other day, and it occurred to me that I never really asked you about having a zoology degree from the University of Oklahoma. What is that about? Nika >> Oh, so I will say I was originally pre-med. So while having a zoology degree is incredible, I originally thought I was going to go to med school. And O.U. weirdly doesn't have a biology program. They have a zoology program that feeds into a med school which is so strange because Oklahoma State has a biology program that feeds into a vet school. So it's not I don't know why we're you know, part of the reason why, though, I actually know the real reasons because we had world class scholars in that field at O.U. and we have world class research facilities, so they just kind of combine them. But even though I don't use my degree, I am utterly fascinated by the animal kingdom. And so it was a really fun degree for me to get. And it always surprises people when they find out that's my bachelor's degree. So I joke, though, with that degree, I'm not even qualified to like work at a zoo unless I'm in the gift shop. So I would have to go on to a lot more school. But, you know, there's always time if I decide to go that route. Kay >> Well, I love that. I wasn't sure if you started zoology because you just wanted to go in that direction and then God changed your mind or if there was something else behind it. Nika >> So it's definitely med school. And then to this day, I mean, even when I was a kid, if I saw blood, vomit, anything that doctors see on a routine basis, I get weak in the knees, I get sick to my stomach, I get all of these things. And I really was like, that's okay. I'm going to push through. And so I was on my way to the MCAT in college at O.U. and God was like, you really, you really don't get it, do you? And I finally was like, all right, Lord, what is it you would have me do? So took a hard left into theology. So I don't know anybody who has a zoology/theology degree other than me. I don't know anybody. And so, you know, but that's all right. Maybe there'll be more someday. Kay >> I don't know either. You're just unique. Probably in the whole world. Nika >> Sure. Well, it took me a while to figure out. I should probably follow God, so maybe I'm not unique in that way. I just went a weird route to that, but. Yeah. So it's fun, though. Kay >> Well, that's fun. Well, you also have a master of theology at DTS, and you have a DMin from Northern Seminary. So you have definitely made up for not having some sort of Bible degree, I suppose. Nika >> Yeah. Kay >> at O.U. So we are talking about the church calendar today,
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  • Soul Thirst
    Nov 18 2025
    Gwynne Johnson Kelly Arabie Gwynne Johnson and Kelly Arabie, authors of Soul Thirst: Discerning Your Divine Design, explain how seeking to fulfill our needs in the wrong places harms us and our relationships. They provide a roadmap to enable women to recognize what they are thirsting for in place of the only one who can provide true satisfaction. God alone quenches our soul thirst. This book is a blend of accessible story and biblical life principles that have transformed women around the world as they come to understand God’s design for the human heart. You can also watch this episode on video. Resources: Soul Thirst: Discerning Your Divine Design Website: www.soulthirst.net Podcast Embrace Your Life--a conversation with author Elizabeth Woodson Reimagining Discipleship: A Kingdom Perspective with Kay Daigle & Sharifa Stevens Timestamps: 00:20 Introductions 02:40 Writing Soul Thirst 011:58 What is soul thirst and how does it affect us? 14:55 Thirst, mind, will and emotions are involved 16:10 Thirsts common to many women 18:39 How to best use soul thirst 19:50 A template for thinking about life 22:56 Final words of encouragement TranscriptKay >> Hi. I'm Kay Daigle of Beyond Ordinary Women Ministries. I'm so excited to welcome you to this episode of our podcast and it’s also on video. We are just delighted to have you joining us, and I'm thrilled with our two guests today—Gwynne Johnson, Kelly Arabie. I've known both of them for many years now, and I consider them good friends of mine. Kelly and I actually met at D.T.S., where we were both starting DTS, I think the same semester and went through the same program. Definitely. So I got to know Kelly really well there. And Gwynne and I have crossed paths in many situations. We've been on a couple of boards together, so we've worked together on things. And I really have respected all of her ministry that she has done through the years. If you want to know more about Gwynne and Kelly and their backgrounds, go to our website BeyondOrdinaryWomen.org, and go to the pull down menu that is About Us. And look at Video Podcast Contributors. And you can read more about them, although I think they will probably talk some about some of their experiences as we go through this conversation today. So thank you both for coming. Welcome on our podcast. Gwynne >> Fun to be with you. Kelly >> Yes, thanks for having us. Kay >> Thank you. And you know, I did want to mention Gwynne and I are part of a group of women, and I just want to mention that because to me it's been such a helpful group, all of us who had been