Who was Rachel Held Evans to you? For many of us, she was a prophet ahead of her time, an early voice that taught us how to investigate what we believed and why. For Sarah Bessey, Rachel was also a dear friend and partner in online ministry from the early blogging world to the creation of Evolving Faith. Sadly, Rachel passed away unexpectedly in 2019 when she was only 37 years old.

In “Braving the Truth,” Sarah Bessey has compiled Rachel’s early blog posts and some unfinished pieces along with essays from friends of Rachel’s like Jen Hatmaker, Matthew Paul Turner, Shane Claiborne, Brian McLaren, Peter Enns, Lisa Sharon Harper and others. Sarah is here to talk about the church of today and how Rachel’s words still ring true and relevant for an entire generation looking for sanctuary.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Grab “Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning With and Reimagining Faith” from our Becoming Church resource list on Amazon!

Get Rachel’s picture books What is God Like? and What is the Bible?

Read Rachel’s original blog.

Follow: @sarahbessey | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

Is Christianity the right mixer for alcohol? Where’s the line to know how much is too much? When she found herself searching for “how to quit drinking,” Ericka Andersen didn’t find much that resonated with her as a Christian woman. So she created Freely Sober, a Christ-centered space to rethink alcohol.

In her new book “Freely Sober,” Ericka doesn’t lay out rigid rules for all Jesus followers to apply. Instead, she’s here to talk about addictions and compulsions and how to get curious about the things that try to control us.

*Brief mention of SA and other risks that increase with the consumption of alcohol.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Grab “Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith” from our Becoming Church resource list on Amazon!

If you’re struggling to quit any compulsive behavior or substance, reach out to AmericanAddictionCenters.org or call (888) 332-2563.

If you need help supporting a family member, visit Family Intervention or call (866) 252-9722.

Follow: @ericka_andersen | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

What if the key to parenting is connection, not correction? In the Christian world, parenting often revolves around punishment, obedience and compliance. But Mary Van Geffen is here to propose that when we choose to see our sons and daughters as other humans made in the image of God, we can let relationship influence the power dynamic of hierarchy.

Does the relationship we have with our children determine their relationship with God? Does gentle parenting mean punishment goes away and our children live without boundaries? How can we be firm, kind and calm in order to help our kids become the people God created them to be? If you’ve asked any of these questions - this episode is for you!

RELEVANT LINKS:

Grab “Parenting a Spicy One: A Compassionate Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid” from our Becoming Church resource list on Amazon!

Pre-order before February 10th to receive Mary’s Affirmations Masterclass and the Meltdown Meditations for Moms.

Are you a spicy one?! Take the quiz to find out.

Follow: @maryvangeffen | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt