Finding Free Podcast

What if God saves everyone? Christian Universalism (the idea that God will save everyone and the earth somehow in the end) is one theory of atonement that theologians have discussed for centuries.  Though the idea of universal reconciliation was the most prominent atonement theory among early Christ followers, after around the 4th century multiple atonement theories began to surface.   Penal substitutionary atonement theory (the idea that humans are objects of God’s wrath and destined to eternal torment in hell unless making a personal decision to believe that Jesus’ death on the cross paid the sin debt humans owe to God) holds the space as the most prevalent theory among Christian evangelicals today.     In this episode, we dive into this topic with Aaron Saufley, local hospice chaplain and Cedarbridge partner who shares his wisdom and love of learning of all things, especially Christian Universalism.  So whether you like to geek out like we do about topics like this or you are just hearing conversations like this one for the first time, we invite you to learn and laugh with us!   Resources: Graces Saves All by David Artman Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin Her Gates Will Never Be Shut by Bradley Jersak Destined for Joy by Alvin Kimel That All Shall Be Saved by David Bentley Hart   Explicit Content: Language Hosts: Amy & Craig Andrews, Jeff Bell Guest: Aaron Saufley Music by: Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by: Shannon Cox Produced & Edited by: Craig Andrews

The way we think about Jesus impacts the way we talk about faith and how we treat those around us.  Who is Jesus to you?  Where did that frame of reference come from and has it ever changed?     We don’t do a lot of sermon discussion focused podcasts on Finding Free Podcast but there was so much dialogue around Amy’s sermon at Cedarbridge on March 3rd that we wanted to dive a little deeper into this conversation.     Our discussion is lively and in our typical style, we laugh a lot as we each discuss, ‘Who is Jesus to Us’!  We give each other a safe space to talk without the need for any one of us to be right or wrong, knowing we can always learn something from each other.  Even if you don’t partake in sermons regularly, we think you will find this conversation insightful and thought provoking.  You might find it helpful to listen to the sermon we reference before or after you listen to this podcast.  You can find her sermon at the link below.  Thanks for listening!   Link to Amy's March 3rd Sermon https://www.cedarbridgechurch.com/media/4kss46m/march-3-2024-worship-gathering   Explicit Content: Language Music by: Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by: Shannon Cox Produced & Edited by: Craig Andrews

Grab your comfiest blankets and a mug of something great and listen to some stories of holidays past.  Laugh as Craig talks about the time his grandpa accidentally got sloshed at a family gathering.  Giggle as Amy shares her most memorable Christmas present (double AA batteries required).  And Jeff has a family "oops" moment that will have you in stitches.  And much more!    In this episode we share memorable holiday moments from our growing up years.  Some are "remember when" stories that have been talked about at family gatherings time and time again.  Others are more serious and somber, as we talk about loved ones who are with us no longer.  It’s funny, sentimental and also a reminder to slow down and let the light of love in where possible.    Explicit Content: Language Music by: Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by: Shannon Cox Produced & Edited by: Craig Andrews

When Craig and Amy started Finding Free Podcast in 2020, they thought a lot about the podcast name.  They settled on Finding Free Podcast because they wanted to focus on the freedom and liberation that can come from pushing yourself to break out of the metaphorical places where you feel stuck and bogged down.  This podcast was designed to give space to talk about hard topics with authenticity and vulnerability and for the Finding Free listening community to gain strength in hearing and sharing stories of growth.     In this episode, Craig, Amy, and Jeff talk about the practices and activities that enable them each to live life from a space of generosity and freedom.  From looking at beautiful mountain views to time spent at the beach or doing creative things, they discuss several different ways they have found to feed their souls.  Whether through travel or nature, people or adventure, making time to do things that are life-giving and spirit-freeing is crucial to one’s personal physical, mental and spiritual health — and it’s often the first thing to go when life gets busy and overloaded.  When life gets busy and hectic, how do we give ourselves permission to breathe and how do we become grounded once again?   What are the activities, places, rituals, or people that help you remember who you are at your core?  When do you remember feeling most alive, unhindered and free?  We hope this episode will inspire you to reflect on what brings you joy and freedom and will encourage you to prioritize doing just that.   Explicit Content: Language Music by: Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by: Shannon Cox Produced & Edited by: Craig Andrews

"The next hard road for the Church will be walking with and beside those that are deconstructing their faith, taking it apart either in small bits and pieces or altogether, putting it back together in part or sometimes not at all.  The question is, how will the Church show up for people in this space?" ~ Amy Andrews The topic of faith deconstruction can be a hot button issue…but does it have to be?   As we grow in faith we often grapple with questions that are no longer satisfied with easy answers.  We need more.  Sometimes we begin the process of letting go of what no longer fits.  Like old clothes that just don’t wear well, sometimes we find out our old ideas don’t comfort us like our favorite sweatshirt, and we need something to change.  Sometimes just a few things need adjusting in the way we understand how God works in the world.  Sometimes it is much more comprehensive and involves taking apart every last bit of what we have held dear for so long and deciding what needs to stay and what needs to go. In this episode, we discuss how lonely the deconstruction process can be, what it's like when spouses have different faith beliefs and how the church can respond.  This is an important conversation about holding space for “what is” for each us.  The process of asking questions and waiting for answers doesn’t have to provoke fear, though it often is riddled with anxiety and worry from those in the process themselves or those watching others walk that path.  How can the Church hold space, create stopping points of peace and allow room for the process of deconstruction? Music by: Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by: Shannon Cox Produced & Edited by: Craig Andrews   References https://cac.org/daily-meditations/how-did-jesus-approach-scripture-2023-02-09/  

TW: purity culture, rape culture, sexual abuse Explicit Content: Language, Sexual Content - masturbation, orgasm gap, general make-you-blush adult content. In Part 2 we continue the conversation about purity culture and its impacts.  We talk more about how conversations about purity and sex can be done better, focusing on dialogue about consent, body autonomy and integrity rather than shame and silence. If you grew up in an Evangelical church in the 1990’s, chances are you were exposed to the purity culture mindset. Though purity culture began with the intention of encouraging teens to postpone sexual encounters until marriage, the lasting effects have had significantly negative residual consequences. So what was purity culture exactly, what was its impact and where do we go from here? We bring back our friend Jeff Bell to talk openly and honestly about our personal experiences with purity culture, sex and the church. We discuss everything from the orgasm gap to masturbation and how the lasting impacts of the purity culture mindset still impact many people today. It's time to hand purity culture, sexual shame, purity rings and lack of positive conversations around sex back to the church and simply say "We can do better!" This is a two part series that you don't want to miss! Music by:  Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by:  Shannon Cox Produced & Edited by: Craig Andrews  Articles/References/Books https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-are-the-dangers-of-purity-culture.html https://www.seaglassohio.com/purity-culture-recovery The Great Sex Rescue, Sheila Gregoire She Deserves Better, Sheila Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach and Joanna Sawatsky Come As You Are, Emily Nagoski The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work, John Gottman of The Gottman Institute Eight Dates, Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Gottman Shameless, Nadia Weber

TW: purity culture, rape culture, sexual abuse Explicit Content: Language, Sexual Content - masturbation, orgasm gap, general make-you-blush adult content. If you grew up in an Evangelical church in the 1990’s, chances are you were exposed to the purity culture mindset.  Though purity culture began with the intention of encouraging teens to postpone sexual encounters until marriage, the lasting effects have had significantly negative residual consequences.  So what was purity culture exactly, what was its impact and where do we go from here?   We bring back our friend Jeff Bell to talk openly and honestly about our personal experiences with purity culture, sex and the church.  We discuss everything from the orgasm gap to masturbation and how the lasting impacts of the purity culture mindset still impact many people today.  It's time to hand purity culture, sexual shame, purity rings and lack of positive conversations around sex back to the church and simply say "We can do better!"  This is a two part series that you don't want to miss! Music by: Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by: Shannon Cox Produced & Edited by: Craig Andrews Articles/References/Books https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-are-the-dangers-of-purity-culture.html https://www.seaglassohio.com/purity-culture-recovery The Great Sex Rescue, Sheila Gregoire She Deserves Better, Sheila Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach and Joanna Sawatsky Come As You Are, Emily Nagoski The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work, John Gottman of The Gottman Institute Eight Dates, Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Gottman Shameless, Nadia Weber

