Episode 4 - From Baptist Megachurch to Progressive Online Community: Jon Mathieu

Summary

In this episode, Matt and Jon discuss the importance of community in the process of deconstruction. They share their own experiences and how they found a sense of belonging in online faith communities. John also shares his personal journey of deconstruction, which was prompted by relationships and experiences that challenged his beliefs. They explore the balance between acknowledging the negative aspects of religion while also reclaiming the positive aspects. The conversation also touches on the use of language and the complexity of defining Christianity. In this conversation, Matt and Jon discuss a wide range of topics, from deconstruction to coffee preferences. They touch on the concept of moving the goalposts in discussions and the surprises that can arise in conversations. They also delve into Jon's work at the Christian Century and the history of the magazine. The conversation concludes with Jon sharing web addresses and social media accounts where listeners can find more information about him and the organizations he is involved with.

Takeaways

• Community is essential in the process of deconstruction, providing support, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

• Clergy members often have their own deconstruction journeys, but may face unique challenges due to their professional roles.

• It is important to strike a balance between acknowledging the negative aspects of religion and reclaiming the positive aspects.

• Language can be a challenge in deconstruction, as certain phrases may trigger negative associations or be tied to harmful beliefs.

• Christianity is a complex and diverse faith, and it is important to recognize and respect different expressions of the religion. Conversations can lead to unexpected topics and revelations.

• The Christian Century is a magazine that covers diverse topics related to spirituality.

• Jon's work at the Christian Century involves community engagement and connecting with readers.

Notes

• Harbor Online Community

• The Christian Century

• Sign up for The Christian Century’s Newsletters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:25 The Need for Community

08:34 The Role of Clergy in Deconstruction

14:06 Balancing the Positive and Negative

19:32 Jon's Story of Deconstruction

26:27 The Defining Moment

33:53 Language and Beliefs

42:16 Defining Christianity

44:12 Unexpected Conversations

49:17 The Christian Century

59:47 Web Addresses and Social Media