The Invitation

Joshua Banner

The Invitation podcast is a 'little retreat' to help you hear and respond to the God's invitation to a deeper relationship with him. Each episode is a guided prayer and meditation led by Josh Banner, a certified spiritual director.

  1. 3d ago

    New Reality in Belonging - Josh Banner Part Two No. 113

    This is part two of the fourth conversation in a series of podcast episodes introducing to the world a new doctorate of ministry (DMin) study cohort to be hosted at Western Theological Seminary. The title of this series shares the name of the study cohort, "A New Reality in Belonging: Contemplation and Justice for All God's People." More information about the program of study can be found at https://contemplationandjustice.westernsem.edu. In this episode, Josh Banner continues his extended conversation with Michelle Loyd-Paige, Cami Beecroft Mann, and Keith Reynolds, picking up where Part I left off. Josh opens by revisiting the heuristic posture of learning — "How do I know what I know until I see what I say?" — and the practice of Lectio Divina as a mode of surrendering control to encounter Scripture anew. The group then returns to the conversation on being a "white race traitor," exploring what it means to hold space for white advocates who feel isolated within their own churches and communities. Keith shares a deeply personal story of meeting and marrying his wife, his grandfather's unexpected blessing, and how the journey transformed his sense of identity and belonging. The conversation turns to the distinction between the reactive life and the contemplative life, drawing on Father Martin Laird's teaching, and the concept of "wise action" versus reaction rooted in unprocessed rage. The episode closes with reflections on orientation, disorientation, and reorientation, and an invitation to those discerning whether this cohort — or this kind of spiritual community — is a safe space for their fear, anger, and unfinished questions. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to support this podcast: https://theinvitationcenter.org/donations. You can also subscribe to The Invitation Center at https://theinvitationcenter.org. 00:00 Introduction and Recap of the Series 00:09 Heuristic Learning: "How Do I Know What I Know Until I See What I Say?" 01:39 Bible Study vs. Lectio Divina 04:37 Continuing the Conversation on the "White Race Traitor" 08:04 Finding Safe Space and Not Being the Only One 08:26 Keith's Reflection on Growing Up in a Southern Power Structure 10:35 The Weight of Racism, Overt and Covert 14:00 Witnessing and Spaciousness in Jennings' Reading 16:04 Say Amen or Ouch: Learning Together in Discomfort 16:48 Normalizing What It Means to Be Hidden in Christ 21:40 Keith's Story: Meeting His Wife and His Grandfather's Blessing 28:00 Becoming What You Weren't: Transformation, Not Performance 30:10 The Goal Isn't Friendship, It's a Safe Space to Fail 31:30 Contemplation and the Reactive vs. Contemplative Life 33:38 Wise Action vs. Reaction 35:56 Contemplation as an Invitation to Presence, Not Escape 39:25 Closing Reflections and an Invitation to Those Afraid to Begin 41:22 Support The Invitation Center 42:07 Closing Scripture and Blessing All music is original, by Josh Banner.

