Why are people leaving Christianity? Why not ask some of those people. Brandon Flanery, author of the spiritual memoir "Stumbling," surveyed his social media following and analyzed the responses to find out why people are leaving Christianity. The results are both unsurprising and surprising. Learn more about Brandon and his writing at BrandonFlanery.com. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Is David French right that colleges tolerate protests from "preferred groups" but not other groups? No. No, he's not. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Have you heard of ChatGPT, or have you been living under a rock? In this episode, Eric reflects on the analysis of Daniel Susskind, author of "A World without Work," and how AI might change the way we work both outside and inside the church. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

John Michael Talbot is a multi-platinum selling, Grammy / Dove award winning Contemporary Catholic Christian Music pioneer. He joins Eric to talk about his 59th album and 38th book, both titled "Late Have I Loved You." John shares some of his remarkable spiritual journey, including multiple mystical experiences. Learn more about John Michael Talbot's books, albums, and ministries at: https://www.johnmichaeltalbot.com/https://littleportionbakery.org/ https://www.inner-room-school.org/https://troubadourforthelord.net/store/ols/categories/bookshttps://www.amazon.com/Late-Have-I-Loved-You/dp/B0CQPP1SSPhttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/late-have-i-loved-you-john-michael-talbot/1144660193 Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

"But God Can: How to Stop Striving and Live Purposefully and Abundantly" will help you get unstuck and pursue the spiritual purpose and abundance that comes from a deep relationship with Jesus. Eric chats with its author, Becky Kiser, an author, podcaster, and ministry leader who is passionate about inspiring women in their faith and daily lives. You don't have to be enough, Becky says, because God is already more than enough. Find the book and Becky's other work at: https://www.beckykiser.com/ Follow Beck on Instagram @beckykiser (https://www.instagram.com/beckykiser/) Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Many people have a difficult relationship to the Bible. This episode offers some practical advice for rebuilding that relationship. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

What has experience taught you about God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Experience is an important part of both deconstructing and reconstructing faith. Experience causes the former, but it can also help with the latter. In this episode, Eric explores how experience can help rebuild a stronger faith and reflects on the Apostles following their experience instead of their scriptures and traditions. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

In this episode, Eric talks about the Christians who inspire other people to become, or remain, followers of Jesus. Leave a review and share who inspires your faith, or post a link to this episode to social media and share your faith inspiration. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

When reconstructing faith, experience of the supernatural - the part of reality beyond our senses and measurements - can open us up to the limits of human perception and knowledge and, thus, open us up to God. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Faith deconstruction is a necessary part of maturing one's faith. But how do you reconstruct faith? Based on personal experience and conversations with other Christians, Eric suggests beginning the journey by focusing on your "core belief" that helps you firmly believe in God no matter what. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Kim Jenne returns! She gives us an insider's perspective on the United Methodist Church's ongoing debate about LGBTQ inclusion and shares some of her personal theology on the topic. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

The Race and Culture project of Missouri's United Methodist conference is working toward racial reconciliation and inclusion. Kim Jenne shares some of that project's work and resources in this conversation on Saving Faith. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Gratitude is a choice. Eric shares his struggles witih choosing gratitude and offers a prayer for Diana Butler Bass to help us choose to give thanks this Thanksgiving. Grateful by Diana Butler Bass The Cottage newsletter by Diana Butler Bass Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

"Suppression leads to depression. Expression leads to emotional resurrection." Ron Greer helps us mourn devastating loss in his book, "The Quiet House," and in this interview on Saving Faith. Greer speaks from 40 years of experience in pastoral counseling, as a father who lost a young son, and as a husband who recently lost his wife. Get "The Quiet House" at his church's bookshop, at his website, on Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. ************* Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

"Nice Churchy Patriarchy" is still patriarchy, is still harmful to women and men, and is the title of Liz Jenkins' book. In this interview, Jenkins shares some of her experiences of church patriarchcy and discusses why and how Christians should change patriarchial structures. PRE-ORDER "Nice Churchy Patriarchy" at Bookshop, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble Connect with Liz Jenkins at her website or on Instagram ************ Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

When is war moral or immoral? Christianity's "Just War" tradition offers insights into that difficult question. Eric references the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Just War Theory throughout this episode. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

How can Christians, who follow a preacher of non-violence, respond to the self-defensive war of Israel against Hamas? How can they make sense of the Israel-Hamas War and the problem of evil? Eric Sentell tries his best. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠ Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "The Backyard Church," and a moderator for the blog's online community. Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at www.umctrinity.org Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

Eric talks about making some changes to revamp Metamorphosis and build its audience. Metamorphosis is the podcast of Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont, Missouri, where we share the unchanging love of Jesus to change people’s lives. Learn more about Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at www.umctrinity.org Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com Podcast Author: Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

In the National Bestseller, "Disobedient Women" journalist Sarah Stankorb tells the stories of the women who uncovered abuse in Evangelical communities through their bloggin, social media, and online communities. Sarah shares with Metamorphosis some of these stories and her analysis of the theology and structure that lead to abuse. Metamorphosis is the podcast of Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont, Missouri, where we share the unchanging love of Jesus to change people’s lives. Learn more about Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at www.umctrinity.org Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com Podcast Author: Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO