What happens when the church values our gifts more than the people who carry them?

In this episode of Teaology Podcast, Maya Wilson talks with Faith Wake about recovering creativity, artistry, and worship in the church. Faith—a music director, graphic designer, creative director, photographer, and mother—shares why Christian artists need more than platforms and opportunities to serve. They need discipleship, community, formation, and the freedom to remember that their value comes from being beloved by God, not from what they produce.

Together, Maya and Faith unpack consumer Christianity, productivity culture, Christian celebrity culture, the "green room" mentality, and the tendency to treat gifted people as tools or utilities. They also talk about the importance of honoring the quiet gifts within the church—from ushers and children's ministry volunteers to the people working behind the scenes.

The conversation then moves into a deeper theology of worship: the biblical connection between singing, love, obedience, sacrifice, lament, and communal formation. Faith shares why music can give us language for our emotions and help the people of God worship through the full spectrum of human experience.

If you're an artist, worship leader, pastor, creative, or simply someone thinking deeply about faith, church, creativity, and spiritual formation, this conversation will give you plenty to consider.

Follow Faith here.

Follow her artist work here.

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2026

All Rights Reserved

Find Maya's poetry here

Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement:

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

Who's discipling you?

In an age of social media, political polarization, algorithms, constant news, and endless information, Christians are being formed by more than Sunday sermons and Bible studies. Politics, technology, culture, and our online communities are all shaping what we believe, what we value, what we fear, and how we treat our neighbors.

In this episode of Teaology at the Table, Maya Wilson sits down with Olu Akinwande to talk about Christian discipleship and spiritual formation in an information-saturated world.

We talk about the relationship between politics and faith, Christian nationalism, technology and spiritual formation, social media, cultural polarization, and the ways our social location influences how we understand the world. We also wrestle with a difficult question: What happens when Christians become incredibly informed about politics and culture but fail to become more like Jesus?

Olu challenges us to think beyond simply asking what we believe and start asking what is actually forming us. Who has our attention? What stories are shaping our imagination? What are our habits teaching us to love? And are our sources of information helping us become more faithful disciples of Jesus—or simply making us better at arguing?

This is a conversation about discipleship, politics, technology, Christian nationalism, spiritual formation, information overload, and what it means to follow Jesus in a culture constantly competing for our attention.

In this episode:
• Christian discipleship in the digital age
• Politics and Christian faith
• Christian nationalism
• Technology and spiritual formation
• Social media and discipleship
• Information overload and Christian obedience
• Cultural polarization
• How social location shapes our beliefs
• Who or what is discipling us?
• Becoming more like Jesus in an information-saturated world

Follow Olu here.

Check out Grace Capital City here.

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2026

All Rights Reserved

Find Maya's poetry here

Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement:

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

What does it look like for Christians to pursue justice without losing Jesus?

In this episode of Teaology at the Table, Maya Wilson sits down with Jonathan Tremaine Thomas, founder of Civil Righteousness and author of Make Straight the Path: Following the Just One into Righteousness and Peacemaking Through Holy Activism, for a conversation about Jesus, justice, racial reconciliation, spiritual formation, activism, and the church's calling to make things right.

Jonathan argues that justice cannot be separated from righteousness. If Jesus is truly the center of our faith, then the gospel should shape not only who we are internally but how we respond to injustice, broken systems, racial division, and the wounds within our communities.

We talk about what Jonathan calls "holy activism"—a vision of justice rooted in prayer, worship, spiritual formation, nonviolent resistance, reconciliation, and the presence of God. We explore what the historic Black church and Civil Rights Movement can teach us about communal mourning, intercession, prophetic action, and staying committed to the work even after the cultural moment has passed.

Jonathan also challenges the church to imagine reconciliation as an actual ministry of the local church. What if churches had a "Department of Justice"? What would it mean for Christians to develop a higher cross-cultural understanding of one another? And how might our understanding of Jesus' return change the way we pursue justice in the present?

This conversation also explores Christian activism, racial reconciliation, Christian nationalism, social justice, spiritual warfare, prayer, fasting, cultural difference, truth and reconciliation, and the need for Christians to stay at the table with people who don't look, think, vote, or worship exactly like them.

In this episode:
• Jesus and justice
• Christian activism and "holy activism"
• Racial reconciliation and the church
• The ministry of reconciliation
• The Black church and the Civil Rights Movement
• Prayer, fasting, lament, and spiritual formation
• Christian approaches to social justice
• Racism and the image of God
• Cross-cultural discipleship
• Christian nationalism and justice
• Truth and reconciliation
• Staying at the table across political and cultural differences
• Eschatology, restoration, and the healing of the nations

Jonathan's new book, Make Straight the Path, releases October 20. Find it here.

Follow Jonathan here.

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2026

All Rights Reserved

Find Maya's poetry here

Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement:

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

What does Christian forgiveness actually require—and can you forgive someone while still wanting justice?

In this episode of Teaology at the Table, Maya Wilson sits down with Yana Conner, author of Living Beyond a Fence: Doing the Hard Work of Forgiveness God's Way, for an honest conversation about Christian forgiveness, justice, reconciliation, accountability, conflict, and healing.

We often hear Christians told to "just forgive," but forgiveness is rarely that simple. What happens when someone has genuinely wronged you? Does forgiveness mean forgetting what happened? Does it require reconciliation? Can you forgive someone and still believe there should be accountability or justice?

