Shows / The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
The Loft is a progressive Christian community that is unapologetically inclusive. If you're curious about what a socially and politically progressive Christianity looks like, this podcast is for you. This podcast features edited audio from our weekly Sunday gathering of people interested in following Jesus' spiritual path of radical compassion. Regardless of your race, gender, class, sexuality, or where you fall on the spectrum of belief or unbelief, you are welcome at The Loft. Their are four…
Episodes
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Pride Powerlessness - Rev. Kevin Kim Wright
We are pleased to welcome Rev. Kevin Kim Wright back to The Loft, to speak from the center on this last Sunday in Pride Month. An ordained United Methodist…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Rev. Dr. Kyle Eugene Brooks
We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Kyle Eugene Brooks as our guest preacher in the Loft. Rev. Dr. Brooks, a native of Detroit, MI, serves as the Visiting…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Beyond the Binary: Gender, God, and Liberation
Everest Harvey and Rev. Molly Vetter - In listening to the lives and stories of Trans siblings, we understand more about God, who exists beyond the boundaries…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
They Hate Down, But We Love Up
As Christians, we are called to love our enemies and to practice nonviolent resistance. But is this commandment impractical or even dangerous for Christians…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Why LGBTQ+ Inclusion Matters to Jesus, John Wesley, and Me
As we begin Pride month, we open a conversation about why LGBTQ+ inclusion matters to our faith. Although loud voices might try to claim otherwise, Christian…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
There is a difference between not "feeling" safe and not being safe
Far too many progressive Christian churches are defined by what they don't believe. How might centering our conversation on what we do believe strengthen our…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: The Peace that Passes all Understanding: The Love of our Enemies
Jesus' way of nonviolent resistance and love of enemies is often dismissed as impractical and idealistic. To be sure, the persuasive power of the myth of…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Pentecost: A Vision for a Peaceful Church
At their best, Christian communities should reflect the vision laid out in Acts 2, collectively sharing our gifts, tragedies, joys, and resilience. However, we…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Israel, Palestine, & College Encampments Part 2
The protests to the war in Gaza taking place on college campuses around the world remind us that students are often the conscious of our society. In part 2 of…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Israel, Palestine, & College Encampments Part 1
The suffering and violence that is taking place in Gaza is unconscionable. According to the United Nations, at least 34,560 Palestinians have been killed in…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Inner Peace & The Spiritual Practice of Saying No
Saying "yes" rather than "no" to an invitation is much easier. A part of the pleasure of saying yes is knowing that someone wants you and wants to be in…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Violence Will Not Save Us
Television, film, Hollywood, and popular culture tell us that vigilante heroism is necessary to save us from ourselves. But is this true? In this episode, we…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Waging Peace: Israel, Palestine, and the Roots of War
The roots of war and conflict are apparent in how we are socialized to live our daily lives. American political and economic policies and our social…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Childhood Lessons on Love & Peace
In her book All About Love, bell hooks writes that we ought to "view our homes as our original school of love." Love is essential for cultivating peace, so how…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Peace with the Earth
Though our culture tends to teach and practice an approach to the natural world that seeks to control, tame, and extract resources, Jesus' teaching suggests a…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Peace & The Myth of Redemptive Violence
There is something inside all of us that longs for security, stability, and peace. However, human history reveals that we tend to try to meet this longing…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Tell Me The Truth, Not Just What I Want To Hear
What role might friendships play in our spiritual growth and formation? In this episode, we explore how mature friendships can help us see the truth of who we…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Falling Upward
Among all of Jesus' disciples, Peter's spiritual pilgrimage is a good example of what it means to fall upward. Just before Jesus ascension into heaven, he…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: The Practice of Finding Hope
We invite you to join our Loft community in the Sanctuary for an Easter Sunday Celebration featuring the Singers of Soul Gospel Choir as we reflect on the hope…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
The "Problem" with the Problem of Evil
Rather than spending our time wondering why bad things happen to good people, how different would our faith be if we focused our energy on what to do when we…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: The Practice of Living With Purpose
During the final week of his earthly life, Jesus enters Jerusalem to much fanfare. Moreover, Jesus began to speak more frequently about the purpose of his life…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Learn The Rules Carefully So That You Can Break Them Properly
After leaving the wilderness, Jesus began his ministry of theological and social healing in earnest. While many welcomed his message and the community work he…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Who Are You, Really? Part 1
What does it mean to be a "progressive Christian?" How does attending a progressive Christian church inform your theology? Today's episode is the first of a…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: The Practice of Feeling Pain
After his baptism, Jesus continued his spiritual Pilgrimage in the wilderness. Wandering alone, he spent time in prayer and fasting as he sought clarity about…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Spiritual Transformation Is Being Frighteningly Honest With Yourself
Would you walk over 500 miles to discover the truth of who you are - the raw, naked, truth? In this episode we are joined by Rev. Anne Gardner to discuss her…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: The Two Halves of Life
What does it mean to "fall upward?" How might our failings be the foundation for ongoing spiritual growth? In today's gathering we explore how the two halves…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Inside Out: Radical Self-Love & Social Transformation part 4
How do we as progressive Christians understand what it means to "be humuan" in light of our encounter with the Divine? In today's episode we discuss the…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: And So I Walked
Our life's journey is a combination of joy and suffering, hope and disappointment. And while no one enjoys suffering or disappointment, what we see in the life…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Waking Up to God
Jesus doesn't seek out trained rabbis and priests to be his disciples; instead, he calls a few Galilean fishermen to follow him and join his ministry. In this…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Building A World for Every Body
