A World of Difference

Join Jocelyn Chong, the resilient banking industry leader turned emotional health advocate, as she challenges leaders to prioritize self-care, embrace vulnerability, and navigate the central conflict of balancing achievement and well-being on their path to enhanced leadership effectiveness.Nourish your body and mind with good sleep, nourishing food, and healthy habits. Take time to rest, play, and connect with your loved ones. Remember, life is short, don't take things too seriously. - Jocelyn ChongIn this episode, you will be able to: Discover why caring for your own emotional well-being can be a game changer for effective leadership. Uncover the keys to outstanding communication within your diverse team. Realize the vital role of stepping beyond your comfort zone in both your personal and professional evolution. Grasp the significance of keeping pace with our changing world through continual learning and adaptation. Recognize the impact that a strong network of mentorship and support can have on your leadership journey. My special guest is Jocelyn Chong, an accomplished business growth mentor and coach from Australia. Having started her journey in Malaysia, Jocelyn brings a profound understanding of multicultural intricacies to her work. With over two decades of experience leading distinguished teams in banking and finance, she has honed her skills in establishing effective communication across different cultures. Her diverse background combined with her expertise in infusing spirituality within business nurtures her success as a four-time #1 international bestselling author, keynote speaker and certified life coach.The resources mentioned in this episode are: Connect with Jocelyn Chong: Reach out to Jocelyn Chong on her website or social media platforms to learn more about her coaching and mentoring services. On Instagram or LinkedIn Seek out a mentor: If you're a team leader or aspiring leader, find a mentor who has experience in your field and can provide guidance and support. Join a support network: Look for a network or community of like-minded individuals who are facing similar challenges in their leadership roles. This can provide a valuable space for sharing ideas and gaining insights. Utilize Ed's Profiling: Consider using Ed's Profiling or a similar tool to better understand your own behavior and communication style, and how to effectively engage with team members who have different strengths and communication styles. Prioritize self-care: As a leader, it's important to prioritize your own emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health. Invest in self-care strategies that will support your overall well-being and enable you to better serve others. Take uncomfortable actions: Remember that growth often happens outside of our comfort zones. Embrace discomfort and take risks in order to achieve your dreams and reach your full potential. Simplify communication: When leading a diverse team, strive to Your dreams are always on the other side of the spectrum where it's uncomfortable. When we can think about that zone, you will always get closer to your dreams when you do uncomfortable things. - Jocelyn ChongThe key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - Introduction, 00:02:59 - Adapting to a New Country, 00:07:46 - Overcoming Obstacles, 00:12:33 - Connecting with Others, 00:15:57 - Becoming a Strong Leader, 00:18:05 - Importance of Self Leadership, 00:19:30 - Rest and Renewal, 00:23:40 - Finding Balance and Enjoyment, 00:26:24 - Positioning for the Future of Work, 00:31:57 - Leading Ourselves and Others, 00:34:52 - Final Thoughts and Call to Action, 00:35:33 - The Importance of Sharing, 00:35:54 - Wrap-up and Reflection on Jocelyn's Insights, 00:36:51 - Applying Jocelyn's Advice, 00:37:42 - Social Media Interaction, Invest in your own self-care strategies as a leader, prioritize your emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, and physical health. The more you invest in yourself, the more you can give to others. - Jocelyn ChongTimestamped summary of this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction, Host Lori Adams-Brown introduces the guest, Jocelyn Chong, who is a business growth mentor and coach. They discuss the importance of emotional health and happiness in the banking and finance industry.00:02:59 - Adapting to a New Country, Jocelyn shares her experience of moving from Malaysia to Australia and the challenges she faced in adapting to a new culture and working environment. She emphasizes the importance of building a support network and seeking understanding of different cultures.00:07:46 - Overcoming Obstacles, Jocelyn talks about the obstacles she encountered as a 17-year-old in a new country, including building self-confidence and adapting to a different working culture. She highlights the importance of communication and simplifying it across different cultures and age groups.00:12:33 - Connecting with Others, Jocelyn emphasizes the need to connect with the heart and soul of individuals in order to make a difference and touch more lives. She encourages leaders to prioritize their own emotional health and seek support from mentors and networks.00:15:57 - Becoming a Strong Leader, Jocelyn advises team leaders to seek mentors and build relationships with successful leaders who can provide guidance and support. She also suggests finding a support network of peers facing similar challenges and utilizing their insights and strategies for success.00:18:05 - Importance of Self Leadership, Self leadership involves working on our emotional health and taking responsibility for our own personalities and communication. Leaders set the tone and need to prioritize rest and renewal to be effective.00:19:30 - Rest and Renewal, Taking care of our physical and mental well-being is crucial. Good sleep, nourishing food, and regular breaks contribute to making sound decisions, fostering creativity, and maintaining overall health and happiness.00:23:40 - Finding Balance and Enjoyment, It's important not to take life too seriously and to make time for laughter, play, and quality time with loved ones. Taking breaks, practicing meditation or yoga, and exploring new activities can bring joy and rejuvenation.00:26:24 - Positioning for the Future of Work, The future of work will be heavily influenced by digital aspects, such as AI. However, human qualities like empathy, compassion, and creativity cannot be replaced by robots. Embracing change, unlearning old patterns, and being open to new opportunities are key for career success.00:31:57 - Leading Ourselves and Others, Practicing self-leadership and embracing individual differences allows leaders to create an inclusive and innovative environment. Mentoring, having a growth mindset, and valuing human connection are essential for navigating the future and making a positive impact.00:34:52 - Final Thoughts and Call to Action, Jocelyn expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and encourages listeners to share the podcast with others who could benefit from it.00:35:33 - The Importance of Sharing, Jocelyn emphasizes that we get better together by sharing what has helped us and encourages listeners to share the podcast with those who need encouragement or a boost.00:35:54 - Wrap-up and Reflection on Jocelyn's Insights, Lori praises Jocelyn's perspective and applauds her ability to focus on emotional health in the banking and finance industry. She encourages listeners to reach out to Jocelyn for coaching and to follow her work.00:36:51 - Applying Jocelyn's Advice, Lori advises listeners to choose one key takeaway from the conversation and implement it in their lives over the next 30 days. She also encourages listeners to join the Difference Makers community and stay engaged with exclusive content.00:37:42 - Social Media Interaction, Lori invites listeners to share pictures of themselves listening to the podcast and tag the show on social media. She also mentions the various social media platforms where the show can be found and encourages engagement in the Difference Maker community.Become a club member of this podcast, and enjoy free exclusive episodes. Join other Difference Makers at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewBecome a Difference Maker with others in the club membership of this podcast, and enjoy free exclusive episodes. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. Mentioned in this episode:Do you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonJoin Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Fortescue, a transformative coach using the Internal Family Systems approach, ignites the path to emotional and spiritual healing by fearlessly embracing the complexities within, prioritizing self-love, and challenging societal norms, all while navigating the compelling conflict between personal growth and society's demand for selflessness.”I've got to love myself. I've got to prioritize myself. If I don't do that, I can't love God and others, and there's no joy.” - Tim FortescueIn this episode, you will be able to: Immerse yourself in the promising philosophy of emotional and spiritual healing via the Internal Family Systems (IFS). Bring to light the significance of honesty and protection in tackling feelings of shame. Celebrate your unique self, embracing the process of self-acceptance and recognizing your worth. Grasp the compelling concept of self-love and its direct correlation with emotional wellness. Embrace the pattern of viewing your emotions and complexities with a lens of curiosity, devoid of any judgment. My special guest is Tim FortescueDr. Tim Fortescue is a seasoned emotional coach with a notable emphasis on spiritual healing. His journey started in South Carolina and took him to working closely with Afghan refugees in the Bay Area for nearly two decades. This rich cross-cultural experience, paired with his doctorate in leadership, drove him into becoming a board-certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) coach. Through IFS, Tim combines the emotional and spiritual aspects of well-being to help individuals become more compassionate and self-aware in their paths towards personal growth.”There are ways that I can speak in this conversation that can bring about change. There's ways I can shut up and listen, but I need to recognize I've got those parts I'm very ashamed of.” - Tim FortescueThe resources mentioned in this episode are: Visit the Ifs Institute website to learn more about the internal family systems (Ifs) coaching system mentioned in the podcast: https://www.ifs-institute.com/ Consider exploring Ifs coaching as a tool for emotional healing and personal growth. Look for certified Ifs coaches in your area or online. Check out the podcast lineup on the A World of Difference podcast to listen to Becky Castle Miller, an Ifs coach, who will be sharing more about the Ifs system and its benefits. Reflect on your own experiences of religious trauma and consider seeking support or therapy to address any unresolved issues. Ifs coaching may be a helpful approach to explore in this process. Take the time to prioritize self-care and self-compassion in your life. Recognize the importance of loving yourself and prioritize your own well-being alongside your commitments to others and your faith. If you are interested in learning more about the work Tim Fortescue has done with Afghan refugees, reach out to him or explore resources on Afghan refugee support organizations in your area. Consider the impact of religious trauma on your own life and explore ways to heal and find joy in your faith. Connect with supportive communities or seek guidance ”It's okay to point in and see the faces inside of us so that we can accept these parts that I'm talking about, and then to see in compassion for ourselves and for others.” - Tim FortescueBecome a member of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other club members of the Difference Makers community of this podcast at Patreon.The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen. Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does this sound familiar? You've been told to just get over it or move on from a traumatic experience or oppressive situation. But despite your efforts, you're still struggling with overwhelming emotions and pain. You're not alone. In fact, ignoring or suppressing emotions can actually make things worse. It's time to take a different approach. Join us in this episode as we explore the profound impact of trauma and oppression on emotional health. We'll help you identify and effectively process emotions for personal growth, and show you the power of community support in overcoming emotional challenges. Let's heal together.In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the significance of emotional health and well-being in our daily lives. Learn to identify and effectively process emotions for personal growth. Explore the profound effects of trauma and oppression on emotional well-being. Delve into the fascinating connection between faith and emotional health. Understand the role of community support in overcoming emotional challenges. My special guest is Becky Castle Miller.Let us introduce you to Becky Castle-Miller, a dedicated PhD student studying the New Testament at Wheaton College, mentored by Dr. Esau McCaulley. Her fascinating research in the Gospel of Luke explores the impact of trauma and oppression on emotions, providing invaluable insights into emotional health and healing. Serving as Discipleship Director at an international church in the Netherlands for nearly a decade, Becky is passionate about promoting emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being within faith communities.The resources mentioned in this episode are: Check out Beth Allison Barr's Substack for commentary on the recent events in the Southern Baptist Convention. Be wary of leaders who claim to support women but have a history of covering up abuse. Educate yourself on the latest scientific research on emotions to better understand the emotions mentioned in the Bible. Consider the impact of trauma on emotions when studying the Gospel. Look into Pete Scazzero's book, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, for guidance on emotional health. Practice more collective lament and self-reflection as a church to address past and current complicity in abuse and systemic issues like racism and patriarchy. Encourage pastors to gain a deeper understanding of emotions and trauma to better serve their congregations. Seek out resources and tools for emotional, mental, and spiritual health, such as counseling or therapy, support groups, and self-help books. Creating Change in Patriarchal SystemsPatriarchal systems often perpetuate unhealthy norms around emotional expression and communication. To create positive change, individuals must be willing to reject the culture that socialized them and learn new ways to express emotions, listen to others, and understand the values they reflect. Such changes can challenge existing power structures and promote a more equitable environment where all individuals are encouraged to express themselves emotionally, regardless of their gender. Becky Castle Miller argues that creating change in emotional health within patriarchal systems is essential and possible, countering common narratives that separate rationality and emotionality. By embracing the idea that rationality and emotionality are part of the same process, Castle Miller's work provides a strong foundation for reforming faith-based communities to create emotionally supportive environments where everyone can thrive.When we use emotions and interpret them, especially around gender and culture, in ways that are not honest and not informed by multiple perspectives, we get ourselves in the situations that we're currently in. - Becky Castle MillerThe key moments in this episode are:00:00:02 - Introduction, 00:01:22 - Emotional Health in the Church, 00:06:47 - Abuse and Trauma, 00:10:20 - Research on Emotions in the Gospel of Luke, 00:14:55 - Different Expressions of Emotions, 00:17:15 - The Secular View of Emotion, 00:18:39 - Emotion as a Constructed Concept, 00:22:03 - Emotional Abuse and Gender, 00:27:35 - Gendered Emotion and Emotional Maturity, 00:30:46 - Creating Change in Patriarchal Systems, 00:34:33 - The Need for Change in Faith-Based Communities, 00:35:18 - The Threat to Christian Patriarchy, 00:40:27 - Writing for the Church, 00:43:44 - Emotional Health and IFS, 00:47:22 - Self-Leadership and Curiosity, 00:50:49 - Tips for Overcoming Obstacles, 00:51:58 - Joining the Difference Makers Community, 00:53:24 - Prioritizing Emotional Health, 00:54:31 - Taking Care of Yourself, Prioritizing Emotional HealthEmotional health should be prioritized in the same way physical and mental well-being are valued. Steps to achieving and maintaining emotional health include practicing self-care, seeking support from friends and family, and pursuing professional therapy when needed. Recognizing and confronting emotional struggles and obstacles enables personal growth and emotional resilience in the face of adversity. During the podcast, Becky Castle Miller highlights the necessity of self-leadership and self-compassion in promoting emotional health. Both Castle Miller and Lori Adams-Brown emphasize the importance of acknowledging emotional struggles, as well as the role of community in supporting individuals throughout their emotional journeys. Castle Miller's work sheds light on the pressing need to prioritize emotional health, especially in faith-based communities, to provide a safe and supportive space for everyone.Gendered Emotion and Emotional MaturityEmotions are often social constructs that differ between genders, with women typically being more emotionally expressive, while men are taught to suppress their emotions. In the podcast, Castle Miller discusses how women are frequently tightly emotionally controlled in specific cultures and contexts, particularly within faith-based spaces. Encouraging emotional maturity and expression for all individuals, regardless of gender, empowers people to acknowledge and process their feelings, ultimately leading to improved emotional well-being. From her perspective, Becky Castle Miller emphasizes that faith-based spaces have a long way to go when it comes to addressing emotional health. She encourages men to learn from women's socialization and embrace emotional expression, allowing their voices to be fully heard. Castle Miller's insights underscore the importance of bridging this emotional gap between genders, fostering a healthier environment for everyone in faith-based communities.I think that either way, we pay a price and we get our moments to choose. - Becky Castle MillerThe pipeline works for women. The emotionally healthy pipeline works better for us and we can help, but they aren't letting women. This is very dangerous for the church and for any emotional abuse that can systemically be covered up going forward. - Becky Castle MillerTimestamped summary of this episode:00:00:02 - Introduction, Lori introduces the podcast and the guest for the episode, Becky Castle Miller, a PhD student at Wheaton College studying emotions in the scriptures.00:01:22 - Emotional Health in the Church, Lori asks Becky about her perspective on recent events in the Southern Baptist Convention and how emotional health is important in faith spaces.00:06:47 - Abuse and Trauma, Becky shares her personal experience with abuse and trauma and how it intersects with emotional health and her research on emotions in the Gospel of Luke.00:10:20 - Research on Emotions in the Gospel of Luke, Becky discusses her multidisciplinary dissertation on emotions in the Gospel of Luke and how trauma and oppression may impact the emotions expressed in the text.00:14:55 - Different Expressions of Emotions, Lori and Becky talk about how emotions are expressed differently in different cultures and how emotions are currently being addressed in the church, including the call for more lament.00:17:15 - The Secular View of Emotion, Becky Castle Miller discusses how pastors often embrace Enlightenment rationality while condemning secularism, yet draw their ideas about emotion from secular philosophy rather than from Scripture or current scientific views.00:18:39 - Emotion as a Constructed Concept, Emotions are constructed from concepts, meaning that our minds evaluate a situation and choose and construct the right emotion that fits it. Each culture has its own set of emotion concepts, and emotion and rationality are part of the same process.00:22:03 - Emotional Abuse and Gender, Women are typically socialized to be more emotionally healthy than men, but patriarchal cultures force women to tightly control their emotions and distrust them. This results in women being dismissed when they express emotions, while men are allowed to be demonstrably emotional.00:27:35 - Gendered Emotion and Emotional Maturity, Emotions are socially constructed, and women are socialized into learning to notice, identify, and name their emotions, while men are not. Therefore, women have more emotional granularity than men. Men can have just as much emotional maturity if they learn these skills.00:30:46 - Creating Change in Patriarchal Systems, To create change in patriarchal systems, women need to reject the culture that socialized them and socialize themselves in new ways, where they learn to express and name their emotions and advocate passionately. This will result in rejection by the patriarchal system.00:34:33 - The Need for Change in Faith-Based Communities, Becky Castle Miller discusses the need for change in faith-based communities and institutions to address abuse and complicity. She highlights the importance of courage and prophetic voices in speaking out against injustice and promoting restoration and flourishing for all.00:35:18 - The Threat to Christian Patriarchy, Becky Castle Miller talks about the threat that the expression of women's emotions poses to Christian patriarchy. She references the emotional control that Christine Blasey Ford had to exhibit during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings and the complicity of institutions in protecting themselves.00:40:27 - Writing for the Church, Becky Castle Miller discusses the importance of making scholarship accessible to everyday Christians. She talks about her mentors, Scott McKnight and Isa McAuley, who write solid scholarship that is understandable for lay Christians. She emphasizes the need to write for the Church and make an impact on scholarship.00:43:44 - Emotional Health and IFS, Becky Castle Miller talks about the importance of emotional health and the Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework. She shares her experience in the Kineo cohort and mentions that she is an IFS practitioner who does emotion coaching from an IFS lens. She encourages people to be curious about their emotions and process them non-judgmentally.00:47:22 - Self-Leadership and Curiosity, The host encourages listeners to explore their own emotions with self-compassion and curiosity, and to seek support from others if00:50:49 - Tips for Overcoming Obstacles, In this chapter, Lori asks Becky for tips on overcoming obstacles in life. Becky explains the importance of acknowledging emotional health and prioritizing happiness. She also invites listeners to join the Difference Makers community and engage with other listeners.00:51:58 - Joining the Difference Makers Community, Lori encourages listeners to join the Difference Makers community, where they can engage with other listeners and access exclusive podcast episodes. She also explains the different membership levels and rewards, including the chance to vote on upcoming topics and receive a free mug.00:53:24 - Prioritizing Emotional Health, As the emotional health series continues, Lori reminds listeners of the importance of prioritizing emotional health and working towards happiness. She teases upcoming guests, including Jocelyn Chong, a corporate executive coach from Australia.00:54:31 - Taking Care of Yourself, Lori encourages listeners to take care of themselves emotionally and reflect on the topics discussed in the episode. She thanks listeners for tuning in and engaging with the podcast, and encourages them to continue making a difference in their own lives and communities.Become a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewJoin our Difference Makers community, and enjoy exclusive content. JMentioned in this episode:Join Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonDo you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join podcast host Lori Adams-Brown in this thrilling episode of A World of Difference as she uncovers the alarming events at the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans, discussing the controversy surrounding women pastors and the issue of abuse within the church. With personal experiences as a woman pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention and a victim of abuse, Lori candidly shares her reaction to what she witnessed. Be warned of potential triggering content. From