    New Reality in Belonging - Josh Banner Part Two No. 113
  2. Jun 2

    New Reality in Belonging - Keith Reynolds No. 111

    This is the third of a series of podcast episodes introducing to the world a new doctorate of ministry (DMin) study cohort to be hosted at Western Theological Seminary. The title of this series shares the name of the study cohort, "A New Reality in Belonging: Contemplation and Justice for All God's People." More information about the program of study can be found at https://contemplationandjustice.westernsem.edu. In this episode Keith Reynolds offers a reading from Walter Brueggemann's Hope Restored: Biblical Imagination Against Empire, exploring Israel's vocation as servant, the poetry of Isaiah 42 and 52, and the invitation to be cruciform — to bear suffering not as individual heroism but as an abandonment to Christ's way in the world. Keith is joined by Cami Beecroft Mann, Michelle Loyd-Paige, and Josh Banner, who each bring their own understanding of the Brueggemann reading. They discuss podcasting as a democratizing force (drawing a parallel to the 12th-century Beguine movement), the distinction between redemptive and retributive energy, the Paschal Mystery as an eternal moment of participation, the danger of a church that avoids suffering, and lament as a first practical step into justice work. The conversation also touches on Pope Francis and Holy Week, parenting as a form of dying to self, reading outside one's own tradition, and the three-year schema of the cohort drawn from Brueggemann: Orientation, Disorientation, and Re-orientation. Keith Reynolds can be followed on Instagram to learn more about his pending church plant. Cami Beecroft Mann: https://www.physiodivina.com. Michelle Loyd-Paige and her upcoming Fresh Anointing Conference: https://www.preachsista.org. Josh Banner: https://www.theinvitationcenter.org. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to support this podcast: https://theinvitationcenter.org/donations. Josh can be reached directly at that link and is available for one-on-one or group spiritual direction, to create and facilitate retreats, and to teach or consult for your church or organization on topics ranging from spiritual formation, contemplative spirituality, and racial justice. 00:00 Holy Tears of Lament 00:50 Podcast Welcome and Vision 03:06 Lectio Divina as Practice 06:10 Introducing Michelle and Cammie 11:50 Gathering in Gratitude 13:50 Why Lament Matters Now 17:00 Barbara Holmes Reading 20:16 Defining Lament Together 23:00 Gospel Music and Shared Grief 26:15 Hero Stories and Personal Lament 31:13 Creating Space for Sorrow 35:29 Lament Praise and Hope 42:46 Reconciliation Without Lament 44:23 Risky Speech and Prophetic Church 47:47 Trust the Lament 49:05 Grief Is Not Linear 49:55 Remain With Me 51:11 Presence Over Fixing 52:32 Conversation ends 53:42 Josh’s invites listeners to mediation in response to the episode 55:13 Closing thoughts about the DMin

    New Reality in Belonging - Keith Reynolds No. 111
  3. Apr 19

    New Reality in Belonging - Cami Beecroft Man No. 110

    This is the second of a series of podcast episodes that are introducing to the world a new doctorate of ministry (DMin) study cohort to be hosted at Western Theological Seminary. The title of this series shares the name of the study cohort, "A New Reality in Belonging: Contemplation and Justice for All God's People." More information about the program of study can be found at https://contemplationandjustice.westernsem.edu. In this episode Cami Beecroft Mann offers a reading from the late Dr. Barbara A. Holmes’ Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village, describing lament as risky speech that challenges power, stitches neighbors together, and becomes prayer when words fail. Cami defines lament as honest sorrow that breaks facades, decenters heroic control, and makes space for hope and praise. Cami is joined by Keith Reynolds, Michelle Loyd-Paige, and Josh Banner who each offer their own understanding of the Holmes reading. They discuss gospel music, justice work, and resisting shallow reconciliation that skips naming disunity. Cami mentions launching a nonprofit, The Center of Sorrow.

You can learn more about Cami at https://www.physiodivina.com Michelle and her upcoming Fresh Anointing Conference at https://www.preachsista.org
Keith can be followed on Instagram to learn more about this pending church plant
Josh Banner: www.theinvitationcenter.org Please consider a one time or monthly donation to support this podcast: https://theinvitationcenter.org/donations 

Josh can be reached directly at this link and is available for one on one or group spiritual direction, to create and facilitate retreats, to teach or consult for your church or organization on topics ranging from spiritual formation, contemplative spirituality, and racial justice. 00:00 Holy Tears of Lament 00:50 Podcast Welcome and Vision 03:06 Lectio Divina as Practice 06:10 Introducing Michelle and Cammie 11:50 Gathering in Gratitude 13:50 Why Lament Matters Now 17:00 Barbara Holmes Reading 20:16 Defining Lament Together 23:00 Gospel Music and Shared Grief 26:15 Hero Stories and Personal Lament 31:13 Creating Space for Sorrow 35:29 Lament Praise and Hope 42:46 Reconciliation Without Lament 44:23 Risky Speech and Prophetic Church 47:47 Trust the Lament 49:05 Grief Is Not Linear 49:55 Remain With Me 51:11 Presence Over Fixing 52:32 Conversation ends 53:42 Josh’s invites listeners to mediation in response to the episode 55:13 Closing thoughts about the DMin

