The Christian Chronicle Podcast

160: Memorable moments and lessons with BT Irwin

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

BT Irwin’s podcasting journey began with his father. From 2020 to 2022, BT’s podcast “Minister in the Making,” shared his father’s stories and wisdom from 50 years in ministry. Bobby Ross Jr. and Erik Tryggestad then brought BT in to host The Christian Chronicle Podcast.

The 159 episodes BT directed and hosted featured Christians all over the world, including astronauts, authors, professors, ministers, students, journalists, and even Santa Claus. Each guest shared a story about how God is working through a specific ministry or event. Through all of these, BT learned more about how congregations work in their communities and how the church continues to grow.

BT, the podcast’s host from 2023-2026, sat down with Wes and Marcus to share some of the most memorable moments from interviews and what lessons he learned about the Churches of Christ through the stories he shared.

Heritage21 offers guidance for churches to plan for the future, whether that be to renew, repurpose or replant. Learn more at heritage21.org/chronicle

Click here to listen to The Christian Chronicle Podcast’s first episode

Learn more about Wes, Marcus and what’s new to the podcast.

Please consider donating to this nonprofit ministry at christianchronicle.org/donate.

If you have additional comments, ideas or suggestions, email us at podcast@christianchronicle.org.

Episode 121: Christian nationalism and the Churches of Christ (Dr. Christina Littlefield)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT

What is Christian nationalism and what are its effects on the United States? Christians these days may choose to consume any number of blogs, books, cable news, podcasts, social media and talk radio shows that deal with those questions.

In this episode, however, we address how Christian nationalism may effect the Church of Christ community in the United States. In other words, is it bad or good for the health, integrity and witness of the church and its members?

Dr. Christina Littlefield, co-author with Dr. Richard Hughes, of Christian America and the Kingdom of God (University of Illinois Press) helps us unpack what "Christian nationalism" actually means and how the idea developed and manifested in the United States over 400 years. She answers questions like:

Is Christian nationalism biblical?
Can Christian nationalism be a good thing?
How embedded and engaged should Christians be in the halls of power and in the public square?
How does Christian nationalism affect Christians and congregations who embrace it?
How might the Church of Christ community avoid the sin of political idolatry?

Links to books and podcast episodes that appear in this interview:

Christian America and the Kingdom of God: White Christian Nationalism from the Puritans through January 6, 2021, Updated and Expanded Edition (University of Illinois Press), by Richard T. Hughes and Christina Littlefield

Myths America Lives By: White Supremacy and the Stories that Give Us Meaning, by Richard Hughes

Reviving the Ancient Faith: The Story of Churches of Christ in America, by Richard Hughes

Chosen Nations: Pursuit of the Kingdom of God and its Influence on Democratic Values in Late Nineteenth Century Britain and the United States, by Christina Littlefield

The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 5 featuring Richard Hughes on The Grace of Troublesome Questions

The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 64 featuring Brad East on why we need to stop talking about Christian nationalism

The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 71 featuring Richard Hughes on how the founding of the United States influenced the Restoration Movement

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Photo by Cody Otto on Unsplash

Episode 91: The future of Churches of Christ (Stan Granberg, Carl Royster, Erik Tryggestad)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:00:00 GMT

From the Norton Colloquium at Harding University's 101st Lectureship, Heritage 21 Foundation's Stan Granberg, 21st Century Christian's Carl Royster and The Christian Chronicle's Erik Tryggestad discuss what current trends portend for the future of Churches of Christ.

They also reveal plans for the Church Research Council, a new joint venture of The Christian Chronicle, Heritage 21 Foundation, Siburt Institute and 21st Century Christian.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's report on the formation of the Church Research Council

Find more news and stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 71: How the American Revolution influenced the Church of Christ (Dr. Richard Hughes)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Over the last few hundred years, Christians in many different places and times moved to restore the New Testament church.

The Church of Christ community emerged from one of those movements that started and spread on the American frontier in the years just after the founding of the United States.

In this episode, we explore how the events, ideas, and people that influenced the establishment of the United States also influenced the movement from which the Church of Christ community emerged. Which assumptions, habits, and ideas does the Church of Christ community retain to this day from the founding of the United States?

Dr. Richard Hughes, one of the foremost historians of the Church of Christ, answers this question and more.

Link to Dr. Richard Hughes author page, including these titles referenced in the episode:

Reviving the Ancient Faith: The Story of Churches of Christ in America, 3rd ed.

American Origins of Churches of Christ

Christian America and the Kingdom of God

The Grace of Troublesome Questions

Episode 51: The rise of the "nones," a gospel revolution in Cuba, and unicorns in Texas

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 18:00:00 GMT

Dr. Greg Smith of the Pew Research Center talks about the latest data on "nones," Americans who claim no religious affiliation. Today, that make up 28 percent of all Americans, up from 16 percent less than 20 years ago. Who are they and why are they rejecting organized religion? Bobby Ross, Jr., visits Cuba to interview minister Tony Fernandez. The Church of Christ is growing by bounds and leaps in that Communist country. Tony explains how this is happening. Finally, Irene and Willie Masters were born five hours apart on January 13, 1934. They devoted their entire adult lives to serving the church and sharing the Gospel. They'll share their best advice for the generations now following them.

SEGMENT ONE: The “nones” are your neighbors now (Dr. Greg Smith, Pew Research Center)

Link to Pew Research Center’s new report on religious “nones” in the United States

SEGMENT TWO: A gospel revolution in Cuba (Tony Fernandez, Versallas Church of Christ, Matanzas, Cuba, with Bobby Ross, Jr., and Tim Archer)

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle report on the state of the Church of Christ in Cuba

SEGMENT THREE: Born five hours apart on the same day, Irene and Willie Masters devoted their lives to helping people be “born again” (Irene and Willie Masters, Burleson Church of Christ, Burleson, Texas)

Link to People magazine features story on Irene and Willie Masters (and their daughter, Charlotte)

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TAGS

Nones, religion in America, church membership, church attendance, religious affiliation, Pew Research Center, Dr. Greg Smith, demographics, Christianity and politics, Cuba, Herald of Truth, Tony Fernandez, Versallas Church of Christ, Matanzas, Tim Archer, Bobby Ross Jr., evangelism, missions, church planting, Communism, house churches, church growth, elder, deacon, Bible class teacher, Sunday school teacher, personal Bible study, Irene Masters, Willie Masters, 37th Street Church of Christ, Snyder, Texas, Burleson Church of Christ, Burleson, Texas, People Magazine, BT Irwin

Episode 49: The Christian Chronicle news team talks about the biggest stories of 2023

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT

On this one-year anniversary of The Christian Chronicle Podcast, we ask The Christian Chronicle news team to share what they think were the biggest stories they reported in 2023...and which stories they wish got more attention and started more conversations among Church of Christ folks. They'll also make their best guesses at what stories are most likely to get the most attention in 2024. Featuring Cheryl Mann Bacon, Calvin Cockrell, Audrey Jackson, Bobby Ross, Jr., and Erik Tryggestad.

Christian Chronicle stories from 2023 that the news team talks about in this episode:

After over a century, Lipscomb’s Austin Center to close (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

Bicultural teens enjoy unity at camp (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

Christian family inspired new movie ‘On a Wing and Prayer’ (Calvin Cockrell)

A diverse church full of conversion stories (Bobby Ross, Jr.)

Dwindling Church of Christ seeks new future at community church campus (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

For Cuba, a time of stress–and salvation (Bobby Ross, Jr.)

For newly arrived refugees, an unexpected Christmas blessing (Bobby Ross, Jr.)

“God is crying with us” (Audrey Jackson)

Harding School of Theology set to leave Memphis (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

How a grassroots ministry to Afghan refugees snowballed into something big (Bobby Ross, Jr.)

How a Russian immigrant came to serve Ukrainian refugees (Bobby Ross, Jr.)

“If they go into full-time ministry, they’ll go back into poverty” (Audrey Jackson)

In Mexican resort city, Christians care for homeless “angels” (Bobby Ross, Jr.)

It’s the same Jesus (Bobby Ross, Jr.)

A “love your enemies” test (Erik Tryggestad)

Making Jesus more accessible (Audrey Jackson)

Oklahoma Christian University closing its graduate school of theology (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

Racial healing bus tour touts peace, unity (Calvin Cockrell)

Resist the impulse (Evertt Huffard)

Episode 35: New York Times columnist David French talks about Christians and politics

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 12:00:00 GMT

New York Times columnist David French grew up in the Church of Christ, graduated from Lipscomb University (a school with deep roots and strong ties in the Church of Christ tradition), and shaped his political mind in the conservative Republicanism of the 1980s and 1990s. He began and built his legal career litigating institutions that threatened religious liberties, mostly of Christians. His experience serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq began a slow but sure maturation of his conservative ideals. For the last ten years, he has spoken and written more about how certain kinds of politics might corrupt the integrity and mission of Christians and the church...and how Christians, in the long run, may be the biggest threat to their own religious liberties. In this episode, Christian Chronicle CEO Erik Tryggestad and host BT Irwin ask David for his take on Christians and politics at this moment in the history of the church and the country.
Link to David French’s homepage at The New York Times

Link to David French’s latest book, Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How We Restore Our Nation

Link to news release about David French’s appointment as visiting professor at Lipscomb University’s College of Leadership and Public Service

Link to Lipscomb University College of Leadership and Public Service

Link to David French’s author page at amazon.com

Link to When Character Was King by Peggy Noonan

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TAGS

David French, New York Times, The Dispatch, The Atlantic, National Review, Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation, United States Army Reserve, judge advocate general, Iraq, Bronze Star, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, religious liberty, Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, distinguished visiting professor of public policy, College of Leadership and Public Service, Church of Christ, free speech, social media, cancel culture, American founding, 1776, 1619, Harvard Law School, The Babbler, Nancy French, Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, Brentwood, Southside Church of Christ, Lexington, Kentucky, Georgetown, Craig Bledsoe, Dwight Tays, Jerry Gaw, Ralph Reed, Ronald Reagan, Reagan Republicans, GOP, Al Qaeda, grievance, grievance politics, Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, political violence, policy, policies, Mitt Romney, partisan mind, partisan, partisan politics, 2016, ideology, hatred, disunion, January 6, Roe v. Wade, abortion, George Bush, Michael Dukakis, Cold War, pro life, Peggy Noonan, When Character Was King, Bill Clinton, character, Bill Clinton scandals, Monica Lewinsky, Democrats, pro choice, Bob Dole, Donald Trump, leadership, morals, culture, culture war, decision-making, corruption, political parties, cynicism, kingdom of God, upside down kingdom of God, Roma

Episode 36: The inside scoop on Mayfair Church of Christ becoming a campus of Crossings Community Church (and lessons for your congregation)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Few articles that The Christian Chronicle published over the last year got more comments and more buzz than a report that the Mayfair Church of Christ in Oklahoma City is becoming part of Crossings Community Church, a 9,000-member multisite congregation with roots in the non-Pentecostal Church of God. Mayfair Church of Christ was once one of the "flagship" congregations in Oklahoma City, until it dwindled down to about 100 members and had to make a choice about its future. The story about Mayfair's decision to join Crossings Community Church stirred strong opinions from Christian Chronicle readers. In this episode, we interview the story's author, Cheryl Mann Bacon. We also hear from Jared Chambers, minister to the Mayfair Church of Christ, and Pastor Marty Grubbs of Crossings Community Church. And Mike O'Neal and Doug Peters of the Heritage 21 Foundation join us to talk about what congregations might do when they find themselves in circumstances similar to those of Mayfair Church of Christ.
Segment One: Reporting the Mayfair Church of Christ story (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle report on the Mayfair Church of Christ becoming part of Crossings Community Church

Segment Two: The story in their own words (Jared Chambers, Mayfair Church of Christ; Pastor Marty Grubbs, Crossings Community Church)

Link to Crossings Community Church

Link to Mayfair Church of Christ (new Crossings Community Church Mayfair)

Segment Three: What to do when your congregation faces endings and new beginnings (Mike O’Neal and Doug Peters, Heritage 21 Foundation)

Link to Heritage 21 Foundation

Contact Heritage 21 Foundation executive director Doug Peters at doug@heritage21.org

Link to Siburt Institute for Church Ministry at Abilene Christian University

Link to Hope Network Ministries

Link to At the Blue Hole: Elegy for a Church on the Edge by Jack Reese

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Mayfair Church of Christ, Crossings Community Church, Crossings Community Church Mayfair, dying churches, shrinking churches, membership decline, church building, church merger, Church of God, Wesleyan, doctrine, church sale, closing churches, discernment, neighborhood, vision, outreach, evangelism, community, service, neighbors, Heritage 21 Foundation, Siburt Institute, Abilene Christian University, Hope Network Ministries, At the Blue Hole, Jack Reese, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jared Chambers, Marty Grubbs, Doug Peters, Mike O’Neal, Cheryl Mann Bacon, Bobby Ross, Jr., BT Irwin

Episode 29: The Sound of Freedom, 'Shark Tank' at a Ghanaian Christian college, a bus ride to reconciliation and justice

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 18:00:00 GMT

'The Sound of Freedom', a small-budget independent film about an agent who fights child trafficking, is the box office surprise of the summer, nearly beating out Indiana Jones. In this episode, Pam Cope, who fights child trafficking in real life, talks about what the work is like and how you can help. The Christian Chronicle's Erik Tryggestad interviews three leaders at Heritage Christian College in Ghana. If the future of Christian leadership in the world will be African, it's good to listen to those who are educating those leaders today. Buses are symbols of the struggle for equal rights in America. This summer, Dr. Jerry Taylor led Christians on a bus tour to congregations and cities significant to the American Civil Rights Movement. Will you get on board, too?
Segment One: Child slavery and trafficking and The Sound of Freedom (Pam Hope)

Link to Touch a Life

Link to Sound of Freedom

Link to Christian Chronicle archive material about Pam Cope and Touch a Life

Segment Two: Christian education in Ghana, West Africa (Dr. Samuel Twumasi-Ankrah, Nathan Bills, Conrad Kakraba)

Link to Heritage Christian College

Link to Heritage Christian College Foundation USA

Segment Three: Racial healing bus tour promotes peace, unity (Dr. Jerry Taylor)

Link to Calvin Cockrell’s Christian Chronicle report on the racial healing bus tour

Link to Carl Spain Center at Abilene Christian University

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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TAGS

Sound of Freedom, Operation Underground Railroad, Angel Studios, Tim Ballard, Jim Caviezel, Pam Cope, Touch a Life, Ghana, child trafficking, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, slavery, slave trade, Heritage Christian College, Christian education, Africa, missions, missionaries, missionary, mission work, Dr. Samuel Twumasi-Ankrah, Nathan Bills, Conrad Kakraba, civil rights, American Civil Rights, race, racism, racial reconciliation, equality, justice, racial justice, South, Dr. Jerry Taylor, Carl Spain Center, Abilene Christian University, Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour, Dallas, Texas, Memphis, Tennessee, Birmingham, Alabama, Charleston, South Carolina, Washington, D.C., Calvin Cockrell, BT Irwin

Episode 30: Thirty-seven (37) baptisms on one college football team on one night! The rise of personal spiritual directors. Women in the church need women in the church.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:00:00 GMT

On August 7, 37 players on the Faulkner University football team gave their lives to Christ in baptism. Hear the story from coaches and a player who were there (in the water). Personal spiritual direction is emerging as a new kind of minister and ministry among both believers and seekers. What is it? How does it work? Is it right for you or members of your congregation? Two certified spiritual directors give their take. Loneliness and a longing for connection may be as much a crisis in the Church of Christ as it is in the country at large. Hear from a woman who, 20 years ago, started a ministry to connect generations of women in her congregation around common tables and open homes--and how that ministry spread to congregations across the nation.
Segment One: Thirty-seven baptisms on one college football team on one night (Hunter Burke, Brandon Johnson, Khalil Pope, Faulkner University)

Link to Calvin Cockrell’s story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to Faulkner University Eagles football team

Segment Two: Personal spiritual direction is growing. What is it and how does it work? (Dr. Beth Bowers, Becky Frazier)

Link to Lipscomb University Institute for Christian Spirituality

Link to Wellsprings in the Wilderness

Email Dr. Beth Bowers at bbowers1@rocehsteru.edu

Email Becky Frazier at becky@ottercreek.org

Segment Three: Women in churches need women in churches (Joneal Kirby, Heartfelt Ministries)

Link to Heartfelt Ministries

Link to The Christian Chronicle archive of Heartfelt Ministries and Joneal Kirby stories

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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TAGS

Baptism, baptisms, revival, college, college students, Christian colleges and universities, athletes, student athletes, football, college football, college sports, Faulkner University, Faulkner University Eagles, Montgomery, Alabama, Hunter Burke, Coach Brandon Johnson, Coach Khalil Pope, Calvin Cockrell, spiritual direction, spiritual director, Holy Spirit, Spirit, listening, counseling, discernment, guide, guidance, minister, ministry, certification, training, Lipscomb University Institute for Christian Spirituality, Wellsprings in the Wilderness, Beth Bowers, Rochester University, Rochester Hills, Michigan, Becky Frazier, Otter Creek Church of Christ, Brentwood, Tennessee, Heartfelt Ministries, Joneal Kirby, Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ, West Monroe, Louisiana, women, intergenerational, mentoring, small groups, hospitality, ministry, Titus 2:3-5, relationships, congregation, church, congregations, churches, BT Irwin

Episode 27: Why do church members skip church? What is it like to leave an instrumental church for an a cappella one? And a baptistery shortage (really)!

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:00:00 GMT

Even regular churchgoers skip Sunday morning worship sometimes. Scott McConnell of Lifeway Research reveals the latest survey on the top reasons folks skip church. Jeff Dye, a lifer in the Christian Church (instrumental), talks about what it was like to join an a cappella Church of Christ congregation. Dr. Dale Underwood of King's Crossing Prison Ministries tells the story of how so many prisoners are being baptized around the world, there aren't enough baptisteries for all of them.
Segment One: New survey reveals reasons why evangelicals skip Sunday morning worship (Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research, Nashville, Tennessee)

Link to Lifeway Research report on churchgoers skipping Sunday worship

Link to Lifeway Research

Segment Two: What is it like for a lifetime member of the independent Christian churches to join an acapella Church of Christ? (Jeff Dye, Westport Road Church of Christ, Louisville, Kentucky)

Link to Jeff Dye’s Christian Standard column on joining an a cappella Church of Christ after a lifetime in the Christian Church (instrumental)

Link to Jeff Dye’s blog at gulpinggrace.com

Segment Three: King’s Crossing Prison Ministries (Dale Underwood, King’s Crossing Prison Ministries, Corpus Christi, Texas)

Link to King’s Crossing Prison Ministries

Link to Christian Chronicle news brief on the portable baptistry shortage

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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TAGS

Lifeway Research, church attendance, Scott McConnell, independent Christian churches, Christian Church, instrumental worship, a cappella worship, non-instrumental worship, Christian Standard, Jeff Dye, Westport Road Church of Christ, Louisville, Kentucky, baptisms, baptisteries, prison ministry, King’s Crossing Prison Ministries, Kings Crossing Church of Christ, Corpus Christi, Texas, Dr. Dale Underwood, Buck Griffith, Little Angels, American Rehabilitation Ministries, BT Irwin

Episode 21: Why can't preachers retire? Big money wants to profit from worship. A congregation for those with special needs.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 19:00:00 GMT

Jordan Coss (Redwood Church of Christ, Redwood City, California) shares his research on Church of Christ ministers and retirement. What keeps so many Church of Christ ministers from retiring (if they even finish out their ministry careers)? What can congregations and their ministers do about it? Dr. Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, an expert in contemporary Christian music and a writer for Christianity Today Magazine, reveals how big money may be taking over Sunday morning worship in your congregation. Jeremy Marshall and Lori Young tell the story of how the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina, made people with disabilities and special needs the heart and soul of the congregation, its witness, and its worship.

SEGMENT ONE: Can Church of Christ preachers ever retire? (Jordan Coss)

Link to Almost Essential Podcast

Link to How to Retire with Enough Money by Teresa Ghilarducci

Link to Pension Fund of the Christian Church

Link to Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman

Link to Speed, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

SEGMENT TWO: Our worship is turning praise into secular profit (Kelsey Kramer McGinnis)

Link to article “Our Worship is Turning Praise Into Secular Profit” by Kelsey Kramer McGinnis in Christianity Today Magazine

Link to Christian Copyright Licensing International

Link to Kelsey Kramer McGinnis bio and website

SEGMENT THREE: One congregation recognizes that people with disabilities and special needs bear the image of Jesus Christ (Jeremy Marshall and Lori Young)

Link to Audrey Jackson’s Christian Chronicle story about the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ

Link to Brooks Avenue Church of Christ

Contact Brooks Avenue Church of Christ at specialneeds@brooks.org

Find more information and inspiration at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 19: The church plants are coming (National Church Planting Sunday), abortion pill and religious freedom in federal courts, and this one's for the birds (in Montana)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 17 May 2023 22:00:00 GMT

For National Church Planting Sunday (May 21), church planters Caleb Borchers, Ron Clark, and Brendin Williamson talk about why church planting is what America (and the world) needs now and why existing congregations should be glad to see church plants come to their neighborhoods. Barry McDonald of the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine University talks about the abortion pill and "sabbatarian" cases due for big decisions in the federal courts in May or June. South Hills Church of Christ in Helena, Montana, is building homes for its neighbors: Mountain bluebirds. Project leader Mark Wilson explains why (along with seventh grader Leilani Lute).

Segment One: National Church Planting Sunday (Caleb Borchers, Ron Clark, Brendin Williamson)

Link to Calvin Cockrell’s Christian Chronicle story about National Church Planting Sunday

Link to Kairos Church Planting

Link to The Feast Church of Christ in Providence, Rhode Island

Link to The Shaping of Things to Come by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch

Segment Two: Supreme Court cases of special interest to Christians (Barry McDonald)

Link to Christianity Today report on Groff v. DeJoy case before the U.S. Supreme Court

Link to Barry McDonald bio at Caruso School of Law, Pepperdine University

Segment Three: Montana church saves bluebirds (Leilani Lute and Mark Wilson)

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s story about the South Hills Church of Christ birdhouse project

Link to Embracing Creation: God’s Forgotten Mission by John Mark Hicks, Bobby Valentine, and Mark Wilson

Find more news and stories from Church of Christ congregations, members, and ministries around the world at christianchronicle.org

Donate to the Christian Chronicle’s ministry to inform and inspire at christianchronicle.org/donate

Email comments, ideas, and suggestions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Church planting, National Church Planting Sunday, Kairos, Ron Clark, Caleb Borchers, Brendin Williamson, Agape Church of Christ, Portland, Oregon, Feast Church of Christ, Providence, Rhode Island, Tucson, Arizona, University of Arizona, evangelism, outreach, community, missional, neighborhood, Barry McDonald, Caruso School of Law, Pepperdine University, mifepristone, RU486, abortion pill, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, Gerald Groff, Groff v. DeJoy, United States Supreme Court, SCOTUS, Supreme Court, religious freedom, sabbatarian, South Hills Church of Christ, Helena, Montana, creation care, mountain bluebird, volunteer, service project, Mark Wilson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, BT Irwin, Calvin Cockrell

Episode 32: Must ministers be married? Out of prison and into pastoral care. A congregation that grows its own ministers.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 03:00:00 GMT

This episode picks up the "Sacred Calling" special series that covers the "minister shortage" among Church of Christ congregations in North America. We ask: Does a tradition that claims to believe in the "priesthood of all believers" (1 Peter 2:5) really have a minister shortage...or a shortage of imagination? The six guests in this episode all dared to think outside the box when it comes to who is a minister. Segment One features three ministers (Danny Dodd, James Kinnaird, and Zack Martin) who never married or whose marriages ended (thus interrupting their ministry careers). Does the Church of Christ culture have a hard time with ministers--and members--who are not married? If so, why? Segment Two features a woman (Adrianne Thompson) who earned a graduate degree in Christian ministry...while in prison. She shares how God worked through both her education and life experiences to prepare her for a ministry that looks a lot like Jesus. Segment Three features a minister and his wife (Dr. Steven and Cynthia Guy) who made it their mission to make members into ministers at every congregation where they served over 50 years.
Read the full archive of The Christian Chronicle’s recordings, reports, and stories in the “Sacred Calling” series at christianchronicle.org/sacredcalling.

Segment One: Must ministers be married? (Danny Dodd, James Kinnaird, Zack Martin)

Read Calvin Cockrell’s Christian Chronicle report on the challenges and obstacles facing ministers who are not married

Segment Two: From prison to pastoral care (Adrianne Thompson)

Listen to Episode 3 of The Christian Chronicle Podcast, featuring an interview with Ted Parks on his report on Christian ministry graduates at Debra Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville, Tennessee

Read Ted Parks’s Christian Chronicle report on Christian ministry graduates at Debra Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville, Tennessee

Link to the LIFE Program at Lipscomb University

Segment Three: Congregations can home-grow their own ministers (Dr. Steven and Cynthia Guy)

Read Christian Chronicle report on Dr. Steven Guy’s efforts to raise up and train ministers in his congregations over the last 50 years

Link to Myrtle Beach Church of Christ

Link to Myrtle Beach School of Preaching and Biblical Studies

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Sacred Calling, minister, ministers, ministry, preacher, evangelist, congregations, minister shortage, preacher shortage, single, not married, unmarried, divorce, divorced, Calvin Cockrell, Danny Dodd, Levy Church of Christ, North Little Rock, Arkansas, James Kinnaird, Lubbock, Texas, Zack Martin, Freed-Hardeman Univer

Episode 9: Relief efforts in Turkey, the future of Christian higher education, and what Black heroes can teach us all

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 17:00:00 GMT

The recent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey killed tens of thousands and made millions of people homeless. Christian Chronicle associate editor Audrey Jackson reports on how Christians--a tiny minority in Turkey--are doing all they can to help. Faulkner University's new president, Mitch Henry, talks about the challenges before Christian colleges and universities and how he thinks these times are a golden opportunity evangelism and growing the church. Christian Chronicle editorial board member Trindi Mitchell makes a case for why Black heroes in the Christian faith make great teachers for everyone.

SHOW NOTES

Segment One: Update from Turkey (Audrey Jackson)

Link to Christian Chronicle story on the earthquake in Turkey and Christian response

Link to Christian Chronicle “How to Help” page

Healing Hands International

Ilk Umut Dernegi (Healing Hands International)

Samaritan’s Purse

Water Mission

Segment Two: “Doubling down on Christian mission” (Mitch Henry)

Link to Christian Chronicle story about Mitch Henry appointment

Link to Christian Chronicle story about Mitch Henry inauguration

Link to Faulkner University

Link to Faulkner University Zorn Scholars

Segment Three: “What Black giants of our faith can teach us” (Trindi Mitchell)

Link to Trindi Mitchell editorial in The Christian Chronicle

TAGS

Audrey Jackson, Syria, Turkey, earthquake, relief, Healing Hands International, First Hope Association, Ilk Umut Dernegi, Samaritan’s Purse, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, Water Mission, disaster assistance, disaster relief, BT Irwin, Mitch Henry, Faulkner University, Christian college, Christian university, Christian higher education, higher education, college, university, Jack Zorn, Zorn Scholars, Church of Christ, Churches of Christ, church of Christ, churches of Christ, ministry, ministry training, evangelism, outreach, congregations, Montgomery, Alabama, Trindi Mitchell, Black, ministers, preachers, teachers, Black history, Black History Month, Franklin Florence, Eugene Lawton, Richard Rose, Dallas Walker Jr., civil rights, American Civil Rights Movement, Marshall Keeble, Hassen Reed, Robert McBride, Robert Wood, Fred Gray, Boy Preachers, Nashville Christian Institute, Southwestern Christian College, Jack Evans Sr., G.P. Holt, R.C. Wells, Wells-Hairston High School, Liberia, Ofusu Bomeo, Arthur David, Ella Kennin, Meredith Restoration History Archive, Harding University, Annie C. Tuggle, Sylvia Rose, R.N. Hogan, G.P. Bowser, Samuel R. Cassius

Episode 4: Pentecost in Chicago, a win for religious liberty, and dwelling in the Word

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Segment One: Every Sunday, the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, USA, holds three distinct worship assemblies: One in English, one in Korean, and one in Spanish. Recently, the congregation tried holding one Sunday morning assembly...in all three languages at once! Leaders Paul Chae, Carlos Estrada, and Patrick Odum talk about how they did it and what congregations around the world might learn from them.

Segment Two: In January, a court in Oregon struck down a lawsuit that claimed that private Christian schools violate federal law when they hold employees and students to traditional biblical interpretations of gender and sexuality. Eric Rassbach, executive director of the Religious Liberty Clinic at Pepperdine University explains the case and what comes next.

Segment Three: Dwelling in the Word is a way of listening to the Bible that helps congregations discern and draw closer together through intense focus on Scripture. Dr. Natalie Magnusson of the missional leadership graduate program at Rochester University explains how dwelling in the word works and why it is so important to practice now.

Segment One: Pentecost comes to Chicago (Paul Chae, Carlos Estrada, Patrick Odum)

Link to Christian Chronicle story: ‘It’s the same Jesus’

Link to YouTube video of tri-lingual worship at Northwest Church of Christ

Segment Two: A win for religious liberty (Eric Rassbach)

Link to Christianity Today story: Federal judge tosses challenge to Christian college exemptions

Link to Hugh and Hazel Darling Religious Liberty Clinic at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law

Link to Eric Rassbach bio and contact information

Segment Three: Dwelling in the Word (Natalie Magnusson)

Link to Church Innovations Institute “Dwelling in the Word” page

Link to Dwelling in the Word “how to” and practice exercises at Lipscomb University Office of Spiritual Formation

Link to Master of Religious Education (MRE) in missional leadership at Rochester University

Link to Dr. Natalie Magnusson contact information at Rochester University

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Episode #1: News from Ukraine, 105 years and done, and why a podcast now?

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 01:00:00 GMT

In this first-ever episode of The Christian Chronicle Podcast: News about Church of Christ congregations and members holding on in Ukraine, why is a 105-year old Church of Christ ministry training center closing (and what does it mean to the fellowship at large), and why is The Christian Chronicle launching a weekly podcast?

Episode 111: Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is in the Supreme Court's biggest transgender case ever

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Jonathan Skrmetti (Harpeth Hills Church of Christ), attorney general for the state of Tennessee, is the defendant in what the national media argue is the biggest case of the term for the United States Supreme Court: United States v. Skrmetti.

In question is a 2023 Tennessee state law that prevents healthcare professionals from providing gender transition procedures to minors. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Biden administration brought suit against Tennessee for violating the 14th Amendment rights of three teens who seek gender transition procedures.

In this episode, Abilene Christian University professor (and practicing attorney) Dr. Kenneth Pybus asks Skrmetti to explain the "what," the "how," and the "why" of his defense of the Tennessee state law.

Skrmetti also talks about how practicing the law is a ministry, the best way (and not best way) to go about that ministry and how he uses his office to protect the rights of ordinary citizens (such as when he takes big companies to court for making products that harm their users).

Skrmetti shares how he came to become a member of the Church of Christ and why he still prioritizes taking his entire family to Wednesday night Bible class every week.

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s The Christian Chronicle article about United States v. Skrmetti (December 2024)

Link to Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) case referenced in the interview

Link to the Cass Review (2020) referenced in the interview

Link to news report on the United Kingdom's ban on puberty blockers for minors (referenced in the interview)

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Episode 108: A theology professor's take on the new film 'Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assasin.' (Dr. Myles Werntz)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

The new film, Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin (Angel Studios) is drawing Christian audiences around the world, but does it get the depiction of its title character right?

Dr. Myles Werntz (professor of theology at Abilene Christian University) says it does not...and that Christians should view the movie with caution. In this interview, Werntz talks about the critical review he published about the film (perhaps the most widely read and quoted review out there).

He also talks about the real Dietrich Bonhoeffer and where Christians can look for the most accurate and insightful information about him.

Link to the Marc LiVecche film review (and critique of Werntz's review) from World Magazine (quoted in the interview)

Links to Bonhoeffer resources that Dr. Werntz recommends:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Biography by Eberhard Bethge

From Isolation to Community: A Renewed Vision for Christian Life Together by Dr. Myles Werntz

The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon: Portraits of a Protestant Saint by Stephen R. Haynes

Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Charles Marsh

Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906 - 1945: Martyr, Thinker, Man of Resistance by Ferdinand Schlingensiepen

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: An Introduction to His Thought by Sabine Dramm and Thomas Rice

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Christmas Special: Good news of great joy for all the people (Lads to Leaders luminary Benjamin Adams)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:00:00 GMT

This Christmas special features a message of "good news of great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10) by Lads to Leaders luminary Benjamin Adams (College Avenue Church of Christ, DeFuniak Springs, Florida) and vocal arrangments from Praise & Harmony.

Episode 101: 'Merry Christmas to a Broken Heart,' grieving through the holidays (John Dobbs)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:00:00 GMT

John Dobbs (Forsythe Church of Christ, Monroe, Louisiana) suffered the sudden and tragic loss of his 18-year old son, John Robert, in 2008. After that terrible event, John had to learn to live with his grief--and go on being a follower of Jesus Christ and a minister to his church.

From his experience of living with grief, John wrote two books to help fellow Christians who are also suffering through the loss of people they love. In this episode, John talks about the extraordinary difficulty of grieving through the holidays. He reveals how he continues to process his grief, even almost 17 years after his son's death. And he explains how he now helps others who are living with their own painful grief. Finally, John offers some practical advice for how those who are grieving can get through the holiday season.

Link to Merry Christmas to a Broken Heart: A Devotional Companion for December by John Dobbs

Link to Through Your Tears: Sorrow From Loss, Hope for Healing by John Dobbs

Link to Lord, Hear My Prayer: Prayers and Prompts From the Psalms by John Dobbs

Link to The Christian Chronicle's review of Lord, Hear My Prayer

Link to John Dobbs's author page on Amazon

Link to The Compassionate Friends: Supporting Family After a Child Dies

Link to GriefShare grief and loss support groups (find one near you)

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Episode 92: Stories of grace and hope from the trenches (Christian Chronicle news team)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

From the Norton Colloquium at Harding University's 101st lectureship, members of The Christian Chronicle news team bring stories of what God is doing around, and through, God's people...in some of the hardest and scariest circumstances.

Audrey Jackson, Bobby Ross Jr., Sawmi Sektak and Erik Tryggestad give eyewitness reports of what they've seen as they cover the news among Christians and congregations in every part of the world.

Links to the stories from this panel discussion:

War in Ukraine: Links to The Christian Chronicle's coverage, by Erik Tryggestad

'God is crying with us: Despite being devastated by the earthquake, Turkish Christians are still working to serve the Lord' by Audrey Jackson (Feb. 15, 2023)

'For Cuba, a time of stress - and salvation: Amid an economic crisis, ministry and music propel a native son devoted to sharing the bread of life,' by Bobby Ross Jr. (Nov. 14, 2023)

'Momma, I can see Jesus: Matt and Macy Collins launched the Magnolia Foundation to honor their daughter, Hattie Jo, who died in a tornado,' by Bobby Ross Jr. (Feb. 8, 2024)

'Amid rubble, Turkish churches build foundations,' by Audrey Jackson (April 15, 2024)

'Divine power saves minister: Despite severe burns, Minnesota preacher remains devoted to fulfilling God's purpose for his life,' by Bobby Ross Jr. (June 18, 2024)

'These Christians not afraid to address sexual trauma: Ministry educates missionaries in training - and believers around the world - about the good and bad of sex,' by Bobby Ross Jr. (Sept. 11, 2024)

Christian educator teaches displaced Israeli children' by Audrey Jackson (Sept. 24, 2024)

Find more news and stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 43: What good is grad school for congregations and their ministers? PLUS Bible bowl bonus segment. Guests: David Shannon, Dr. Frank Yamada, Amy Bowman

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 17:00:00 GMT

A few weeks before this episode, The Christian Chronicle reported that Oklahoma Christian University is closing its graduate school of theology due to budget cuts and declining enrollment. This latest news follows the trend of enrollment decline in Bible, ministry, and theology programs at colleges and universities with roots and ties in the Church of Christ. For some Christian Chronicle readers, it raised questions: Do graduate programs like the one at Oklahoma Christian University truly benefit local congregations? Are the costs of a graduate education really worth it for Church of Christ ministers? And how might graduate programs need to change to better prepare ministers and support local congregations in the 21st century? In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Frank Yamada, executive director of the agency that accredits graduate programs in ministry and theology. He'll talk about the trends that are inspiring innovations in graduate education for ministers. You'll also hear from David Shannon, a 26-year veteran of local congregational minister who became president of Freed-Hardeman University in 2017. Shannon makes the case for why graduate education is important and valuable to Church of Christ ministers and congregations. PLUS, we end this one with another Bible bowl bonus segment featuring Amy Bowman, children's minister at the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Some segments edited for brevity and clarity

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle report on Oklahoma Christian University closing its graduate school of theology

Segment One: The state of graduate education in ministry and theology (Dr. Frank Yamada, executive director, Association of Theological Schools)

Link to Association of Theological Schools

Link to Dr. Frank Yamada’s bio

Segment Two: The case for graduate education in ministry and theology (David Shannon, president, Freed-Hardeman University)

Link to Freed-Hardeman University Graduate School of Theology

Link to Christian Chronicle story announcing David Shannon’s appointment as president of Freed-Hardeman University (from 2017)

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

Donate to The Christian Chronicle at christianchronicle.org/donate

Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, Oklahoma, graduate school, graduate studies, Bible, ministry, theology, religion, seminary, minister education, minister training, Christian higher education, Christian education, Christian college, Christian university, enrollment, budget, Cheryl Mann Bacon, Association of Theological Schools, Frank Yamada, accreditation, seminary, seminaries, denominations, discipline-based, competency-based, remote learning, online learning, congregational ministry, student loans, cost of graduate education, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, Tennessee, David Shannon, value of education, Erik Tryggestad, Amy Bowman, Bible bowl, Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, Brentwood, BT Irwin

Episode 37: How COVID is still affecting churches, a Christian sniper dies in Ukraine, and refugees helping refugees in Austria, plus BONUS Bible bowling with Jonathan Stormant

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 19:00:00 GMT

It's been two full years since most congregations tried to "get back to normal" after COVID turned the world outside in in 2020 and 2021. Our first guest, Aaron Hill, headed up a nationwide study of how COVID is still affecting congregations and what those lingering effects portend for the future. Our second guest, American missionary Brandon Price, reports "from the ground" on both sides of the Ukrainian border, where he brings the sad news of a young ministry student who lost his life defending Ukraine. Our third guest, Reggy Hiller, brings us news from Vienna, Austria, where an influx of Afghan and Iranian refugees are accepting the Gospel and now joining the local church in caring for new refugees arriving from Ukraine. PLUS, listen to the "Bible Bowl Bonus" segment after the end credits to find out how much obscure Bible trivia we can get out of Christian author, preacher, and teacher Jonathan Stormant.

Segment One: How COVID is still affecting congregations (Aaron Hill, ChurchSalary.com)

Link “The Impact of COVID-19 on the American Church” from ChurchSalary.com

Link to the ‘COVID and the Church’ podcast series from Christianity Today

Segment Two: A report on how Christians are doing “on the ground” on both sides of the Ukrainian border (Brandon Price, Ukrainian Bible Institute)

Link to Erik Tryggestad’s Christian Chronicle report on recent deaths among Christians in Ukraine

Link to Ukrainian Bible Institute

Link to Sunset International Bible Institute Global Relief Ministries

Link to Program for Humanitarian Aid

Segment Three: How Afghan, African, and Iranian refugees are becoming Christians and helping Ukrainian refugees in Vienna, Austria (Reggy Hiller)

Note: The music between Segments Two and Three is four Ukrainian refugees singing Amazing Grace in their native language. Recording provided by Reggy Hiller.

Link to Christian Chronicle report on Afghan, African, and Iranian refugees helping Ukrainian refugees in Austria

To donate funds to support the community of Christian refugees from Afghanistan, Africa, Iran, and Ukraine in Austria, please choose one of the following stewards of your gift:

Hillcrest Church of Christ

Attention: Pam Copeland McGrew

650 East Ambler Avenue

Abilene, Texas 79601

Southwest Church of Christ

4011 West Bellfort

Houston, Texas 77025

Gwinnett Church of Christ

Attention: Dwight Melson

dwightamelson@gmail.com

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 13: A poet, a preacher, and a worship minister each reflect on the death of Jesus

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 13:00:00 GMT

This special episode features the preaching of Dr. Orpheus Heyward, the poetry of Paulette Guerin, and the congregational singing of the Memorial Drive Church of Christ in Tulsa, Oklahoma, led by Shane Coffman. These three artists share some of their work and talk about how it helps them and others ponder the death of Jesus.

Congregational singing by Memorial Drive Church of Christ, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Shane Coffman)

Link to the Memorial Drive Church of Christ website

Preaching the death of Jesus (Dr. Orpheus Heyward)

Learn more about Dr. Heyward and hear his preaching at Renaissance Church of Christ

See Dr. Heyward and many others at Harbor: 80th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Poetry (Paulette Guerin)

pauletteguerin.com

Links to relief efforts for those recovering from tornadoes

Churches of Christ Disaster Relief

Christian Chronicle coverage of tornado aftermath and relief efforts in Arkansas

Christian Chronicle coverage of tornado aftermath and relief efforts in Mississippi

More news and stories at The Christian Chronicle

christianchronicle.org

Make a tax-deductible gift to The Christian Chronicle

Give to The Christian Chronicle

Email comments, ideas, and questions to The Christian Chronicle Podcast

podcast@christianchronicle.org

Christmas Special: Good news of great joy for all the people (Jonathan Storment)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This Christmas special features a message of "good news of great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10) by Jonathan Storment (Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Little Rock, Arkansas) and vocal arrangements by Praise & Harmony.

Episode 141: How do we know if it's really spiritual warfare? (Dr. Joe Beam)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

"Spiritual warfare" seems to be on the lips and minds of many Christ-claimers in the United States these days, including those in the Church of Christ.