Yana helps us think more deeply about the biblical practice of forgiveness and why it can be a long, unfinished process rather than a one-time decision. We talk about the difference between being offended and being wronged, the relationship between forgiveness and justice, the role of mediators in conflict, and why reconciliation requires more than simply telling someone to move on.

We also explore forgiveness as a practice of Christian discipleship and community. What if forgiveness isn't simply something we do individually, but something the church has to learn how to practice together?

If you've struggled with forgiveness, church conflict, broken relationships, injustice, or the tension between mercy and accountability, this conversation is for you.

In this episode:
• Christian forgiveness and what the Bible teaches
• Forgiveness vs. reconciliation
• Forgiveness and justice
• Accountability and mercy
• Church conflict and relational wounds
• The difference between offense and wrongdoing
• Why forgiveness can be an unfinished process
• Mediation and conflict resolution
• Forgiveness as Christian discipleship
• Building communities that practice forgiveness

Yana Conner is the author of Living Beyond a Fence: Doing the Hard Work of Forgiveness God's Way.

Follow Yana here!

Find her book here!

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2026

All Rights Reserved

Find Maya's poetry here

Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement:

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

How do we actually read the Bible better?

In this episode of Teaology, Maya Wilson sits down with Bible scholar and teacher Hakeem Bradley to talk about how to study the Bible, biblical context, reading Scripture in community, and understanding the Bible as one interconnected story.

Many Christians have been taught to approach Scripture one verse at a time—but what happens when we step back and pay attention to the historical context, literary context, recurring themes, patterns, and larger story of the Bible?

Hakeem explains why understanding the Bible doesn't require becoming a biblical scholar, why verses make more sense when we understand the stories they belong to, and why Scripture was never meant to be read as an isolated collection of inspirational quotes.

We also talk about studying the Bible with other people, recovering a sense of wonder when reading Scripture, and what biblical knowledge is supposed to produce in us. Because the goal of studying Scripture isn't simply to know more information—it's to become people who love God and love our neighbors more deeply.

In this episode:
• How to read the Bible better
• How to study the Bible in context
• Understanding historical and cultural context
• Why reading individual Bible verses can be limiting
• Reading the Bible as one larger story
• Biblical patterns and themes
• Why Scripture should be read in community
• How to study the Bible without being a scholar
• Moving from biblical knowledge to spiritual formation
• Recovering wonder when reading Scripture

If you've ever wondered whether you're actually understanding the Bible—or simply reading the verses you've always been taught to read—this conversation is for you.

Follow Hakeem here.

Find more about his nonprofit here : Sacred Patterns

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2026

All Rights Reserved

Find Maya's poetry here

Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement:

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

What if purity culture taught us how to avoid sex—but never taught us how to understand our bodies?

In this episode of Teaology at the Table, Maya Wilson sits down with Kristen Miele, founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed, to talk about Christian sexuality, purity culture, body theology, sexual health, pornography, marriage, pleasure, and sexual formation.

Rather than treating sexuality as a topic Christians should avoid, this conversation asks what it looks like to develop a healthier Christian theology of the body—one that recognizes our bodies and sexuality as part of God's good creation while still taking Christian sexual ethics seriously.

Maya and Kristen discuss the ways purity culture has shaped how Christians understand sex and their bodies, why silence isn't the same thing as sexual formation, how pornography and media influence our understanding of sexuality, and why conversations about sex should be part of Christian discipleship rather than something we only address when there is a problem.

They also talk about marriage, communication, pleasure, and how parents and churches can create spaces where children and adults can ask honest questions about bodies and sexuality without shame.

In this episode:
• Christian sexuality and sexual formation
• What purity culture gets wrong
• A Christian theology of the body
• Bodies and sexuality as God's good creation
• Sex education and Christian discipleship
• Pornography and media
• Marriage and communication
• Pleasure and Christian sexuality
• Talking about sex without shame
• Helping Christians develop a healthier view of their bodies

If you've ever wondered how Christians can talk about sex in a way that is honest, theological, embodied, and rooted in the goodness of God, this conversation is for you.

Follow Kristin here

Find more about her courses here at SexEdReclaimed

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2026

All Rights Reserved

Find Maya's poetry here

Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement:

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

What would happen if churches learned to listen before defending themselves?

In this episode of Teaology, Maya Wilson sits down with Micah Morgan, a licensed clinical professional counselor and associate pastor, to explore the intersection of mental health, trauma, church hurt, pastoral ministry, and healing.

Micah shares about their journey into both counseling and pastoral ministry and why they believe churches need to become more informed about trauma and mental health. Together, Maya and Micah discuss what happens when people experience church as a source of emotional or spiritual harm, and why leaders should respond with curiosity and listening rather than defensiveness.

They also explore what it means to build a trauma-informed church, including practical ways churches can create safer systems and spaces, make room for congregants to speak honestly, and learn about trauma even when they don't have a mental-health professional on staff.

The conversation challenges the idea that mental-health struggles are moral or spiritual failures and explores why healing may take time. Maya and Micah also discuss the relationship between therapy and pastoral care, when pastors should refer people to clinicians, and why setting boundaries is essential for sustainable ministry.

This is a conversation about mental health and Christianity, church hurt, trauma-informed ministry, pastoral care, therapy and faith, healing, boundaries, and building healthier Christian communities.

Follow Micah here on Instagram, and on TikTok!

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2026

All Rights Reserved

Find Maya's poetry here

Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement:

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.