In this episode, our friend Jeff Bell joins us to talk candidly about what it was like to grow up in and be a part of Christian fundamentalist evangelical organizations and churches in the 80's and 90’s.  We discuss what it was like to have this as our main faith experience during our formative years and what it was like to come out of that way of thinking.  What did we have to unlearn?  What evangelical teachings never set well with us?  What was our journey to move past evangelical fundamentalist thinking?  Christian fundamentalism had big impacts on our lives that took us years to unravel.  In this episode, we share the highs and lows of what we learned and what we learned to unlearn as we grew up and out of Christian fundamentalism.  And of course, Jeff Bell brings his much needed humor to what can be a hard and triggering conversation.      Chances are that if you are a regular Finding Free Podcast listener, you have spent significant time thinking about the Church.  Maybe you grew up going to church and you think differently now about church than you used to.  You could struggle with how what many Americans think of as church looks nothing like the actual Jesus of the Bible.  You may have even left the whole church thing behind and not given it another thought.  Wherever you find yourself in this mix, or if you are just looking at it from afar - you are not alone.  Come share a few drinks with us and listen as we laugh (and at times cuss) our way through sharing our breakup with Christian evangelical fundamentalism - because well, IYKYK (If You Know You Know). Music by: Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by: Shannon Cox

This June, the Southern Baptist Convention approved an amendment to the Baptist Faith and Message to be approved next summer during their Annual Convention.  The amendment restricted women in ministry, who were already not supposed to hold lead pastor roles, from having any pastoral position, where the title of “pastor” was deserved. The role of women in ministry has been debated and debocled for years within some Baptist denominations.  Yet the Bible provides us with story after story of women: following and learning as disciples, serving in and funding the ministry of Jesus, teaching and leading others, receiving and following Jesus’ teachings to share their stories with those around them. Why are we still talking about this?  Jesus celebrated and supported women in ministry so why shouldn’t we? In this episode, Craig and Amy share their reflections, frustrations and thoughts about the recent SBC decision.  No, we are not Southern Baptist, but when a large denomination makes a statement like this; it is up to those standing with women in ministry to speak loudly against oppression and discrimination.

Many organizations operate in shadowed ambiguity, rather than clarity when it comes to who can do what in the organization, and churches are no exception.  Unwritten rules are often enforced leaving individuals confused and hurt when they realize the “All are Welcome” slogan really doesn’t apply to them.   Can a woman preach?  Will the pastor officiate a same-sex wedding?  Will the church hire gay clergy?  Can I be baptized and take communion?  Churches have the opportunity to be upfront and clear about their policies, theology and practices - and having this information clear and publicly accessible is the kindest and most gracious way to love others. In this episode we bring back our friend and colleague Stan Mitchell. Stan was founding pastor of Gracepointe Church in Nashville, TN and walked with that church through the process of becoming an open and affirming church in 2015.  Stan has since mentored numerous churches and families as they wrestle with their own stories of inclusion.  In Part 2 of the LGBTQ Conversation in Local Churches series, Stan gives us his insight on why these conversations are difficult but necessary in local churches. Music by:  Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by:  Shannon Cox

