Rector’s Cupboard Podcast

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with David Goa

Is it possible that conversations about the church might be interesting or even fascinating?
 
Rector’s Cupboard was invited to partner with David Goa, a friend of the podcast (Sunny Boy, December 2020 and Most People are Better Than Their Theology, January 2020) to speak with others about the state and future of the church as we move from 2021 to 2022.
 
What is the church? Who is the church?  Does the church play any important role in larger culture? These conversations have an “on the ground” aspect to them and they seek to address larger questions of the place and identity of the Christian church in our society.
 
In this last episode of our special series Cupboard hosts Todd and Allison speak with David Goa about the church. This conversation offers some hopeful considerations about what the church is/should be/might hope to be. There are some positive, life-giving ways in which to think about the place of the church in the world.  

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with Ken Bell

Is it possible that conversations about the church might be interesting or even fascinating?
 
Rector’s Cupboard was invited to partner with David Goa, a friend of the podcast (Sunny Boy, December 2020 and Most People are Better Than Their Theology, January 2020) to speak with others about the state and future of the church as we move from 2021 to 2022.
 
What is the church? Who is the church?  Does the church play any important role in larger culture? These conversations have an “on the ground” aspect to them and they seek to address larger questions of the place and identity of the Christian church in our society.
 
In this sixth episode of our special series we speak with Ken Bell, Chaplain at Broadway Lodge and former Minister at St. Simon’s Anglican Church. Ken shares a thoughtful and hopeful reflection on his own story in becoming a minister. How does the church inspire people to meaningful vocation? 

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with Martin Baxter

Is it possible that conversations about the church might be interesting or even fascinating?
 
Rector’s Cupboard was invited to partner with David Goa, a friend of the podcast (Sunny Boy, December 2020 and Most People are Better Than Their Theology, January 2020) to speak with others about the state and future of the church as we move from 2021 to 2022.
 
What is the church? Who is the church?  Does the church play any important role in larger culture? These conversations have an “on the ground” aspect to them and they seek to address larger questions of the place and identity of the Christian church in our society.
 
In this fifth episode of our special series we speak with Martin Baxter, Senior Pastor at St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in North Vancouver. Should we expect the community of the church to actually make a difference in people’s lives. What does it mean to be part of a local church? 

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with Rebecca Simpson

Is it possible that conversations about the church might be interesting or even fascinating?
 
Rector’s Cupboard was invited to partner with David Goa, a friend of the podcast (Sunny Boy, December 2020 and Most People are Better Than Their Theology, January 2020) to speak with others about the state and future of the church as we move from 2021 to 2022.
 
What is the church? Who is the church?  Does the church play any important role in larger culture? These conversations have an “on the ground” aspect to them and they seek to address larger questions of the place and identity of the Christian church in our society.
 
In this fourth episode of our special series we speak with Rebecca Simpson, Presbyterian Minister and Director of Spiritual Formation for the Presbyterian Church at the Vancouver School of Theology. Rebecca’s reflections on the church moved towards the place of the minister, particularly for women in ordained ministry. 

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with Ross Lockhart

Is it possible that conversations about the church might be interesting or even fascinating?
 
Rector’s Cupboard was invited to partner with David Goa, a friend of the podcast (Sunny Boy, December 2020 and Most People are Better Than Their Theology, January 2020) to speak with others about the state and future of the church as we move from 2021 to 2022.
 
What is the church? Who is the church?  Does the church play any important role in larger culture? These conversations have an “on the ground” aspect to them and they seek to address larger questions of the place and identity of the Christian church in our society.
 
In this third episode of our special series we speak with Ross Lockhart, Dean at St. Andrew’s Hall in Vancouver. In conversation with Ross we reflect upon the idea of the decline of the church and Christendom and how these may be positive things for Christian faith. 

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with Nate Collins

Is it possible that conversations about the church might be interesting or even fascinating?
 
