Mid-faith Crisis

We're coming to the end of our season of spiritual decluttering, and taking a look at some of the things that we have hidden away in the attic. What practices have we stored away up there, hoping they might come in useful again some day? Also, we check in on our themes and Nick has been thinking about the topic of maintenance. Thrilling stuff, I'm sure you agree. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Hummingbird hawk-moth | The Wildlife Trusts Reimagining the Landscape of Faith: Essential pathways for spiritual growth | Mary Hippsley and Charles Hippsley LOL: Last One Laughing UK - Wikipedia Maintenance of Everything | Stuart Brand

In a slightly unexpected moment, we delve into the ritual of communion. Last week we talked about it as a key Christian activity, but what is our understanding of it? We discuss the importance of ritualism, but also the dangers of exclusion. Also, we announce new ways of supporting the podcast, and Nick may or may not be able to balance on one leg and be a tree. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Ludwig - BBC iPlayer Arundel Wetland Centre | WWT Arundel

We continue our journey unpacking the rooms of faith by looking at 'church' – a big word, with so many meanings. But what is it really? Is it just people talking about God? What about things like communion? We discuss the necessity of community, the fundamental practices of faith and, most importantly, reflect on what Christian Gandalf has to say on the matter. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Wildfires: Phone alert was 'entirely appropriate', government says - BBC News Ladies First (2026) Being Christian | Rowan Williams

More on the theme of worship, but this week we focus on the why. Why do we worship? What is the role of gratitude? Is God really that needy, or are there other gods who are a lot more needy than the Divine? Should worship songs be sea shanties? We explore what the Bible actually says about worship, and how it might be more of a choice of direction than just saying nice things about God. Also, keep your diaries free, folks – we've got news of an event in 2027. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Sea Lane Cafe Spider-man - Brand New Day

So, Joe is still away, but here's a little something from the vaults – an interview with Brian McLaren about his book Life After Doom . Given all the extreme weather we're experiencing at the moment, this seemed like a good episode to revisit! We'll be back with you next week. In the meantime, remember, humans are a mess, but the birds are awesome! Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Brian McLaren Centre for action and contemplation Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart

This week's episode brings us to worship. How do we define it? Is it just music, or does worshipping God involve more than just warbling? What are our places of worship, and do we still have to sing? Also we talk about death and head injuries, just to cheer everyone up a bit. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: The Odyssey Emily Wilson Translation: ' A complicated man ' Episode 332: Bill Graham Kendrick Primary School Bangers at Glastonbury

We're back in the library as we continue to sort out our house of faith. This time we're thinking about books we don't use as much, and why it's worth keeping old bits of the Bible around, because you never know which bits are going to come in handy. Also, Joe has had some issues with paint, and Nick has been giving martini recipes to medical staff. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: The Dark Night of the Shed | Nick Page The Badly Behaved Bible | Nick Page

As we continue our journey around our house of faith we've come to the library. And this week, we're restocking the shelves with your book recommendations. You can find a full list on our website. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: The Sacred Veil | Eric Whitacre Books mentioned in the episode. See the complete list of recommendations. Faith Unravelled | Rachel Held Evans Unforming, De-Westernising Christian Formation | Cindy S. Lee Finding Your Hidden Treasure | Benignus O'Rourke. Life Of The Beloved | Henri Nouwen Unapologetic | Francis Spufford Know Doubt | John Ortberg Reimagining the Landscape of Faith | Charles and Mary Hippsley. There are Rivers in the Sky | Elif Shafak Devotions | Mary Oliver Universal Christ | Richard Rohr The Return of the Prodigal Son | Henri Nouwen The True Wilderness | H.A. Williams Every Job a Parable | John Van Sloten The Badly Behaved Bible | Nick Page Speaking Christian | Marcus Borg The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse | Charlie Mackesy For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain | Victoria MacKenzie Kissing Fish | Roger Wolsey

We continue our discussion about prayer, this time focusing on our current approach to prayers and praying. We talk about the role of personality, about confession and the need to be 'meeked', and about finding simple ways to trigger moments of stillness and prayer. Also, Nick reveals his impressive new technique for avoiding difficult prayer situations. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: The Cloud of Unknowing - Wikipedia 'Whistling Swans' | Mary Oliver