discussing the use of NDAs to cover up abuse to the need to shift the basic ideas and theology behind the "umbrella authority" structure, this episode unpacks a range of issues affecting the church. With calls to action for listeners to support survivors, encourage whistleblowers and advocate for human rights, this podcast is a must-listen for those wanting to make a difference and bring about change. Let's set aside differences and come together to support survivors and create safer spaces for all.Long SummaryIn A World of Difference, Lori Adams-Brown addresses the Southern Baptist Convention and the difficult subject of abuse allegations and sexism within the church. As a survivor of abuse at the hands of Andy Wood, the successor to Rick Warren at Saddleback Church, Lori has a personal and emotional connection to the issue. She calls out specific men who she does not believe are effective allies and is disappointed by the treatment of women pastors. She invites everyone to join the conversation about making a difference, acknowledging the diversity of her audience. Guests including Dr. Kristen Kobaz Doumet and Dr. Diane Langberg suggest that the convention needs to take a systemic approach to combating abuse and sexism, including the need for women to be involved in diagnosing the problem. The speakers express their sadness regarding the devolution of the SBC from its core theology of the "priesthood of all believers" into limiting women's direct access to Jesus. The podcasts suggest that Echo and Saddleback Church bring in an organization specializing in investigating churches in the wake of abuse allegations to address abuse allegations at a mega church in Silicon Valley. The podcast encourages people to speak out, support survivors, and join the movement for positive change. The speaker emphasizes the need to find a better way to deal with a difficult situation and stop excusing, minimizing, and throwing hands up in the air. Listen to A World of Difference for a raw and powerful conversation about the struggles of making a difference in a male-centric denomination.Timestamps[00:00:02] Disturbing Aspects of the Southern Baptist Convention[00:04:06] Controversy over women pastors in Southern Baptist Convention[00:08:11] Grappling with Abuse and Women in the Church[00:11:35] Abuse Cover-ups in Saddleback and Echo Church[00:15:29] Challenges of Reporting Abuse in Christian Communities[00:19:17] Supporting Trauma Survivors and Female Representation[00:22:38] Questioning Use of Male Allies for Women[00:26:33] Power Abuse in Religion[00:30:15] Rick Warren's Damaging Leadership and Misogyny[00:33:57] Addressing Sexism and Racism in the SBC[00:37:38] Importance of Third-Party Investigation in Abuse Allegations[00:41:30] Call to Ban NDAs and Remove Abuser in Southern Baptist Convention[00:45:19] Empowering Listeners for ChangeEpisode LinksLori on Hagar's Voice podcastLori on Bodies Behind the Bus podcastWomen in the Church series Best Quotes[00:10:12] Women don't need permission from any man, church, or denomination to use a gift that God has given them[Unknown] The controversy around women pastors overshadowed and was used as a distraction to the very prominent issue that should have been front center, which is abuse[Unknown] Using this fight for 'women pastors' has given a lot of limelight, has given a controversy and a stage and an opportunity to speak and make it look as though these men at Saddleback and at Echo Church are for womenOther MaterialsLori's latest Substack Newsletter: Trophy Pastors: How Women are Being Used as a Tool of Distraction From Abuse in the SBCAll Quotes[00:14:21] In order to shift culture, though, it would just take so much. We're talking about power dynamics. We're talking patriarchal structures, theological interpretations that may or continue to enable abuse to occur[00:09:33] A shout out to Robert Douwnen of the Houston chronicle who really broke a lot of this story a couple of years ago[00:01:11] We've seen abuse survivors dismissed and minimized and really just an overall disappointing convention when it comes to abuse[00:08:47] Within the SBC, there's many types of abuse that have taken place. Everything from sexual abuse of adults to sexual abuse of children, boys, and girls. And there's been all kinds of abuse of power that has taken place psychological abuse, spiritual abuse, emotional, verbal, financial, and even some labor abuse that we're starting to really begin to discuss[00:06:57] Women pastors have very much been in the news. Women pastors have been discussed on Twitter. the Theobros[00:04:18] And if you haven't, I don't know if I recommend that you watch it or not because it was pretty intense, but you've probably at least seen some of the news articles coming out about it[00:09:19] But I think what's important is that we acknowledge and address the problem and understand the historical context[00:13:58] I really don't understand why more people aren't talking about abuse prevention, advocating for survivors, human rights[00:07:07] And all types of people along the spectrum of what This means theologically and sociologically, people have been saying all kinds of helpful things and some things that might be triggering to some of you who either are women pastors, believe women should be pastors or are still sort of confused or maybe some of you are just very adamantly against that, that that's not something you believe in[Unknown] The controversy around women pastors overshadowed and was used as a distraction to the very prominent issue that should have been front center, which is abuse[00:03:33] I believe that it takes so many perspectives to help us understand how we can come alongside abuse survivors, how we can come alongside women who've just experienced what so many of us have experienced where so much misogyny, so much discrimination, so much dismissing of women's voice or just the absence of them in a conversation about women by and large being led by mostly men[00:16:42] And so when we're talking about shifting the culture, You would have to shift so many of the basic ideas that exist in some of the theology that has gone back for, you know, a couple last year[Unknown] Using this fight for 'women pastors' has given a lot of limelight, has given a controversy and a stage and an opportunity to speak and make it look as though these men at Saddleback and at Echo Church are for women[00:14:07] The individuals who have worked within the SBC aren't all linking arms to promote change on behalf of these who have been oppressed often by pastors or church leaders and denominational leaders[00:10:12] Women don't need permission from any man, church, or denomination to use a gift that God has given them[00:04:32] Please, if you are somebody who's experienced abuse, feel free to pause this podcast and take it in chunks, feel free to just stop it altogether and never ever listen again. or feel free to just tap, you know, stick your toe in this water and see how it feels[00:00:43] If you have experienced abuse of any kind, Please listen or discretion advised[00:02:36] Having experienced also abuse psychological abuse, emotional, verbal, spiritual, financial abuse at the hands of Andy Wood, who now has been the successor to Rick Warren at Saddleback Church[00:13:10] Even the people saying they're against abuse and against cover up publicly on Twitter, sometimes they're a part of the cover-up, and it's all a lot of smoke and mirrors[00:01:30] It's caused people, I know, personally, women in particular to just grieve and lament and say, what in the actual world is happening here?Become a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. Mentioned in this episode:Join Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonDo you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surviving in Toxic Environments: Dr. L. Carol Scott shares essential self-care strategies to thrive in the midst of challenging circumstances and navigate the conflict between self-preservation and external pressures.Does the stress and chaos of an unhealthy environment leave you feeling overwhelmed? Have you been told to just tough it out and keep pushing forward, only to find yourself exhausted and burnt out? It's time to stop the cycle of ineffective self-care and start prioritizing your well-being. Our episode will guide you through essential techniques for navigating change, acknowledging and validating your emotions, focusing on what is within your control, and seizing newfound possibilities. Don't continue to suffer through the pain of an unhealthy environment. Join us and start implementing practical and effective self-care practices for positive well-being.In this episode, you will be able to: Delve into practical tips for managing the unpredictable nature of change. Recognize the value in honoring and legitimizing your feelings. Acquire skills to target controllable factors amidst upheaval. Develop the art of adapting and tapping into emerging prospects. Comprehend the necessity for self-nurturing and seeking assistance during transitions. My special guest is Dr. L. Carol ScottDr. L. Carol Scott is a trauma-informed developmental psychologist, TEDx speaker,coach, and #1 International Best-Selling author. Carol brings the SASS—Self-AwareSuccess Strategies to help you get along better on the adult playgrounds where you play.Carol knows that your success today is determined by your first seven years of life.And she also knows that it’s never too late for Development Do-Overs. As her coaching client, you bring your unique goals for success, and she pulls out the SASS you need to achieve them. Together, you repattern how you operate in every relationship at the heart of your success.Also a nationally respected thought leader in early care and education (ECE), Carol is former president of the board for Child Care Aware® of America, and the ECE SystemIntegration Consultant for Early Care Plus, a public benefit technology company revolutionizing access for all parents and caregivers to the ecosystem of ECE services.As a seasoned psychologist and advocate for self-care, Dr. L. Carol Scott is a sought-after expert when it comes to maintaining one's mental and physical health in challenging situations. Having spent years providing support to individuals in unhealthy environments, she understands the importance of establishing self-care practices that promote personal growth and resilience. Dr. Scott's wealth of experience and personable approach make her a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance on preserving their well-being in the face of adversity.We have to break the cycle of unhealthy relationships and create boundaries in order to truly practice self-care. - Dr. L. Carol ScottGrowing up in chaos, Dr. L. Carol Scott learned the importance of self-care early on. But what happens when the unhealthy environment follows you into adulthood? Through trial and error, Dr. Scott discovered the key to thriving in any situation lies in taking control of your own well-being. Her journey proved that even in the toughest of times, you can find peace and balance by prioritizing self-care. Now, Dr. Scott shares her invaluable insights with those facing similar challenges, offering guidance and support to improve their self-care practices. But how did she refine her approach to self-care? Stay tuned to find out.The resources mentioned in this episode are: Share this episode with a friend or family member who is going through a change. Take time to recognize and validate your emotions around change, using tools like therapy or self-reflection. Focus on the parts of the change that you can control and take action where possible. Stay flexible and adaptable, embracing new opportunities instead of resisting them. Practice self-care during times of change, using tools like exercise, mindfulness, or therapy to care for yourself. Consider becoming a Patreon supporter to access exclusive content and interviews with experts like Dr. L. Carol Scott. Check out the resources and tools mentioned in the episode, such as the Enneagram personality test or the book The Change Cycle by Ann Salerno and Lillie Brock. Join the A World of Difference community on social media to connect with others who are navigating change and making a difference in the world. Recognizing Emotions and Rationalizing Change Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in dealing with change, as individuals learn to recognize, understand, and respond to their emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence can help individuals approach change