Rector’s Cupboard was invited to partner with David Goa, a friend of the podcast (Sunny Boy, December 2020 and Most People are Better Than Their Theology, January 2020) to speak with others about the state and future of the church as we move from 2021 to 2022.
 
What is the church? Who is the church?  Does the church play any important role in larger culture? These conversations have an “on the ground” aspect to them and they seek to address larger questions of the place and identity of the Christian church in our society.
 
In this second episode of our special series we speak with Nate Collins,  Pastor at Hillside Baptist Church, North Vancouver. Nathan’s reflections on the church moved towards considerations of some of the common struggles and questions of vocation for pastors and towards the role of the church in the spiritual growth of its adherents.  

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with Tim Dickau

Is it possible that conversations about the church might be interesting or even fascinating?
 
Rector’s Cupboard was invited to partner with David Goa, a friend of the podcast (Sunny Boy, December 2020 and Most People are Better Than Their Theology, January 2020) to speak with others about the state and future of the church as we move from 2021 to 2022.
 
What is the church? Who is the church?  Does the church play any important role in larger culture? These conversations have an “on the ground” aspect to them and they seek to address larger questions of the place and identity of the Christian church in our society.
 
In this first episode of our special series we speak with Tim Dickau of the Centre of Missional Leadership at St. Andrew’s Hall. Tim was previously Senior Pastor of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church in Vancouver. Tim highlighted for us a consideration of the place of the church in the larger world, through its presence in particular communities. 

Christmas Special 2021 Not Quite the Stable

Maybe the real world is just too upsetting right now. Perhaps we need a pretend world in which to live.  Hallmark to the rescue! Cupboard hosts and friends discuss the continuing takeover of Christmas by the advance of movies in which the imperfect exists only to make way for the somewhat sickeningly perfect. Are carefully crafted false worlds another bleak take on humanity, or are they hopeful? There is probably nuance required in answer to such a question, but either way, these movies are POPULAR.  Merry Christmas from all of us at Rector’s Cupboard! 
Movies we watched on this episode: 
The Knight Before Christmas 
Christmas Inheritance 
Articles referenced: 
Here's why it feels so good to watch those Hallmark holiday movies – NBC News, November 2019 
Horrible Hallmark movies have been torturing viewers for 20 years – New York Post, December 2020 
How Hallmark Took Over Cable Television – The New Yorker, December 2019 
Tasting Notes: 
This episode we enjoyed two very festive drinks, Cabot Trail Maple Cream and Krupnik Spiced Honey Liqueur from Wayward Distillery, Courtenay, BC. 

Art + Faith with Makoto Fujimura

The existence of the division and hatred in our world is undeniable. Religion is often enlisted to fuel this division and to fuel dehumanization. Many of us have longed for more beautiful, hopeful ways to envision the world, to relate to those with whom we disagree. This episode of Rector’s Cupboard invites us to consider the words and work of one person who is demonstrating a vision of hope and love.
 
Theology and art and spirituality and philosophy and ethics are often thought of as separate disciplines. In our actual lives, our spirituality, our beholding of beauty, and our desire to live well are experienced together. Artist (and theologian) Makoto Fujimura shows us in visual art, in writing, and in conversation some of what matters most in life. He places before us the call to reflect the image of God in living out a “theology of making”.
 
Is it possible that Christian faith might be considered beautiful? While so much ugliness has existed in bad religion or distorted theology, the call of goodness and beauty and truth remains. People like Makoto Fujimura help us to hear that call.
 

Becoming Church with Luke Edwards

Do you attend church? Is church something that you used to attend?
 
Luke Edwards is Associate Director of Church Development for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Luke has written a book called “Becoming Church: A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions”. Luke’s work and writing address the reality that church is changing. The default model of a bunch of people in a big room facing the front which has become a stage is not the only way of gathering. Fresh Expressions helps people who are interested in gathering, but may not be interested in church as we have known it.
 
We had a great time speaking with Luke and we are grateful for people who have gone up ahead on the trail.