Radio listeners interested in a liberal alternative Christian viewpoint are turning their dials to the left for "Living Faith Now: Creating a Way of Life that Matters," hosted by Ballard Reverend Rich Lang.

In March, Lang began his weekly show on KKNW 1150 AM. As the pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, Lang has brought the same progressive philosophy to his ministry for the past eight years, that he brings to his radio broadcast.

Lang began discussing the possibility of doing a radio show two years ago, when he realized a more liberal viewpoint was lacking on local radio. There are many broadcast programs produced by conservative Christians.

In creating his show, Lang envisioned an alternative view of his faith with social and economic justice.

"The Christian right has so identified itself with pro-military and anti-environment. I could not find any moderate or liberal Christian voice in this city," said Lang.

The time slot on KKNW costs $15,600 a year. Lang sent out emails to people he knows and $11,000 in donations came in within two weeks. Most of the money came from people who are spiritual, but don't go to church. "The fundraising was amazing. I was astonished. In a two week period the seed money was laid," said Lang.

This is Lang's second radio show. His first was in Spokane, as pastor of the Central United Methodist Church. He said he learned to begin at the beginning and get deep real quickly as a talk radio host.

When he sat in front of the microphone again at KKNW, Lang said he was more nervous than the first time preaching as a seminary student.

He calls his radio show, a market place of ideas with many voices.

Guests so far have included: Rev. David Bloom; Alice Woldt of Jubliee Northwest; Rev. Sandy Brown, director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle; and David Domke, University of Washington professor of communication who discussed "George Bush and the spirit of the Anti-Christ."

"It flows well, with great guests, interesting topics and a combination of the political and spiritual world," said Lang.

In August, Lang will interview Ray McGovern, an ex-CIA analyst who is critical of the Bush administration and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Lang has also started writing the column "Faith and Culture," for the homeless newspaper Reel Change.

"Trinity has always been a social justice church. We had ministers for the homeless before I came here. Trinity has historically been a liberal church. I made it more so," said Lang.

He said the biggest change since he took over Trinity was making the church's message more public. In 2002, Trinity invited Tent City, the roving camp for the homeless to stay in the parking lot across the street. Tent City has visited Trinity three times.

Protestors picketed Tent City the first time, the City of Seattle fined the church and neighbors expressed concern, all in the first year.

After that it was all quiet as the tents moved in. "It was much ado about nothing. It became a non-issue. We won a victory and opened up the courage of other churches worried about the political fall out," said Lang.

Trinity hosts the popular "Joy and Justice," lecture series. "The whole point is we are a church and we use this building for cultural and political discourse," said Lang.

Lang's goal is to eventually have "Living Faith Now: Creating a Way of Life that Matters," picked up by another radio station.

"Living Faith Now: Creating a Way of Life that Matters," airs live on KKNW 1150 AM on Fridays at 2 p.m. Visit http://www.livingfaithnow.org to download previous shows.

Dean Wong may be contacted at deanw@robinsonnews.com or 783.1244.