The Faithful Resistance

Abbey Normal
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Documentary
  • Monthly Series

Reimagining church for a generation of exiles. Pushed out or choosing to leave conservative traditions, many Christians are walking wounded. They still have faith but are rightfully fearful of practicing it in community. This story follows one woman, and her band of fabulous fallen, as they attempt to create a space of healing. A place for ex-Evangelical wanderers. A place where the faithful, resist.

  1. Episode 1

    Welcome to the Hinge

    What happens next with Christianity in America? Those who have been hurt by the church have a role to play. We are in a “hinge” period- a time for reformation- where the old fades away and new forms of religious community are birthing. We don’t know what will be transitory and what will stick. But the brave are paving new paths; resilient communities popping up like mushrooms across the country. This episode you’ll meet host Abbey, raised Evangelical; and others with similar backgrounds who are looking to create authentic Christian community. If you feel let down by the mainstream Christian church, or if you’re curious about church planting, or are interested in what it means to create a spiritually inclusive space, join us! This show will challenge everything we thought we knew about spirituality, community, and ourselves, on a journey toward a faith that truly resonates.   Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot Sessions: One Dirty Sleeve, Basketliner, Green Carpet, Crumbtown, Floating Whist, Stephi

    26 min

  2. Episode 2

    You'd Make a Great Pastor...'s Wife

    A devout Evangelical girl, Emily was offered the highest of compliments - that she’d make a great Pastor’s Wife. Yet, she had a "lingering sin issue" that haunted her. She worked so hard to get rid of it, becoming a missionary, joining a Christian 12-step program, and finally, going to seminary. We encounter moments of humor, vulnerability, and unexpected joy as Emily recounts her wild college days, navigates theological dilemmas, and finds liberation. Her story is one of perseverance and radical authenticity. She wasn't going to give up on finding the truth, whatever that may be.   Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot Sessions: A Burst of Light

    55 min

  3. Episode 3

    But, How Do You Get Saved?

    Meet Reverend Maggie Foote, a not-so-formal priest. Hailing from conservative Ohio, Maggie grew up in the Episcopal church and felt a pull toward ordained ministry from a young age. Contrasting with Emily’s story, Maggie’s journey of self-discovery is sweetly simple. Following normal growing pains, Maggie is able to flourish within her family and church. Maggie shares some of the history and theology of this denomination and explains how change is made (or not made). Plus, she answers Abbey’s pressing Evangelical-style questions like: But… how do you get Saved?? Working alongside one another, Maggie and Emily weave their stories together. And Maggie begins to see Emily’s dream, a vibrant place of faith and inclusivity, for those too scared to step in their doors.   Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot Sessions: The Big Ten

    44 min

  4. Episode 4

    The Pilot: Sunday Night Live

    Liturgy is freaky. It’s a barrier to entry, but there are things ex-evangelicals would also find attractive about the Episcopal Church. So, Emily decides to pilot a Sunday *night* service which will be more accessible than the standard morning version. Partnering with Reverend Maggie, they attempt to create a space where wanderers, the curious, and the jaded alike feel comfortable to explore.  We’ll hear from folks who showed up to her Sunday Night Service, what brought them (back) to church, and why they kept coming. Until. Well, until this pilot comes to its end.   Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot sessions: Skyway, The Big Ten, Grumpalo, Kickstep, Basketliner, Floating Whist, Stephi, Blue Straggler

    41 min

  5. Episode 5

    Saying Yes to the Mess

    Emily bravely steps into the shoes of a church planter. (Eek!) The stakes are high, as it's been 45 years since a successful church has been planted in this diocese. We'll witness her first steps, gathering a supportive team, creating an official proposal, and juggling the chaos of life.  The ecclesiastical bureaucracy is daunting, and the terminology a bit icky. Yet, she finds the structure of the church's canons comforting, providing a path forward. We listen in as Emily recruits potential launch team members and they make decisions, grappling with past experiences in organized religion— some shaped by pain and disappointment, others fueled by hope and healing. As Emily transforms her dream into reality, the tension between established tradition and the desire for a new expression of faith becomes evident, adding layers of complexity to this new church’s origin story.   Artist mentioned: Audrey Assad Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot Sessions: Peacoat, A Little Powder, FasterFasterBrighter

