Practical Faith Academy - Episode 21 - Constance Hastings, Answering Jesus's Challenges

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Constance Hastings is a church deacon and mental health counselor who was raised outside of a church environment, so she understands both the outsider and the insider perspectives on faith. Hastings’ book, “The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations before You Walk Away” shows how Jesus encountered trouble but also caused trouble throughout his life, and how his life, death, and resurrection still cause trouble today.

Highlights of the podcast: 

2:18 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Hastings

3:27 Her origin story as a Christian outsider in a non-religious family and how Christian school gave her a start on faith

6:33 On her current role as a church deacon who works in mental health

7:46 Her understanding of the prodigal experience

9:53 Since her book is entitled, “The Trouble with Jesus,” what does Hastings want people to know about Jesus?

11:45 Hastings explains the book’s subtitle regarding considerations before we walk away from Jesus, mapping it to the story of the Rich Young Ruler

15:33 How she addresses both non-believers and believers in her book

17:46 How Hastings sees Jesus challenging believers, such as in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and how Jesus challenged her views on race

23:26 How Jesus challenges us in this day and time

27:58 How faith exists in tension with fear, and how we can gain strength in hard times

31:17 What is the hardest part about putting faith into practice?

32:29 How to follow Hastings and find her book

 

Constance Hastings is an author, church deacon, and mental health counselor who wrote “The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations before You Walk Away.”  Her weekly blog is a companion to the book and can be accessed at ConstanceHastings.com. Constance recommends purchasing the book from a local bookstore in order to introduce the book to other people while it sits on the shelf.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please register for Cecil’s free monthly newsletters on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. You’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and two monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connection.

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- In “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book and eWorkbook available now; book study Leader Guide and first video study available later in 2025), Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family.

- In “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” (book, six-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide), Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

- “The Next Thing” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide) supplies a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.