The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form

The Loft is a progressive Christian community that is unapologetically inclusive. If you're curious about what a socially and politically progressive Christianity looks like, this podcast is for you. This podcast is the edited audio from our weekly Sunday gathering of people who are interested in following Jesus’ spiritual path of radical compassion.

We Are Strangers Who Welcome Strangers 07/13/2026

We Are Strangers Who Welcome Strangers Throughout his teaching and ministry, we encounter Jesus as a vulnerable guest, a needy stranger, and a gracious host. Jesus both welcomes and needs to be welcomed. In this way, when we are hospitable to the needy stranger, we do so with the awareness that we may be showing hospitality to Christ. And when we receive hospitality from a stranger, they give it knowing that they may be showing hospitality to Christ too. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/42054935

Hospitality As Spiritual Practice 07/06/2026

Hospitality As Spiritual Practice In ancient times, hospitality was regarded as a pillar on which the world's moral structure rested. It is an important theme in scripture, central to the gospel story. In the New Testament, we encounter Jesus as a vulnerable guest, a needy stranger, and a gracious host. The teachings of Jesus enrich and challenge our modern definitions of hospitality, inviting us to see it as a spiritual practice. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41971195

Queer Callings & Responses 06/29/2026

Queer Callings & Responses The Song of Mary and the Song of Hannah remind us that God’s call to prophecy, service, and leadership is not limited to cisgender men. The songs of Elsa, a character whose story is decidedly queer, suggest something similar. Reading these stories together can help us understand how essential it is to respond to our calling. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41860060

Baptized Into A Found Family 06/22/2026

Baptized Into A Found Family The Bible tells us that when Jesus was baptized, he heard a voice from heaven declare, “This is my Son whom I dearly love.” In the story of Jesus' baptism and temptation, we see the triumph of vulnerability over toxic masculinity and the beginnings of a found family that can survive temptation and thrive as their authentic selves. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41720555

Drew Back the Curtain 06/15/2026

Drew Back the Curtain Even before he was immortalized in musical theater for his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (TM), Joseph's story has so many points of connection with the experiences of Queer folx. Come "draw back the curtain" and hear his story again. Lofter and drag performer Elliot Handloser joins Pastor Molly this week for a second week of our Pride month "We Have Always Been Here" series. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41645710

Now You See Me 06/07/2026

Now You See Me The way we read the Bible is filtered through the lens of our experience. Our interpretive lens determines what we do and what we do not see. This Sunday, we begin our Pride month sermon series by learning how a queer hermeneutic can help us to see what has always been there. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41566540

Challenges and Hopes: After 70 Years of Women's Ordination 05/31/2026

Challenges and Hopes: After 70 Years of Women's Ordination Join us for a special Loft conversation with clergy women who have been connected to Westwood, including Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Rev. Dr. Sharon Rhodes-Wickett, Rev. Jane Voigts, Rev. Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon, Rev. Kathy Cannon, and Rev. Blair Stowe. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41485925

Growing In Christ-likeness 05/25/2026

Growing In Christ-likeness What does it mean for us to grow in Christ-likeness? It is Pentecost Sunday, and we will end our series on the Holy Spirit by examining the third function of the Spirit - inspiring us to develop the mind of Christ. This Sunday, we are also celebrating Youth Sunday and Confirmation in The Loft! We will celebrate all of our young people who went through the confirmation process, and after worship, we will celebrate with a taco lunch just like the early Christians did. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41415230

Called: The Holy Spirit & Vocation 05/18/2026

Called: The Holy Spirit & Vocation The Holy Spirit is the implanted hope that continually moves us to live the Christian life, the Way of Jesus. In addition to reconciliation, a section function of this movement is found in our vocation. This Sunday we will be joined by Reverend Rae Huang. She is a community organizer, ordained Presbyterian minister, and actively engaged in Los Angeles politics. We will discuss how her vocational path has always been in response to the Spirit. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41326120

(W)Holy Restoration 05/11/2026

(W)Holy Restoration The Holy Spirit is the implanted hope that continuously moves us to practice living the Christian life, the Way of Jesus. One function of this movement towards God is that we are restored to a right relationship with God by grace and through faith. When we choose to go with, rather than against, the momentum of our souls, we step into the Divine flow of love that restores our love for our neighbors and ourselves. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41244140

The Breath of Life 05/08/2026

The Breath of Life As Christians, we believe in one God who has revealed Godself to us in three distinct persons - the Creator, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While the concept of the Trinity has helped us understand something of the nature of God, within the Western church much more has been written about the Creator and the Son than about the Holy Spirit. This Sunday, we begin our four-week series on the Holy Spirit by asking - what is the Holy Spirit? www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41218755

