Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn't is the thoughtful work of Stephen McAlpine. In this chat, Steve discusses the cultural shift we find ourselves in where the Christian ethic is increasingly considered a moral wrong by the secular world. He also shares how he came to trust Jesus and his plan to publish a follow-up book in 2023.    Steve is a pastor and writer from Perth who has an interest in helping Christian organisations such as schools and churches to navigate the increasingly complex cultural settings of the West today. He is a board member of Swan Christian Education Association, a system of seven schools in Perth. He and his wife Jill have been involved in church planting and pastoring for almost three decades. Steve is a National Communicator for the workplace evangelism project, City Bible Forum. His book, Being The Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World that Says You Shouldn’t, was the Australian Christian Book of the Year 2021.   LINKS   Stephen's Blog: https://stephenmcalpine.com Stephen's Podcast: Delorean Philosophy Podcast   On church abuse and bullying by Stephen McAlpine:   https://stephenmcalpine.com/bully-vol-1/ https://stephenmcalpine.com/bully-vol-2/ https://stephenmcalpine.com/bully-vol-3/ https://stephenmcalpine.com/clerical-bullying-and-spiritual-abuse-are-they-the-same-thing/   On Church Abuse and Bullying by Other Authors:   Wade Mullen - Something's Not Right Chuck DeGroat - When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From  Emotional and Spiritual Abuse Diane Langberg - Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church https://bit.ly/th-churchabuseresourcelist    

Alison Muchira's story includes her journey from trusting Jesus as a young girl in Kenya to life in church ministry alongside her husband, Isaac. She shares about the ups and downs of ministry, church planting, moving cities, raising and schooling children, and letting go. Alison supports her husband in church ministry in a small seaside town in Kenya where Alison serves in the roles of women's and children's ministry.  *** Alison Muchira lives with her husband in Niani, Kenya where they are the leaders of a young church plant, Mamlaka Hill Chapel, Niani. Alison has homeschooled their four children until recently with her two oldest now finishing high school in Nairobi.       Links: https://www.facebook.com/mamlakahillchapeldiani/   Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.

Well-loved psychologist and author of The Reconnected Heart: How Relationships Can Help Us Heal, Dr Jonathan Andrews joins Taryn on the podcast today. They discuss his journey to faith, his time at L'Abri in his 20s, and his work in helping people overcome relationship injuries. Dr Andrews is also the director of the Heart in Mind psychological practice in Brisbane. It is his belief that the most helpful step we can take in life is to live with our hearts in our minds - that is, to live each day in conscious awareness of what we need to function well psychologically.  His book uses his 20 years of experience as a practising clinical psychologist, together with biblical foundations, insights from literature and scientific evidence to lead the reader through the steps of healing. The aim is a reconnected heart - one that will set you up for a life of trust, self-esteem, honour and belonging.   LINKS: Heart in Mind Psychology Practice The Reconnected Heart - The Wandering Bookseller  L'Abri Fellowship International The Gospel Coalition, Australia - Book Review of The Reconnected Heart

Co-host and founder of The Lydia Project, Tori Walker, is our guest today! In this episode, Tori chats with Taryn about her journey to faith - which began when she was invited to a local youth group - and the road the Lord has led her on since then.  Tori lives in Brisbane and is a member of Ann St Presbyterian Church. She has studied at theological college and has worked as a pastor with school students and uni students.  For some of her week, Tori runs a business that consults with the construction industry regarding energy efficiency compliance.  She loves teaching the Bible to women and talking with people about their faith in Jesus. Family time is important to her, especially if it includes a beach or mountain or bicycle! With Taryn Hayes, Tori co-hosts The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women.

