5/11/25: Honoring Rachel Held Evans: A Spiritual Legacy for Progressive Christianity

In this week's episode of the Central Cast, we honor the life and legacy of Rachel Held Evans, celebrating her contributions as a significant voice in progressive Christianity. Recorded live at our church in Glendale, California, we explore her influence on many, particularly Millennials and Gen Xers, as both a spiritual leader and a personal inspiration to our community.

We reflect on Rachel's journey from an evangelical upbringing in Dayton, Tennessee, through her groundbreaking work as a blogger and author challenging traditional Christianity's norms. Highlighted by her impactful books, including "Evolving in Monkey Town" and "A Year of Biblical Womanhood," Rachel's voice continues to inspire discussions on deconstruction, liberation theology, and the importance of embracing intellectual honesty in faith.

Join us as we discuss Rachel's profound belief in love and liberation over fear and power, and her enduring message that the church can be a force for positive change if it opens up to inclusivity and justice. Listener reflections and conversations on Rachel's lasting influence on defining modern progressive Christianity bring this tribute to a thoughtful close.

Intro music credit to Stevan Carter.