BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTFUL FOR us

The Universal Christ - Richard Rohr

Most know who Jesus was, but who was Christ? Too often, our understandings have been limited by culture, religious squabbling, and the human tendency to put ourselves at the center. Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world.

The Cross and the Lynching Tree - James Cone

Both the cross and the lynching tree represent the worst in human beings and, at the same time, a thirst for life that refuses to let the worst determine our final meaning. While the lynching tree symbolizes white power and black death, the cross symbolizes divine power and black life, God overcoming the power of sin and death. For African Americans, the image of Jesus hung on a tree to die powerfully grounded their faith that God was with them, even in the suffering of the lynching era.

Traveling Mercies - Anne Lamott

Lamott's faith isn't about easy answers, which is part of what endears her to believers as well as nonbelievers. Against all odds, she came to believe in God and then, even more miraculously, in herself. As she puts it, "My coming to faith did not start with a leap but rather a series of staggers." Traveling Mercies tells in exuberant detail how Anne Lamott learned to shine the light of faith on the darkest part of ordinary life, exposing surprising pockets of meaning and hope.

They Will Inherit The Earth - John Dear

We cannot recommend this book enough. If Jesus calls us into anything, it’s a life of nonviolence. John Dear beautifully explores a nonviolent posture toward all things in the midst of a planet undergoing climate change.

The Great Emergence - Phyllis Tickle

Phyllis Tickle shows readers how the Great Emergence happening in the Church now is similar to other "Greats" in the history of Christianity, including the Great Transformation (when God walked among us), the time of Gregory the Great, the Great Schism, and the Great Reformation.

A New Harmony - John Phillip Newell  

The poetic JPN explores a Celtic view of the oneness of creation and humanity as expressed through Christ.

The Idolatry of God - Peter Rollins

In contrast to the understanding of the Good News as a message offering satisfaction and certainty, Rollins argues how the Good News involves embracing the idea that we cannot be whole, that life is difficult, and that we are in the dark. Showing how God has traditionally been approached as a product that will render us complete, remove our suffering, and reveal the answers, he introduces an incendiary approach to faith that invites us to joyfully embrace our brokenness, resolutely face our unknowing, and courageously accept the difficulties of existence.

Convictions - Marcus Borg

Borg calls all American Christians to reject divisiveness and exclusivity and create communities that celebrate joy, possibility, and renewal. Throughout, he reflects on what matters most: bringing to earth the kingdom of God Jesus talked about and transforming our relationships with one another. Rich in wisdom and insight, Convictions has become a classic of contemporary Christianity.

PODCASTS

Turning to the Mystics

James Finley offers a modern take on the timeless wisdom of the Christian mystics through meditation and practice. Kirsten Oats and James have created a beautiful podcast for those searching for something more meaningful, intimate, and richly present in the divine gift of their lives.

On Being. 

Krista Tippet's podcast inspires discussions about spirituality, peacemaking, and creating a more beautiful humanity. 

Another Name For Everything

This conversational podcast explores the deep connections between action and contemplation. Richard is joined by two students of the Christian contemplative path, Brie Stoner and Paul Swanson, who seek to integrate wisdom amidst diapers, disruptions, and the shifting state of our world.

Homebrewed Christianity 

For over a decade, Tripp Fuller has interviewed Christian scholars, authors, and activists. His episodes dive into the nerdy theological weeds of important issues facing Church and culture today.

welcome

Welcome to Mission Hills, where every story matters, every person belongs, and every vegan potluck has at least three kinds of hummus.

Mission Hills started with a shared vision—a place where everything and everyone belongs and where the journey of faith is more about peace and letting go than belief and doctrine. Mission Hills is a refuge of sorts — a desert in the oasis of life — for all who seek a space to breathe, to question, to grow, or to simply be.

Many of us have been burned out on religion, burned by the church, and are tired of a faith that is supposed to center Love is more often a source of exclusion and shame in our culture. For us, faith is not a holiness contest, a race to the top, or insurance for eternity; it is a beautiful and sacred journey of discovering ourselves and the divine in everyday life.

We’re more than a church— we’re a movement of love and justice, where artistry and activism are core, and the teachings of Jesus guide us toward a future that’s more compassionate, more just, and more inclusive for everyone. We gather not just to worship and sit quietly and nod but to be in conversation, to plant gardens, to sing, to laugh, and to build a beloved community that reflects the radical inclusivity that Jesus embodied.

We value the transformative power of belonging. When people are seen and valued, healing begins. We strive to be a place where simplicity is celebrated, where the beauty of everyday life is sacred, and where creativity and curiosity lead us deeper into the mystery of the divine.

For us, faith is not about rigid doctrines or unquestioning beliefs—it’s about living out Jesus’s social ethic in real ways. We value questions more than answers because we trust that, in the asking, we find paths to collective wisdom and connection. We embrace doubts as essential companions on the journey, knowing that they lead us to a more authentic and empathic faith.

Our trust in the divine mystery stretches far beyond us and into the world we’re a part of and the challenges we face due to climate devastation. Earth is sacred and woven into the fabric of our Christian faith and our connection to God and neighbor, and our vision of healing and wholeness extends to the planet itself. For us, eco-spirituality is more than environmental responsibility; it is a spiritual commitment to lives of peace and nonviolence, reflecting Jesus’ vision for justice and wholeness. Jesus’ Beatitudes guide us into ways of living that honor the interconnectedness of all life. Together, we’re learning what it means to live in ways that restore health, balance, sustainability, and deep respect for the earth.

Whether you’ve been part of our community for years or are just finding your way here, know that you already belong. There’s nothing to do, no problem to solve, and no one to impress. Your whole self already belongs— your joys and struggles, your hopes and fears—are embraced with love and are invited to simply be.

Wherever you are on the journey of faith, doubt, and transformation, we hope you find a moment of rest and belonging at Mission Hills. Your dreams, your questions, your wounds, and your wonders are welcome.

We don’t have it all figured out, but we trust in the beautiful mystery of love that holds us all together, the grace that sneaks up on us when we least expect it, and the ways community helps us heal when we’re stumbling through it. As we learn to see more of Christ in the world around us—in the faces of others, in creation, in the act of loving—we find ourselves already a part of the transformation of the world, where healing, belonging, and wholeness are possible for all.