Unfolding Wings

Do we actually believe in Satan?  Does he actually make us do stuff?  Can he possess us?  Why did create the devil if he were going to be evil?Join the Unfolding Wings podcast, designed for seekers to ask and discuss questions that we often don't feel like we can ask in church or in other forums, to dive deep into the biblical references, history, and tradition on Satan, as well as differing thoughts about the powers of evil.

Why in the world are there so many translations of the Bible?  Isn't the King James Version the only one we need?  Isn't it the most right, the most holy?  How is anyone supposed to know which is the right or best translation?  Can we trust the Bible at all because it's translated so often?All these questions and many more are answered or, we might better say, explored in depth in a podcast for young adults--specifically, for anyone who is seeking and exploring how to unfold their own faith to spread their wings.Come check it out, laugh a little, and ask ponder some challenging questions.

What is it like being a Christian immigrant in this country that claims to be Christian?  Or just as an immigrant?  What might it be like being a Christian in a predominantly non-Christian country?With such a focus on immigration and deportation lately, it's appropriate to explore these questions, since many that we are targeting for deportation are themselves Christian.  How should we behave when we stop to consider that fact?  Does it matter?As always, the podcast is created by young adults for young adults--or at least those willing or needing to seek new ways of thinking and being faithful so that we might unfold our own wings.

Surely you've heard, and probably used, cliches before in your life.  Faith cliches included.  But do faith cliches actually help us understand life?  How should we use them, if at all?  Ever questioned whether all Christians are supposed to, or actually, agree with, "everything happens for a reason"?Check out the team from Unfolding Wings discuss their own questions and issues with faith cliches to help you explore your own faith and unfold your wings in meaningful and fruitful ways.

Violence in our country and in our communities has received, rightly, a lot of attention recently, including police violence.  Is it appropriate?  Is it not?  What does our faith say?  There's a wide spectrum of Christian thought on the subject of policing in our community.  Listen and explore!

Want a real, inspiring, powerful, Spirit-filled faith to make life meaningful?  Consider Methodism!  With Rev. Dr. Scott Kisker, professor of church history, we talk about the original purpose of Methodism as a means of renewing people of faith rather than to be a denomination or institution.  Methodism is for all, for anyone who wants to go from a dead faith to a living faith as God promised.Whether you become a "Methodist" or not, continue seeking to unfold your wings of faith in a way that is meaningful to you by listening and reflecting.  Incorporate what seems good to you in finding the living God in your life.

What does the Lord's Prayer mean?  Do I need to know it?  Why does everyone know it?  Must I say it all the time?  Why do some Christians pray it differently?Though Jesus taught us the prayer, there are a lot of questions!  As always, the Unfolding Wings team is here to explore your questions, giving you a safe and faithful place to explore so that your wings of faith may unfold with God.

Join the Unfolding Wings cast for another thoughtful conversation, exploring how young adult Christians might think about military and war to faithfully unfold their own unique wings and fly in this world.  Talking about the military and war can be such a divisive topic that young adults don't want to question anything or bring it up in church for fear of causing a fight or being talked down... so here's your chance to have your voice heard!

Join the Unfolding Wings crew to explore whether doubt and deconstructing one's faith--through biblical criticism and other modern, scholarly tools--can be faithful or not.  Are you the type of person who asks a bunch of questions about orthodox doctrine?  Why do we believe this?  How can we believe the Bible is God's infallible word?  Do you hear a lot of questions about faith and share those questions, and don't know how one can still be faithful while questioning?Well, this might be the episode for you!As always, it's a podcast for young adult explorers, by young adults. 

Why is God so angry that He needs to kill stuff?  Kill God's Son/self?  What's the deal with the whole sacrifice bit?  Especially one so bloody and violent?  Is the cross necessary for God to love us?The crucifixion and atonement form one of the main sources of question and confusion for many young adults or new seekers in faith.  Come listen and explore so that you can begin to unfold your own wings of faith!

What is identity?  How important is knowing it?  How do we know it?  Is LGTBQ+ a legitimate identity?Explore what you think with other young adults in a safe and brave space.