with curiosity and self-compassion rather than judgment. When rationalizing change, it's important to differentiate between the aspects that are within one's control and those that are beyond it, as this can help mitigate negative emotions. Dr. L. Carol Scott highlights the importance of being aware of one's emotions throughout the change process. Being able to recognize and give oneself space to process emotions leads to a healthier approach and response to change. Dr. Scott's insights on validating feelings associated with change can help individuals cope with the transition and make informed decisions to move forward.Does the stress and chaos of an unhealthy environment leave you feeling overwhelmed? Have you been told to just tough it out and keep pushing forward, only to find yourself exhausted and burnt out? It's time to stop the cycle of ineffective self-care and start prioritizing your well-being. Our episode will guide you through essential techniques for navigating change, acknowledging and validating your emotions, focusing on what is within your control, and seizing newfound possibilities. Don't continue to suffer through the pain of an unhealthy environment. Join us and start implementing practical and effective self-care practices for positive well-being.Does the stress and chaos of an unhealthy environment leave you feeling overwhelmed? Have you been told to just tough it out and keep pushing forward, only to find yourself exhausted and burnt out? It's time to stop the cycle of ineffective self-care and start prioritizing your well-being. Our episode will guide you through essential techniques for navigating change, acknowledging and validating your emotions, focusing on what is within your control, and seizing newfound possibilities. Don't continue to suffer through the pain of an unhealthy environment. Join us and start implementing practical and effective self-care practices for positive well-being.Self-care is not a luxury, it's a necessity. We must prioritize it in order to show up as our best selves. - Dr. L. Carol ScottImportance of self-care during times of change When faced with change, self-care often takes a backseat. However, to adapt and thrive, it's essential to prioritize one's well-being. Self-care practices such as getting sufficient rest, eating well, exercising, and practicing mindfulness can help individuals navigate change with greater ease and resilience. This ultimately translates into a healthier and more productive response to change. During her conversation with Lori Adams-Brown, Dr. Carol Scott emphasized the importance of self-care during times of change. Drawing from her own experiences, Dr. Scott illustrated how prioritizing self-care helps individuals overcome challenging times. By adopting self-care practices, individuals can build a strong foundation for emotional, mental, and physical resilience, enabling them to face life's changes with greater strength and grace.Recognizing Emotions and Rationalizing Change Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in dealing with change, as individuals learn to recognize, understand, and respond to their emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence can help individuals approach change with curiosity and self-compassion rather than judgment. When rationalizing change, it's important to differentiate between the aspects that are within one's control and those that are beyond it, as this can help mitigate negative emotions. Dr. L. Carol Scott highlights the importance of being aware of one's emotions throughout the change process. Being able to recognize and give oneself space to process emotions leads to a healthier approach and response to change. Dr. Scott's insights on validating feelings associated with change can help individuals cope with the transition and make informed decisions to move forward.Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish, it's necessary for your overall well-being. - Dr. L. Carol Scott Discover essential techniques for navigating the uncertainties of change. Uncover the significance of acknowledging and validating your emotions. Learn how to direct your focus on aspects within your control during challenging times. Explore the benefits of staying agile and seizing newfound possibilities. Realize the importance of self-care and reaching out for help when facing transitions. The key moments in this episode are:00:00:02 - Coping with Change, 00:05:06 - Navigating Change in Different Cultures, 00:08:45 - Recognizing Emotions and Rationalizing Change, 00:11:24 - Focusing on Controllable Factors, 00:13:38 - Summary, 00:14:51 - Importance of self-care during times of change, 00:16:19 - Difficulty of practicing self-care, 00:18:39 - Importance of mindfulness, 00:21:17 - Seeking support during times of change, 00:28:57 - Coping with Change, 00:30:00 - Personal Experience with Change, 00:31:50 - Community Support, 00:32:36 - Final Thoughts, Timestamped summary of this episode:00:13:38 - Summary, The podcast episode discusses the importance of recognizing and understanding emotions when faced with change, understanding the different organizational cultures and leadership styles in managing change, and staying flexible and open-minded to embrace new opportunities. Focusing on the controllable factors and managing emotions through rationalization is key in coping with change.00:14:51 - Importance of self-care during times of change, During times of transition, it's important to prioritize self-care. This includes getting enough rest, eating well, exercising, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and seeking support from others. Change can make us feel isolated and alone, so it's important to reach out to friends, family, or join a support group. Therapy can also help us maintain and adapt to change.00:16:19 - Difficulty of practicing self-care, Our culture expects mothers to constantly give and volunteer, making it hard for them to practice self-care. However, it's especially important for mothers to prioritize self-care during times of transition. This includes getting enough rest, eating well, exercising, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and seeking support from others.00:18:39 - Importance of mindfulness, Mindfulness can be challenging but is helpful during times of transition to ground us. Paying attention to our body and being in the present moment can help us process change. Mindfulness can be practiced through quiet time, reading scripture, or using an app. Walking can also be helpful, as the bilateral movement mimics EMDR therapy for trauma.00:21:17 - Seeking support during times of change, Change can make us feel isolated and alone, so it's important to seek support from others during times of transition. This can include talking to a trusted friend or family member, joining a support group, or seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. Coping with change takes time and effort, but it's00:28:57 - Coping with Change, Dr. L. Carol Scott and Lori Adams-Brown discuss coping with change. They suggest shrinking the change and breaking it down into bite-sized pieces, such as setting a timer for 5 minutes to clean. 00:30:00 - Personal Experience with Change, Dr. L. Carol Scott shares her personal experience with a difficult and unwelcome change and discusses the steps she took to cope and eventually heal. 00:31:50 - Community Support, Lori Adams-Brown expresses her gratitude for the podcast's community and the support it provides for listeners going through change. She encourages listeners to share the podcast with others and continue the conversation around coping with change.00:32:36 - Final Thoughts, Lori Adams-Brown thanks listeners for their support and wishes them well as they continue to navigate change. She invites listeners to share their experiences and to join their Patreon community for more exclusive content outside of this free episode.Dr. L. Carol Scott, LLC314-517-5137carol@lcarolscott.comwww.facebook.com/dr.l.carolscottwww.instagram.com/dr.l.carolhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-l-carol-scott-7b70429/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcM_A44GK65LdmPeq6i1IABecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. Mentioned in this episode:Join Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonDo you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Lori Adams-Brown on the A World of Difference Podcast as she takes on the issue of abuse and cover-ups within the Southern Baptist Convention. As a survivor of abuse herself, Lori advocates for the importance of sharing survivor stories, and calls out abusive churches and pastors. She urges Echo.church and the Southern Baptist Convention to prioritize listening to and believing survivors and to end the use of NDAs. Lori stresses that it's time to let the truth set everyone free and calls for a collective effort toward healing and restoration. Don't miss this powerful and moving episode of A World of Difference.Looking for a podcast that tackles tough issues with honesty and transparency? Look no further than A World of Difference, hosted by Lori Adams-Brown. In this eye-opening episode, Adams-Brown pulls back the curtain on the ongoing problem of abuse and cover-up within the Southern Baptist Convention. Drawing on her own experiences as a survivor of abuse at the hands of a former Southern Baptist pastor, Adams-Brown offers a unique perspective on the problem and the need for change within the church community.Throughout the podcast, Adams-Brown challenges listeners to confront the reality of abuse and to take a stand against those who would perpetrate it. She calls for greater transparency and openness within the church, urging faith communities everywhere to center and believe survivors who share their stories of abuse. Along the way, she shares powerful insights and tools for healing from trauma, including the importance of building a support system and cultivating mindfulness.If you're looking for a podcast that's unafraid to tackle the tough issues and speak out for change, A World of Difference is the series for you. Tune in now to join the conversation and become part of the movement to end abuse and promote healing within the Southern Baptist Convention and beyond.Timestamps[00:00:02] Women Pastors and Abuse Allegations in Southern Baptist Convention[00:03:28] Speaking out against abuse in Southern Baptist community[00:07:08] Leaving Denomination Over Religious Abuse[00:11:03] Importance of survivors sharing stories and releasing NDAs[00:14:58] Advocating for Women's Voices in Southern Baptist Convention[00:19:14] Taking Action Against Abuse and Supporting Survivors[00:22:44] Prioritizing accountability and truth in the churchEpisode LinksPodcast Series where Lori Adams-Brown and Jason Adams-Brown share their story of psychological and spiritual abuse at a megachurch in Silicon Valley: Our Story Podcast SeriesQuotes[00:04:29] Here's me addressing some of these issues as a whistleblower as somebody who has walked through abuse and trauma recovery and wants to warn people about a wolf that is among us and all the smoke and mirrors surrounding the image management that would distract us from 1 of the main issues that should be addressed right now, which is the abuse and the abuse allegations and the cover up[00:04:52] It's not always what happened, it's how people respond and the cover up is some of the most painful parts of what many of you and the abuse survivor community have walked through myself included who not only had the board of my own church sort of circle the wagons and be Yes men and cover up everything with image management[00:07:02] I can no longer, as of a few years ago, be a part of a denomination that has chosen to cover up abuse Because of silent bystanders, because of money, because of power, because of all the things we see that happen to whistle blowers and all of it makes sense. And yet it doesn't make sense at all[00:09:06] It pains me to see so many people hurting and reeling from trauma after emotional abuse, psychological abuse, verbal abuse, spiritual abuse, labor abuse, financial abuse, abusive power that included bullying, intimidation, coercion, name calling, gaslighting, isolating, slandering, recording without our consent, making certain staff so miserableAll Quotes[00:04:29] Here's me addressing some of these issues as a whistleblower as somebody who has walked through abuse and trauma recovery and wants to warn people about a wolf that is among us and all the smoke and mirrors surrounding the image management