Orchard Conversations

HERE TO CREATE || WEEK 2
We dive into our series "Here to Create" with a conversation between Lead Pastor Scott Hodge and friend of the Orchard, Dave Gibbons. Dave is a creative pastor, futurist, activist, and steadfast advocate for the 'misfits' in our society. In today's conversation he gives invaluable insight into how we can reframe the challenges we face and turn them into creative opportunities.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What are one or two ideas or themes that stick out to you or resonate w/ you from today’s conversation with Dave?
What are 1 or 2 things that “kill” or get in the way of you living a creative life? What are 2-3 things that FUEL your creativity?
How has reframing a challenge or difficulty enabled you to use that challenge as a creative opportunity? Is there some “reframing” you need to do around a particular challenge, stressor or difficulty that could potentially turn it into a catalyst for something new, good and creative?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
XEALOTS: Defying the Gravity of Normality - Dave Gibbons (book)
Monkey and the Fish - Dave Gibbons (book)
https://www.davegibbons.org
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

We're kicking off our new series, "Here to Create", celebrating creativity as spiritual practice, as Lead Pastor Scott Hodge shares some thoughts about creativity and how it manifests in all of us. Throughout this series, we look forward to conversations with different creative individuals, from musicians and visual artists to entrepreneurs and innovators. "Here to Create" will seek to inspire, challenge, and affirm everyone in their own creative journey. We're glad you've joined us and hope to have you with us in the coming weeks!
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
Who in your life has embodied creative living and had an impact on you? How have they inspired you to embrace your own creativity?
What does 'living with eyes wide open' mean to you in the context of your own life? Can you share a time when your sensitivity to your surroundings led to a new understanding or action?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week, as we conclude our “Rethinking The Bible” series, we take a little extra time to respond to a question about how to engage in healthy conversations about the Bible with the people around us. 
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
”Reading the Bible Right” -  Brian Zahn (poem/quote)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week we conclude our series, “Rethinking The Bible” by responding to a few final questions and reflecting on how we’ve all grown and been shaped by this journey together.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What have been helpful rhythms for you to engage with the Bible on a regular basis? Are there certain books, translations or reading plans that you have found helpful?
What has been your experience teaching children and young people to engage with the Bible and conversations about spirituality?
How have you been impacted by the conversations we’ve had the past 10 weeks? Where were you challenged? What new perspectives may have even shifted your thinking? What are you taking away from all this?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
We Make The Road While Walking - Brian McLaren (book)
The Divine Hours - Phyllis Tickle (book)
A Year With Thomas Merton  - Daily Meditations from His Journals (book)
Things Hidden - Richard Rohr (book)
Center for Action and Contemplation Daily Meditations
”Reading the Bible Right” -  Brian Zahn (poem/quote)
Our Bible App
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

We’ve opened our virtual mail bag again to respond to questions that have come in during our “Rethinking the Bible” series. This week, a burning question: What does the Bible say about HELL? 
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
How has your understanding of hell changed over the course of your life? What has impacted that? (You might consider your faith background, your experiences and relationships, and cultural touchstones from classics like Dante’s Inferno to modern ones like the Left Behind book series or the sitcom, The Good Place.)
How do your thoughts, ideas, and beliefs about hell shape your actions, consciously or unconsciously? 
If you personally are struggling or have struggled with the idea of hell, what do you wish someone—a mentor, elder or spiritual leader in your community—would say to you?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Love Wins - Rob Bell (book)
Quote from Rob Bell ("Does God get what he wants?...")
Razing Hell - Sharon L. Baker (book)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

Over the next couple weeks we’ll be opening up our virtual mail bag and pulling out some questions that have come in during our series “Rethinking the Bible”. This week we respond to  a question that brings up a conversation about  religious pluralism, inclusivity and the concept of “salvation”.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What thoughts, feelings or ideas did this conversation bring up for you today?
For those of you who grew up in the Christian faith, when did you first become aware of other religious or spiritual paths distinct from Christianity? How has that awareness influenced your faith journey?
In his writings (see quote included below), C.S. Lewis hinted at a more inclusive understanding of salvation in some of his writings. What are your thoughts on his perspective? Could this inclusivity apply to people of other faiths, or those who don't identify with any religion?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
One River, Many Wells - Matthew Fox (Book)
A Generous Orthodoxy - Brian D. McLaren (Book)
"There are people who do not accept the full Christian doctrine about Christ but who are so strongly attracted by Him that they are His in a much deeper sense than they themselves understand. There are people in other religions who are being led by God’s secret influence to concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it." - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

As we continue our "Rethinking the Bible" series, we take some time to engage with the scriptures through the sacred practice of Lectio Divina.Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible that encourages us to read with our whole self, including thoughts, feelings, experiences, and hopes. This practice is a way of listening to God's voice through the words of the Bible, and it can be a meaningful way to connect with scripture.
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom - John O'Donohue (Book)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

When we mentioned the “unfolding” story of the Bible, we didn’t mean an actual sheet unfolding. But now that you mention it … 
This week, Anna, Scott and Benjamin consider the story of Peter’s disruptive vision about a sheet of animals and what it means to “change the rules” in Acts 10. How can we navigate the space between what ancient scripture says and humankind’s growing, evolving understandings of God, people, and the world?
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What do you want to remember and consider about the conversation today?
If you think back over your life, what are the disruptions that have expanded your faith journey?
What are some principles or practices that have helped you – or might help you – remember that your roots are in Christ during seasons of disruption?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Read the full story of Peter’s trance and transformation in Acts.
Our Tricycle for Forward Movement - Richard Rohr (Article)
“It’s possible to resist the very growth and change and expanding consciousness that God desires for you by appealing to your religious convictions.” - Rob Bell in What is the Bible? (Book)
The Wisdom Jesus - Cynthia Bourgeault (Book)
A People’s History of Christianity - Diana Butler Bass (Book)
Anna's benediction from Ephesians 3
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com