What is critical race theory, really?  And how should people of faith think of it?  How should people of faith respond to it and one another?Listen to the young adults explore critical race theory to help you discern how to faithfully unfold your own wings in a society that often doesn't let you speak your mind or ask questions.

What might people of faith think and say about reparations?  It's not just a political issue!  In fact, in the year of jubilee, the Bible has quite a lot to say about reparations that we seem to have forgotten.As young adults continue to try and carve out their own understanding of faith and faithfulness, and not just taking elders' 'word for it,' Unfolding Wings is your place to get thorough investigation of important and relevant subjects that matter to our generation.

What is justice?  Isn't it pretty clear that 'justice' is punishing people according to the law?Well, many young adults and Christians are rethinking the 'traditional' understanding of justice.  And God has been inviting us to rethink justice for centuries.  What justice could look like is called restorative or rehabilitative justice. Listen to the Unfolding Wings cast talk about justice, restorative justice in particular, so that you can continue exploring what faithfulness looks like to you so that you can unfold your wings and fly.  As always, on Unfolding Wings, the episode is an opportunity to explore new, faithful ways of thinking without the judgment we can often feel from our parents or elders in church.

What are we supposed to do in life?  How can we find meaning in our work and/or life?  Do I have a specific calling?  What is it?Join the Unfolding Wings team as they address all these questions and more to help you, young adults especially, understand our calling and discern what it is and then faithfully live into it.  One of the more personally relevant topics for young adults, whether religious or not.Below are some related links referenced in the episode, including the quadrant diagram on different types of calling.Parker Palmer's Let Your Life SpeakSteve's Sermon on MoanaCalling Diagram

You've no doubt heard a lot about nationalism, especially Christian nationalism.  Is that something long-time and budding Christians should adhere to?  Or oppose?  What does it mean?  What about being a Christian patriot of the nation?  Is that possible?We explore a lot of the questions and conversation that young adult Christians are hoping to explore.  Giving one another the space to ask the questions and say the words that we feel but don't always feel comfortable expressing in our communities.Take a deep breath!

What are Christians supposed to think and do about the environment?  There's a pretty clear biblical answer.  For those young adults especially trying to learn how to unfold their wings and live faithfully but haven't been sure if they can ask the questions, here's the podcast for you.

Why are Christians eating flesh and drinking blood?  What's really happening in Holy Communion?  Is it good and holy or wackadoodle? Get your questions answered as we explore our faith and how to be faithful together, how to unfold our wings, a podcast geared towards young adults and youth with questions.  Why is Communion important?  This is a delightful and awesome conversation!

Why do we have denominations?  What are they for?  Why can't we all just get along?  We all believe in the same God after all. Get some of your questions answered here as you continue to unfold your wings and explore how to be faithful, on the one podcast for young adults trying to navigate faithfulness with lots of questions.

The most basic of Christian beliefs, the Trinity, is also one of the most confusing.  How can a god be three-in-one?  A lot of people wonder but do so privately, assuming that everyone else has it figured out.  But that's what this podcast is for, to give space to explore the things we're all questioning. Join the Unfolding Wings team to get an honest look at some (nowhere close to all!) of the questions you may have about the Trinity, to help you unfold your own wings.For more reading, some of the books mentioned in this episode:The Trinity (Guides to Theology) by Roger Olson and Christopher HallTriune Atonement: Christ's Healing for Sinners, Victims, and the Whole Creation by Andrew Sung Park

Abortion is one of those hot-button issues that seem particularly relevant for Christians.  But is the public perception that a Christian equals a strict pro-lifer accurate?  Does it apply to all Christians?  Can young adults trying to figure out their own path be faithfully pro-choice?Check out this episode as the Unfolding Wings cast continues to try and give a safe and brave space to all young adults trying to faithfully unfold their wings in the world.

Part II of the conversation on gun violence and gun ownership.

