Perspectives Podcast

15/03/2024

After a year off, we're firing up the old podcast again, this time with my son Broderic as we journey through pioneering a new missional space in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Join us over the coming months as we unpack missional theology, philosophy, and stories along the way from a variety of faith perspectives.

You can find the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Direct link to listen: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/e/were-back-perspectives-podcast-returns/

To learn more about Lighthouse Cluj, visit https://mirministries.org/lighthouse

After a year break, we're back to conversations on a variety of missional and faith perspectives. This week, I'm joined by Broderic Crowe, our eldest son who's joined us in Cluj-Napoca Romania for the launch of a new missional creative space called Lighthouse Cluj. In this episode, we're just warmin...

18/11/2022

First of some recommended book reviews.

Podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-w6u9b-131a099
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

Evangelicalism is reaching an inflection point. The exodus of millennials from Evangelical churches and the growth of those self-identifying as "Nones," as in "None of the Above," for their church affiliation, is concerning for the movement's future.
Evangelical leaders offer mixed responses to this challenge--from circling the wagons to an enthusiastic "Everything must change!" posture.

Theosis takes a different approach. Seeking to understand Evangelicalism and its origins, this book suggests that Evangelicalism is best understood as the sibling of western, Enlightenment Modernity, which served it well . . . until the modern cultural ethos began to shift dramatically toward post-modernity.

In this shift, young Evangelicals--principally postmoderns themselves--are abandoning "their father's Evangelicalism" and its perceived linearity, hyper-rationalism, either/or exclusivity, and faith expression, too often perceived as stripped of mystery and wonder.
Theosis proposes that to move forward, Evangelicalism must go back to the future, to re-engage with the patristic understanding of salvation as theosis; deification, or union with God.

This radical return--and broadening of the doctrine of salvation--has begun to gain traction in Western Christendom, slowly being considered as it has always in the Christian East, as mere Christianity.

18/11/2022

In this episode Bruce reviews the book by Michael Paul Gama. Evangelicalism is reaching an inflection point. The exodus of millennials from Evangelical churches and the growth of those self-identifying as "Nones," as in "None of the Above," for their church affiliation, is concerning for the movemen...

08/11/2022

In this episode, we talk with Aleksa Ayshpur from Kyiv, Ukraine. Aleksa is a gifted young women who has worked for the past 10yrs promoting charity projects and inspiring others in Ukraine to make culture. Aleksa shares her story, having lost her dad when she was just one year's old, she and her sis...

08/11/2022

November 8th, Aleksa's journey from Ukraine, to Italy, to Romania.. navigating loss and living into a surprising new world.

Podcast Subscribe: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/
Listen YouTube: https://youtu.be/M52n_XGhkss

In this episode, we talk with Aleksa Ayshpur from Kyiv, Ukraine. Aleksa is a gifted young women who has worked for the past 10yrs promoting charity projects and inspiring others in Ukraine to make culture. Aleksa shares her story, having lost her dad when she was just one year's old, she and her sis...

02/11/2022

Episode: Parenting the Teen This week we're focusing on the the teenage years. A favorite parenting season for Deb, these years are filled with exploring, questions, and the final stage before they leave the nest.. usually! Bruce & Deb discuss sexuality, dating, and the transition into friendship as...

23/10/2022

Our family just returned yesterday from a retreat with friends in Ukraine. For those tracking the news, there's so much ongoing information concerning Ukraine it can be overwhelming to try and try and make sense of what's actually going on.

In this podcast, I give a summary of the past two months since the Kharkiv offensive, the domino effect from conscription, drones, weaponizing energy and now the potential for disaster in the Kherson region if the dam is destroyed.

For regular Ukrainians, the focus is surviving the winter, and the new rolling blackouts. I talk about how Ukrainians heat their homes, and the practical challenges ahead.

Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

You can watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

23/10/2022

Our family just returned yesterday from a mountain retreat in Western Ukraine with our friends from central Ukraine. For those tracking the news, there's so much ongoing information concerning Ukraine it can be overwhelming to try and try and make sense of what's actually going on. In this podcast,....

11/10/2022

Episode: Parenting the Pr***en This week we're focusing on the emotional pr***en years. As parents, we need to embrace this season as a time of testing and differentiation as our kids begin to embark on discovery of their identity. This essential transition is only made more difficult when parents e...

07/10/2022

Parenting can be so exhausting!

In this episode, we focus on 4-10yr olds and the importance for parents to pay attention to their bodies, emotions and take care of their own soul first.

So often, young and first time parents are reactionary, and unaware of the deeper issues going on in their own hearts. Without realizing this, we'll we're train our kids that it's normative to operate in stress with others.

Bruce & Deb discuss importance of moving from the 'outward obedience' focus of the toddler years the more sustainable and life-giving 'relational influence' by focusing on the heart, and the power of unconditional love.

Whether your single or married, come join us as we dive deeply into ways we're learning how to form emotionally and spiritually healthy kids, teens, and young adults.

Deb is a certified Spiritual Director, and Bruce is a cross-cultural leader in missional spaces. They've been married 28yrs, raising 8 of their own children in the US, Ukraine and now Romania. They enjoy living rooms, meaning making, and conversations that engage the soul.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite player: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BU1RPbS0fcDliYlYXOR0z

Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-podcast-with-bruce-crowe/id1636524283

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

Listen to Perspectives Podcast with Bruce Crowe on Spotify.

28/09/2022

Parenting Perspectives Episode 2: Infant - 3yrs old.

In this episode, Deb and Bruce Crowe talk about creating rhythms, nurturing the heart vs outward obedience and how the early years set the stage for friendship with our children.

The Crowes have been married for 27 years, they have 8 children and one grandson. They are currently living in Romania with their four youngest kids.

Each week they share their perspective on a stage of parenting, and advice they would give their younger parenting selves.

Subscribe to your favorite player: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

21/09/2022

This week the lovely Deborah Crowe joins me on the Perspectives Podcast as we start a fun series on the nature of parenting. In this first episode we discuss the pregnancy phase and travel back to give ourselves advice we wished we had.

We'll journey in the coming years through parenting toddlers, teens, and young adults. Figured we have enough practice now to share some helpful advice in a fun format. We'll do some video options later, we didn't have time to do our hair.

Subscribe to your favorite player:
https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Episode: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-s2y54-12cbf20

14/09/2022

Don't miss episode 10! Alejandro from Costa Rica shares his powerful story of redemption and hope. Fatherless, raised by two moms, inundated by po*******hy and a deep anger towards God, young Alejandro wanted to die.

Listen to his amazing story of how God answered his desperate prayer and continues to restore his life and fill him with a mission of love for others.

Subscribe and Listen: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/yv2EpSK8JOE

Alejandro now serves, with his wife Rosanna and daughter in Romania as missionaries. He has a heart for the marginalized and oppressed. His vision is to open a residential safe house, and place of healing for victims desperate for the same hope He has found in Christ.

You can find Alejandro at https://www.facebook.com/alevenegasr

Intro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion
License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ

07/09/2022

Jon is a Jazz musician from New Zealand who’s story will encourage creative souls to be true to yourself, and develop your gifts. He and his wife Ruth have lived and worked in several cultures, giving them a perspective to position their lives for loving on the margins.

In this episode, we'll learn about Jon's story, growing up partially Maori (Indigenous people group in New Zealand), marrying his wife Ruth, moving to Ukraine, working through cancer in their family, making a bold decision to return to school at 38 to study Jazz and now pioneering a creative musical academy!

In just it's second year, his Te Hiku musical platform gives lessons to over 150 students, in 6 schools. Jon is a listener, a caring and creative dude that is bringing life and inspiration to those on the fringes. Learn about his next dream to get a touring bus and take mission+music on the road in the remote parts of New Zealand.

Subscribe and listen:
https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

31/08/2022

Rares Calugar shares his story of growing up in communist Romania, living through a revolution, and finding God.

Rares (pronounced ‘Raresh’) is the director of a charity called Meeting Point which has been instrumental this year sending dozens of convoys of aid into Ukraine. They also host refugees at their hotel for free, which serves normally as a place for cancer patients and their families.

Join us as we hear his story, and how he is creating culture as a native Romanian and using his Orthodox heritage to love his neighbors.

You can find Rares and the team at Meeting Point:
https://www.facebook.com/MeetingPointRO/

Thank you for listening, be sure to subscribe to our Audio Podcast at https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Like our YouTube channel for more updates each week! https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

In this episode, Rares Calugar from Meeting Point, joins us sharing his story of living in the former Soviet Union in Romania as a child, and his journey to ...

31/08/2022

In this episode, Rares Calugar from Meeting Point, joins us sharing his story of living in the former Soviet Union in Romania as a child, and his journey to finding his purpose in serving Christ as a native missionary to his people. Rares is a United Methodist Pastor in Romania, who gathered a team....

24/08/2022

Musician Peter Putnam from Georgia joins the Perspectives Podcast to discuss his original song "We Didn't Want Your War" which he wrote in solidarity with Ukraine.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/SmYzmhRu0jY
Audio: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Listen how the story took shape, from sitting on his couch watching the terror unleashed by Russia on Ukraine in the early days of the war, to recording the song in less than two weeks.

One of the coolest things about the song, is that the lyrics were translated quotes directly from Ukrainians as Peter began to jot down what he was hearing Ukrainians say in response to this war.

On behalf of all Ukrainians praying for this war to end, and artists that continue to stand with Ukraine, thank you for your support!

To download and listen to the song, search for:

Artist: Peter Putnam
Song Title: We Didn't Want Your War

Instagram:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pumpputnam

If you enjoy conversations from a variety of cultural and faith perspectives, subscribe to the Perspectives Podcast with Bruce Crowe.

Don't miss another podcast, subscribe at https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

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