Have you been told to (or seen others) push through personal pain and trauma while engaging in advocacy for the health of the Church without being given the tools to manage your (or their) own emotional wellness? Are you often feeling overwhelmed and exhausted?

Meet Lori Anne Thompson: a compassionate survivor, storyteller, and student. Lori Anne is a devoted wife, mother, and enthusiastic cook who loves to share her passion for sustainable rhythms and healing for those who have survived trauma.

This episode was initially shared in April 2023, but with the heartbreaking loss of Jennifer Lyell, I wanted to share it again. You can find more information on Jennifer Lyell here: Died: Jennifer Lyell, SBC Abuse Survivor and Former Lifeway Executive - Christianity Today

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Lori Anne and Amy talk through these topics in this episode of the Untangled Faith podcast:

Who is Lori Anne Thompson?

The Three Phases of Recovery

How trauma can't be your whole life

Chronic activation

Finding sustainable ways to give back

Red flags to look for

Becoming what we're against

The power of saying no.

Resources:

Victim Impact Statement from Lori Anne Thompson regarding Ravi Zacharias:

https://loriannethompson.com/2021/02/08/lori-anne-thompson-victim-impact-statement/

https://loriannethompson.com

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/bulletin/cpac-trump-transgenderism-oscars.html

Truth & Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice by Judith Herman: https://amzn.to/3mxzx0W

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This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled

Aaron Armstrong joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to explore the nuances of leaving a beloved church community, navigating the awkwardness of joining a new church, and the motivations and process behind his new book, Faith Simplified: What We Believe and Why We Believe It. The conversation moves from personal stories of faith transitions to honest insight into Christian publishing, endorsements, and what it means to thoughtfully engage with the important theological tenants of the Christian faith.

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In this episode we:

• Hear Aaron’s story of leaving a church he loved and the emotional and practical realities of church closure—reflecting on how endings don’t always mean failure.

• Discuss the strange and sometimes awkward season of being new in a church, resisting the urge to jump right in, and learning to simply “be.”

• Delve into the complexities of book endorsements in Christian publishing, including why they matter (or don’t), how they’re decided, and the landmines authors and publishers face.

• Talk about how reducing people to social media snippets can distort real-life relationships, and why discernment is important when choosing where to show up and engage.

• Wrestle with common theological distractions and accidental heresies.

• Explore Aaron’s new book, Faith Simplified: What We Believe and Why We Believe It, including his approach to foundational theology, why he wrote it, and who it’s for.

Featured Guest

• Aaron Armstrong Aaron Armstrong: Author, Speaker, Canadian

Resources mentioned

• Aaron's web site https://aaronarmstrong.co

• Faith Simplified https://amzn.to/43PxkzT

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Bill Henson, founder and director of Posture Shift Ministries, joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to talk about cultivating a posture of radical love and hospitality toward LGBTQ+ individuals and families within the church, regardless of theological position.

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In this episode we:

• Explore the difference between a church’s theological position and its posture toward LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Hear why Posture Shift was founded in the midst of the culture wars around LGBTQ+ rights and the church’s response.

• Discuss the importance of practical, missional skill sets for churches to truly love and include LGBTQ+ people, beyond merely good intentions.

• Address common language pitfalls and the impact of terminology like “lifestyle” on LGBTQ+ individuals seeking belonging in faith communities.

• Examine the need for clarity and transparency about church beliefs on sexuality—and the harm of ambiguity or “bait and switch” scenarios for LGBTQ+ congregants.

• Reflect on the dangers of treating LGBTQ+ presence in church as a threat, and instead view it as a missional opportunity.

• Consider best practices for using names and pronouns, and the principle of “pronoun hospitality,” especially in youth ministry and family settings.

• Learn about practical resources like the "Guiding Families" book and direct care coaching for families navigating these conversations.

Featured Guest

• Bill Henson, Posture Shift Ministries Posture Shift | postureshift.com

Resources mentioned

• This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled

• About - Posture Shift | postureshift.com

Tell Your Friends!

If you loved this episode, leave us a review on your favorite podcast app and share it with a friend. Tag us if you share it on social media.

Follow Untangled Faith wherever you listen to podcasts

Follow on Apple podcasts

Subscribe on YouTube

Follow on Spotify

Follow on Podcast Addict

Want to share your thoughts with us or talk about partnering with the show?

Email: amy@untangledfaithpodcast.com

Follow me on Instagram

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Follow me on BlueSky