The systems, structures, and churches in which we live our lives mirror the societies that made them. They are created and upheld by humans who carry biases…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Inside Out: Radical Self-Love & Social Transformation, part 3
We know that our Christian faith calls us to love ourselves. And yet self-love is often elusive - something we want to have but perpetually struggle with. Why?…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Making Peace with Bodily Difference
Being Unapologetically Inclusive forces us to ask how we are to live with one another in ways that foster self-love. To be sure, "it is not our differences…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Learning to Love Ourselves, Regardless
The foundational spiritual practice within Christianity is our commitment to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves, "all the law and the prophets rest on these…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Inside Out: Radical Self-Love & Social Transformation, part 2
How might we practice being human in ways that enable us to love ourselves and heal from the psychological terror of colonial thinking? It won't be easy, but…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Decolonizing the Imago Dei (Image of God)
What does being created in the image of God mean for you? While Christianity teaches that all human beings are created in the image of God, in this sermon Rev…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Inside Out: Radical Self-Love & Social Transformation, part 1
How might we create a world for every body, a world that is unapologetically inclusive where all bodies know they belong? It begins with learning to love our…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: I'm Sorry My Body Makes You Uncomfortable (But I Shouldn't Be)
What role has Christian theology played in enabling and encouraging a culture where so many of us feel like our bodies are wrong? To be sure, many of us…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Grounding Ourselves In & Through Ritual
After eight days have passed, Mary and Joseph circumcise their child and give him the name Jesus. They return to the temple in Jerusalem to enact the sacred…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Experience the holy mystery of Christmas as we celebrate Christ's birth with music, scripture, prayer, preaching, communion, and candlelight. Featuring music…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Power Over Piety: The Rise of White Christian Nationalism part 4
Why are people drawn in by White Christian Nationalism? Is there anything progressive Christians can do to offset the terrible impact that WCN has on American…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: How Does A Weary World Rejoice? We Sing Stories of Hope
What does it sound like when unhoused young adults sing stories of hope? Join us this Sunday as Rev. Dr. Carter is joined by Anthony Conley, Director of…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Power Over Piety: The Rise of White Christian Nationalism part 3
What is the political theology of White Christian Nationalism and what are the dangers of this political theology for our democracy? In this third of a four…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: How Does A Weary World Rejoice? We Allow Ourselves to be Amazed
After Elizabeth gives birth, her neighbors and family celebrate with her. When it comes time to name the child, Zechariah affirms the name given by the angel…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Power Over Piety: The Rise of White Christian Nationalism part 2
What are the theological foundations of White Christian Nationalism? How are these beliefs used to support the marginalization of queer folk? What are their…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Our Society Expects Too Much From Mothers
Mothers have always had to depend upon each other for guidance and support during difficult times. We see this in the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel of…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Power Over Piety: The Rise of White Christian Nationalism - Part 1
What is White Christian Nationalism and why might it be the biggest threat to Christianity and democracy in America today? In this first of a four part series…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: How Does A Weary World Rejoice?
As Advent begins, we start by acknowledging the weariness, grief, rage, and hopelessness we carry. We remember the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and their…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Conversations: Deep Spirituality Is (probably) Anti-Capitalist
In this episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter continue their discussion on Christian faith and economic practice. Do you believe that it is possible…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Decolonizing Wealth: How to Heal
In order to heal, we must first be able to imagine that an alternative to the economic structures we have created is possible. Scripture calls us to reimagine…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Conversations: Decolonizing Wealth - You Can't Take It With You
In this episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter discuss the intersections of Christian belief and economic practice. They examine the uncomfortable truism…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Conversations: Why are Young People Leaving The Church? Queerness, Young Folx, and Progressive Theology
In this episode we discuss the importance and challenges of teaching progressive theology to young people. To help us have this important conversation, Rev…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Decolonizing Wealth - Where It Hurts
We begin our series by exploring some of our spoken and unspoken economic mythologies. Whether it is the myth of the "self-made man" or the belief that wealth…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Conversations: Breaking Patriarchy Will Make You Feel Good Inside
In this episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter continue their conversation on patriarchy and the church. We begin by discussing how the concept of…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Breaking Patriarchy at Home
From the time a child is born, their homes become places of learning. While at their best, our homes may be schools of love, compassion, justice, and grace, it…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Breaking Patriarchy at Church
One of the earliest Christian baptismal covenants states that "there is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Breaking the Patriarchal Reading of the Bible
Our personal identities, thoughts, and social assumptions influence how we read everything, including how we read the Bible. Men have been the primary…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Breaking Our Internalized Patriarchal Voice
In this episode Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter explore the ways patriarchal thinking influences the world around us and, more often than not, our inner…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Breaking Patriarchal Thinking
How have you come to know what you "know?" What sources of knowledge have shaped your understanding of American culture, Christianity, or your own…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Thoughts, Prayers, and Book Clubs: What is - and isn't - Compassionate Action
In this 1-year anniversary episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter discuss one of the four values that shape the theology of The Loft - Compassion. We…
- The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form
Loft Gathering: Loft 101 - Compassion
Compassion was fundamental to Jesus' ministry and the primary lens through which he engaged his community. At The Loft, we strive to follow Jesus' spiritual…