that would distract us from 1 of the main issues that should be addressed right now, which is the abuse and the abuse allegations and the cover up[00:05:38] And so we warn so that others don't have to walk through this. So I offer this to you, and let me know what you think. It's been a hard 3 or 4 years, maybe more. There are systems we're challenging. There are systems we trusted that we no longer trust. There are skeletons behind closets that have shocked us all. And there are dark secrets behind curtains that some saw for many years and decades and generations and others have only recently[00:07:02] I can no longer, as of a few years ago, be a part of a denomination that has chosen to cover up abuse[00:08:16] And when there is good and bad mixed in, it can be so easy to just ignore the bad and focus on the good, and there's nothing wrong with seeing beauty, but at the same time if there is something poisoning our community of is a cancer that is killing us[00:12:24] It is time to release the NDAs, and I call up on southern Baptist to urge Felipe Santos to release the NDAs to urge Andy Wood and work Warren to tell Felipe Santos that those NDAs must be released so that survivors can make their own choice as to whether or not they share their stories[00:02:36] And as many of you know, my my journey of walking through abuse, trauma recovery over the past couple of years has been I've had to keep my world a little bit smaller[00:15:20] Being a lead pastor of a mega church is hard. It requires listening. To women, especially when they bring challenge to one's blind spots, it requires a devotion to truth a heart of a caring shepherd, and a posture of helping staff do their jobs better[00:09:06] It pains me to see so many people hurting and reeling from trauma after emotional abuse, psychological abuse, verbal abuse, spiritual abuse, labor abuse, financial abuse, abusive power that included bullying, intimidation, coercion, name calling, gaslighting, isolating, slandering, recording without our consent, making certain staff so miserable that[00:09:35] Retaliation against employees who reported abuse by being fired and given NDAs tied to severance and medical insurance[00:09:56] Some of you have had to do EMDR therapy to get rid of the trauma nightmares that you have had for years from 1 on 1 meetings that you had each with Andy Wood and Felipe Santos separately, and occasionally the 2 of those with just you in a room behind closed stores, where there was no 1, there was no 1 to be by your side and vouch for you, and there was no 1 to bear witness, and there was no 1 to have another narrative as you were being gaslit[00:14:23] Whether or not the SBC lets Andywood or Saddleback, Church back into the SBC will show whether abuse really matters[00:16:02] A mega church lead pastor's words have power to sway minds, distract from truth, and cover up abuse with a stage and a microphone, leaving survivors falsely accused, discredited. And their abuse covered up[00:10:49] Others stayed here and lost the community when you were shunned for speaking out about what happened, or just because you left or were fired and a false narrative was created that you had quit[00:00:53] I know many of you in this community identify as Southern Baptist currently. And some of you previously identified as Southern Baptist, or were a part of that denomination for many years[00:07:30] Because of silent bystanders, because of money, because of power, because of all the things we see that happen to whistle blowers and all of it makes sense. And yet it doesn't make sense at all[00:13:43] There's a struggle to be heard. There's in just repeated on a flywheel of abuse that lures and grooms and love bombs, not with candy or a white van, but with free mugs and free t shirts and lavish parties and young professionals that can find someone to date and a stage with big smiles and free concerts every Sunday[00:03:00] I've intentionally brought around me as a village of healers with your different areas of expertise, being subject matter experts and just professionals in the way that has helped me heal through coaching and spiritual direction and therapist and just all the different parts of this village that has been such a blessing to me[00:00:23] There are continuing to be mega church pastors and small church pastors who are being accused of abuse. And this is not new[00:02:04] I've had a few of you reach out just to hear my perspective to, you know, want me to kinda week into it either on your podcast or or into articles[00:04:52] It's not always what happened, it's how people respond and the cover up is some of the most painful parts of what many of you and the abuse survivor community have walked through myself included who not only had the board of my own church sort of circle the wagons and be Yes men and cover up everything with image managementLori Adams-Brown's podcast provides valuable insights into the issue of women pastors and the controversy surrounding the Southern Baptist Convention. It is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the situation.Quote: "I know many of you in this community identify as Southern Baptist currently. And some of you previously identified as Southern Baptist, or were a part of that denomination for many years. And others of you are just people of faith of many different faith backgrounds, whether it's a Christian background, or a Jewish background, Muslim, any of you who are in faith communities are also expressing concern about what has been going on here in the United States around the situation with the Southern Baptist convention."Quote: "And so I've had a few of you reach out just to hear my perspective, to want me to kinda week into it either on your podcast or into articles. And so I'm just really busy right now with my job that I love and my family that I have been time with. And as many of you know, my journey of walking through abuse, trauma recovery over the past couple of years has been I've had to keep my world a little bit smaller. Just to heal."Other EPS you may enjoy:Kate Wallace Nunneley on Women Pastors & the Junia ProjectDr. Nijay Gupta- Uncovering Her Story: How Women Led, Taught and Ministered in the Early ChurchDr. Lynn Cohick, a New Testament Scholar on Women Leading in the Early ChurchDr. Beth Allison Barr on Women Leaders in Church History and Implications in the SBCDr. Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer on Exposing Abuse, Centering Whistleblowers and Cultivating Goodness in ChurchDr. Wade Mullen on Impression Management After Abuse Allegations and How to Decode the False Narratives to Hide Dark Secrets Behind the CurtainFor further research: Narcissism and the Systems it Breeds video of Dr. Diane Langberg's presentation When Narcissism Comes to Church by Dr. Chuck DeGroat A Church Called TOV by Dr. Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church by Dr. Diane Langberg Talk Dr. Wade Mullen gave at the Restore conference in Chicago. Something’s Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse – and Freeing Yourself From Its Power by Dr. Wade Mullen Dr. Wade Mullen's dissertation titled “Impression Management Strategies Used by Evangelical Organizations in the Wake of an Image-threatening Event.” You can get that dissertation for free here. Become a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. Mentioned in this episode:Join Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonDo you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the unexpected twist in Dr. Scot McKnight's journey toward creating a more literal Bible translation that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the New Testament. Are you ready to slow down, think, and immerse yourself in the first-century Christian world?Words matter, especially in translations of the Bible. Join us as we dive into the world of New Testament translations with Scot McKnight and uncover the importance of accurate translations and the impact they can have. When it comes to women in ministry, though, and the use of certain words, will the translation choices make or break their place in the church? Find out in this thought-provoking discussion.In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize the value of cultural understanding and meticulous translation in the proper interpretation of the Bible. Delve into the intricate dynamics of power within the church and their varied consequences. Learn how to address spiritual abuse effectively and foster a support system for survivors. Embrace the core principles of good leadership and the altruistic use of power in ministry. Highlight the vital insights shared by women scholars and survivors for a more inclusive faith community. My special guest is Dr. Scot McKnightMeet Dr. Scot McKnight, a renowned New Testament professor at Northern Seminary in Illinois and a prolific author with a passion for diving deep into the cultural context of biblical texts. As a guest on Lori Adams-Brown's podcast, Scot brings his expertise in Bible translation and interpretation, having written over 90 books, including widely-read titles like "A Church Called Tove" and "The Blue Parakeet." A dedicated advocate for abuse survivors and a favorite professor among his students, Dr. McKnight's insights are sure to enrich your understanding of the Bible."I believe in the power of a more literal translation."- Dr. Scot McKnightThe resources mentioned in this episode are: Pre-order Dr. Scott McKnight's new translation of the New Testament, The Second Testament. Use AWORLD23 to get 30% off plus free shipping at @ivpress.com on The Second Testament through June 7. Subscribe to Dr. McKnight's Substack newsletter, the Jesus Creed. Consider taking Greek classes with Dr. McKnight at Northern Seminary. Purchase Dr. McKnight's books, including A Church Called Tov, The King Jesus Gospel, and The Blue Parakeet. Follow Dr. McKnight's blog, the Jesus Creed. Read Dr. McKnight's contributions as general editor of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Explore the Everyday Bible series, including the First Testament by John Golden Gay and The Kingdom New Testament by Tom Wright. The Way of JesusGood leadership in the church involves recognizing, using, and sharing power in ways that are faithful to the teachings of Jesus. Followers of Jesus should strive to cultivate humility, compassion, and an attitude of serving others, often forgoing one's power to benefit those who are more vulnerable. Dr. Scot McKnight, during the podcast interview, mentioned several examples of power abuse in the church, contrasting them with the biblical teachings of Jesus. He specifically cited Romans 16 and Philippians 2:1-11, which emphasize the concept of Kenosis – the act of laying down one's power to serve others. McKnight believes that understanding this concept and applying it in the context of leadership and church relationships is essential to embodying the way of Jesus and countering the negative aspects of power dynamics in churches."Words deeply matter, and those words can wound and they can hurt for a long time." - Dr. Scot McKnightWomen in MinistryAn accurate translation plays a crucial role in recognizing and valuing the contributions of women in the early church. Being mindful of the words used to describe women's roles is crucial as language can shape our understanding and reinforce stereotypes or power dynamics within the church. By translating words and phrases accurately, women's contributions to the early church can be acknowledged and celebrated more fairly. During the conversation, Dr. McKnight emphasized the importance of using accurate translation to highlight women's roles in the church, such as translating the word Phoebe to mean "deacon" rather than "servant." He also mentioned the prevalence of false narratives and power dynamics in church culture that can negatively affect how people perceive women's roles in ministry. By ensuring accurate translations, he believes we can better acknowledge, value, and empower women working in the church.Keeping Names AuthenticOne of the essential aspects of ensuring cultural authenticity in a Bible translation is the use of names as close as possible to what they would have sounded in the original language. This offers a sense of novelty and unfamiliarity for readers, prompting reflection on the context and culture surrounding the text. By preserving the original names, readers can gain deeper insights into the characters and their significance in the narrative. Dr. McKnight uses transliteration in his translation, meaning that names in the Bible