Difficult conversations in churches are…well, difficult.  Most of us simply aren’t taught how to disagree or discuss hard things in the context of faith within the church.  One of the most difficult conversations a church can journey through is a conversation on LGBTQ inclusivity.  Since there are typically a lot of theological perspectives, lived experiences and long held beliefs, this conversation in particular can get heated very quickly.  Because many denominations are having conversation like this, being clear and honest in messaging regarding LGBTQ affirmation is crucial for churches. Over the last few years, we have received a lot of questions about this very process.  What was it like to have a conversation on inclusivity in a local church?  What did you actually do, talk about, and how?  What did you learn along the way?  In this episode, we dive into the process of what that was like for our local church, and we hope our story helps if your local church congregation is discussing inclusivity soon. We have so many friends on all sides of this topic, so we enter this dialogue very gently and do our best to approach this discussion with gentleness and compassion.  We know from this experience that conversations like this are hard and can be hurtful to all involved because church family is just that…family.  Our aim for this podcast is to really sit in the difficulty of how hard the process of having this conversation was and to give thoughts and suggestions from our experience that are helpful to others. This isn’t an episode on the theology of affirmation or a deep dive on scripture passages.  If that is what you are looking for, then we suggest listening to episodes 32-35. Music by:  Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by:  Shannon Cox

Every experience we have in life impacts us.  Some experiences leave a huge impact, like a canyon in the desert.  Others might leave such a tiny ripple that we don't even notice the effects.  Religious trauma, hurts from the institutional Church, or any pain we experience at the hands of those who represent the spiritual to us are deep wounds that leave an impact that often takes years to process. This sermon that our dear friend Layne Rogerson gave at Cedarbridge Baptist Church in Greenville, NC back in June of 2021 speaks to this very idea.  Layne shares parts of her family's story and weaves in the truth that even amid pain and struggle, God is at work, moving all things toward redemption and blessing.  With Layne's permission we wanted to share this sermon with the Finding Free community and talk about why it was so meaningful to us. Music by:  Tucker Fry Web Design & Graphics by:  Shannon Cox

Stories matter.  Telling our stories matters.  And hearing the stories of others matters.   It is in the telling of our own stories that we claim our own beauty, claim our own experiences, claim that we matter.   And it is in hearing the stories of others, in holding space for what is real for someone else, that we become more fully and beautifully human ourselves. Craig and I are honored to hold and share Zachary Pomeroy’s rich and powerful story of discovery, heartbreak and healing.  Zach is a native of Greenville, NC and is creator and owner of La Fletcha Film Co., a creative and visual storytelling agency in Greenville focused on sharing experiences and stories through photography and film.  Most recently, La Fletcha Film Co. has been involved in producing the documentary film You Belong Here, a beautiful highlight of the LGBTQ+ community in eastern North Carolina and an impactful report on suicide and the queer community. We invite you into this space knowing that you will hear things that are difficult, humbling and transformative.  It certainly was that for us as we had this conversation with Zach in our small and sweaty podcast shack in late June.  But Zach's is a story we all need to hear and we are honored to bring it to you. TW: conversion therapy, suicide.

“In the most general sense, faith deconstruction begins with people realizing that the answers they possess are answers they have memorized that were achieved or developed by other people or authority figures…they were not their own answers. The demand of deconstruction is not that you find different answers, though often that happens, but that you ask the questions and find out for yourself.” Questions about faith are often unnerving...for those asking them, and for those hearing them.   When those we love ask hard questions, the temptation is to give someone an answer to hold onto rather than to sit with them as they find the answer themselves.  The church simply must make space for the process of asking hard questions and discovering answers.  We were able to sit down again with our friend Stan Mitchell to talk about faith questions and what it's like to walk the road of faith deconstruction.  Stan is the founding Pastor of GracePointe Church  in Nashville, TN and is a leader of an online community called Everybody Church.  We discuss with Stan why asking spiritual questions is a healthy practice that ultimately leads to a deeper faith formation if we are willing to do the work of walking the journey. 

Recently Craig and Jeff Bell did a “dad joke” video for Cedarbridge Baptist Church as a fun way to highlight Father's Day. Some of you have seen this video, but what you didn’t see was the rest of the almost full hour of what they recorded. In this episode, we are releasing the full unedited version, and for laughs, we even included soundbites of Amy trying to get the intro right at the end. Enjoy and we hope you laugh with us! And just a warning, we are talking about Craig and Jeff, so some of these jokes and language may not be suitable for younger ears!

