The SkyePod - Rich Velodis

Host: Skye Jethani
Guest: Rich Velodis
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Duration: Approximately 28 minutes

Introduction

In this episode of The SkyePod, host Skye Jethani welcomes Rich Velodis, the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, New York. Rich, a prolific author with over eight books to his name, is recognized as a leading voice in the spiritual formation movement. The conversation delves into the nuances of this movement, its growing influence both within and outside the church, and the challenges it faces in diverse and socioeconomically varied communities.

The Rise of Spiritual Formation and Secular Interest

Skye initiates the discussion by observing a marked increase in secular voices advocating for the benefits of faith and spiritual practices. He cites figures like Arthur Brooks, Jonathan Haidt, and G. Scott Galloway, who emphasize spirituality's role in addressing mental health crises, particularly among the youth.

Notable Quote:

"Communities, nations, people who are deeply engaged in religious activities, congregational life and formative practices are off the charts, doing better than people who are not."
— Skye Jethani [04:00]

Rich responds by highlighting the unique context of Queens, where over 50% of the population is foreign-born. He argues that many spiritual formation studies might be skewed towards the white, affluent experience, not accounting for the diverse and inherently religious communities in areas like Queens.

Notable Quote:

"If you're going to have people practice Sabbath in Queens for a number of people, not for everyone, for a number of people, it's going to take a new kind of like Sabbath economics around community life."
— Rich Velodis [23:00]

Benefits vs. Motivations in Spiritual Practices

The conversation shifts to the motivations behind engaging in spiritual practices. Skye raises a concern that while people are increasingly adopting practices like Sabbath-keeping, they might be doing so primarily for second-order benefits—such as managing anxiety—rather than seeking a deeper communion with God.

Notable Quote:

"I think we're just going for the second order benefits rather than the first order benefit."
— Skye Jethani [07:42]

Rich acknowledges this trend, sharing his personal journey of seeking peace through Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of establishing a formational culture that prioritizes a relationship with Jesus over merely the benefits derived from spiritual practices.

Notable Quote:

"We are trying to hold together the mixture. I think that's a big part of just why people stick around."
— Rich Velodis [17:22]

Community and Cultural Diversity in Spiritual Formation

Rich elaborates on the challenges of applying the spiritual formation movement in a diverse setting like Queens. He points out that practices such as Sabbath-keeping often assume a level of socioeconomic privilege that many in his community do not possess. For instance, while some can afford to rest entirely on the Sabbath, others juggle multiple jobs and cannot.

Notable Quote:

"There's lots of folks who live with the kind of an exterior pharaoh and... powers and principalities that have."
— Rich Velodis [24:46]

Skye concurs, reminiscing about a spiritual formation conference he attended 20 years prior, which was predominantly white and suburban. He underscores the risk of the spiritual formation movement becoming an "elite, white, affluent American Christianity" phenomenon.

Addressing the Gaps in the Spiritual Formation Movement

Both hosts critique the spiritual formation movement for its often individualistic approach, which can lead to isolation rather than fostering genuine community. Rich shares insights from his experience at New Life Fellowship, where they anticipate and address the natural ebbs and flows of community life. He emphasizes the importance of enduring imperfections within the community to prevent it from becoming transactional and consumeristic.

Notable Quote:

"We're inviting you into a place of deep transformation."
— Rich Velodis [16:42]

Skye adds that without a strong community foundation, even when individuals seek the benefits of faith, they may end up disillusioned if the community becomes toxic. He highlights the deconstruction movement as a response to such negative experiences within faith communities.

Integrating Socioeconomic and Cultural Realities

Rich points out that spiritual practices must be contextualized within the socioeconomic realities of the community. Practices like Sabbath-keeping cannot be uniformly applied without considering the external pressures and constraints individuals face. He advocates for "Sabbath economics," where the community supports its members in achieving rest and renewal, acknowledging that not everyone has the luxury to take breaks.

Notable Quote:

"What we're saying is it's not going to be easy, it's going to cost you something. Not going to cost you something, it's going to cost you everything."
— Rich Velodis [22:34]

Conclusion

The episode concludes without a formal wrap-up, as the transcript cuts off with an advertisement for Holy Post Plus. However, the discussion between Skye and Rich encapsulates a critical evaluation of the spiritual formation movement's current trajectory. They emphasize the need for the movement to adapt to diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts, ensuring that spiritual practices foster genuine community and a heartfelt relationship with God rather than merely serving as tools for personal benefit.

Final Thoughts: This episode offers a profound exploration of the intricacies within the spiritual formation movement, highlighting both its expanding influence and the challenges it faces in diverse settings. Rich Velodis provides invaluable insights from his pastoral experience, advocating for a more inclusive and relational approach to spiritual formation that transcends mere personal benefits.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Skye Jethani [04:00]: Emphasizes the superior well-being of communities engaged in religious activities.
• Rich Velodis [23:00]: Discusses the need for "Sabbath economics" in diverse communities.
• Skye Jethani [07:42]: Raises concerns about motivations behind adopting spiritual practices.
• Rich Velodis [17:22]: Highlights the importance of enduring community imperfections.
• Rich Velodis [24:46]: Talks about external challenges affecting spiritual practices.
• Rich Velodis [16:42]: Invites listeners into a space of deep transformation.
• Rich Velodis [22:34]: Stresses the cost of true spiritual commitment.