    New Reality in Belonging - Cami Beecroft Man No. 110
  4. Mar 28

    A New Reality in Belonging - Michelle Loyd-Paige No. 109

    This is the first of a series of podcast episodes that are introducing to the world a new doctorate of ministry (DMin) study cohort to be hosted at Western Theological Seminary. The title of this series shares the name of the study cohort, "A New Reality in Belonging: Contemplation and Justice for All God's People." More information about the program of study can be found at https://contemplationandjustice.weste.... In this episode Michelle reads from Renita J. Weems' Substack essay, "Hope With Receipts: A Womanist's Search for God in Times of Crisis." https://rjweems.substack.com/p/hope-w... For more information visit: www.theinvitationcenter.org For information about the pending DMin cohort at Western Theological Seminary, visit: https://www.westernsem.edu/admissions/ Introduction & Program Overview (0:05 - 2:36) Josh Banner introduces the Invitation Center, the new doctorate of ministry cohort, and the four core faculty. Explains the purpose of the podcast series and who it's for. Setting the Task: Contemplation & Justice (2:50 - 4:05) Michelle frames the conversation around texts that help integrate contemplation and racial justice — "Do we know how to decenter ourselves to hear God?" Participant Introductions (5:09 - 8:02) Michelle, Cami, and Keith introduce themselves, each sharing what it means to show up authentically in this space. "A New Reality in Belonging" — Jennings Framework (8:22 - 9:35) Josh introduces Willie James Jennings' concept — the Spirit inviting us to cross cultural boundaries and bring our bodies into contact with other bodies. The Reading: "Hope with Receipts" by Renita J. Weems (10:50 - 13:34) Michelle reads the essay aloud — grounded hope sustained by resistance, refusing to fragment ourselves, God found in ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Michelle's Reflection: Deep Listening & Womanism (13:47 - 18:23) Michelle connects the reading to contemplative listening, womanism as a response to missing voices, the Montgomery bus boycott, and the need to listen across difference rather than assume commonality. Cami on Community Beyond Commonality (18:44 - 20:50) Cami reflects on how deeper community is found in difference, not commonality — bringing one's "undivided self" and the sacredness of mutual vulnerability. Keith on the Radical & the Moderate (21:56 - 26:28) Keith discusses how community should welcome fierce, radical energy alongside the moderate — the church's tendency to prioritize homogeneity and patriarchy, the Civil Rights movement's sidelining of women's voices, and the need for on-ramps. White Allies, Church, and Younger Generations (28:20 - 34:30) Keith reflects on white allies in the church, white normativity in faith spaces, and a younger generation that sees moderate community as lacking credibility for justice work. Discusses how vacuum of authentic community drives people elsewhere. Josh's Lament: White Male Body & Conformity (35:57 - 38:22) Josh names the "dominant gaze" that demands conformity, laments how his own white male body carries generations of cultural conditioning, and affirms the reading as prophetic. Closing Wisdom: Pace & Compassion (38:22 - 40:37) The group offers closing words to listeners — take a breath, pace yourself, there's no coercion, this is slow long work. They sign off and preview Cami's reading for the next episode. #contemplation #justice #subversivehope #subversivelove #prayer #meditation

    A New Reality in Belonging - Michelle Loyd-Paige No. 109
  5. Feb 3

    Facing the Violence: Embracing Weakness with Thurman & Guided Breath Prayer No. 108

    What do we do with the agony? What can we do? Where do we go for help?
 For all those who feel deeply For all those who are confused For all those who feel helpless For all those who are angry For all those who are hiding and are shut down For all those who have no voice For all those who are prayerless For all those who are sleepless For all those who are exhausted How are you staying sane and safe? In this audio meditation, Josh offers a meditation to consider how our response to the pain surrounding us reveals our false understanding of power. Can we become more honest and open to God by considering our immediate violence in the context of our long addiction to power? After moving through this difficult discernment, Josh offers simple guided breath work to further open to God’s help.

 [0:00] Welcome 
America’s struggle with power, and situates this episode within the broader A New Reality in Belonging conversation. [3:00] An Audio-Only Meditation 
A prayerful, contemplative meditation—especially amid exhaustion, violence, and polarization. [6:54] Discernment on Power, Weakness, and America
Our self-consumed society is collapsing, with insights from Howard Thurman’s Jesus and the Disinherited. [29:25] Guided Breath Prayer
A simple, embodied breath practice (4 counts in, 4 counts out) to calm the nervous system and open the heart to God. [40:46] Staying Open to God in the Midst of Pain
Finding help without bypassing suffering. 