    34 min

  6. Episode 6

    The Fabulous Fallen

    Who is this church for? This is the pivotal question Emily and her team begin to tackle. Brenna shares her own journey, one which highlights the reality of faith transitions, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by parents of LGBTQ children within the church. Using each of their stories as a foundation, the team generates a list of “personas” — the disenfranchised evangelicals, the questioning—and often traumatized—Christians, and the LGBTQ community were at the forefront. They grapple with the idea of cultivating a church that doesn't just embrace its members but insists on respecting individual experiences and perspectives. Ultimately, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that the task ahead is not just about creating a church—it’s about establishing a community that acknowledges the fullness of human experience, including trauma and joy. The Team must strive to shape an environment for those seeking solace after leaving spaces that felt more like cages than sanctuaries.   Gender Creative Child book by Diane Ehrensaft Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot Sessions: Two in the Back, Symphony in G Minor, Stephi, Town Market, Skyway

    41 min

  7. Episode 7

    Small Wonder

    "We are still hungry for spaces, rituals, and rhythms that will help us beat despair and recover wonder." – Debie Thomas In this episode, the New Church team wrestles with writing a mission statement—and with it, a bigger question: Can we truly "recover wonder" in a space built not on perfection, but on patience, smallness, and honesty? Team member Lizzie brings the concept of wonder to life through stories from her Catholic childhood and her evolving spiritual journey—from aspiring nun, to Evangelical missionary in the Middle East, to someone now embracing a humbler, more curious approach to faith. As the team reflects together, a surprising truth emerges: even without a clearly defined mission, something is already binding this community—a quiet, shared hope. Join us as we explore what holds us together, what wonder really means, and the story behind the unexpected name of this new church. It's a name that reaches back to the unlikely saints of Lizzie’s youth—and forward into the wild, mysterious path we’re walking now.   Article: Which Church is Dying? by Debie Thomas Stlucyschurch.org Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot Sessions: Two in the Back, Symphony in G Minor, Stephi, Town Market, Skyway

    45 min

  8. Episode 8

    The Resistance Will Not Be Televised (or be on social media)

    How do you advertise a church in a way that doesn’t trigger literally everyone? The St. Lucy’s team discusses initial efforts to get the word out, including how to use social media. They attempt to create a website that speaks to a diversity of visitors, and quickly discover that the whole thing is a big ol’ trigger factory.  Reflecting on feedback about the website, Jen talks about "Sunday segregation", acknowledging the historical whiteness of the Episcopal Church, and sharing her own story growing up in a Chinese-American church. The shame of an early romantic entanglement, complicated by ethnic differences and religious pressures, leads to her first big faith crisis. Together, we wonder- should a church community meet all our social, cultural and spiritual needs? Is that the goal? As a mom of young kids, she’s exploring what it could look like to have “peeps” in different communities. Church hurt and religious trauma know no cultural boundaries, so this new church should be diverse, reflecting the demographic makeup of its home in California. Tune in to think about how church can possibly feed our multifaceted souls.   Stlucyschurch.org Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can Blue Dot Sessions: Gentle Son, In Passage, Throughput, Town Market, Taboret, These Times

    37 min
See All Season 1 (14)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Reimagining church for a generation of exiles. Pushed out or choosing to leave conservative traditions, many Christians are walking wounded. They still have faith but are rightfully fearful of practicing it in community. This story follows one woman, and her band of fabulous fallen, as they attempt to create a space of healing. A place for ex-Evangelical wanderers. A place where the faithful, resist.

Information

  • Creator
    Abbey Normal
  • Episodes
    14
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Faithful Resistance

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