Dr Selina Stone on Pentecostalism, spiritual abuse and her evolving faith

If white Christians are serious about building multiethnic churches, they need to start sharing power with Black and Brown people. That’s according to Dr Selina Stone who worries too much energy has been wasted by Black Christians on the issue. The Pentecostal theologian also speaks candidly with Sam Hailes about why studying theology at the highest level has deepened rather than dismantled her belief in God 

One of my favourite questions to ask Christian leaders is: “How has your faith changed over time?” (And I’ll admit to always being slightly sceptical of people who struggle to come up with anything.)

Dr Selina Stone handles the “what’s changed?” question with more depth and maturity than most. The 37-year-old theologian is adept at holding fast to what was good, pure, true and lovely about her childhood faith while simultaneously critiquing the more problematic aspects. The pay-off from that hard thinking, in her words, is a “more expansive and humble” faith.