But what is "spiritual warfare" and how do we know that we're waging it?

Dr. Joe Beam, who wrote the landmark book Seeing the Unseen: A Handbook for Spiritual Warfare in the early 1990s, joins the present-day milieu on how the spirit realm is affecting current events and vice versa.

In this episode, Beam answers questions like:

What might be contributing to what could be an increase in "spiritual warfare" talk in the United States these days?
What is the difference between demon-possessed and demonized?
Does demon-possession still happen today (and how do we know if someone is demon-possessed)?
How do we know if we're being "attacked" by evil spiritual forces or if we're creating our own negative circumstances or situations?
How do we know if God is communicating with us or if we're just having strong feelings that come from ourselves?
How do we know if someone is "speaking for God"?
For Church of Christ congregations that have to come to believe that the Holy Spirit is available to guide and support them, how do they learn to discern and follow the Holy Spirit?
How do we "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1)?

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Episode 134: Our Gen Y and Gen Z editors on the future of Christian journalism (Calvin Cockrell and Audrey Jackson)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

The two youngest members of The Christian Chronicle's full-time news team are incoming managing editor Calvin Cockrell (Gen Y) and outgoing managing editor Audrey Jackson (Gen Z). In this episode, they talk about how working with The Christian Chronicle is exposing them to the Church of Christ they never imagined or knew. They also talk about what it is like to be journalists at a time when the profession is under cultural, economic and political duress. And, if they were to start a new Christian Chronicle just for Christians under the age of 30, how would it be different from The Christian Chronicle of preceding generations?

Link to Audrey Jackson's farewell column as she leaves The Christian Chronicle for "greener pastures"

Link to Audrey Jackson's coverage of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey and the local Church of Christ response (referenced in the interview)

Link to Calvin Cockrell's report on a theatrical production at Bouldercrest Church of Christ (referenced in the interview)

Link to Calvin Cockrell's report on two churches merging in Spokane, Washington (referenced in the interview)

Link to The Christian Chronicle on TikTok (referenced in the interview)

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Special Partner Edition (PAID CONTENT): Freed-Hardeman wants to take you to the Bible lands (Dr. Rick Brumback and Dr. Jonathan Moore)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Christian Chronicle Podcast partner Freed-Hardeman University sponsored this special episode to be an open invitation to you to visit the Bible lands.

If you're a longtime listener to The Christian Chronicle Podcast, you've heard the advertisements that promote the opportunity for all students in the Freed-Hardeman University Graduate School of Theology to work an archaeological dig in the Bible lands...for just $500 out of pocket.

In this episode, you'll find out how this opportunity open to everyone (even those who are not students at Freed-Hardeman University).

Why is this important? Our guests, Dr. Rick Brumback and Dr. Jonathan Moore make the case for how visiting the places where the Bible stories took place builds personal faith and empowers and enriches Christian preachers and teachers for their ministry work.

This is your chance to deepen your faith and widen your imagination as a Christian by visiting the Bible lands with Freed-Hardeman University.

Take your first step to the Bible lands at travel.fhu.edu and learn more at seeinghisworld.com and contact this episode's guests at rbrumback@fhu.edu and jmoore@fhu.edu.

Episode 31: Harding University closing its Memphis campus; loving neighbors in the hardest neighborhood; faith nights at MLB ballparks

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 18:00:00 GMT

For 65 years, Harding University's School of Theology in Memphis, Tennessee, has been a global hub of Bible and ministry education in the Church of Christ tradition, but the school announced that it is closing the campus and moving its programs to Searcy, Arkansas. Why ...and why now? Meanwhile, a congregation is growing and the Gospel is bearing fruit in one of America's toughest neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. Hear from the man who heard and heeded the call to go there. "Faith nights" are a growing trend in Major League ballparks. What are they and what good do they do? Also: Announcing a new endowment for international reporting at The Christian Chronicle.

Segment One: Harding University is walkin’ out of Memphis (Cheryl Mann Bacon, contributing editor, The Christian Chronicle)

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle report on Harding University’s decision to close its School of Theology campus in Memphis, Tennessee\

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle report on declining enrollment in ministry programs at colleges and universities with roots and ties in the Church of Christ tradition

Segment Two: Loving neighbors in one of America’s toughest neighborhoods (Davis Worley, Church of Christ in Sandtown, Baltimore, Maryland)

Link to Hamil Harris’s Christian Chronicle story on the Church of Christ in Sandtown

Link to Hamil Harris’s first Christian Chronicle report (2019) on Davis Worley’s work in Sandtown

Link to the Church of Christ in Sandtown

Link to GoFundMe page for the Church of Christ in Sandtown

Segment Three: Major League ballparks go to church (Bobby Ross, Jr., editor-in-chief, The Christian Chronicle, contributing writer, Religion Unplugged)

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, story in Religion Unplugged

BONUS SEGMENT: Announcing the Bailey McBride Endowment for international reporting (Erik Tryggestad, CEO, The Christian Chronicle)

Link to announcement of the Bailey McBride Endowment

Link to donation page for the Bailey McBride Endowment

Link to Erik Tryggestad’s Christian Chronicle report from Trinidad

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

Donate to The Christian Chronicle at christianchronicle.org/donate

Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Harding University, Harding University School of Theology, Harding University Graduate School of Religion, Memphis, Tennessee, ministry, ministry education, Bible, Bible education, graduate school, seminary, Christian higher education, Christian college, Christian university, enrollment, enrollment trends, ministry decl

Episode 20: Astronaut Victor Glover on Communion (in space), creation, discipleship, and doubt

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 25 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Capt. Victor Glover, a longtime member of the Church of Christ, will pilot the Artemis 2 mission to the moon in November 2024, but it will not be his first trip to space. Capt. Glover spent 168 days in space, including 167 days aboard the International Space Station in 2020 and 2021. Few human beings know what it's like to hold to the beliefs and practices of Christianity anywhere other than Earth. In this interview, Capt. Glover shares how his faith influences his work as an astronaut (and scientist) and how his work as an astronaut (and scientist) influences his life as a Christian.
Links to The Christian Chronicle’s coverage of Astronaut Victor Glover’s career

Christian astronaut to pilot first crewed moon mission since 1972. Calvin Cockrell, April 2023

Might the moon be Christian astronaut Victor Glover’s next destination? Bobby Ross, Jr., December 2020

Christian astronaut and his communion cups lifting off on space mission. Bobby Ross, Jr., November 2020

Find more news and stories from Church of Christ congregations, members, and ministries around the world at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 153: Faith that is out of this world (Astronaut Victor Glover)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, April 1, four astronauts blasted into space for a historic mission to the far side of the moon. The pilot, Captain Victor Glover, is a Church of Christ member who often speaks of his faith with candor and clarity. As the BBC reported, Captain Glover took his Bible with him more than 250,000 miles from Earth.

This episode is a replay of Captain Glover's May 2023 conversation with The Christian Chronicle Podcast, when NASA first announced that he would be part of the Artemis II mission to the moon.

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Episode 16: Keeping churches and schools safe, Bible bowling is getting big with kids in Texas, and keeping shape note singing alive for 140 years

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Church and school security expert Dwayne Harris (Full Armor Church) talks about the most effective (and surprising) way to keep congregations safe. The growth of the Texas Bible Bowl reflects how young people are more interested than ever to know about Jesus. Audrey Jackson reports and we interview Texas Bible Bowl organizer Lisa Kirkwood and elementary division contender Melanie Mitchell. A cappella congregational "shape note" singing is not only the Church of Christ heritage, it has been named the "oldest indigenous musical tradition" in America by the National Music Council. The 140th Annual "Big Singing" in Benton, Kentucky, celebrates and preserves this musical heritage. We interview shape note singing expert and "Big Singing" organizer Gene Gilliland.
Segment One: Church and school security (Dwayne Harris)

Link to Dwayne Harris bio

Link to Full Armor Church training program for congregations

Link to Christian Chronicle coverage of Covenant School shooting in Nashville

Segment Two: Texas Bible Bowl (Audrey Jackson, Lisa Kirkwood, Melanie Mitchell)

Link to Texas Bible Bowl

Link to Christian Chronicle coverage of Texas Bible Bowl

Segment Three: 140th Annual Big Singing (Gene Gilliland)

Link to 140th Annual Big Singing page

church security, church safety, school security, school safety, active shooter, mass shooting, Covenant School, Old National Bank, Nashville, Louisville, Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, Dwayne Harris, Full Armor Church, Texas Bible Bowl, Bible bowl, Bandera, Audrey Jackson, Barna Group, Pew Research, nones, youth, young people, teenagers, college students, college age, Bible knowledge, Bible study, Jesus, Audrey Jackson, Lisa Kirkwood, Melanie Mitchell, McDermott Road Church of Christ, Plano, Texas, 140th Annual Big Singing, Big Singing, acappella, congregational singing, harmony, shape notes, Benton, Kentucky, Reidland Church of Christ, Paducah, Marshall County, Gene Gillilland, National Music Council, Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, William Walker, Society for the Preservation of Southern Harmony Singing

Episode 116: Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin on his new movie, 'The Last Supper'

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT

More Christians in more parts of the world may sing Chris Tomlin's worship music ('Our God,' 'How Great is Our God,' 'God of Angel Armies') than any other artist alive today. A Grammy Award winner and two-time Songwriter of the Year with more than 7 billion global streams, Tomlin is branching out into film. He is executive producer for the new major motion picture The Last Supper, written and directed by Mario Borrelli and starring Robert Knepper, James Faulkner, and Jamie Ward.

In this episode, he talks about what it is like to be caught up in a global worship movement and why The Last Supper is the right film for right now.

Link to Chris Tomlin's website

Link to The Last Supper film

Episode 6: Tyre Nichols, ministers struggling in South Africa, and our two youngest guests ever

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 21:00:00 GMT

John DeBerry, Jr., minister to the Coleman Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee, talks about how his congregation is responding to the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five police who are accused of beating him to death. Audrey Jackson reports on ministers struggling to make ends meet in South Africa. Our two youngest guests ever, ages 15 and 9, talk about their experience with Leadership Training for Christ.

Segment One: Coleman Avenue Church of Christ responds to the beating death of Tyre Nichols (John DeBerry, Jr.)

Link to the full story in The Christian Chronicle online edition

Segment Two: South African congregations and ministers struggle to make ends meet (Audrey Jackson)

Link to the full story in The Christian Chronicle online edition

Segment Three: Two girls, 9 and 15, talk about their experience with Leadership Training for Christ (Erik, Lucy, and Maggie Tryggestad)

Link to Leadership Training for Christ North Texas Chapter (mentioned in the interview)

Link to Erik Tryggestad’s Christian Chronicle column on Bible Bowl and Leadership Training for Christ

Episode 98: She's OK with you setting her up on a date (Makyra Williamson)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 11:00:00 GMT

Former Christian Chronicle intern (2021) Makyra Williamson (Tigard, Oregon) is a twentysomething-year old Christian professional who is open to marriage someday. In this episode, she talks about being single in the church in the U.S. in the 21st century. She also talks about dating, how to set her up on a date and how not to set her up on a date. And she reflects on how to be complete and full as a single person in a church culture that often presumes that marriage and parenthood are the fullest expression of Christian personhood.

Link to Makyra Williamson's Christian Chronicle guest op-ed on how to (and how not to) set her up on a date

Find more news and stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 3: Ministers, legacies, and legends

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 22:00:00 GMT

Many thanks to Sister Everly Rose for contributing a recording of Sons of Praise, the vocal group to which her husband, Richard Rose, Sr., belonged for many years. You'll hear the clip of Sons of Praise between Segments 2 and 3.

At a Tennessee prison for women, inmates are earning master's degrees in Christian ministry. Remembering the legacy of two great voices and leading lights in the Church of Christ community. A Church of Christ congregation celebrates 150 years.

Segment One: Making ministers behind bars (Ted Parks)

Link to the story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to LIFE program at Lipscomb University

Segment Two: Legacies of Dallas Walker and Richard Rose (Hamil Harris)

Link to Dallas Walker story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to Richard Rose story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to Hamil Harris at Religion Unplugged

Segment Three: Trumbull Church of Christ celebrates 150 years (Jillian Cheney)

Link to Trumbull Church of Christ story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to Trumbull Church of Christ

Donate to The Christian Chronicle. Click here.

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Episode 45: The Gospel According to Pat Boone

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Legendary performer (and Church of Christ favorite son) Pat Boone has a book and a new hit album, but he really wants to talk about what the Bible is telling him these days, what he sees God doing in the world, and what the choice he hopes everyone makes to obey the Word. And he proves that he still knows how to lead congregational singing!

Link to Pat Boone’s book: If: The Eternal Choice We All Must Make

Link to Pat Boone’s new album, Country Jubilee

Link to Pat Boone’s website, patboone.com

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

Donate to The Christian Chronicle at christianchronicle.org/donate

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TAGS

Pat Boone, Country Jubilee, If: The Eternal Choice We All Must Make, Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, country music, Hank Williams, Red Foley, Tennessee Waltz, Grits, country radio, Christian education, songleading, gospel meetings, daily Bible reading, Johushuah, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Salvation Army, BT Irwin

Episode 61: Christian attitudes on immigration, earthquake recovery in Turkey, and the national champion Freed-Hardeman men's basketball team

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 10:00:00 GMT

In this episode: Christian attitudes on immigration in the United States, how the church is helping its neighbors recover from the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey, and how the Freed-Hardeman University men's basketball team won the NAIA national championship..."the right way."

Segment One: Christian attitudes on immigration in the United States (Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research)

Link to the Lifeway Research survey report

Segment Two: Christians and their neighbors one year after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria (Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle)

Link to Audrey Jackson's full story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to First Hope Association (Turkey earthquake relief)

Link to One Kingdom (Turkey earthquake relief)

Segment Three: The Freed-Hardeman University NAIA national champion men's basketball team (Coach Drew Stutts and players Geraldo, Peyton Law, and Ryley McClaren, Freed-Hardeman University)

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of Freed-Hardeman University's NAIA national championship win

Episode 68: Calling for peace in Gaza, a foreign mission field in Florida, and voices from the future

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Segment One: Calling for peace in Gaza (James Michael Crusoe, Arlington Road Church of Christ, Hopewell Virginia)

Inspired by the "message of reconciliation" in Second Corinthians 5:18-20, 13 leaders from Church of Christ congregations in seven states and one South African province recently signed a letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza-Israel conflict. Their spokesperson, James Michael Crusoe, explains why.