Please share your experience of this episode with me. I’d love to know if and how breath work is helpful. Email me: josh at theinvitationcenter dot org.

 For more information visit: www.theinvitationcenter.org For information about the pending DMin cohort at Western Theological Seminary, visit: https://www.westernsem.edu/admissions/

  6. Jan 8

    What if our neighbors are the sacrament? Pt. III | Invitation Podcast No. 107

    A New Reality in Belonging Series - Robert Caldwell & Keith Reynolds Pt III What if justice begins with listening? 
What if we don’t bring Jesus to others—but discover Jesus already among them? In this final conversation with Keith Reynolds and Robert Caldwell, we explore contemplation, Black perseverance, cruciform leadership, and the sacramental presence of God revealed through our neighbors. A call to move beyond saviorism, recover communal wisdom, and practice a faith shaped by deep listening, shared life, and hope. 0:51 – Neighbors as Sacrament
Opening the conversation on symbiotic relationship, not saviorism 3:14 – Encountering God Through the Other
How we meet Christ in and through our neighbors 5:48 – NT Wright on the Church as New Creation
A unified, multi-ethnic body as a living sign of God’s kingdom 9:47 – Black Genius, Suffering, and Imagination
How suffering forms vision, creativity, and spiritual resilience 14:51 – Family Stories of Perseverance
Robert’s ancestral story of survival, migration, and hope 21:00 – Going to Celebrate, Not Just Serve
A corrective to paternalism: discovering Jesus already present 25:27 – Contemplation as Formation for Justice
Richard Rohr, inner quiet, and faithful presence 28:57 – Inner Life and World-Mindedness
Howard Thurman on the inseparable bond between contemplation and social responsibility For more information visit: www.theinvitationcenter.org For information about the pending DMin cohort at Western Theological Seminary, visit: https://www.westernsem.edu/admissions/

    What if our neighbors are the sacrament? Pt. III | Invitation Podcast No. 107
  7. 12/18/2025

    Surrender Over Certainty Pt II / Invitation Podcast No. 106

    In Part II of this ongoing conversation, Josh continues his dialogue with Robert Caldwell and Keith Reynolds, deepening the exploration of surrender, obedience, and belonging. Set in the season of Advent, this episode reflects on waiting, disorientation, and unfinishedness as sacred spaces where faith is formed. Drawing on Scripture and lived experience, the conversation challenges self-sufficient models of Christianity and imagines a more honest, dependent way of following God—one shaped by suffering, humility, and spiritual friendship. Together, the hosts wrestle with the future of the church, the limits of institutional models, and the hope that emerges when control is relinquished and life is received as gift rather than project. At its heart, this episode affirms that asking the question is itself an act of hope, and that new light often comes not through certainty, but through surrender. 0:00 - Surrendering to God; learning through suffering 01:19 - Introducing Robert Caldwell & Keith Reynolds; focus on faithfulness 03:31 - The “finished man,” self-sufficiency, and Advent’s invitation to need 04:51 - Deconstruction, holding space for pain and hope 06:29 - Community, vulnerability, and hope in belonging 07:46 - Church planting: critique of megachurches, seeking authenticity 14:22 - Launching a new church; forming a core team 18:03 - Mentorship, transparency, and organic process 22:48 - Living in the community; challenging church norms 24:30 - New wine in new wineskins; generational shifts 27:21 - Outward-facing church; serving the marginalized 29:20 - Social location, calling, and never forgetting one’s roots 36:40 - Returning to serve in one’s own neighborhood 41:52 - Living out faith; surrender and next steps For more information visit: www.theinvitationcenter.org For information about the pending DMin cohort at Western Theological Seminary, visit: https://www.westernsem.edu/admissions/

    Surrender Over Certainty Pt II / Invitation Podcast No. 106
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About

The Invitation podcast is a 'little retreat' to help you hear and respond to the God's invitation to a deeper relationship with him. Each episode is a guided prayer and meditation led by Josh Banner, a certified spiritual director.

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