are rendered more authentically, closer to their original language. For instance, Yakobos is used instead of the English equivalent, James. Dr. McKnight argued during the podcast that using such authentic names invites readers to reconsider the context and culture of the Bible's characters, creating a more engaging and meaningful reading experience."We need to be careful with the words we use for translations because if we don't get it right, it can hurt people." - Dr. Scot McKnightTimestamped summary of this episode:00:00:02 - Introduction, Dr. Scott McKnight is an advocate in the survivor community and a professor at Northern Seminary in Illinois. He has written over 90 books and blogs on the Jesus Creed. He talks about his new translation of the New Testament, the Second Testament, which he made more literal to help people understand the ancient context of the text.00:06:01 - Reason for New Translation, McKnight believes that the capacity to translate Greek into English has reached near perfection, but people miss things when they try to make it a natural English equivalent. He wants to show people the differences between the original Greek sentence and the English sentence.00:11:37 - Distinctives of the Second Testament, McKnight was inspired to translate the New Testament after reading John Golden Gay's translation of the Old Testament. One of the distinctives is the transliteration of names, which may be confusing but creates an authentic ancient context. McKnight's translation sometimes sounds clunky because it is formally equivalent, but that helps readers slow down and think.00:14:57 - Keeping Names Authentic, The Second Testament transliterates names to help readers understand the ancient context. This makes the text feel foreign and distant, which is appropriate, as it helps readers dig deeper into cultural exegesis. McKnight believes that being familiar with the text can be a hindrance to truly understanding it.00:15:47 - Familiarity with the Text, Familiarity with the text can sometimes hold us back in understanding it.00:16:13 - The Impact of Names on Reading, Dr. Scot McKnight discusses the impact of names on reading and how different names can lead readers to think differently and understand a text in a new way. He suggests that using the original Greek text can take readers into the first-century Christian world and help them understand the text in a new light.00:18:10 - Women in Ministry, Dr. Scot McKnight discusses the controversy around women pastors, using the example of the lack of pastors in the Bible. He suggests that titles such as Presbuteros, Episkopos, Diakonos were used instead. He also refers to Romans 16, which mentions several women involved in church ministry, including an apostle and a deacon.00:22:54 - Multiculturalism in the Early Church, Dr. Scot McKnight discusses the multicultural and multiracial nature of the early church, with a mix of slaves and free people, men and women, and Jews and Gentiles. He draws attention to the several women mentioned in Romans 16, performing ministries that today would be called pastoring.00:27:39 - The Importance of Language, Dr. Scot McKnight emphasizes the importance of language and translation, pointing out that the wrong translation can hurt people. He uses the example of King James' Bible, which made choices to keep its subjects subdued. He also discusses the power dynamics in evangelical churches and how they favor men and certain behaviors that have become manly.00:33:10 - The Four Types of Power, Dr. Scot McKnight discusses the four types of power: power over, power to influence, power with, and power for. He explains how power over is the most corrupted form of power and how it is prevalent in the business world, sports, and even the church. He also highlights the importance of using power for the good of others and sharing power with others.00:35:25 - The Power With, Dr. McKnight delves deeper into the concept of power with and how it involves the willingness to share power with someone else to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. He cites his experience of co-authoring a book with a young man and how they worked together to create a cohesive product.00:36:53 - Power For, Dr. McKnight discusses the last type of power, power for, which involves using one's power for the good of another person. He cites Jesus Christ as an example of this type of power, as He came not to be served but to serve and give His life for others.00:40:00 - Dealing with Spiritual Abuse, Dr. McKnight advises people who are experiencing spiritual abuse or know someone who is to first become healthy enough to handle the blowback that comes with going public. He also stresses the importance of having a support system and following the proper protocols or guidelines for reporting abuse. Lastly, he emphasizes the need for patience and resilience as it may take a long time to see change. 00:50:50 - Abusing Power in Churches, Dr. Scott McKnight discusses how some pastors and church leaders abuse their power, particularly with vulnerable members such as children. He encourages readers to follow his work in understanding power dynamics and using power for good, especially with survivors of abuse.00:52:00 - The Way of Jesus, Dr. Scott McKnight emphasizes the way of Jesus in using power for good and elevating others. He references the Kenosis passage in Philippians 2 and encourages listeners to learn how to understand and wield their power for the benefit of others.00:53:38 - Call to Action, Lori Adams-Brown issues a call to action for listeners to use their power for good, particularly with survivors of abuse. She encourages finding a survivor and listening to their story while respecting their autonomy and using power to elevate their voice and support them.00:54:48 - TovLori Adams-Brown references Dr. Scott McKnight and Laura Behringer's book, A Church Called TOV, and highlights the importance of using power in tov, or goodness, particularly with survivors of abuse. She encourages listeners to find ways to support survivors and let them lead the way in how they want to share their stories and move forward.00:56:03 - Conclusion, Lori Adams-Brown thanks listeners for their work in making a difference and encourages them to read Dr. Scot McKnight's book, Second Testament. She also hints at future episodes with Dr. Scot McKnight and his new book with Laura Barringer as a follow up to A Church Called TOV.More Key Takeaways Appreciate the role of cultural context and precise translation in interpreting the Bible effectively. Comprehend the various power dynamics at play within the church and their implications. Recognize signs of spiritual abuse, ensuring adequate support for survivors. Grasp the crucial need for responsible leadership and the ethical use of power. Discover the valuable contributions of female scholars and survivors in the ministry. Realize the importance of context and accurate translation in unlocking the true meaning of biblical passages. Uncover diversities in church power dynamics and their impacts on members. Identify the nature of spiritual abuse and the ways to help survivors heal. Understand the significance of virtuous leadership and the fair exercise of power for communal benefit. Shed light on the often-overlooked perspectives of women scholars and abuse survivors in ministry. Become a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. Mentioned in this episode:Join Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonDo you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, author Zachary Wagner recounts his personal journey and explores the irony of the purity culture movement in the white American evangelical subculture, highlighting the need for men to join the conversation about sexual violence and misconduct in church spaces.In this episode, you will be able to: Identify the repercussions of toxic masculinity within the Church and initiate constructive conversations. Confront the issues of power abuse and spiritual maltreatment, promoting healthier religious communities. Recognize the impact of cultural norms and pornography on men's behaviors and attitudes. Advocate for the inclusion of women's input in discussions about harmful male stereotypes. Prioritize personal well-being and self-care in pursuit of a mentally and emotionally fulfilling journey. My special guest is Zachary WagnerIntroducing Zachary Wagner- a writer, researcher, ordained minister––thinker of thoughts and feeler of feelings. Originally from the Chicagoland area, he now lives in Oxford, England, where he is pursuing a DPhil (PhD) in New Testament studies at Keble College, University of Oxford. He also serves as the editorial director of the Center for Pastor Theologians, where he co-hosts the CPT Podcast. His research interests include economics in the ancient world, divine wages in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity, Pauline epistles, the Gospel of Matthew, and New Testament masculinities. His first book, Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality, was published in 2023 with Intervarsity Press. Zach’s other writing interests include evangelical and “post-vangelical” Christian discipleship, theological formation, and speaking against church-based abuse.Follow Zachary on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/zacharycwagnerThe resources mentioned in this episode are: Purchase Nontoxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality by Zachary Wagner. Check out the Center for Pastor Theologians and listen to their podcast. Follow Zachary Wagner on social media for more updates and insights. Read more about the #ChurchToo movement and the #MToo movement to stay informed and educated. Consider seeking therapy or counseling if you have experienced trauma or shame related to sexuality. Speak out against toxic masculinity and actively work to promote healthy and respectful attitudes towards all genders. Support organizations and initiatives that work towards ending sexual violence and abuse, both in and outside of religious spaces. Pornography and Its EffectsZachary Wagner addresses the impact pornography has on male attitudes and behaviors surrounding sexuality. He notes that this cultural force often influences the formation of compulsive habits and promotes immature expressions of sexuality. Wagner also discusses the male brain's interaction with pornography, potentially shaping attitudes towards women even without direct exposure to explicit content. He encourages men to rethink their sexual responses and move away from the harmful effects of pornography. Instead, he urges them to adopt more humanizing and mature ways of engaging with their sexuality, demonstrating respect and understanding for themselves and others. By doing so, we can foster healthier relationships and a society where individuals are not subjected to the harmful consequences of toxic masculinity.Harmful Effects of Toxic MasculinityToxic masculinity is a prevailing issue with far-reaching consequences beyond perpetuating negative male stereotypes. It has harmful effects on both men and women, hindering the formation of healthy relationships and contributing to a culture of abuse and violence. When discussing his personal experiences growing up within white American evangelical subculture, Zachary Wagner sheds light on the shame he felt surrounding sexuality, exacerbated by his wife's experiences of childhood sexual abuse. Wagner believes that while sexual abuse is not a recent phenomenon, the increasing awareness of its prevalence is noteworthy. For change to happen, it is vital for men to actively engage in conversations about toxic masculinity and to take responsibility in finding solutions to the problem. He calls for an effort to break free from the distorted images of manhood and gender that have persisted for so long.Toxic Masculinity in MegachurchesThe discussion highlights the connection between toxic masculinity and megachurches in the United States. These churches often prioritize pragmatism, measuring success in terms of numbers and financial gains, which can contravene genuine spiritual growth. This culture of accomplishment can lead to the elevation of people with serious character flaws, propagating an alpha male, CEO-like mentality for pastoral ministry. Zachary Wagner asserts that the fruit of such churches often focuses on external metrics rather than on spiritual outcomes and long-term growth potential. Wagner argues that addressing toxic masculinity within these environments is essential for creating a more welcoming and supportive