Link to Audrey Jackson's Christian Chronicle report on the cease-fire petition

Segment Two: A foreign mission field in Florida (Maikon and Tatiane Borba, Southeast Florida Church of Christ, Pompano Beach, Florida)

Brazilians Maikon and Tatiane Borba came to the United States to train for mission work back in their home country. But when they found as many as half a million Brazilians living in South Florida, they sensed God calling them to a "visa-free foreign mission field." They tell their story.

Link to Audrey Jackson's Christian Chronicle story on Maikon and Tatiane Borba and their mission work in South Florida

To help Maikon and Tatiane and the Southeast Florida Church of Christ, please email sfcofchrist@gmail.com or call (954) 355-8921.

Segment Three: Voices from the future (Lads to Leaders all-stars Chloe Brennaman, Blake Donaho, and Ava Killen)

Three voices of the future Church of Christ are present in this segment. Chloe Brenneman (Redland Church of Christ, Wetumpka, Alabama), Blake Donaho (Southside Church of Christ, Waco, Texas), and Ava Killen (Leoma Church of Christ, Leoma, Tennessee) are shining stars on the Lads to Leaders circuit. They talk about their growth in Christ and the gifts they and their fellow young people have to offer the church now.

Find more news and stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 74: Preachers on preaching when political violence is rising

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Less than a week after an assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, three preachers talk about how and what they preach when political violence is on the rise.

Featuring:

Jerrard Davis, minister, Spencer Church of Christ, Spencer, Oklahoma
David Duncan, preaching minister, Memorial Church of Christ, Houston, Texas
Robin Gough, preaching minister, Fairfax Church of Christ, Fairfax, Virginia

Read The Christian Chronicle's coverage of how Church of Christ congregations and members are responding to political violence at christianchronicle.org.

Donate to support this ministry to inform and inspire Christians around the world at christianchronicle.org/donate

Episode 155: Christians and online sports gambling (Max Rogers)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Max Rogers (Chatham Church of Christ, Chatham, New Jersey) is an Ivy League-educated economist who never imagined that he would every try online sports gambling, let alone get hooked on it. But one $5 bet soon turned to hundreds of bets and thousands of dollars in losses.

In this episode, Rogers talks about how his experience with online sports gambling exposed him to how this is a fast-growing problem for Christians and churches in the United States.

Link to Wager for More: A Christian Perspective on Online Sports and Casino Gambling by Max Rogers

If you or someone you love has a gambling problem, click here for the National Problem Gambling Helpline

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Episode 55: Excellence in Ministry (Dr. O.J. Shabazz)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Dr. O.J. Shabazz (Church of Christ in Harlem, New York City), a congregational minister with more than 40 years of experience, talks about the practical wisdom he shares in his book, 'Excellence in Ministry: A Guide to Protocols and Etiquette for Church Leaders'.

Dr. O.J. Shabazz (Church of Christ in Harlem, New York City), a congregational minister with more than 40 years of experience, talks about his book, Excellence in Ministry: A Guide to Protocols and Etiquette for Church Leaders.

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s review of Excellence in Ministry by Dr. O.J. Shabazz

Link to Excellence in Ministry: A Guide to Protocols and Etiquette for Church Leaders

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TAGS

Dr. O.J. Shabazz, ministry, leadership, preaching, evangelism, congregation, excellence, discipleship, training, education, Harlem, New York City, BT Irwin

Episode 47: John Johnson is Santa Claus

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

John Johnson put on the red suit for the first time 40 years ago and he's been Santa Claus ever since. But it's not just a side job or role that John plays for a few months each year; it is his calling and his ministry. In this episode, the member of the Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) Church of Christ shares his secrets and some of his stories from 40 years of loving children, the elderly, the lonely, the poor, and the sick. This episode will make you cry and laugh. And after you hear it, we promise: You'll know for sure that Santa Claus is real. Merry Christmas.
Link to John Johnson’s book, Simply St. Nick

Link to Audrey Jackson’s Christian Chronicle story about John Johnson

Link to the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame

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TAGS

Santa Claus, John Johnson, Simply St. Nick, St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas of Myra, Westbow Press, Christmas, Myrtle Beach Church of Christ, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, giving, children, hospice, Audrey Jackson, BT Irwin

Episode 146: How can our Christian colleges keep margins from replacing mission? (Joshua Travis Brown)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Declining birthrates in the United States will drive down college enrollment over the next 15 years. Some experts predict that hundreds of small private colleges and universities will close.

Of the 14 colleges and universities in the Church of Christ family tree, as many as ten of them have characteristics that put them at higher risk in the new higher education market.

Many of these schools are innovating in ways that cut costs, increase operating margins and revenue and at least give them a chance to grow or maintain enrollment enough to survive.

But will a necessary focus on margins lead to less focus on mission?

Dr. Joshua Travis Brown, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Education and research fellow with the Center for Skills, Knowledge and Organizational Performance at the University of Oxford, shares what he found when he researched how small private colleges are managing tradeoffs between margins and mission. That research appears in his book, Capitalizing on College: How Higher Education Went From Mission Driven to Margin Obsessed (Oxford Press).

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Special Partner Edition (PAID CONTENT): Young people and screen addiction (David Shannon, Freed-Hardeman University)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Christian Chronicle Podcast partner Freed-Hardeman University sponsored this special episode on a crisis that is emerging under our noses: screen addiction.

In this conversation, Freed-Hardeman University president David Shannon shares some of the latest research on how (much more) young people are using devices and how dramatic increases in "screen time" over the last few years correlates to a rise in anxiety, depression and suicide among emerging generations in and out of the church.

Shannon offers insight on how churches, educators, ministers and parents can respond with better awareness and and greater habits and practices. He also shares how Freed-Hardeman University is working to make an environment where its faculty, staff and students are putting healthier screen habits into practice.

Link to The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (referenced several times in the interview)

Link to the 2024 World Happiness Report (referenced in the interview)

Link to research on the correlation of anxiety, depression and suicide to smart phone and social media use among young people

Learn more about our sponsor for this episode, Freed-Hardeman University

Episode 82: Is someone (on the inside) stealing from your church? (Dr. Todd Johnson)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT

How much should you trust the people in your own congregation to not steal money? This may seem like an almost offensive question, but in this episode we explore the astonishing increase in embezzlement in congregations and ministries around the world. According to data from our guest, 1 in 3 churches will become victims of embezzlement at some point and 6 percent of all Christian giving worldwide is lost to internal theft.

Churches of Christ are not immune. In the last few years, several trusted members and ministers stole enormous amounts of money from congregations in several states.

What is at the root of this problem and what might congregational leaders do to prevent their own members from succumbing to the temptation to steal from the church and its ministries?

Our guest, Dr. Todd Johnson, co-director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, shares the latest research on financial crimes among Christian congregations and organizations and what the future may hold. He explains how congregations often make themselves prone to financial crime and offers suggestions for closing the lapses and loopholes that tempt Christians to steal.

Click here for access to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity research on embezzlement (and other facts about Christianity worldwide)

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Episode 130: Bringing back the lost art of the biblical Lord's Supper (Christa Sanders Bryant)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 10:00:00 GMT

On June 12, 2025, The Christian Chronicle's Bobby Ross Jr. released a story about the Arlington (Virginia) Church of Christ. That congregation removed the pews from the center of its auditorium and replaced them with tables. Now, worshipers leave their seats and gather around those tables to share the Lord's Supper with each other.

The article stirred up strong opinions among Christian Chronicle readers. Some affirm how the Arlington Church of Christ is trying a fresh and purposeful practice of the Lord's Supper. Others, however, believe that the new practice distracts worshipers from a solemn remembrance of the death of Jesus.

The energetic conversation among readers led The Christian Chronicle's opinions editor, Dr. Jeremie Beller, to write a column of his own. He wasn't the only Bible scholar to weigh in. Christa Sanders Bryant, an author, teacher, and PhD student in Biblical studies at Faulkner University shared the article and some thoughts of her own.

In this episode, Bryant shares her own experiences with the Lord's Supper and how her biblical research reveals what 21st century Church of Christ folks may be missing from the church's first century practice.

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Episode #2: The Chosen, visiting Israel, Joy McMillon

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 01:00:00 GMT

In this episode, correspondent Dr. Kenneth Pybus talks about how the popular TV drama 'The Chosen' is making its way into Church of Christ congregations across America. Reporter Audrey Jackson talks about her recent trip to Israel, "the place where it all started." And Christian Chronicle president and CEO Erik Tryggestad talks about the legacy of Joy McMillan, who poured her life and love into congregations and ministries around the world, including The Christian Chronicle.

Segment One: The Chosen with Dr. Kenneth Pybus

Link to Dr. Pybus’s story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to stream The Chosen for free

Segment Two: Israel with Audrey Jackson

Link to Audrey’s story in The Christian Chronicle

Segment Three: Remembering Joy McMillon with Erik Tryggestad

Link to Joy McMillon obituary in The Christian Chronicle

Donate to The Christian Chronicle. Click here.

Email comments, ideas, and suggestions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

Episode 80: Meet the women chosen to lead a 65-year-old school of ministry and theology (Naomi Walters and Beth Bowers)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Rochester Christian University, founded in 1959 as North Central Christian Junior College, has deep roots and strong ties to Churches of Christ. Like other colleges and universities in this tradition, Rochester Christian built itself around its school of ministry and theology so that its graduates would become leaders and ministers in churches around the world.

In June 2024, Rochester Christian made history as the first university associated with Churches of Christ to appoint two women, Dr. Naomi Walters and Dr. Beth Bowers, to lead its graduate and undergraduate ministry and theology programs.

In this episode, Dr. Walters and Dr. Bowers survey the landscape of congregational ministry now and the horizon of what it may become in the future. And they cast their vision for educating, forming and training ministers for the congregations of tomorrow.

Find more news and stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 159: Meet your new Christian Chronicle Podcast hosts (Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT

It is necessary for good things to come to an end so that new good things can begin.

After 159+ episodes, Christian Chronicle Podcast director and host BT Irwin gets behind the mic one last time to interview the show's new hosts, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson.

In this episode, McAdams and Stenson share the love and purpose that led them to take on this ministry and their vision for how the Christian Chronicle Podcast will grow in its service to the church around the world.

To learn more about how to join a Thrive cohort, contact Dr. Sears here.

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Episode 25: Is money the cause (or solution) of the minister shortage? We go there.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:00:00 GMT

If the jobs section of The Christian Chronicle is any proof, more Church of Christ congregations in North America have open ministry positions than there are ministers able, ready, and willing to fill them. What is the cause of this "minister shortage"? In this episode, Christian Chronicle correspondents Cheryl Mann Bacon, Jeremie Beller, and Calvin Cockrell plunge into the "ick" of money as a factor in how few (or how many) Christians choose to become congregational ministers and whether congregations can hire and keep them.
Read Cheryl Mann Bacon’s report on why fewer Christians are choosing to be ministers

Read Jeremie Beller’s editorial, “Viewing ministry not as a career, but a calling

Read Calvin Cockrell’s report on the cost of Bible and ministry education

Read the full archive of The Christian Chronicle’s “Sacred Calling” series

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

Donate to The Christian Chronicle at christianchronicle.org/donate

Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

Full-time ministry, minister, shortage, preacher shortage, preacher training, “Sacred Calling,” calling, career, minister, ministry, congregational minister, congregational ministry, Jeremie Beller, Oklahoma Christian University, Bible education, Christian colleges and universities, Church of Christ colleges and universities, preacher schools, Calvin Cockrell, minister pay, minister benefits, Cheryl Mann Bacon, Abilene Christian University, BT Irwin

Episode 95: LIVE from northern Virginia, James Garfield, America's Restoration Movement president (C.W. Goodyear)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode recorded before a live audience at the Church of Christ in Falls Church, Virginia, The Christian Chronicle's Erik Tryggestad interviews C.W. Goodyear, author of President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier(Simon & Schuster).

Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, served in office for only 200 days before he died from an assassin's bullet (he was only the second U.S. president to be a victim of assassination).

Before becoming president, Garfield gained notoriety as the youngest brigadier general in the Union army during U.S. Civil War and the youngest member of the U.S. Congress.

More important to The Christian Chronicle's audience, however, is Garfield's parallel career as a preacher in Stone-Campbell Movement congregations (known interchangeably as Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ in the 19th century).

As Goodyear points out in the interview, there are politicians who claim membership in certain churches just to burnish their public image. Garfield, however, was not one of them. He was a devoted Christian and member of his local congregation wherever his career took him.

And, when he sinned, he repented and made things right (as you will hear).

Find more news and stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 63: Philip Yancey, author of 'What Went Wrong? Russia's Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine'

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 14 May 2024 10:00:00 GMT

In this episode, The Christian Chronicle's CEO, Erik Tryggestad, interviews popular Christian author Philip Yancey, who recently co-wrote with John A. Bernbaum What Went Wrong? Russia's Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine.

Yancey was one of the first Western Christians that leaders of the former Soviet Union invited in soon after the fall of Communism in the early 1990s. Over the last 30 years, Yancey has formed deep relationships in both Russia and Ukraine, contributing to, and supporting the growth of Christian churches and ministries in those countries. Over that time, he also formed a deep understanding of how culture, current events, history, and powerful figures in both government and the Russian Orthodox Church influenced the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

In his book, Yancey looks at that crisis through the lens of Christianity and the church.

He expounds on that in his conversation with The Christian Chronicle and makes specific application to the Church of Christ community in both countries.

Link to What Went Wrong? Russia's Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine by Philip Yancey and John A. Bernbaum

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of Christians, the Church of Christ, and ministry affiliates in Russia and Ukraine

Link to Mission Eurasia (referenced in the interview)

Visit christianchronicle.org for all coverage and stories

To donate to this ministry, please go to christianchronicle.org/donate

Please send your comments, ideas, and suggestions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

Episode 125: What will you do if ICE comes to church?

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 23 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In the United States, the mood about immigration carried a new administration to power in Washington, D.C. Since then, the news media has reported sensational stories of law enforcement arrests around, or in, faith-based ministries and houses of worship.

