Rector’s Cupboard Podcast Rector’s Cupboard

This week on Rector’s Cupboard we are pleased to offer a collaboration with our good friend, David Goa.
David has been on the podcast a number of times through the years and in 2022 we partnered with David to record a series of conversations about the Church, the “ecclesia,” asking “who is she?” entitled The Church In-Between Times.
David’s love for the Church and his insight into the blessings and challenges faced historically and today are evident.David has continued these conversations with pastors, theologians, and other people interested in the Christian Church.
He recently invited Todd to speak about the Church with him and we are pleased to bring this conversation to Rector’s Cupboard.

We speak with United Church Minister Deb Walker about her attendance at the COP 28 Climate Conference in Dubai. 85,0000 people attended the event, which was held in a country often referred to as a Petrol State.
Deb’s attendance was officially as a Faith Observer as a part of the Christian Climate Observers Program. Deb is informed on the issues around climate change and outlines the hope she felt at the conference in the midst of some of the most important challenges of our time.
Deb mentions many organizations and programs related to ecology, environmentalism, and activism during our conversation.
If you’re interested in looking into some of these yourself, here are the resources Deb spoke to us about:
The Mother TreeFaith Pavilion YouTube ChannelClimate IntercessorsSierra Club BCA Rocha Canada
 
New York Times article referenced in this episode:
Bravo! Hurray! Wahoo! (Meh.) – New York Times, April 11, 2024 

Do you have a testimony?If you are familiar with the culture of evangelical church, you will know what is being asked. Maybe you heard someone give their testimony at church, or at camp.
In this context, testimony meant a personal account of your life or background with an emphasis on your conversion to evangelical faith. It was communicated, largely, with the intent and hope that those listening, who had not experienced such a conversion, may, themselves, make a declaration of faith.
Spiritual memoir is different than testimony.
Richard Lischer’s book, Our Hearts are Restless, introduces us to the spiritual memoir of some interesting people. In describing spiritual memoir, Lischer says, “some lives are construed as if lived in the presence of God.”
We found the book wonderful and thoughtful. Lischer skillfully and compassionately (for subject and reader) opens the accounts of the people to whom he introduces us in a way that helps to ask meaningful questions about life and faith.
Enjoy the episode and if you are so inclined, read the book – it really is good.

Dr. J. Warren Smith is Professor of Historical Theology at Duke Divinity School. Professor Smith is a great guide in helping us to see hope for the future in listening to voices of hope from the past.
We talk with him about how some sayings, perspectives, and experiences of those who lived many centuries ago can be resonant in the midst of the challenges of our time.
Besides being compelling and interesting, and at times upsetting, encountering theology in history can be a lot of fun.
Enjoy.

At least once a season, we speak with David Goa, a spiritual friend and mentor.David is a writer, professor, and theologian and has been a great help to us as we hope to articulate a hopeful vision of faith and theology.
When we speak with David, we tend to ask about life and faith in relation to the current cultural and religious landscape.Given what is happening in the world right now, in this episode David talks about the ongoing crisis in Israel/Gaza and about the nature of righteousness, rightness, and evil.
David’s words to us are insightful, considerate of the challenges of our time, and even consoling.
Blessings as you listen.

We are pleased to speak with J Alkana about his work in architecture and design. J thoughtfully asks questions of meaning, humanity and faith in relation to the work that he does.
What is vocation? What gives your work meaning?
Various understandings of work in relation to faith historically have often divided work into realms of the sacred and the secular. J speaks with us about inspiration and spiritual hope around his work and offers insight into what can compel and positively motivate us to make a difference in the world.
Our hope for this episode is that you will feel inspired in whatever you do for work and vocation.Perhaps you are drawn by questions of how your faith animates your work. For some, work and faith come together in even more direct ways. Wherever you are at, we hope that you feel inspired by hearing J.
References in this episode:
The Many Lives of Martha Stewart – CNN, 2024
Don’t Feel Bad About Your Laundry Chair – The Washington Post, January 29, 2024 
Growing Up Evangelical: Moms and Daughters – Rector’s Cupboard Season 1, April 25, 2020