Church for people who don't like Church

Matt
  • 4.0 (1)
  • Christianity

The RCM Podcast is for the curious, the cautious, and the unconvinced. We talk about faith without the jargon, Jesus without the performance, and church as it could be: open, inclusive, thoughtful, and real. Expect honest stories, fresh perspectives, and conversations that make space for doubt, hope, and belonging.

Episodes

  1. 3 days ago

    Can you actually "experience" God?

    The episode explores the topic of experiencing God and the challenges of defining and understanding such experiences. Anthea and Matt discuss the nature of these experiences, their personal encounters with God, and the importance of discernment in interpreting and sharing these experiences. The conversation explores the complexities of experiencing and expressing spirituality within a church environment, addressing the performative elements, pressure for spiritual experiences, and the diversity of individual experiences. It also delves into the challenges of feeling God's presence, the role of spiritual practices, and the balance between attributing experiences to God and being realistic. Takeaways Experiencing God is often a personal and subjective encounter.Discernment and caution are essential when interpreting and sharing experiences of God. Diverse ExperiencesSpiritual Practices Chapters 00:00 Can We Really Experience God?01:12 Defining the Experience of God03:26 The Nature of God's Presence07:36 Ordinary vs. Spectacular Experiences17:27 Discernment and Sharing Experiences21:58 Performative Elements and Pressure22:54 Diverse Experiences of God25:11 Challenges of Feeling God's Presence29:18 Role of Spiritual Practices32:44 Attributing Experiences to God

  2. 18 Aug

    What happens when the Bible has been used to hurt people - and can it still become good news?

    What do you do when the Bible has been used against you or to hurt people? In this episode, with our special guest Matt Hyam, we talk honestly about bad readings of scripture, why some passages feel difficult, and whether it is possible to take the Bible seriously without reading it harshly or simplistically. A conversation about Jesus, interpretation, context, and how the Bible can still become a source of life rather than harm.

  3. 11 Aug

    The Story So Far: Church, Doubt, Belonging… and What Comes Next

    In this short mini-episode, Matt looks back at the conversations that have shaped the RCM Podcast so far. From why so many people are interested in Jesus but wary of church, to belonging before believing, doubt, disappointment and what it really means to be an inclusive church. A short catch-up for those who’ve been with us from the beginning — and a great place to start if you’re new to the podcast. TakeawaysChurch should be a place where people can ask real questionsYou can belong while you’re still working out what you believeDoubt can be part of taking faith seriouslyStarting again after disappointment doesn’t mean pretending nothing happenedInclusion has to mean genuine belonging, not simply saying “everyone is welcome”We need a faith that can cope with real life

  4. 29 Jul ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode: Q&A Special

    A special Bonus episode where Matt & Anthea answer questions from listeners. Questions cover a range of themes, from the nature of God, relationship with God, the Bible and whether or not God comes from Preston! Takeaways Exploration of theological questionsUnderstanding the diverse perspectives on the Bible Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:16 Questions from Listeners02:08 Nature of God13:00 Relationship with God17:39 The Bible23:16 Future of the Podcast

  5. 19 Jul

    What does an inclusive church really mean?

    The conversation delves into the meaning and importance of inclusive church, exploring the theological basis, practical aspects, and the experience of real belonging. It emphasizes the need for clear messaging, diverse representation, and a safe space for open dialogue. Takeaways Inclusion MattersReflecting Diversity Chapters 00:00 Defining Inclusive Church02:54 The Meaning of Inclusive Church16:54 The Theological Basis of Inclusion26:04 Practical Aspects of Inclusion33:13 Welcoming and Belonging

  6. 19 Jun

    Faith after disappointment:can you start again?

    The episode explores the theme of disappointment in faith and church, discussing the impact of disappointment, the reactions it elicits, and the process of healing and moving forward. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing disappointment within a faith community. Takeaways Disappointment in faith and church can lead to a range of reactions, from withdrawal and loss of trust to anger and anti-church sentiments.Acknowledging and addressing disappointment within a faith community is essential for creating a safe and supportive space for healing and growth. Chapters 00:00 The Joy of Communal Singing12:47 Reactions to Disappointment18:18 Healing and Moving Forward26:21 Creating Safe Spaces for Disappointment

  7. 5 Jun

    Is Doubt a problem, or part of Faith?

    The episode explores the theme of uncertainty, doubt, and questioning in the context of faith and spirituality. It delves into the pressure to appear certain, the fear of expressing doubt, and the stages of faith development. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing doubt as a natural part of spiritual growth and the need for open, honest questioning. Takeaways Embracing doubt is a sign of taking faith seriouslyThe stages of faith development include simplicity, complexity, perplexity, and harmonyDoubt can lead to growth and a deeper understanding of faith Chapters 00:00 Doubt and Cynicism

  8. 4 May

    Can you belong before you believe?

    The conversation explores the concept of belonging in a church community, emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming environment for individuals at different stages of their faith journey. It delves into the idea that belonging is not a reward at the end, but rather a part of the journey, and discusses the significance of allowing room for questions and uncertainty within a healthy church community. Takeaways Belonging is part of a journeyHealthy church has room for questions and questioning is goodYou don't need to fake certainty to be welcome Chapters 00:00 Belonging as a Journey

  9. 16 Apr

    Why do people love Jesus, but hate church?

    The conversation explores the awkwardness experienced in church settings and the contrast between people's interest in Jesus and their aversion to church. It delves into the reasons behind these dynamics and the implications for church leaders and individuals seeking spiritual community.

  10. 10 Apr

    Hello and welcome...!

    The podcast 'Church for People Who Don't Like Church' introduces the hosts and their mission to create a safe space for discussing faith. They explore the annoyances of church, the role of podcasts as church, and share personal church journeys. The transition from fact to faith, becoming a fully affirming church, and the vision for the podcast are also discussed. Chapters 00:00 Introducing Church for People Who Don't Like Church05:42 Anthea's Church Journey: From Tradition to Contemporary16:13 Transition from Fact to Faith23:08 Vision for the Podcast: Topics and Exploration

    Hello and welcome...!
  • 10 Episodes

About

The RCM Podcast is for the curious, the cautious, and the unconvinced. We talk about faith without the jargon, Jesus without the performance, and church as it could be: open, inclusive, thoughtful, and real. Expect honest stories, fresh perspectives, and conversations that make space for doubt, hope, and belonging.

Information

You Might Also Like