space for all congregants. By reevaluating their approaches to leadership and power dynamics, megachurches can foster a better culture within their communities, reducing the detrimental impact of toxic masculinity.When abusers are given a pass and often the pass is associated with their maleness in that this is the vision of maleness."The fact that a certain form of unhealthy masculine sexuality has found a foothold in these communities of faith is really, really not okay. And women seem to be talking about this plenty, but not enough men are engaging in the conversation." - Zachary Wagner"Until men engage in the conversation, I fear this is just going to keep happening. We'll just be playing catch up and clean up to whatever the next scandal that reveals itself is and not really addressing the problem at its root." - Zachary WagnerThe key moments in this episode are:00:00:01 - Introduction, 00:02:37 - Inspiration for Writing the Book, 00:12:29 - Wake Up, Guys, 00:16:30 - Dangerous Male Body-Centric Theology, 00:18:29 - Criticisms of Sexual Imagery in Christianity, 00:21:49 - Minimizing Abuse Hurts Everyone, 00:28:19 - Toxic Masculinity in Megachurches, 00:29:50 - Harmful Effects of Toxic Masculinity, 00:37:05 - Dehumanization of Women, 00:45:41 - Pornography and its Effects, 00:50:06 - Toxic Masculinity is not Exclusive to Christianity, 00:54:10 - Importance of Taking Care of Yourself, 00:54:49 - Thanks to the Community, 00:55:06 - Upcoming Guest, 00:56:16 - Different Translation of the New Testament, 00:56:52 - Catching Up with Dr. Scott McKnight, Zachary Wagner, a writer, researcher, and ordained minister, is here to share his thoughts on centering women's voices in conversations around toxic masculinity. Originally from Chicagoland, he now resides in Oxford, England, where he is pursuing a PhD in New Testament Studies. Zachary serves as the editorial director for the Center for Pastor Theologians and co-hosts the CPT podcast. His research interests include ancient economics, divine wages in Second Temple Judaism, early Christianity, and New Testament masculinities. A passionate advocate against church-based abuse, Zachary recently authored Nontoxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality.Timestamped summary of this episode:00:00:01 - Introduction, Lori Adams-Brown introduces Zachary Wagner, the writer, researcher, and ordained minister who has written a book titled Nontoxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality. The episode is centered around the topic of toxic masculinity and its impact in the evangelical church.00:02:37 - Inspiration for Writing the Book, Zachary Wagner talks about his inspiration for writing the book. He shares how his personal experiences growing up in the white American evangelical subculture that promoted purity culture, and his own struggles with pornography and shame, as well as his wife's experience with church-based sexual abuse, motivated him to address the problem of toxic masculinity in the church.00:12:29 - Wake Up, Guys, Zachary Wagner discusses the church's long-standing problem with sexual abuse and misconduct against women and children. He emphasizes the need for men to take responsibility and join the conversation to address the problem of toxic masculinity in the church, which often stems from a sub-Christian and dehumanizing vision of what it means to be a man.00:16:30 - Dangerous Male Body-Centric Theology, Zachary Wagner comments on the recent controversy surrounding an article that compared the gospel to sexual assault and marital rape. He clarifies that the text it was based on, Ephesians Five, is very careful in what it does and does not say about the relationship between Christ and the Church and the relationship between husband and wife. He warns against a dangerous male body-centric theology and the need for a more holistic and00:18:29 - Criticisms of Sexual Imagery in Christianity, Zachary Wagner discusses the use of sexual imagery in Christianity and highlights the potential theological criticisms. He emphasizes that in the current cultural climate, it is unwise to use such imagery. Wagner also draws comparisons to pagan sex cults and Greco-Roman values regarding masculinity.00:21:49 - Minimizing Abuse Hurts Everyone, Wagner reflects on the harms of minimizing abuse, particularly in the context of male-centered theology and toxic masculinity. He stresses the importance of men speaking up when they see women being harmed or rhetoric that perpetuates harmful ideologies. Wagner argues that when abusers are not held accountable, both the victim and the abuser suffer.00:28:19 - Toxic Masculinity in Megachurches, The conversation turns to the prevalence of toxic masculinity in megachurches and evangelicalism in America. Wagner argues that many have wedded themselves to cultural pragmatist ideals about results and numbers, leading to a certain type of masculine, macho, alpha-male CEO vision for pastoral ministry. He notes that this has led to elevating leaders with serious character deficiencies and neglecting the spiritual outcomes for congregants.00:29:50 - Harmful Effects of Toxic Masculinity, The discussion centers on the harmful effects of toxic masculinity, particularly in evangelicalism in America. Wagner notes that the focus on toxic masculinity has led to abuse in many instances, both for men and women. He argues that it is critical to shift the focus towards a kind00:37:05 - Dehumanization of Women, Toxic masculinity leads to dehumanization of women, objectification of female bodies, and a harmful culture of male sexualization. The book, Every Man's Battle, popularized the idea that men have a hyper-sexualized lens through which they view the world, leading to the objectification of women. As a result, women are often questioned, not believed, and placed on trial when men's sexuality goes awry. Pornography use reinforces these negative attitudes towards women and trains men's sexual response cycles, even years after they stop watching it.00:45:41 - Pornography and its Effects, Pornography is one of the most powerful cultural forces in shaping men's toxic attitudes and behaviors towards their sexuality. Many Christian communities stigmatize and pathologize pornography, leading to cycles of lying and deception by men who use it. Even men who no longer watch pornography may still be shaped by it and have their brains and bodies interact with women in toxic ways. The book encourages all men to think deeply about how pornography has shaped their sexuality and to find a more healthy and mature expression of it.00:50:06 - Toxic Masculinity is not Exclusive to Christianity, Toxic masculinity is not a concept exclusive to Christianity, but something that affects all people, regardless of faith. Women are often excluded from spaces where men coalesce unhealthy perspectives and approaches to certain issues and problems. This hyper-sexualized vision of male minds and attitude of fear directed towards female bodies creates a system where women are not heard or believed. The book encourages men00:54:10 - Importance of Taking Care of Yourself, Taking care of yourself is not only beneficial for your own well-being, but it also sets an example for others to follow. It's important to make time for self-care, such as eating, drinking, resting, and taking breaks from daily routines.00:54:49 - Thanks to the Community, The host expresses gratitude towards the community and acknowledges the difference it has made in her life. She encourages everyone to continue making a difference in their own way.00:55:06 - Upcoming Guest, Dr. Scott McKnight will be the next guest on the podcast. He will be discussing his upcoming book, the Second Testament, which includes a unique translation of the New Testament. He also talks about spiritual abuse and advocacy for survivors.00:56:16 - Different Translation of the New Testament, The Second Testament provides a different translation of the New Testament, which may challenge readers' preconceived notions of familiar Bible characters. Dr. Scott McKnight will explain some of the changes he made and discuss the concept of dynamic equivalence in translation.00:56:52 - Catching Up with Dr. Scott McKnight, The conversation with Dr. Scott McKnight will also touch on his advocacy for survivors of spiritual abuse. He will share his insights and what he has learned since writing his book, A Church Called Tove. Purchase Nontoxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality by Zachary Wagner. Check out the Center for Pastor Theologians and listen to their podcast. Follow Zachary Wagner on social media for more updates and insights. Read more about the Church Two movement and the MeToo movement to stay informed and educated. Consider seeking therapy or counseling if you have experienced trauma or shame related to sexuality. Speak out against toxic masculinity and actively work to promote healthy and respectful attitudes towards all genders. Support organizations and initiatives that work towards ending sexual violence and abuse, both in and outside of religious spaces. Become a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. Mentioned in this episode:Join Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonDo you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Lori Adams-Brown on A World of Difference as she sits down with Dr. Lynn Cohick, a New Testament professor and author of "A Second Edition Dictionary of Paul in His Letters." Lori discusses Dr. Cohick's journey as a professor, her love for scriptures, and her contribution to including more women's voices in the conversation around Paul and Paul's letters. Cohick shares about her writing and scholarship and how she has dug deep into understanding and representing what women were doing in the ancient church. They also discuss how women played a large role in the formation of Christian theology and liturgy. The discussion moves to the challenges women face in male-dominated industries such as biblical studies, theology, and academia and how they have to work twice as hard as men to be perceived at the same level. Cohick encourages women to take risks and not be afraid to fail. They then discuss the importance of acknowledging gender stereotypes and biases and the need to break free from them. The podcast ends with a sneak peek of a Patreon-exclusive interview where Cohick shares about her experience in times of suffering. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode of A World of Difference with host Lori Adams-Brown and guest Dr. Lynn Cohick.https://lynncohick.com/Lynn H. Cohick (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania) is a Professor of NT. She served as Provost at both Northern Seminary and Denver Seminary. She taught NT for over 15 years at Wheaton College. Her books include The Letter to the Ephesians in the NICNT; Christian Women in the Patristic World: Their Influence, Authority, and Legacy in the Second through the Fifth Centuries (co-authored with Amy Brown Hughes; Philippians in the Story of God Commentary; Ephesians in New Covenant Commentary; Women in the World of the Earliest Christians.[00:00:02] Introduction of Dr. Lynn Cohick's new book[00:03:53] Women's History in Early Christianity[00:07:56] Women's Role in Church History[00:12:22] Independent Women in Ancient World[00:16:38] Interpretation in Diverse Communities[00:21:28] Challenges faced by women in male-dominated spaces[00:26:11] Overcoming Patriarchal Norms in Women's Careers[00:30:09] Challenging Gender Biases in Education and Careers[00:34:06] Challenging Paul's Views on Women in Scriptures[00:38:26] Interpretation of 1 Timothy 2[00:42:39] Biblical verse on women's salvation and cultural context[00:46:18] Farewell to Dr. Cohick and acknowledgement of difficult situation[00:49:43] Exclusive Interview with Dr. Cohick on Spiritual PracticesBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. **********The A World of Difference Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.Join us to discuss this episode, previous episodes or for other thoughtful conversations at our Facebook group. We'd love to have you stop by and share your perspective. Stay In Touch: Connect on Facebook and Instagram with thoughts, questions, and feedback. Rate, review and share this podcast with anyone that would love to listen.   