What Might the Church Become? with Angela Reitsma Bick
What happens when the stories we’ve inherited about the church no longer fit with what we know about its history, or with our own experiences of faith? And what might it mean to move forward when going back is no longer possible—or even desirable?
In this episode of Rector’s Cupboard, we’re joined by author and researcher Angela Reitsma Bick, co-author of Blessed Are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada, for a conversation about the changing landscape of Christianity in Canada and the questions that are leading people to reconsider their relationship with the church.
Drawing on interviews with Canadians across generations and denominations, Angela explores the experiences that have led people to question their faith, from abuse of power and the legacy of residential schools to questions about theology, sexuality, and the influence of American Christianity. These stories invite us to look beyond what has gone wrong and consider what a church willing to listen, learn, and make amends might become.
Angela reflects on the importance of honesty, humility, compassion, and repentance—not as abstract ideals, but as the beginnings of a different way of being together. What if acknowledging harm didn’t have to mean giving up on faith? What if asking difficult questions could be an expression of faithfulness, rather than a threat to it?
Perhaps the question isn’t how we get back to the church we remember, but how we move toward something more honest, humble, and hopeful.
Angela will be joining us in Vancouver for our November conference, What on Earth Is Happening with Christianity? We hope you enjoy the conversation.
References:
Information and registration details about Angela’s upcoming course with ICS (Institute for Christian Studies) can be found here.
If you’d like to check out the Righteous Gemstones scene referenced in this episode you can take a look here.