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Bearded Theologians

1.15.16 Bearded Theologians with Rev. Rachel Billups

·53 min·5 clips
Rev. Rachel Billups asks why we never preach sermons on the servant girl in Peter's denial story.
The episode features Rev. Rachel Billups, lead pastor of New Albany United Methodist Church in Ohio, discussing her book 'Unlikely Lent', the second in a trilogy after 'Unlikely Advent'. She explains the book's premise: examining marginalized biblical characters, such as the servant girl in Peter's denial, to offer fresh Lenten perspectives. Billups describes including practical worship exercises, like a shame-dissolving activity inspired by Kairos prison ministry. She critiques the 10,000-hour rule, emphasizing intentional practice over mere repetition. The conversation covers her collaborative preaching team, which includes retired clergy, and her open-handed resource sharing with other pastors. Billups advocates for moving church worship from content consumption to holy encounters, referencing Carey Nieuwhof's trends. She shares personal anecdotes, such as praying with a stranger at an airport, to illustrate openness to the Spirit. The hosts, Matt Franks and Zach Bechtold, engage her on topics like Lenten practices, control in worship, and the importance of community. Billups mentions upcoming events in Indiana and Tulsa to promote the book. The episode concludes with promotional details and reflections on the podcast's 10th anniversary.

As heard by us

A candid pastoral conversation about silence, control, and making room for communal discernment.

Rev. Rachel Billups returns for a thoughtful conversation rooted in her ministry in New Albany, Ohio, and the episode uses that setting to press on a bigger question: what church life can become when leaders make more room for shared participation.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you are wondering what church might sound like with more silence and less control.

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