How Do We Pray? 04/27/2026

How Do We Pray? The gospel accounts tell us that Jesus spent roughly three years with his disciples during his earthly ministry. Interestingly, the only thing the disciples specifically asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. In his life and ministry, Jesus shows us that when prayer is our anchor, we can feel grounded while in calm waters and have the courage we need to stay afloat through the storms. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/41026870

Why Do We Pray? 04/20/2026

Why Do We Pray? Last week, I suggested that the purpose of prayer is to deepen our relationship with God so that we are transformed by centering in Divine presence, and that it is not about coercing God or others to do something. This week, we continue our series by exploring why we pray. Why do human beings, even ones who don’t identify as people of faith, feel an urge to pray? www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40932615

Sermon Series on Prayer - Charting Our Inward Sea 04/13/2026

Sermon Series on Prayer - Charting Our Inward Sea What is prayer, and what is its purpose? In this first week of our three-week series on prayer, we explore some answers to these questions by reflecting on the community in Thessalonica and the Apostle Paul’s encouragement that they “pray without ceasing.” www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40822035

Jesus & The Resurrection Journey 04/06/2026

Jesus & The Resurrection Journey During his ministry, Jesus reminded his disciples that following his Way meant accepting that they would have to take up their own cross. The Jewish community of Jesus knew that the cross meant death. Yet what we see in the resurrection of Jesus is that death is part of a larger, ongoing process by which all things are made new. The Singers of Soul will be leading us in worship. Children are welcome in The Loft gathering as Easter is an especially meaningful time to worship together. We will have kids worship activity kits that you can pick up on your way in, just in case they need a little distraction during worship. Additionally, there will be a kids' area in Helms Hall, across from The Loft, where the worship service will be livestreamed. This area includes couches, chairs, a table for children to draw on, and Legos and other activities to keep them entertained. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40741450

The Way of Jesus is a Way of Resistance 03/30/2026

The Way of Jesus is a Way of Resistance The Bible is both personal and political, and thus, the way of Jesus is both personal and political. The Way is a path towards personal transformation and political resistance to systems of religious and secular domination. The spiritual path of Jesus is an invitation to advocate for the kingdom of God and criticize those complicit in upholding the domination systems that harm the most vulnerable. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40661430

The Mysticism of Jesus 03/23/2026

The Mysticism of Jesus The majority of Christians would probably not use the term “mystic” to describe Jesus. Many Christians, especially those of us in the West, think of mysticism as a spirituality that is disconnected from the everyday experiences of life. However, what we see in the life of Jesus is that his spiritual practices created a sense of Oneness with God and with other human beings, which deeply informed his beliefs about our responsibilities towards one another. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40582820

Jesus & His Neighbors 03/16/2026

Jesus & His Neighbors From the outset of his public ministry, Jesus included disciples within his inner circle whom his Jewish contemporaries believed did not deserve a seat at the table. When questioned by a lawyer about one person's moral obligations to another, Jesus begins and ends a parable with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Matthew Hom from Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice will be joining me in the center to discuss their work helping faith communities live out the principles of this parable. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40493155

The Way of Jesus is The Way of Love 03/09/2026

The Way of Jesus is The Way of Love Like other wisdom teachers, Jesus spoke of two ways. There is a common way, the one followed by most people, and an alternative way, a path of transformation leading from how we ordinarily live our lives to a different way of being in the world. By following the narrow way, Jesus suggests that we move closer to discovering our true and authentic selves in God. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40362710

Jesus & The Imperial World 03/02/2026

Jesus & The Imperial World The context surrounding Jesus' life was complicated by an imperial domination system. The central features of Roman colonial power were its political oppression and poverty-inducing effects. How was it possible for Jesus to develop a spiritual path of radical compassion out of this social world of political and economic marginalization? www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40277930

Who Do You Say That I Am? 02/23/2026

Who Do You Say That I Am? After having spent time in his community preaching and teaching, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?” For those of us who grew up Christian, how we answered that question was of utmost importance. However, as we mature in our faith, an equally important question begins to emerge: how do we tell the story of Jesus? There are many ways to tell the story of Jesus, but how we choose to tell it significantly informs how we practice the religion he taught his disciples. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40194610

The Gospel of Mary Magdalene 02/16/2026

The Gospel of Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus's disciples. The Gospels say she traveled with him, was present at his crucifixion, and was the first to see him after his resurrection. Most Christians don’t view her as one of the more important disciples, if they see her as a disciple at all. However, this wasn’t always the case; plenty of evidence suggests that the writings attributed to Mary played a key role in shaping the early Christian movement. Join us this Sunday as we explore what happened to Mary’s teachings and how the decision to exclude her voice continues to affect Christianity today. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40118580