How do we respond, faithfully, to the consistent and tragic gun violence in our country and world? How are young adults, specifically, affected and formed by gun violence and how are young adults called to respond?In this Part I on gun violence and gun ownership, the host of Unfolding Wings addresses the basic facts, history, and second amendment. Part II will cover the various opinions on how to actually limit violence and why people own guns.

Struggling with work/life balance? Don't know what to do about it? We're not sure we have the answers, but we can help get you started. What does the Bible really have to say about work and sabbath, and what does our faith tradition say?Join the crew on Unfolding Wings to start finding more meaning in your life.

After a summer of sabbatical, Pastor John and his cool cat young adult friends are back to talk about gender and sex. How can Christians think of gender and sex and be faithful to God and compassionate to one another? How can we further one another's dignity?

Join the young adult crew again (with wise elder!) to explore what marriage means, why we should (or not) get married, what it's all about. Since many of us will get married at some point in our lives, it's probably a good idea to have a good sense of why we're doing it.Remember, the folks at Charlton City UMC love doing this for you... but we don't necessarily represent the views of the church or even, all the time, of ourselves. We simply want to create a safe, meaningful space for you to reflect on how you might unfold your own wings.

The holy young adults are back to tackle the question, "Can women be leaders in church?" It seems strange that we're still asking that question in the 21st century but we need to. Especially if you've ever dealt with sexism, in the church or otherwise, or been told that women shouldn't be leaders in church, we encourage you to listen and explore with us.

One of the major theological questions that young adults struggle with: is Jesus really the ONLY way to salvation? Join us as we explore some of the ideas and issues around that question and different ways Christians can handle it.The good news is that this is a safe place to hear that your questions and explorations are welcome. God has your back.

Racism is definitely a topic important to many young adults. How do we think and address it faithfully? Join the holy crew to find out!Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode, and all episodes, do not necessarily represent those of the co-hosts nor of the church they serve. We do our best to help young adults explore.

You've heard about how Christmas is basically a pagan holiday, surely. Well, what does that mean for Christians? How are young adults, especially, supposed to think about and celebrate the other holiday? (and other holidays that also have pagan roots)

Join the faithful young adult crew to continue exploring how to unfold our wings and live healthy spiritual lives by asking the question: what is the church for?

Join the crew to explore the role and place doubt has in growing as faithful people. Are you allowed to doubt? Is it good, bad, or ugly? We all doubt at some point so it's good to know the answers!

Once again your courageous wing unfolders explore the relationship between faith and our engagement with the state, with elections and politics. Where do you fall on the spectrum?

Join the normal crew with special guest, Worcester, MA local music legend Jim Perry, to talk about music and its role in our lives. How does it shape us? What should music be? What do we want it to be? We have a spiritual connection to music one way or another so good to talk about it!

Come explore how to make good friends and be a good friend. Why do we have friends, anyway?

What does the Bible mean to young adults? What should it mean? How does God speak to us through the Bible? We don't answer all the questions about the Bible, but we answer some of them amazingly well. Like never before, one might say.

The Big Quit, Great Resignation, or whatever other name we might want to use are only symptoms of a larger issue: young adults (among others) trying to find jobs that are meaningful and well-paying.Join the faithful team from Charlton City UMC, MA to explore how we might unfold our wings in finding a job.

Continue to explore how to unfold your wings as a young adult in this crazy world and survive the dating world. Join the Holy Pastor and his friends for a funny and meaningful conversation.Warning and Disclaimer: Mature content. While the Holy Pastor and his friends are real people, they do not necessarily represent the views of those real people or their church. This podcast is meant as a fun exploration so that each person can learn how to unfold their own wings.

Are you a teenager? Or remember what it's like to be one? Or raising a wild teenager? Want some help on how to survive faithfully, and have a good laugh while you do? Check it out!Brought to you by the Holy Pastor and some cool cats from Charlton City UMC (though not necessarily representing the church's views or those of Pastor John).

Episode 1 of our new podcast, Unfolding Wings. Join us as we explore the questions, struggles, doubts, and joys of young adulthood in the midst of faith, church, and the like, seeking our path to unfolding our wings with grace. We begin with the beginning: childhood. Or is it childrenhood?