In the first of our sort-of series on decluttering faith, we look at the prayer room. We discuss the mystery of intercession and think about prayer as 'primary speech', as an art more than a science. Prayer is crucial in our journey of understanding, both of God and of ourselves. So what needs clearing out? And what do we want to keep? (And keep those book suggestions coming!) Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog

Joe has a sickness bug. Nick has a bad back. In this short and utterly inadequate episode, we talk a little bit about well-meaning but tone-deaf sermons and what really might bring us happiness in the life to come. Also we think a little about books for mid-faith crisis. What are your favourites? Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kids Doesn’t Have to Heal From ‎What Dreams May Come City of Angels | Wikipedia Adrian Plass | Heavenly Playground Paul McGee | The SUMO Guy

We're back with our reflections on the Mid-faith Crisis weekend. We discuss the theme of spiritual decluttering and the joy of generous conversation. Also Nick wonders if he's actually had a mid-faith crisis and Joe is accidentally biblical. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Pied Flycatcher

We talk, in an incredibly expert way, about the afterlife, about nostalgia and longing, about a new heaven and a new earth and about the different dimensions of existence. Also, is Nick the worst Anglican ever, and should Joe be the new Knepp-based host for Springwatch? Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Iolo Williams - Wikipedia BBC Two - Springwatch Knepp - Rewilding Pioneers Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons - Wikipedia Ashmolean | In bloom - how plants changed our world Bruce Cockburn - Songs - Festival Of Friends

We have a very special interview this week. Joe talks to our friend Ruth about how she is facing terminal cancer. She talks about focusing on what matters, about the normality of death, and about the importance of talking about grief, loss and mortality. There is hope. And there is, above all, 'The ever present one who loves me more than I can imagine and who is with me every step of the way.' Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog - such as it is Mentioned in this episode: Arts and cultural engagement ‘linked to slower pace of biological ageing’ | The Guardian The Swallow, The Owl and The Sandpiper – Sandpiper Trust Cancer is so limited | Robert L. Lynn

We talk about the power of vulnerability, about how noisy fear can be, and about those times when we vent instead of lament. Thanks for all your feedback - it really meant a lot this week! Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Stevens & Pound John Shelby Spong - Wikipedia

We talk about change and the anxiety which often accompanies it. How do we live in that space where one thing is ending, but a new thing has yet to begin? Also, Joe has been listening to frogs and Nick turns out to be a great evangelist for atheism. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Wilhelm Worringer - Wikipedia William Bridges | Transitions Brad Stulberg | Master of Change

How do we talk about mystical or transcendent experiences without appearing to be nuts? More than that, what is the motivation for talking about them in the first place? We discuss the problems with loaded words, the desire to call people into deeper experiences and whether we are refugees from culture. Also, why it's best not to respond to the 'How are you?' with a PowerPoint. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Knepp Harry Baker - Tender Tour MOURN

We think more about the personalisation of the good news. What is the evidence for fullness of life in our lives? Are we the best judges of our own spiritual development? Does salvation look different for different people? Also, Joe has been birdwatching and Nick has had enough joy, thank you very much. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Knepp - Rewilding Pioneers Violin Concerto | Elgar What is the good news? Nick's version - Mid-faith Crisis

We discuss truth and fakery, the simplicity and complexity of the good news, and about how we can encounter the risen Christ through art, music and, crucially, other people. Also Nick gets annoyed and Joe hasn’t put in his holiday request form yet. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: “Resurrecting Faith” – A Lent Course BBC Radio 4 - Everything Is Fake and Nobody Cares The Repair Shop - Series 15: Episode 11 - BBC iPlayer U2 - Easter Lily EP Andrew's story - The Returning King

After a false start last week, Joe is back with a bit of clarity about his theme for the year. Also, as we approach Easter, we think about what it means for us in this year of uncertainty and conflict. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: You Are Not a Frog: Podcast for Doctors The Shipwright's Arms