Find Us Online: @aworldof.difference on Instagram A World of Difference on Facebook, Linktree,on Twitter at @loriadbr or loriadamsbrown.comLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating. Click here to reviewBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. Join other patrons of this podcast at Patreon. Mentioned in this episode:Join Difference MakersJoin us in our membership community for exclusive content for only $5/month at https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference. We go deeper with each guest, and it makes such a difference.PatreonDo you want to go deeper?Join us in Difference Makers, a community where we watch and discuss exclusive content that truly makes a difference. Give us $5 a month (the price of a latte), and join in on the conversation with our host Lori and others who want to make a difference. We'd love to have you join us!PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Climate Crisis & Christian Discipleship with Kyle Meyaard-SchaapJoin us as we explore one man's journey from skeptic to environmental advocate through the lens of his faith. But just as he begins to offer solutions, a looming threat interrupts, leaving him and the audience with a question: will the church wake up and stand up to protect God's creation?My special guest is Kyle Meyaard-SchaapIntroducing Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, a devoted advocate for Christian climate action and environmental care. Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap (MY-yurd SKOP) serves as the Vice President of the Evangelical Environmental Network. For the last ten years, he has educated and mobilized Christians around the world to address the climate crisis as an act of discipleship and neighbor-love.Kyle has been named to Midwest Energy Group's 40 Under 40, the American Conservation Coalition’s 30 Under 30, and the Grist 50 Fixers cohorts for his work on climate change education and advocacy. In 2020, he was named a Yale Public Voices on the Climate Crisis Fellow. His work has been featured in national and international news outlets such as PBS, NPR, CNN, NBC News, New York Times, Reuters, and U.S. News and World Report. His book, Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action, was released by InterVarsity Press in February 2023.Kyle is married to Allison and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with their two sons.Visit his website at kylemeyaardschaap.com.Follow him on Twitter: @kmeyaardschaap.Caring for creation is a fundamental part of every human being's vocation because that's how God made us. - Kyle MeyaardSchaapIn this episode, you will be able to:Grasp Christian obligations towards environmental stewardship and climate action.Find out the significance of incorporating native plants in the battle against climate change.Expose the hidden causes driving climate change skepticism in political and religious spheres.Discover the potential of generational dialogue in forging Christian action against climate change.Engage in a hopeful pursuit of creative solutions and resolute action for a sustainable future.The resources mentioned in this episode are:Read Kyle's book, Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action.Promo code: AWORLD23 Listeners can get 30 percent off the ebook and physical book (free shipping) at ivpress.com through 5/19Find unique ways to care for creation and protect the environment, based on your own vocation and interests.Implement practices that bring joy and enhance your experience of creation.Participate in events and initiatives that promote environmental care and protection, such as Indie Creation Fest.Support organizations like the Evangelical Environmental Network that are working towards climate change educationand advocacy.Make sustainable choices in your daily life, such as using reusable bags and water bottles, reducing meat consumption,and conserving energy.Advocate for policies and actions that prioritize the environment and address climate change.Worship as Awe and WonderWorship can be far more than a formalized gathering or ritual. It can be experienced as a profound sense of awe and wonder ineveryday life, especially when we open our hearts and minds to the beauty and intricate connections of the natural world.Immersing ourselves in creation and marveling at the marvels of our planet gives us an even greater appreciation for theCreator of all things. In the interview, Kyle Meyaard-Schaap shares his experiences of finding awe in God's creation. He talksabout attending the Indie Creation Fest, an event that celebrates God's creation and promotes efforts to protect it. Throughembracing beauty in nature, Kyle highlights the importance of cultivating a worshipful approach towards environment andreveals how his faith has been enriched by his journey into creation care.The Importance of Listening to the Younger GenerationThe youth of today have a unique and valuable perspective on environmental issues, and their voices must be heard. As thegeneration that will inherit the consequences of climate change, they are more keenly aware of its dangers and are passionatelyadvocating for collective action. By acknowledging their concerns and supporting their efforts, society encourages a moreinclusive and effective response to environmental challenges. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap emphasizes the need to listen to and learnfrom the younger generation. He discusses how young Christians are beginning to question the narratives they were raised onand are challenging the status quo in their communities. By offering support and encouragement to the next generation, we joinforces in ensuring a brighter and healthier future for all.This is a beautiful, exhilarating invitation to become more human and to participate in God's joy. - Kyle Meyaard-SchaapI don't know how to love God and to love my neighbor without doing something about forces that are destroying God's goodcreation. - Kyle Meyaard-SchaapClimate Change as a Moral IssueAs global citizens, we must recognize that addressing climate change and participating in creation care is vital. Thisresponsibility becomes even more significant for those who identify as Christian, as it speaks to the core principles of loving Godand loving our neighbors. Climate change is a moral issue that needs to be acknowledged and faced head-on, as it deeplyimpacts not only the environment but also the life and well-being of countless communities around the world. By dedicatingourselves to the cause, we can positively contribute to a better future. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, in his conversation with LoriAdams-Brown, underscores the connection between faith and creation care. Growing up in a conservative Christian community,Kyle had not initially understood this connection. It was only through his brother's studies - and exploring the relationshipbetween ecology, biology, and scripture himself - that Kyle realized the importance of engaging with environmental stewardshipas a Christian. He encourages fellow believers to examine the issue through the lens of their faith and calls on them to activelyparticipate in creation care.The key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - Introduction,00:03:09 - Celebrating Earth Day,00:08:41 - Climate Change as a Moral Issue,00:12:54 - Finding Your Earth-Keeping Vocation,00:16:01 - Conclusion,00:16:32 - Worship as Awe and Wonder,00:18:15 - Surprising Ways to Steward the Planet,00:22:56 - Skepticism Around Climate Change,00:29:06 - Muddy Public Conversation Around Climate Change,00:31:31 - Recovering God's Story,00:33:43 - The Importance of Listening to the Younger Generation,00:35:20 - Recognizing the Need for Change in the Church,00:37:23 - Finding Hope and Inspiration in Community,00:38:30 - Casting a Vision for an Inspiring Future,00:38:58 - The Epilogue,If you're feeling frustrated and helpless because your efforts to protect the environment through actions like recycling or usingeco-friendly products aren't making a significant impact, then you are not alone!Timestamped summary of this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction,Lori Adams-Brown introduces Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, the vice president of the Evangelical Environmental Network. They talkabout his book, Following Jesus in a Warming World, and his work on climate change education and advocacy.00:03:09 - Celebrating Earth Day,Kyle talks about Indie Creation Fest, an event he helped plan and host in Indianapolis. The festival brings together people tocelebrate God's creation, learn from each other, and get involved in activities that help protect the environment.00:08:41 - Climate Change as a Moral Issue,Kyle explains that climate change is a moral issue that Christians should care about. He believes that following Jesus meansloving God and loving our neighbor, and taking care of the environment is part of that calling.00:12:54 - Finding Your Earth-Keeping Vocation,Kyle believes that everyone has a unique calling to care for the environment, and that it's important to find practices that bringyou joy. He suggests reframing the conversation around environmental care from one of guilt and obligation to one of joy andparticipation in God's joy.00:16:01 - Conclusion,Lori and Kyle wrap up the conversation by reminding listeners that caring for the environment is a beautiful and exhilaratinginvitation to become more human and to participate in God's joy. They encourage people to find their own unique ways toconnect with the environment and care for it.00:16:32 - Worship as Awe and Wonder,Worship as awe and wonder, and taking care of the planet through native landscaping, scouting, and activism.00:18:15 - Surprising Ways to Steward the Planet,Kyle talks about the importance of using native plants for landscaping to help mitigate climate impacts, and how to bring yourland into better harmony with the natural ecosystem around you.00:22:56 - Skepticism Around Climate Change,Kyle addresses skepticism around climate change in the US, and the reasons why it exists. He discusses the political,theological, and societal stories that have shaped American attitudes towards climate change.00:29:06 - Muddy Public Conversation Around Climate Change,Kyle talks about the concerted effort by fossil fuel corporations to muddy the public conversation around climate change, and thefalse narratives and misleading information that have been spread about the issue.00:31:31 - Recovering God's Story,Kyle discusses the importance of recovering God's story in relation to climate change, and how the greatest commandment tolove God and love our neighbor is directly related to our responsibility to care for the planet.00:33:43 - The Importance of Listening to the Younger Generation,Kyle highlights the significance of listening to the younger generation and explains how they can help in shaping a better future.He hopes that readers who recognize the harmful stories they were told about climate change and the environment willunderstand that they are not alone in their passion for change.00:35:20 - Recognizing the Need for Change in the Church,Kyle emphasizes the importance of recognizing how the church has been compromised by incomplete and harmful storiesaround creation and climate change. He encourages young Christians who have recognized this and still love the church to callout the problematic stories and try to bring about change.00:37:23 - Finding Hope and Inspiration in Community,Kyle believes that the work of Christian climate action has to happen in community and encourages readers to find their peopleand do this work together. He acknowledges that it can be hard to hold hope, and having a community to hold hope for eachother is crucial.00:38:30 - Casting a Vision for an Inspiring Future,Kyle talks about the importance of casting a vision for an inspiring future that can be created by taking action together. Heencourages readers to exercise their imagination and imagine the kind of world they want to create by taking action on climatechange.00:38:58 - The Epilogue,In the epilogue, Kyle writes a letter to his imagined granddaughter in 2066, casting a vision for a better, safer, and moreprosperous world.Calling all Christians who want to take action for our planet and its future! Have you heard the myths that suggest that takingcare of our environment is not a Christian responsibility? That climate change is not real? Or that our actions won't make adifference? It's time to debunk these myths and embrace the truth. Join us as Kyle Meyaard-Schaap shares the facts andinspires us to take action towards creation care and climate justice.For those who are different and want to make a differenceBecome a patron of this podcast, and enjoy free merch. 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