Hagar: The Woman Who God Named 02/09/2026

Hagar: The Woman Who God Named When most Christians read the story of Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael, Hagar is seen as having a small role in a story that ultimately is not about her. However, upon a closer reading, Hagar plays a central role in God’s unfolding relationship with Abram and his family. Hagar’s story of survival, hope, and redemption mirrors the experiences of many Black, Indigenous, and Other women of Color in America. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/40040615

Listening For Sophia: Finding Wisdom In Places It Has Always Been 02/02/2026

Listening For Sophia: Finding Wisdom In Places It Has Always Been In Jewish and Christian traditions, the voice of wisdom has long been personified as Sophia, a woman. It is a sad irony that the voices of women and other marginalized communities are not usually seen as sources of wisdom in modern Christian communities. What might we learn if we listen to the voices of those whose wisdom has been marginalized? What wisdom can we draw from the community response in Minneapolis and apply here in Los Angeles? Join us this Sunday as Rev. Dr. Carter is joined in the center by our Director of Youth and Social Justice, Everest Harvey, for a conversation on learning to listen to the wisdom both within us and around us. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/39961575

Breaking Patriarchy: Queen Vashti & The Holy No 01/26/2026

Breaking Patriarchy: Queen Vashti & The Holy No The book of Esther was written to help Jewish believers live faithfully in a world that is often unfaithful and sometimes openly hostile. Although she only appears in the first chapter, the same could be said about Queen Vashti. Her story shows the cost and risks women face when they stay true to themselves. Denying patriarchal ownership over her body cost her wealth and prestige, but it gave her so much more in return. Rev. Dr. Cater and Rev. Blair discuss patriarchal power dynamics and how "no" can be a holy word. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/39875960

Women Who Dare to Tell the Truth 01/19/2026

Women Who Dare to Tell the Truth As we continue in the sermon series inspired by women of the Hebrew Bible and Claire McKeever-Burgett's book, In the Beginning Were the Women, we turn this week to a little known story: The Witch of Endor. Yes, there's a witch in the Bible. No, she's not the bad guy. Join us to consider the way society has often labeled women who dare to tell the truth, turning them into villains instead of the prophets God made them to be. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/39778975

Miriam: Mystic, Liberator, Savior 01/12/2026

Miriam: Mystic, Liberator, Savior From the moment we are born, the stories we learn help us make meaning out of our lives. They become the sources of knowledge we draw from when our own understanding falls short. But knowledge isn't neutral; it is always influenced by culture. So, how has our culture shaped what you believe you know? The exodus story is fundamental to Christianity, and yet, when we tell this story, it is important that we ask ourselves which voices have been prioritized, which have been overlooked, and why. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/39695025

Fear Doesn’t Stop Us 01/05/2026

Fear Doesn’t Stop Us On Epiphany, churches often focus on mysterious and joyful arrival of the magi, a jovial tale about three royal kings bringing the baby Jesus finely-wrapped birthday gifts. But the reality is that Herod looms large; his actions twist this tale into a tragedy. In fear, Herod chooses coercion and control. Still, the magi persist and persevere, giving honor to a Judean king with insistent hope that his anointing could lead to the restoration of their own Persian customs and culture within the ever-expanding Roman empire. We can’t ignore that the Herods of the world still loom large. The slaughter of the Holy Innocents is a painful story that mirrors devastating modern-day events and realities. And yet, this is the work of insisting on hope. We will share holy communion, as love leads us forward. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/39611830

Fear Moves Us 12/29/2025

Fear Moves Us After Jesus’ birth, fear and oppression continue to pervade the lives of the Holy Family. Due to Herod’s persecution, we are promptly reminded that even with Christ among us, the world is still a broken and messy place. In our current world, as we continue to see refugees and immigrants targeted and deported, as well as genocides violently enacted by governing forces, the church has a responsibility to proclaim what is too often ignored: Jesus was born a refugee who escaped genocide by living in a foreign land. How might we notice and be moved by the fears that move us? www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/39551150

Step Into Your Calling 12/15/2025

Step Into Your Calling What does it mean to be “called” to do something? There are many stories of prophets and leaders in the Christian tradition who say they were called to be in their roles. What can we learn from their call stories that might help us when we are unsure of which way to go? In the call stories of Jeremiah and Mary, we see that even if we are afraid, God invites us to step into our calling and walk through our fear, knowing that God will be with us, always. www.TheLoftLA.org /episode/index/show/theloftla/id/39408265

The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form

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