How does this affect Church of Christ congregations and ministries that are active among immigrant neighbors in their communities? Do they have any reason to fear that law enforcement may target them and their own members and neighbors? What should they do when the law of the Christ and the law of the land seem to contradict each other?

In this episode, immigration attorney Isaul Verdin, former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief counsel Paul Hunker and Bible professor and Church of Christ minister Dr. Jeremie Beller help church and ministry leaders understand the biblical mandate for immigrant care, the laws of the United States, and what to do when the Bible and law enforcement are at odds.

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Episode 118: Where 73 churches formed and 2,400 were baptized in just the last year (Dennis Cady)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT

It may be said that God does God's mightiest work in the unlikeliest places.

Take South Sudan, a young nation where civil war has been the norm for generations. Conditions in that country are as poor as anywhere on earth, yet in just the last year 73 Church of Christ congregations formed and more than 2,400 South Sudanese were baptized into the kingdom of God.

What is going on there?

In this episode, Dennis Cady (Faith Village Church of Christ, Wichita Falls, Texas) of the Starfish Foundation, tells the story straight from South Sudan, where he has been ministering, preaching and traveling since 2011.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of the Church of Christ in South Sudan

Link to the Starfish Foundation

Cover photo by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145963320

Episode 60: All about The Christian Chronicle's all new look

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 10:00:00 GMT

The Christian Chronicle, Inc. is getting all-new branding and design across all of its media. In this episode, you'll hear from those who had a hand in the makeover as well as two senior journalism majors who make some predictions about how The Christian Chronicle may function and look in the future.

Segment One: The Christian Chronicle editorial team talks about why the time is right for a whole new design and look (Audrey Jackson, Bobby Ross, Jr., and Erik Tryggestad)

Link to new-look christianchronicle.org story on the redesign

Segment Two: The leader of the creative team that performed the makeover talks about how they did it (Jose Reyes, executive creative director, Metaleap Creative)

Link to Metaleap Creative

Segment Three: Senior journalism majors and student news editors at Harding University and Pepperdine University talk about how The Christian Chronicle may evolve to stay relevant in the future (Tiane Davis, Harding University; Abby Wilt, Pepperdine University)

Link to The Bison, the student newspaper at Harding University

Link to The Pepperdine Graphic, the student news at Pepperdine University

Find more stories at christianchronicle.org

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Episode 44: Remembering Landon Saunders (Mike Cope and Candace Nicolds)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Landon Saunders, a broadcaster and preacher who won millions of fans and friends around the world, went to his rest on November 14, 2023. He was 86 years old. In this episode, you'll listen to recordings of Saunders preaching and speaking in his own words. You'll also listen to two friends who knew him well. Mike Cope, director of the Thriving in Ministry program at Pepperdine University was a close friend for over 40 years. Candace Nicolds was Saunders's minister at his home congregation, Brookline Church of Christ in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Some segments edited for brevity and clarity

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle report on the death of Landon Saunders

Link to the complete Landon Saunders archives at Brown Library at Abilene Christian University

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Landon Saunders, Heartbeat, Herald of Truth, Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University, Harding Graduate School of Theology, evangelism, preaching, gospel, marketplace, joy, see this woman, Mike Cope, Pepperdine University, Harbor, Pepperdine University Bible Lectures, Thriving in Ministry, Candace Nicolds, Brookline Church of Christ, Brookline, Massachusetts, James Wiser, Abilene Christian University, Brown Library

Episode 142: Two young Christians on why they look up to Charlie Kirk (Jeremiah Delcour and Keegan Haupt)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:00:00 GMT

When The Christian Chronicle covered and editorialized Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk's murder in September 2025, the reaction from our audience was big and hot.

Some Church of Christ folks expressed reverence for Kirk and regarded him as a Christian martyr. Others expressed anger and sadness at how he died, but emphasized that what he believed and how he expressed it did not represent them as Christians. Still others said they never heard of Kirk until his death.

In this episode, two young Christians, Charlie Kirk fans and followers, explain why he appealed to them so much. What about his life and teachings resonated with them?

And, from this, what might we learn about some members of the emerging generations in the Church of Christ?

Jeremiah Delcour and Keegan Haupt are leaders of the Turning Point USA chapter at Oklahoma Christian University, where they are students.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of how Church of Christ folks responded to Charlie Kirk's murder

Link to Dr. Jeremie Beller's Christian Chronicle editorial on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's death

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Episode 129: Why do Christians say one thing about immigration, but vote for another? (Scott McConnell)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Lifeway Research executive director Scott McConnell is back to talk about some new research that sheds light on current events.

For starters, church attendance and sales of Bibles are going up. Not only that, but Americans' regard for the Bible seems to be increasing. Young people, in particular are demonstrating more openness to learning about the Bible. Scott explores what could be driving these trends and what it means for Church of Christ congregations and members.

Next, we turn to Lifeway Research's ongoing research on how evangelical Christians say they feel and think about immigrants and immigration in the United States. On one hand, evangelical Christians say that they are pro-immigrant and pro-immigration by a wide margin; on the other hand, they continue to support politicians that seem to be anti-immigrant and anti-immigration. What explains this?

Link to Lifeway Research's latest findings on the increase in church attendance in the United States

Link to Lifeway Research's latest findings on attitudes about the Bible and Bible-reading habits among Americans

Link to Lifeway Research's latest findings on how evangelical Christians feel and think about immigrants and immigration in the United States

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Episode 145: How might the church care for parents of special needs kids? (Gigi Khonyongwa-Fernandez)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Parents of special needs kids face a special kind of grief and a special kind of struggle. Yet, so often their needs go overlooked and unmet in their own churches.

Gigi Khonyongwa-Fernandez, author of From Rollercoasters to Carousels: An Emotional Support Guide to Healing for NICU, Bereaved and Special Needs Parents, shares her story and the emotions she and other NICU, bereaved and special needs parents experience.

In this episode, she opens up about how parents like her deal with ongoing grief and trauma. Among the points that come up in this discussion are:

How we are all close to someone who experiences trauma, most of all in our churches
NICU, bereaved and special needs parents struggle to allow themselves to feel their emotions
Sometimes, churches do not make space for those who are grieving to grieve as fully and as long as they need

How might the church come alongside NICU, bereaved and special needs parents?

Links for this episode:

BT and Gigi reference both 2 Corinthians 1:4 and Proverbs 27:14

The Christian Chronicle's feature on Khonyogwa-Fernandez: https://christianchronicle.org/connector-in-chief-trauma-informed-coach-brings-the-world-together/

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Episode 126: Church-ing while Black (Barron Jones)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 30 May 2025 16:00:00 GMT

For Christians who are Black, life in the Church of Christ in the United States is an experience that is formed by the experience of being Black. In other words, each human being encounters life (and church) through her or his experiences. Likewise, the world (and often the church) perceives human beings through the assumptions that form about certain groups of people.

Barron Jones (host of the Unfiltered Crossroads Podcast and the preaching team at Holgate Street Church of Christ in Seattle, Washington) talks about why being Black in the Church of Christ in the United States is a unique experience that often leaves Christians who are Black feeling isolation and pressure among their own brothers and sisters in Christ. Jones makes the case that a relentless pursuit of the gospel and the truth will well serve all Christians now.

Read Barron Jones's Christian Chronicle op-ed, "Stuck in the middle with Jesus: Why Black Christians in America feel alienated from cultural camps on either side - and what comes next"

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Episode 152: Who belongs in a national Church of Christ directory? (Dr. Suzie Macaluso)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Church of Christ lifers may remember Churches of Christ in the United States, an annual directory of, you guessed it, all Church of Christ congregations in the United States. The last edition came out in 2018.

In 2024, The Christian Chronicle, Heritage 21 Foundation, Siburt Institute and 21st Century Christian formed a partnership, the Church Research Council, to resume publication of Churches of Christ in the United States.

But making a directory of Church of Christ congregations is not as easy as it may seem. First, there is the challenge of tracking down 10,000 to 12,000 independent congregations across 50 states and territories.

Then there's the fact that some congregations will resist participating for a variety of reasons, including how creating a directory feels "denominational" to congregations that avoid anything that resembles that label.

And then there's the harder question of all: What is a "Church of Christ" and who gets to decide?

In this episode, Dr. Suzie Macaluso, the lead researcher on the Churches of Christ in the United States project, talks about the challenges and implications of the directory on how Church of Christ folks imagine themselves and how they relate to one another.

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon's Christian Chronicle story on the challenges of compiling a new Churches of Christ in the United States

Episode 75 LIVE in Tennessee: C. Leonard Allen, author, 'The Bookroom: Remembrance and Forgiveness'

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT

In our first-ever show before a live audience, we're pleased to present C. Leonard Allen, author of 16 books that explore Christian life, most of all Christian life together in the church.

In his latest book, a memoir titled The Bookroom: Remembrance and Forgiveness, Allen retraces the story of his lifelong search for answers to the questions that he first learned to ask as a boy in his father's bookroom. Growing up in the Church of Christ, Allen couldn't help but wonder if the claims he heard from that tradition were reliable and true.

In this interview (including questions from a live audience at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ in Brentwood, Tennessee), he highlights the twists and turns and lessons learned from decades of looking for answers to the questions he asked as a boy.

Link to C. Leonard Allen's book, The Bookroom: Remembrance and Forgiveness

Many thanks to the Harpeth Hills Church of Christ and its members for hosting and participating in this show.

Many, many thanks to Mark Fulford for recording and producing this episode.

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Episode 42: Christians in Israel conflict, The Gospel Advocate and The Spiritual Sword, honoring Howard and Jane Norton

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Some segments edited for brevity and clarity

Segment One: An Arab Israeli Christian talks about what is happening in Gaza and Israel (Sandro Jadon)

Link to Erik Tryggestad’s Christian Chronicle interview with Sandro Jadon in the days imm

ediately after the October 7 attack on Israel from Hamas

Link to Erik Tryggestad’ Christian Chronicle interviews with Israeli Christians serving in their country’s armed forces in the days following the October 7 attack

Link to The Christian Chronicle op-ed by Evertt Huffard on the crisis in Israel

Jeremie Beller’s Christian Chronicle story about communing and worshiping with the Nazareth Church of Christ in Jesus’s hometown

To contact Sandro Jadon about bringing your congregation or a group to visit Israel (with Sandro as your tour guide) and to visit Nazareth Church of Christ, email sandro@sjtours.com.

Link to donate to support Sandro and other Israeli Christian tour guides who are out of work because of the conflict in Israel

Segment Two: The past, present, and future of The Gospel Advocate and The Spiritual Sword (Dr. John Young)

Link to Calvin Cockrell’s Christian Chronicle report on the status of The Gospel Advocate and The Spiritual Sword

Link to The Gospel Advocate

Link to The Spiritual Sword

Link to Dr. John Young’s blog and website

Link to B-Team Consulting Podcast

Segment Three: Remembering Howard and Jane Norton (Dr. Laurie Diles)

The clip at the top of this segment comes from a sermon that Howard Norton preached at the Memorial Church of Christ in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 2017.

Link to Christian Chronicle CEO Erik Tryggestad’s report on the passing of Howard and Jane Norton in October 2023

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s announcement of Howard Norton’s death in October 2023

Link to Howard and Jane Norton memo

Episode 84: The best barista in America will serve you now (Darcy Todd, 2024 Starbucks North America Barista Champion)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Darcy Todd (Woodland West Church of Christ, Arlington, Texas) is the 2024 Starbucks North America Barista Champion. She recently beat out 17,000 Starbucks baristas for the title.

In this episode, she'll not only tell the story of how she did it, she'll explain how working in a Starbucks is not so different from working in a church (one with exceptional coffee!). She'll even throw in a few suggestions for special (non-menu) drinks you should try next time you're at Starbucks.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's announcement of Darcy Todd's big win in the Starbucks barista competition

Link to the Starbucks company magazine story about Darcy

Link to Nehemiah Coffee Co. (referenced by Darcy in this episode)

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Episode 41: Fewer Church of Christ kids going to Church of Christ schools, the mission field on Christian college campuses, and how to win Gen Z to Christ

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Some segments edited for brevity and clarity

This episode explores what is going on in Christian education and among people between the ages of 13 and 25.

Segment One: Dr. Trace Hebert of Lipscomb University talks about his annual report on enrollment trends at colleges and universities from the Church of Christ tradition. Once again, Church of Christ students as a percent of total enrollment decreased, continuing a decline of more than 60 percent in the last 20 years. Dr. Hebert talks about what this means, not only for colleges and universities with roots and ties in the Church of Christ, but Church of Christ congregations in North America.

Link to Dr. Trace Hebert's annual report on enrollment at colleges and universities with roots and ties in the Church of Christ

Link to Dr. Trace Hebert’s bio and credentials

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s report on Dr. Hebert’s 2022 annual enrollment report

Segment Two: Small schools with low endowments are resorting to intercollegiate sports to boost enrollment and tuition revenue. While this is helping those schools grow or stay steady, it is quickly changing the makeup of their student bodies, putting pressure on their Christian commitments, culture, and mission. The president of one of those schools, Mitch Henry of Faulkner University, talks about how his institution is turning this challenge into an opportunity for evangelism.

Link to Audrey Jackson’s Christian Chronicle story on student athletes committing to Christ at York University

Link to Calvin Cockrell’s Christian Chronicle story on 37 baptisms on the Faulkner University football team

Link to Calvin Cockrell’s Christian Chronicle report on the inauguration of Mitch Henry as Faulkner University’s president

Link to The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode Nine (first interview with Faulkner University president Mitch Henry)

Segment Three: Dr. Tricia Bruce of Springtide Research brings the latest study on how people between the ages of 13 and 25 think about the Bible, church, God, and spirituality. How might congregations reach and keep these young people?

Link to Springtide Research Institute

Link to Dr. Tricia Bruce bio and credentials

Link to report: State of religion and young people 2023

Episode 40: A church cares for victims of a mass school shooting, Al Robertson talks about 'The Blind', and what it's like to visit 13 churches in 10 states

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 18:00:00 GMT

After the mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, the surviving victims needed a place to resume learning...and a place to try to recover. Nearby Brentwood Hills Church of Christ opened its building and its hearts to them. Ministers Amy Bowman and Jonathan Seamon talk about what it's like to love neighbors who are grieving and recovering from unimaginable horror.