involved in ministry for years and we started gathering somebody invited us to gather together at Christmas and we so we started having Christmas luncheons together and we just became good friends and we pray for one another. We support one another and encourage one another and challenge one another. And it's been a great encouragement. So for those of you out there, you don't even have to be leaders, but everybody needs a group like that. So I just wanted to throw that in there too. Today we're talking about Gwynne and Kelly's book Soul Thirst that they co-wrote. And first, I just really kind of wanted to ask Kelly, what was it like to co-write this? How was your process here? Is it hard to do two people doing different things? Kelly >> You know, it was really fun. And I would say being able to collaborate with Gwynne and the conversations that we've had over the years were just such a blessing and a gift. It was a gift that Gwynne invited me to this project. And I'm sure she's going to talk a little bit about, you know, how this started with her ministry. But in 2008 was one of the first times that I think I went through Developing a Discerning Heart. And as part of that, Gwynne came and spoke to our small group, and we just talked about the study and how amazing it had been.
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    31 m
  • Women Imprisoned for Their Faith
    Nov 4 2025
    Dr. Nijay Gupta Dr. Kelley Mathews Dr. Nijay Gupta, author of Tell Her Story, joins BOW Team Member Kelley Mathews in this fascinating discussion of persecuted women in the early church. What can we learn from their stories? How do their stories encourage our faith and our own courage? What can we learn from them? What do we miss when we fail to study them? These women's stories provide models for us today to stand up for Christ, to know that he is better than anything that comes into our lives, and to be willing to cling to him no matter what happens to us or our country in the future. Recommended resources By Dr. Gupta Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church Redeeming Eden: How Women in the Bible Advance the Story of Salvation by Ingrid Faro and Joyce Koo Dalrymple nijaykgupta.substack.com Christianity Today article by Dr. Gupta, "Junia, the Female Apostle Imprisoned for the Gospel" This episode is available on video if you prefer watching. Timestamps: 00:22 Introductions 01:40 Junia (Romans 16:7) and the conditions in Roman prisons, especially for women 13:25 What egregious activities would put a woman in prison? 17:17 Perpetua, whose diary provides great information about imprisonment, and Felicity, her slave girl 28:31 Blandina's story 29:30 Physical suffering in the Scriptures 37:26 Other resources TranscriptKelley >> Welcome to the Beyond Ordinary Women Podcast. I'm your host Kelley Mathews. And today I have with me Dr. Nijay Gupta. He is a professor at Northern Seminary and a prolific author. Welcome, Nijay. Dr. Gupta >> Hi, Kelley. Looking forward to our conversation. Kelley >> So this is going to be fun, I think. I mean, well, fun. That's relative, I guess. But it'll be intriguing I think. Nijay has written a lot of books. He's been a professor for a while. A lot of his books have to do with Paul and the New Testament letters that he wrote. But he's also written one particular book that is specific to our topic today, and it is called Tell Her Story came out a couple of years ago, and it basically tells about the women in the New Testament who were really involved in leading and participating in the mission of the church. So it has become quite popular, from what I understand. I certainly enjoyed it. Dr. Gupta >> Yes, thank you. Yeah, it's funny. I, you know, just had an idea to write this book, and I sent it to an editor friend of mine, Anna Gissing, and she was so excited. And then it just sort of took off from there. So a big thank you to Intervarsity Press for publishing it. Kelley >> Oh, they're great. So one of the women in that book we're going to start with. Our topic today is specific, not that broad of women involved in the church, but specifically ones who were imprisoned for their faith. And one of the women you cover in the book does hold that honor, I suppose. And we're also going to talk about one who is post biblical days who are still in the early church and maybe will hit a third one. So, Nijay, tell us who Junia is and why we need to know about her. Dr. Gupta >> Yeah. A lot of my work on this subject owes a debt to Romans 16, which is the last chapter of Paul's big letter to the Romans. And I used to think of Romans 16 as a bunch of kind of hellos that Paul gives at the end of the letter, almost like end credits in a movie. And you sort of get up, you don't pay attention. You leave the movie theater. And so I had a friend in seminary who actually memorized the whole book of Romans, and he asked me, how should I memorize Roman 16? And I said, You're at the end. Just finish it off. But there's that sense of you're preaching through Romans. You kind of, you know, have so much to work with. Just in the first four chapters, let alone get to chapter 11, let alone if you get to chapter 15 that I don't know if I hear from any very many sermons on Romans 16.
