21. Malynda Hale (African Methodist Episcopal – AME) – Being the Good News

🎙️ 21. Malynda Hale (African Methodist Episcopal Church – AME) – Being the Good NewsAlexis Rice welcomes artist-activist, writer, and Executive Director at The New Evangelicals @TheNewEvangelicals, Malynda Hale (@malyndahale) — raised in the joy and lift of the Black church. African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church is one of the oldest historically Black denominations in the U.S., born out of resistance, faith, and community. Malynda’s story is a beautiful window into this tradition. This conversation is a master class in a healthy, justice-shaped Christianity lived out loud.With warmth and clarity, Malynda names what the left gets wrong about grace and messaging, shows how faith can inform politics without erasing pluralism, and invites us to be the good news.🎧 Highlights:AME roots: joy, uplift, belonging, and why she never had to “deconstruct”Women preaching & leading without apology“Spreading” vs. being the good newsGrace with standards: calling in without purity testsBetter messaging for the broad middleFaith-informed politics without Christian nationalismWhy diversity is a spiritual giftThe story behind Malynda’s protest hymn “God and His Gun”💬 Key Quotes“People are so focused on spreading the good news when they should be focused on being the good news.”💡 Key TakeawaysLove has teeth: grace is repair, responsibility, and welcome.Simpler, human-first messaging connects; policy is pastoral when it protects people.Pluralism strengthens witness: affirm your faith and your neighbor’s freedom.Measure faith by its fruit: what we practice online/offline forms the public’s view of Jesus.👤 About Our Guest Malynda Hale is a singer-songwriter, activist, writer, and cultural commentator whose work braids art and justice. She is the Executive Director of The New Evangelicals and creates spaces for honest dialogue on race, faith, and the common good. Don’t miss her powerful protest hymn “God and His Gun.”📚 Resources & MentionsAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church — @amechurchofficialThe New Evangelicals — @thenewevangelicalsRep. James Talarico — @jamestalaricoUnited Church of Christ — @unitedchurchofchristJoan Osborne’s “What If God Was One of Us” — @joan_osborneJimmy Kimmel (studio story) — @jimmykimmellive, @jimmykimmel🎵 Music NotesGod and His Gun Music Video used with permission from Malynda Hale#Christianity #deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #OpenAndAffirming #LetHerLead #AMEChurch #AfricanMethodistEpiscopal #FaithInAction #BelovedCommunitySupport the showAbout The Sacred SlopeWhere the slippery slope becomes sacred ground.For the spiritually tender—raised in or rooted in Christianity.Come explore our global, diverse, inclusive Christian faith, deconstruction, and spiritual identity in a rapidly changing world. Through conversations with clergy, scholars, and cultural voices, the show creates space for people navigating faith after certainty, church harm, or political co-option of religion.🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify     LISTEN: Apple Podcasts + everywhere     FOLLOW: @thesacredslope (IG, FB, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky)🔗 Connect🎧 Explore episodes & community: linktr.ee/TheSacredSlope 🎙 Hosted by Alexis Rice 🎵 Music by Brett Rutledge, Eddie Irvin & Sean Spence 📬 Nominate a guest: [email protected]🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿Fruit of the Spirit:  ❤️ love • 💫 joy • ☮️ peace • 🕊 patience • 💝 kindness • 🌿 goodness • 🙏 faithfulness • 🤲 gentleness • 💪 self-control