'The Blind' is a motion picture that reveals the true story of Phil and Miss Kay Robertson and their family of 'Duck Dynasty' fame. Their oldest son, Al Robertson, talks about what it was like to make the movie and what his family hopes it will accomplish for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God.

Retirees Chris and Connie Stinnett call in from their RV, where they live full-time and travel the country. They tell the stories of showing up unannounced at more than 13 Church of Christ congregations in ten states.

Segment One: How Brentwood Hills Church of Christ is loving its neighbors who are victims of a mass school shooting (Amy Bowman and Jonathan Seamon)

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s coverage of Church of Christ congregations and members responding to the Covenant School shooting

Segment Two: The Blind (Al Robertson)

Link to The Blind movie website

Link to an archive of The Christian Chronicle’s coverage of Duck Dynasty, the Roberston family, and West Monroe (Louisiana) Church of Christ

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s review of The Blind

Link to Duck Dynasty

Link to Duck Commander

Link to Phil Robertson’s Unashamed Podcast

Segment Three: Showing up unannounced and uninvited at 17 churches in 12 states (Chris and Connie Stinnett)

Link to The Christian Chronicle story about Chris and Connie Stinnett’s travels

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Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2111187/13903732/transcript

TAGS

Covenant School, Covenant School shooting, school shootings, mass shootings, Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, Brentwood, Nashville, Tennessee, Erik Tryggestad, Amy Bowman, Jonathan Seamon, church building, neighbors, loving neighbors, community, recovery, Tennessee Titans, Will Levis, Ryan Tannehill, Nashville Predators, Vanderbilt Commodores, Nashville Sounds, Wynonna, Wynonna Judd, Macon, Georgia, Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, The Blind movie, Tread Lively, Phil Robertson, Miss Kay, Miss Kay Robertson, Kay Robertson, Al Robertson, Duck Dynasty, A&E, Duck Commander, West Monroe Church of Christ, West Monroe, Louisiana, true story, testimony, baptism, recovery, salvation, evangelism, Chris Stinnett, Connie Stinnett, travel, RV, visiting, welcoming, hospitality, service times, Lord’s Supper, visitors, guests, Springfield, Vermont, Bellevue Church o

Episode 151: Why heaven and hell may not be what you think (Rubel Shelly)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Bible scholar and prolific book-writer Rubel Shelly returns to talk about his two new books on heaven and hell. In this episode, he explains why heaven and hell may not be what most Christians always imagined them to be.

Link to Heaven: Why It May Not Be What You Have Always Heart, by Rubel Shelly

Link to Hell: Why It May Not Be What You Have Always Heard, by Rubel Shelly

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Episode 34: At home with Muslim refugees from Afghanistan, the future of Christian journalism is now, and a congregation and its minister celebrate 50 years together (PLUS a post-credit Bible bowl bonus track)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:00:00 GMT

When Dan and Mary Huber (NorthWest Church of Christ) found out that thousands of Afghan refugees were coming to their city of San Antonio, Texas, they chose to extend extraordinary hospitality to their new neighbors. But they soon found themselves to be not the hosts, but the honored guests of their new Afghan friends. What happens when Christians and Muslims from different cultures and faiths gather around common tables? From the online and print edition story by Bobby Ross, Jr.

The Christian Chronicle's 2023 summer intern, Tiane Davis, a senior journalism major at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, gives her take on the future of how Christians receive their news and what information and stories young Christians like her seek.

This October, the Airport Road Church of Christ in Carson City, Nevada, and its minister, Bruce Henderson, will celebrate 50 years together. Bruce shares the lessons he's learned from five decades ministering to the same congregation and what could possibly be next after such a long time. From the online and print edition story by Tiane Davis.

Plus a Bible bowl bonus segment post credits.

Segment One: At home with Afghan refugees (Dan and Mary Huber, NorthWest Church of Christ, San Antonio, Texas)

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.’s Christian Chronicle report on what Dan and Mary Huber and the NorthWest Church of Christ are doing among Afghan refugees in San Antonio, Texas

Link to NorthWest Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas

Link to Center for Refugee Services, San Antonio, Texas

Segment Two: The future of Christian journalism is now (Tiane Davis, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas)

Link to Tiane Davis’s reports and stories from her summer at The Christian Chronicle

Link to The Bison, the Harding University student newspaper where Tiane Davis is editor

Link to chart of news media bias and reliability by source (referenced by Tiane in her interview)

Segment Three: A congregation and its minister celebrate 50 years together (Bruce Henderson, Airport Road Church of Christ, Carson City, Nevada)

Note: Tiane Davis’s Christian Chronicle story about Bruce Henderson and the Airport Road Church of Christ is not yet live at christianchronicle.org. We will post the link when it becomes available.

Link to Airport Road Church of Christ in Carson City, Nevada

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Dan Huber, Mary Huber, NorthWest Church of Christ, San Antonio, Texas, refugees, migrants, Afghanistan, Afghan, Muslim, Sunni Muslim, Center for Refugee Services, hospitality, evangelism, Bobby Ross, Jr., Tiane Davis, journalism, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas, intern, internship, multimedia, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Calvin Cockrell, reporting, news, bias, integrity, Christian news, Christian journalism, New York Times, Bruce Henderson, Airport Road Church of Christ, Carson City, Nevada, Oklahoma Christian University, ministry, el

Episode 94: How do we talk about politics? (Bobby Ross Jr., Jeremie Beller, Nathan Guy, Patrick Odum)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:00:00 GMT

From the Norton Colloquium at the 101st Harding University Lectureship, The Christian Chronicle's editor-in-chief Bobby Ross Jr. leads a panel of preachers as they discuss how (and whether) to talk about politics in the local church.

Dr. Jeremie Beller is The Christian Chronicle's opinions editor. He serves as dean of the College of Bible at Oklahoma Christian University and minister with the Wilshire Church of Christ in in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Nathan Guy is associate professor of philosophy, theology and ethics at Harding University, preaching minister with West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, AR, and chair of the Center for Christian Studies.

Patrick Odum is minister with Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, IL.

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Episode 23: Babies, moms, families, and the Church of Christ community one year after Dobbs (Audrey Jackson, Jerry Callens, Verlon Johnson)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:00:00 GMT

When the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case on June 24, 2022, it overturned two cases, Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), that established the federal right to an abortion. For decades in the United States, many, if not most, Church of Christ members prayed, volunteered, and voted in hope that the Supreme Court would do what it finally did on June 24, 2022. In this episode, we find out how the Dobbs decision a year ago is either helping or hindering the efforts of Church of Christ members and ministries to help people choose life.
SEGMENT ONE: What has happened since June 24, 2022? (Audrey Jackson)

Link to Audrey Jackson’s coverage of the Dobbs decision in June 2022

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s editorial board’s response to the Dobbs decision (June 2022)

Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle op-ed in response to Dobbs (June 2022)

SEGMENT TWO: How have things changed and what is next? (Jerry Callens)

Link to Christian Chronicle stories featuring Jerry Callens

Link to Christian Family Services

SEGMENT THREE: How have things changed and what is next? (Verlon Johnson)

Link to Christian Chronicle stories featuring Verlon Johnson

TAGS

Abortion, abortion rights, anti-abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Supreme Court, SCOTUS, U.S. Supreme Court, unborn, babies, moms, mothers, health care, family care, pregnancy, crisis pregnancy, adoption, foster care, foster parents, adoptive parents, foster home, foster kids, ministry, Medicaid, Christian Family Services, Gainesville, Florida, Audrey Jackson, Jerry Callens, Verlon Johnson, Matteson Church of Christ, Matteson, Illinois

Episode 22: Juneteenth in Texas, a word from an elder in Angola, and ministering to those with chronic pain

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:00:00 GMT

For generations, churches in Texas passed down the tradition of Juneteenth, sometimes called "America's Second Independence Day." In this episode, Karl Berry and Curtis Phillips, elders from Cedar Hill Church of Christ in Cedar Hill, Texas, talk about how their congregation is keeping and sharing the Juneteenth tradition. The Christian Chronicle's globetrotting CEO Erik Tryggestad interviews Douglas Boateng, an elder in the Church of Christ community in Angola, in central Africa. David Heflin, minister to Woodward Church of Christ in Woodward, Oklahoma, shares his chronic pain story and the story of Broken and Mended, the ministry he started to help and support those who live with chronic pain.
SEGMENT ONE: Why Juneteenth? (Karl Berry and Curtis Phillips, Cedar Hill Church of Christ, Cedar Hill, Texas)

Link to Cedar Hill Church of Christ

Link to archive of The Christian Chronicle’s Juneteenth stories

Link to Juneteenth history and resources at The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture

SEGMENT TWO: Erik Tryggestad interviews Douglas Boateng in Angola, central Africa

Link to Erik Tryggestad’s Christian Chronicle report from his recent trip to Africa

SEGMENT THREE: Broken and Mended chronic pain ministry (David Heflin and Ronna Valentine, Woodward Church of Christ, Woodward, Oklahoma)

Link to Christian Chronicle story on Broken and Mended ministry

Link to Broken and Mended ministry website

Link to Woodward Church of Christ

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Episode 54: Minister burnout on the rise, Black history is Christian history, a waiting list for people waiting to hear the Gospel

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Dr. Scott Thumma of Hartford Institute for Religion Research reveals how and why minister burnout is on the rise. Dr. Philena Myers (Woodland Place Church of Christ, Ocala, Florida) explains how Black history is Christian history. Let's Start Talking has a waiting list of people who need volunteers to practice conversational English while teaching them the Bible. Leslee Altrock explains how people can volunteer.

SEGMENT ONE: Minister burnout is on the rise (Dr. Scott Thumma, Hartford Institute for Religion Research)

Link to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research report on rising clergy discontentment

SEGMENT TWO: Black history is Christian history (Dr. Philena Myers, Woodland Place Church of Christ, Ocala, Florida)

Link to Dr. Philena Myers’s submission to The Christian Chronicle: “I am Black history”

SEGMENT THREE: Let’s Start Talking has a waiting list of people who want to learn English and the Gospel (Leslee Altrock, Let’s Start Talking)

Link to Let’s Start Talking Connect (where you can find out how to volunteer as a conversation partner for people who want to learn conversational English while using the Gospel of Luke as their textbook)

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, report on the need for more volunteers at Let’s Start Talking

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

Donate to The Christian Chronicle at christianchronicle.org/donate

Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Minister burnout, clergy burnout, minister discontent, clergy discontent, minister shortage, Sacred Calling, COVID, pandemic, congregation, church, change, minister health, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Dr. Scott Thumma, Black history, Black History Month, Dr. Philena Myers, Woodland Place Church of Christ, Ocala, Florida, evangelism, missions, Bible, English, Let’s Start Talking, Leslee Altrock, Bobby Ross Jr., BT Irwin

Episode 102: Ukrainian refugees in their own words (Yulia Merchant, Liza Sharii-Yukabovska, and Oleksandr Voievoda)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:00:00 GMT

This is a long one, but the stories (and the voices who tell them) are important.

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, The Christian Chronicle has been especially active reporting how Church of Christ congregations started and grew in Ukraine. Over the last 30 years, many friendships formed and many stories (both good news and hard news) have come to The Christian Chronicle audience through Ukraine.

Beginning with Russia's invasion and annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014 and second invasion and war in 2022, many Church of Christ congregations and members are suffering death and displacement. You can read The Christian Chronicle's extensive coverage here.

Many Ukrainian refugees (Christian and non-Christian) found their way to Houston, Texas over the last two years. As their numbers increased, Memorial Church of Christ stepped up to meet some of their most pressing needs. Because of Memorial Church of Christ, and one Russian member in particular, many Ukrainian refugees are making do as they sojourn in Houston. More important, some of them are coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

In this episode, you'll hear from Yulia Merchant, the Russian immigrant who is letting herself be a catalyst for Christ's ministry to his Ukrainian neighbors coming to Houston.

You'll also hear from two Ukrainian refugees, Oleksandr Voievoda and Liza Sharii-Yukabovska, who tell their stories in their own words.

Read Bobby Ross Jr.'s recent Christian Chronicle story on the Thanksgiving feast the Ukrainian refugees hosted for their Memorial Church of Christ friends

Link to a full archive of The Christian Chronicle's Ukraine coverage

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s June 2023 story about the beginning of the Memorial Church of Christ ministry with Ukrainian refugees

Link to Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 26 featuring Yulia Merchant

Click here to donate to Memorial Church of Christ Urkaine ministry efforts

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Episode 10: Jesus Revolution, saving families in Tanzania, God raises the dead on a Texas highway

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Episode 10: Jesus Revolution, saving families in Tanzania, God raises the dead on a Texas highway

Filmmaker Brent McCorkle talks about his new movie, 'Jesus Revolution.' Christian Chronicle CEO Erik Tryggestad reports on the life-saving work of Neema Village in Tanzania. Church of Christ elder Keith Johanson and his wife, Becky, tell their true story of how they saw a boy die on Texas highway and how God brought him back to life.

Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 10

Links and show notes

Segment One: Jesus Revolution (Brent McCorkle)

Link to ‘Jesus Revolution’ website

Link to Brent McCorkle’s website

Segment Two: “The God who sees me” (Erik Tryggestad and Dorris Fortson)

Link to Christian Chronicle story about Neema Village

Link to Erik Tryggestad’s column about his visit to Tanzania

Link to Neema Village

Segment Three: Miracle in Texas

Link to Christian Chronicle story about Keith and Becky Johanson

Link to christianchronicle.org

Link to donate to Christian Chronicle

Email comments, ideas, and suggestions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

Episode 100: Keith Lancaster and Anthony Lancaster want you to sing with them (really)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:00:00 GMT

It's our 100th episode!

To help us celebrate (and get in the mood for a holiday season worthy of its name), Keith Lancaster and Anthony Lancaster of Acappella Ministries are here to talk about the state of a cappella worship among Church of Christ congregations and what they are doing to restore and revive "the best part of our heritage." That includes traveling the world to teach Christians and congregations how to sing together in harmony.