Abuse in the church is, sadly, rife. It is in the light of this that Dr Diane Langberg has penned her latest book, Redeeming Power: UnderstandingAuthority and Abuse in the Church. In this chat, Dr Langberg discusses her journey to faith and her years of clinical work with trauma victims, including those impacted by church hurt.  Dr Diane Langberg is globally recognised for her 50 years of clinical work with trauma victims. She has trained caregivers on six continents in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power. For 29 years, she directed her own practice in Jenkintown PA, Diane Langberg PhD, and Associates. Now in partnership with Dr. Monroe, Langberg, Monroe & Associates continues this work which includes seventeen therapists with multiple specialties. Dr. Langberg’s newest book is Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church.  Her other books include Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse, On the Threshold of Hope (with accompanying workbook), In Our Lives First: Meditations for Counselors, Suffering the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores, Bringing Christ to Abused Women and many others. Dr. Langberg is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Achievements from Taylor University., the American Association of Christian Counselors Caregiver Award, The Distinguished President’s award, and the Philadelphia Council of Clergy’s Christian Service Award. She is married and has two sons and four grandchildren.    Links: www.dianelangberg.com https://twitter.com/DianeLangberg https://missio.edu/global-trauma-recovery-institute/ https://www.biblesociety.org.au/projects/trauma-support-ntd/  Review: Redeeming Power (The Gospel Coalition, Australia) For gospel workers who have experienced mistreatment, abuse, or unfair dismissal head to the Gospel Workers Advocacy group for confidential care: gospelworkersadvocacy.org.au For links to many more articles, videos, books and reviews this document is helpful: https://bit.ly/th-churchabuseresourcelist  

Nina Hampton chats to Taryn about her battle with cancer and her story of faith. In this chat, Nina shares how her cancer journey led her to not only begin to better understand the connection between mind and body, but also to trust Jesus with every moment of her life. Nina’s journey has led her to start a personal Instagram account (@faith_love_and_breastcancer ) where she shares her story with others.

Barbara and Stacy Reaoch put the mother-and-daughter-in-law relationship under the microscope (starting with their own) in their new book, Making Room for Her (B&H Publishing). In this Lydia Project Book Club chat, Barbara and Stacy share their wisdom and failures - from over 20 years of forming a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bond - as well as Biblical insight into growing healthier, God-glorifying in-law relationships.  Making Room for Her is available at all leading bookstores, including at The Wandering Bookseller with a 15% discount with the code LYDIA15.  *** Barbara Reaoch, author of A Better Than Anything Christmas (2020), is the former director of the children’s division at Bible Study Fellowship International. Her home is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, Ron. Prior to her role at BSF, Barbara and Ron lived in Cape Town, South Africa, to teach Bible Study Fellowship classes. They also worked with the Rafiki Foundation to train young women in job and life skills. You can connect with her at www.barbarareaoch.com. Stacy Reaoch is a pastor’s wife, mother of four, and the author of Wilderness Wanderings: Finding Contentment in the Desert Times of Life. She has written for various ministries including Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and Revive Our Hearts. Stacy and her husband, Ben, live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with their children. You can find more about Stacy and her writings at www.stacyreaoch.com.  

In this episode, Taryn chats to the man behind our Book Club partner, The Wandering Bookseller. Karl shares about his love for books and how The Wandering Bookseller came to be. He also speaks about his struggle with anxiety and God's hand in helping him deeply grasp his love and forgiveness. Karl and The Wandering Bookseller are again offering 15% off all The Lydia Project book club books for 2022.    *** Karl Grice has been matching books with people – and people with books – since the turn of the century. He started The Wandering Bookseller to provide hand-picked bookstalls for Christian events across Australia. Karl also curates an indie bookshop in Katoomba, with a piano hidden upstairs, poetry readings and second-hand chairs. Karl and his wife Naomi live with their four children, a few chooks, a vegetable garden and, yes, even more books!"   LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Review of Down But Not Out, Chris Cipollone - https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/book-review/review-down-not-out-by-chris-cipollone/ Andrew Petersen - https://www.andrew-peterson.com/ (songwriter and author of The Wingfeather series) SD Smith - https://sdsmith.com/ (author of The Green Ember series) The Wandering Bookseller - https://www.wanderingbookseller.com.au/ The Little Lost Bookshop - https://www.littlelostbookshop.com.au/   Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.  

Jan and Chrissy began meeting together when Chrissy began a traineeship at her local church. Their one-to-one disciplining relationship developed over the course of the year, bringing them both much joy, encouragement, and growth. In this episode, Taryn chats with Jan and Chrissy about the value of mentoring relationships among women and how they grew both relationally and spiritually in their 5 years of meeting together regularly.

This year is to be one with a focus on relationships - women to women, across the sexes, within the church, with our communities and as Christians in an increasingly hostile world. Join us this year as we chat with Christian women about their personal stories of Christ at work.  The episode that follows this one will be Tori and Taryn discussing the book Growing Together: Taking Mentoring from Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa Kruger. Still available from The Wandering Bookseller with a 15% discount. Following that episode, we will chat with two women who have had a wonderful experience of one-to-one fellowship. Soon after that we will introduce our first book club book of the year with an interview with the author.  If you would like to get cracking on reading our book club books for the year, here's the list:   Being the Bad Guys - Stephen McAlpine Beyond Awkward Side Hugs - Bronwyn Lea The Reconnected Heart - Jonathan Andrews Redeeming Power - Diane Langberg Making Room for Her - Barbara Reaoch and Stacey Reaoch (available soon from The Wandering Bookseller)     Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.      

Joanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.   EPISODE NOTES:   Joanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.   LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:   Teen Challenge Qld         Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.  

EPISODE NOTES: Whether you are a new Christian, or have been for a while and feel in need of a refresher, "Need to Know” will give you the essentials—what you really need to know if you’re going to follow Jesus. Host Tori Walker chats with Gary Millar about his work at the Queensland Theological College, as well as his most recent book, “Need to Know”.   This practical and easy-to-read book shows readers how letting the fundamental truths of the gospel take root in our hearts changes everything about the way we see God, ourselves and the world around us. He explores what this miraculous change on the inside looks like on the outside as we live our lives shaped around gospel priorities. Packed full of warmth and wisdom, this book will set anyone up for a lifetime of living for Jesus. It's perfect for giving to new Christians and makes a great gift for baptisms or confirmations. Mentoring questions are included for each chapter, so it's also an ideal resource to use in one-to-one discipleship with younger believers. “Need to Know” is available online or in bookstores worldwide. In Australia, a 15% discount is available for all Lydia Project Book Club books through The Wandering Bookseller. Simply use the discount code LYDIA15 at the checkout.  *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:   The Wandering Bookseller: The Lydia Project Collection   Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.  

As an Aboriginal Christian Leader who is a descendant of the Waka Waka peoples, Brooke Prentis uses her talents and experience to lead Common Grace, a movement of people pursuing Jesus and justice.  Tori Walker talks with Brooke about her family background, how she came to know Christ at uni, and why she is so passionate about the work she leads at Common Grace.

What does it actually mean to disciple someone? What is ministry supervision? And why should every ministry have it? These are some of the questions that Sarah Balogh answers in her chat with Taryn today on The Lydia Project. Sarah has a psychology practice in the Blue Mountains in Sydney, which she loves, but she also loves discipling women, caring for people in ministry in her role as a ministry supervisor, enjoying her family and supporting her husband in his role as the CEO of the Gospel Coalition, Australia.

Host Tori interviews Jo Gibbs on what the crosscultural life is like and how chronic fatigue affected that. Jo talks about the ministry roles that she has been in as well as how she came to understand who Christ is and what He had done for her.

Linda Poole chats to Taryn about finding joy in Jesus and longing to be someone who chooses gratitude and thankfulness even when times are hard. Linda speaks about her years in cross-cultural mission where she and her family served as part of a hospital mission in South Sudan. She speaks of the transition back to Australia and the struggle that was. She also speaks to how God is growing her today in her ministry to her children, her church and as a facilitator for Pioneers, Australia.

EPISODE NOTES: "Sometimes we ask What is God's will for my life? when we should really be asking Who should I be? The Bible has an answer: Be like the very image of God." Hosts, Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes chat about Jen Wilkin's book In His Image. Jen Wilkin is an American speaker, writer, and teacher of women's Bible studies with 20 years of experience in ministry. Her book, In His Image, explores ten characteristics of who God is - holy, loving, just, good, merciful, gracious, faithful, patient, truthful, and wise. Tori and Taryn discuss the premise of In His Image, why they think it is a valuable book to read and share, and their big takeaways from some of the chapters. To get your own copy of this book with a 15% discount, head to The Wandering Bookseller and use the code LYDIA15 at checkout. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:   The Wandering Bookseller: The Lydia Project Collection   Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.  

In this episode, Jill shares with Taryn her gratitude for the pain, hurt, sorrow and grief because of how God has shaped her and her husband through some of the more difficult moments in life and ministry.

Host Tori Walker chats with Marion Birchley about life and student work in PNG.

When Kate became serious about her Christian faith, she chose to explore mission work abroad. Little did she realise that a 5-month mission trip would turn into a lifelong ministry that involved a cross-cultural marriage, three children, and a venture into authoring books and supporting other Christian women in their writing. Grief, heartache, and much uncertainty are just some of the things that Kate shares with Taryn. Listen as they chat about her journey and God’s incredible compassion and care as Kate trusts Him and learns from those around her.