Deconstruction is a bit of a buzz word these days, but for right reasons. Many people, especially those who grew up in a church atmosphere, find that at some point they need to rethink, unpack and "deconstruct" the theology, ideas and foundations that they were given early in life, sorting out elements that caused harm and eventually finding their way to a more complete and wholistic theology. This process is a necessary part of spiritual growth, but can be scary and alienating. In some church settings "doubt" and "questions" are even viewed as a lack of faith or even sin. In this episode, Craig shares part of his own story of deconstruction and talks about what it was like to walk through doubts and questions in a church setting. He shares how he has processed both positive and negative church experiences, and gives thoughts on how to be helpful if you or someone you know is experiencing faith deconstruction.

Trigger alert: sexual abuse, rape, sexual trauma, religious sexual abuse There are some experiences none of us want to have inside knowledge about. Yet too often the unbelievable happens, and we find ourselves living through experiences that are so horrifying, our lives are instantly and forever changed. Keith Morris grew up as a preacher's kid with a life that revolved around church in every way. As a young preteen in the 1970's, Keith was was befriended, groomed and sexually abused repeatedly by a family friend and prominent religious figure of the time. After the abuse ended Keith turned to alcohol to help him cope with the trauma, which led him further down a spiral of pain. It took Keith years to understand and work through the trauma of his experiences. He has since given his life to sharing his story, traveling and teaching about sexual abuse, advocating for abuse victims and working to change laws that hold abusers accountable: all giving hope to others facing similar experiences. We consider it an honor to have Keith Morris with us to share his story, and hope that it will bring light and awareness to the epidemic of sexual abuse, religious abuse and sexual trauma. This is not an easy listen. But it is important. If at any time you are triggered or need to talk through personal experiences on this subject we urge you to contact the National Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Any amount of research on stress and your body will tell you that chronic unresolved stress has a negative impact on your overall health. But what happens when life hands us more than stress, and in fact, we have to deal with experiences that are traumatic? Some trauma is easy to recognize because of the severity of the experiences themselves, but other traumatic experiences may be harder to identify, making it more difficult to get the help that is needed. We are delighted to share our most recent conversation with Sarah Lewis, who is a Licensed Trauma Therapist. Join us as we talk with Sarah about how to deal with trauma, learn how it impacts our bodies, and listen as she identifies the reasons so many people suffer from unresolved traumatic experiences. Most importantly, we discuss the path to healing and wholeness that is possible for anyone struggling with the effects of trauma in their lives.

Despite our best efforts, sometimes we hurt those we love with our words and actions, causing trauma and pain that has to be unpacked and worked through for years. This happens in every family; it is a part of life as we know it. Yet often families of LGBTQ+ individuals have a deeper levels of hurt and abandonment. Statistics of self-harm and depression are much higher in LGBTQ+ teens than average. Of course, this is not the case for everyone, and every story is different. Our conversation with trauma therapist Sarah Lewis uncovers some of the layers that LGBTQ+ families must journey through as they seek to listen and understand each other. What can parents say during critical moments of conversation that will foster openness and communication? What can the Church do to be clear and helpful for LGBTQ+ families as they navigate unfamiliar space that might make them anxious and uneasy? In what ways is the LGBTQ+ community needing the Church to show up and be what we claim to be? Our hope is that this conversation will provide much needed information and encouragement while challenging churches to love others better than before.

We are excited to share our conversation with Stan Mitchell with you on Finding Free Podcast! This episode is a must-listen for our community. Stan is Co-Founder of Everybody Church, an online community created as a haven for anyone feeling spiritually homeless, but specifically as a place of inclusion and affirmation for those in the LGBTQ+ community who have been harmed and ostracized by the local church. He spends a lot of his time now working with families and churches as they navigate how the Bible supports affirmation and love of individuals regardless of their sexuality. As Craig and I studied the Bible with respect to LGBTQ+ inclusion, we found it so helpful to listen to other voices that were focused on the Biblical text and true to the message and life of Jesus. Stan has been one of those voices. His depth of knowledge and scriptural wisdom, coupled with his ability to clearly communicate that message, helped us navigate our path from a traditional/literal theology to an inclusive way of looking at scripture. We are so glad you can join in on our conversation and know that Stan will be one of those voices for you as well.