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  • The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality
    Oct 21 2025
    Laura Murray Laura Murray joins Kay Daigle to discuss her book Becoming a Person of Welcome: The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality. She increases our understanding of what hospitality is, suggesting that it is more about relationships than spaces. Perhaps you've never felt comfortable with hosting others in your home. You may not have a space that's conducive to what you've considered hospitality. Laura's wise counsel and suggestions based on her own experiences will open your mind to new ways to practice Christian hospitality. Recommended resources laurabmurray.com provides a list Laura's digital silent retreats For the church: Becoming Communities of Belonging BOW's resources for You, As a Leader BOW's resources for Godly Living This episode is available on video as well. Timestamps: 00:21 Introductions 02:37 Why did you write about hospitality? 06:35 How do our thoughts of hospitality differ from the Scriptures? 10:10 Biblical hospitality takes the pressure off. 14:07 Is scriptural hospitality for everyone or only those with the gift of hospitality? 16:17 A word to those in ministry leadership 21:18 Spiritual practices for leaders 25:54 The book is a guidebook for spiritual practices & encouragement to persevere. 32:07 Spiritual practices in community & Laura's silent retreats 37:29 Recommended resources TranscriptKay >> Welcome to the Beyond Ordinary Women Podcast. I'm Kay Daigle. I'm your host today. And today we are talking with our guest, Laura Murray. Welcome, Laura. Laura >> Thanks for having me. Kay >> Oh, we're so excited that you're here. Laura is a pastor. She is an author. She's a spiritual director. She is the Director of Spiritual Engagement and Innovation at Fuller Seminary's Center for Spiritual Formation. That's kind of a long title. Laura >> It is long. Kay >> She is a retreat creator. And we'll mention that at the end as well, that she just has been doing many things. She has a lot of experience in the church and as a spiritual director. And so we're just delighted that you were able to be with us. You can find out more about Laura on our website. If you just go to the top menu and go to About Us and look at the Video/Podcast Contributors, and we will have more information about Laura and how you can get in touch with her. So we are talking today from your book Becoming a Person of Welcome: The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality. And I have to say that I was just really interested in that title when I saw it online somewhere that your book was going to be coming out and the spiritual practice of hospitality just really intrigued me as I read about that. And so tell us a little bit about it. We're not talking about just hospitality where are you having people over to your house, Laura >> Right. Kay >> This encompasses way beyond that, and I'm sure you picked that up as we go through. We're not going to tell you how to set your table. We're not going to tell you how to manage your menu or anything like that. We're going to talk about spiritual hospitality. So, Laura, just tell us where this idea of writing about hospitality begin. Laura >> Yeah, thanks for that question. And I was talking to somebody about this the other day, said, why did you decide to write on hospitality? And I thought, I think it found me. I didn't go searching for it. It found me. I was in the middle of my doctoral studies and the pandemic hit and shelter in place hit. And I didn't necessarily have a context for my studies. When you're doing a doctoral study, you have to have a context. And I had just stepped away from a role of pastoral ministry in a church and I found myself really struggling in my relationship with God because those anchors weren't there anymore. Like the anchors of worship or the anchors of gathering together, those things weren't there anymore. So I thought, if I'm struggling being with God,
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