They also announce two opportunities for Christians to enjoy singing with them, including a "living room style" reunion concert featuring Acappella, AVB, the Lancasters and Vocal Union on New Year's Eve and an all-day singing marathon at Madison Church of Christ in Madison, Tennessee, on New Year's Day.

And they unveil Incarnate God, a new Praise & Harmony collection of 25 congregational arrangements for Christmas.

Link to sign up for the New Year's Day Singing Marathon at Madison Church of Christ in Madison, Tennessee

Link to Incarnate God, the new Christmas album from Praise & Harmony

Link to audition to be part of the Praise & Harmony recording in Fort Worth, Texas (August 2025)

Link to the Worship Leader Institute from Acappella Ministries

Link to sign up for emails from Acappella Ministries

Link to Episode 8 (April 2023) featuring Keith Lancaster and Anthony Lancaster

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Episode 58: When Communion gets stale, how might it become fresh again? (Bob Waldron, author, 'Food for the Journey')

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 20:00:00 GMT

Dr. Bob Waldron, a lifelong minister and missionary for congregations around the world, talks about what he has learned about the Lord’s Supper from his reading, study, and travels. How might we renew and restore all that the Lord intended for this “main event” in the life of the church? Dr. Waldron also talks about his book, Food for the Journey, and its 52 meditations on the Lord’s Supper.

Link to Food for the Journey by Bob Waldron

Links to other books and resources that Dr. Waldron recommends for reflection and study on the Lord’s Supper:

The Meal Jesus Gave Us by N.T. Wright

Last Supper & Lord’s Supper by I. Howard Marshall

The Lord’s Supper by William Barclay

Jesus and the Last Supper by Brant Pitre

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The songs 'Come Share the Lord' and 'Arise' used by permission of Ken Young, Hallal Music.

Episode 112: How your phone can destroy your marriage and binge-watching TV can make it better (Lauren and Owen Mitchell)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Lauren and Owen Mitchell drop in to talk about what they've learned about building a great marriage -- from being Marriage Dynamics Institute facilitators for more than 25 years and by practicing marriage together for more than 28 years. In this conversation, they focus on how the small things often make the biggest difference in how partners experience marriage. This one is full of practical pointers that even the busiest and most stressed-out couples can start using today.

Click here for a link of upcoming ReConnect Weekend marriage retreats (referenced in the interview)

Link to article about Owen Mitchell's recent national championship win on the senior pickleball circuit

Episode 89: How well do you know your immigrant neighbors? (Pew Research and Berry's Chapel Church of Christ)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:00:00 GMT

According to Pew Research Center, immigration is the second-most important issue to White evangelical Protestants who plan to vote in the November 2024 U.S. presidential election. Note: Pew places White Church of Christ members (7 out of 10 Church of Christ members nationwide) in the "White evangelical Protestant" research cohort. So, then, immigration may be one of the top issues for Church of Christ members in the United States today.

In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Kramer (Pew Research Center) shares what a new study reveals about the faith of the people who choose to migrate (almost half claim to be Christian) and how that faith influences where they go.

Frank Meza and Preston Pratt, ministers with Berry's Chapel Church of Christ in Franklin, Tenn., share the story of how their congregation is coming alongside and joining the growing Spanish-speaking community nearby. In addition to opening and sponsoring a community center in a Spanish-speaking neighborhood, the congregation did away with its separate English- and Spanish-speaking assemblies on Sunday morning and now has one bilingual assembly every week.

Link to Pew Research Center's latest report on the faith of the world's migrants

Link to Berry's Chapel Church of Christ in Franklin, Tennessee

Link to The Christian Chronicle's archive of reporting on U.S. congregations and immigration

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Episode 156: Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover says you and he are "almost twins"

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Many Church of Christ members have preached or testified before thousands at various places and times, but Captain Victor Glover is one of the very few who spoke to an audience of billions. And he is the only one to do it from more than 200,000 miles away from earth.

From April 1 - 10, 2026, Glover and three other astronauts completed a 500,000-mile round trip that took them beyond the moon and farther into space than any human beings have ever traveled. NASA's Artemis II mission captivated 8 billion people on earth and gave Glover a stellar pulpit from which to draw humanity's attention to God.

In this episode, Capt. Glover opens up about what he felt, learned and thought during his journey beyond the moon. He also shares what being on the moon mission taught him about community, grace, love and what it means to be part of humanity that inhabits earth.

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Episode 117: What happens when your neighbor is trying to kill you? Stories from the Church of Christ in Ukraine.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Almost as soon as Church of Christ missionaries entered Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Christian Chronicle reporters entered the country as well. For more than three decades now, The Christian Chronicle has covered how the Ukrainian people embraced with joy the gospel of Jesus Christ. Few parts of Europe can match Ukraine for how the Church of Christ took root, sprang up, grew and spread.

Russia's invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory in 2014 and all-out war against its neighbor starting in 2022 has done great harm to the Church of Christ and its members in Ukraine. But not grave harm. In the face of death and destruction, Church of Christ congregations and members are rising up and showing how the love and power of God is greater than bombs and tanks. But recent events in the United States are leaving some Christians in Ukraine feeling betrayed by their brothers and sisters in Christ.

In this episode, Jeff Abrams (executive director of Rescue Ukraine and former minister with Tuscumbia Church of Christ in Tuscumbia, Alabama) and Marina Noyes (a pillar in the Vinograder Church of Christ in Kiev, Ukraine) talk about how the Church of Christ and its members are holding out after three years of war in Ukraine. They also talk about how the changing political situation in the United States is affecting the Church of Christ in Ukraine.

Link to Christian Chronicle CEO Erik Tryggestad's recent report on the Church of Christ in Ukraine at the third anniversary of Russia's second invasion

Link to a full archive of The Christian Chronicle's coverage of the Church of Christ in Ukraine

Link to Rescue Ukraine

Link to College Hill Church of Christ in Richland Hills, Texas, which provides support for Vinograder Church of Christ in Kiev, Ukraine

Episode 56: Making peace in Kansas City, a teen grieves her mom and finds her faith, and puppets bring Bible stories to 50 million. Plus a Bible bowl bonus segment (at home with the Tryggestads).

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 03:00:00 GMT

A Kansas City church runs toward gun violence, an Australian teen lost her mom and found her own faith, a puppet ministry bringing Bible stories to 50 million, and a bonus segment (Bible bowling with the Tryggestads).

SEGMENT ONE: A Kansas City church runs toward gun violence (Branden and Sharee Mims, Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ, Kansas City, Missouri)

Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle story on how the Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ is making peace in the most violent part of Kansas City

Link to Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ, Kansas City, Missouri

SEGMENT TWO: An Australian teen lost her mom and found her own faith (Jada Black, Redlands College, Wellington Point, Queensland, Australia)

This segment edited for brevity, clarity, and "flow." Note: The Christian Chronicle's Audrey Jackson was also along for this interview. You'll hear her ask some questions, too!

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle profile on Jada Black

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle feature on immersive learning experience for ninth graders at Redlands College

Link to Audrey Jackson’s Christian Chronicle report on chaplains at Redlands College

SEGMENT THREE: A puppet ministry bringing Bible stories to 50 million (Darla Robinson, The Puppetunes, Los Angeles, California)

Link to The Puppetunes

'Bethlehemian Rhapsody' is used by permission of The Puppetunes.

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Kansas City, Kansas City Chiefs, mass shooting, gun violence, Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ, Greater Impact, Branden Mims, Sharee Mims, Australia, Queensland, Redlands College, Jada Black, Hillsong scandal, cancer, grief, faith, Psalty, Bobby Ross, Jr., Audrey Jackson, Puppetunes, puppets, Bible stories, Bible class, Sunday school, childrens ministry, Darla Robinson, pandemic, Bethlehemian Rhapsody, Bible bowl, Leadership Training for Christ, Lads to Leaders, Erik Tryggestad, BT Irwin

Episode 133: Why 2,000 Church of Christ volunteers are going to Detroit to talk to strangers (Leonardo Gilbert)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT

In 1979, Church of Christ congregations in Chicago joined together in a concentrated campaign to evangelize the city. That event because the first "Crusade for Christ," an evangelism campaign that visited a major U.S. city every other year until the pandemic. Over the 40 years that the Crusade for Christ visited American cities, tens of thousands of volunteers evangelized tens of thousands of neighbors, leading to countless baptisms.

This July 2025, the Crusade for Christ returns and up to 2,000 Church of Christ members from around the U.S. will converge on Detroit to feed the hungry, heal the sick, knock on doors and participate in "marketplace ministry" for five days.

In this episode, Leonardo Gilbert, national director of the Crusade for Christ talks about why personal evangelism among strangers still works, even in a social media age when everyone seems to be afraid of "stranger danger."

Link to the Crusade for Christ event website

Link to The Christian Chronicle's archive coverage of past Crusade for Christ e events

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Episode 103: A fresh catechism for the Church of Christ community ... and beyond (Dr. Brad East)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:00:00 GMT

Catechism is a word that Church of Christ folks may often associate with Catholicism, but its practice - which comes from the Greek catechesis (Greek for "instruction") - is happening all the time in Church of Christ congregations.

Author Dr. Brad East (associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University) not only makes a case that catechism is part of every congregation's life, but that Church of Christ congregations and members might benefit from a fresh exploration and understanding of what they instruct and model for emerging generations.

To that end, East recently published Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry (Eerdmans). The book, which was runner-up for Christianity Today's Book of the Year in 2024, places emerging generations of Christians in the great arc of God's story starting "in the beginning," passing through ancient Israel, and tracing 2,000 years of Christian history and tradition.

Drawing from his experience teaching honest young Christians (and those who are considering Christianity), East puts forward a fresh catechesis for these times.

Link to Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry

Link to Dr. Brad East's author page

Link to The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 64: Brad East on Christian nationalism

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Episode 5: Richard Hughes talks about 'The Grace of Troublesome Questions'

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 13:00:00 GMT

Dr. Richard Hughes is one of the leading historians in the Church of Christ community (and beyond). Over the last 50-plus years, he wrote or co-wrote 17 books that mostly explored the origins and evolution of the beliefs, culture, and traditions that formed the Church of Christ community and its cousins, the Community of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and independent Christian churches. In this episode, he talks at length about his latest work, 'The Grace of Troublesome Questions,' expanding on why it is crucial for Church of Christ congregations and members to know their own history (and why he chose this for his life's work). He also talks about why he chose to devote so much of the book to white supremacy, which he believes is a bigger part of American and Church of Christ culture and history than many (or most) want to admit.

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Episode 15: Defending libraries, young people seeking revival (what kind?), and how to baptize a Bible student on the other side of the world

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Christian Chronicle contributing editor Cheryl Mann Bacon responds to those who criticized or questioned her op-ed on defending libraries. How much control should Christians have over public institutions like libraries? Christian Chronicle intern Gabriel Grant Huff, a certified "young person," gives his take on the kind of revival young Christians seek now and how they will know when revival is real. What does the word "revival" even mean? From her home in New Mexico, World English Institute volunteer Suzie Winham used the internet to teach English and the Bible to her student, John Bosco, in Somalia. But when John decided to commit his life to Christ, nobody in Somalia would baptize him. What would Suzie do?

Why libraries are important to an open society (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle op-ed on libraries

Christian Chronicle readers respond to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s op-ed

What do young people think about revivals (Gabriel Grant Huff)

Gabriel Grant Huff’s editorial on young people and revivals

Christian Chronicle report on “Asbury Revival”

Christian Chronicle report on the desire for revival at Church of Christ youth events

Christian Chronicle Podcast featuring interview with four Asbury University students

How to baptize a Bible student in Somalia (from New Mexico) (Suzie Winham)

Christian Chronicle report on Suzie Winham and her student John Bosco

Link to World English Institute

More news and stories at The Christian Chronicle

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Make a tax-deductible gift to The Christian Chronicle

Give to The Christian Chronicle

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podcast@christianchronicle.org

Episode 11: Sex crimes in the church (Jimmy Hinton, author of 'The Devil Inside')

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 19:00:00 GMT

A few days before recording this episode, a federal court sentenced a former Church of Christ minister to 45 years in prison for a long list of sex crimes he committed against minors in one of the congregations where he worked. Special guest Jimmy Hinton talks about what he describes as an "epidemic" of sex abuse by leaders in Church of Christ congregations. Jimmy shares his own story of what sexual abuse cost him and his congregation. He also reveals what congregations can do to protect their members from sex crimes and what those that uncover sexual abuse in their midst can do to eliminate the danger and start to heal.

Segment One: Bobby Ross, Jr., and Audrey Jackson report on Joshua Henley sentencing

Audrey Jackson’s report on sentencing of Joshua Henley

News report on charges against Joshua Henley (from July 21, 2021)

Segment Two: The Devil Inside (Jimmy Hinton)

jimmyhinton.com

The Devil Inside by Jimmy Hinton

Speaking Out on Sexual Abuse Podcast with Jimmy Hinton

Christian Chronicle story on Jimmy Hinton’s ministry (from December 2014)

Christian Chronicle interview with Jimmy Hinton’s sister, Alex Howlett (from March 2019)

Christian Chronicle editorial on sex abuse in churches (from October 2019)

GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment)

Darkness to Light

The Mama Bear Effect

WILD (Wisdom Identity Legacy Daring)

Other links

christianchronicle.org

Donate to the Christian Chronicle

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Episode 38: After Botham: Healing From My Brother's Murder By a Police Officer (Allisa Charles-Findley)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 21:00:00 GMT

On September 6, 2018, off-duty Dallas police officer Amber Guyger entered the apartment of Dallas West Church of Christ member and Harding University alumnus Botham Jean. Mistaking his apartment for her own, she came through the unlocked front door, found Jean eating ice cream and watching TV on the couch, and shot him with her service weapon. Jean died and a jury later convicted Guyger of murder, sentencing her to ten years in prison. News media around the world covered every minute of the trial, but the moment that most people will remember is when Jean's younger brother, Brandt, forgave Guyger and embraced her at her sentencing. Five years later, Jean's older sister, Allisa Charles-Findley, still struggles with how her brother's murder plunged her into anger, despair, doubt, grief, and the struggle to forgive the killer. This fall, she released her first book 'After Botham', to write about that struggle. In this episode, you will hear from her in her own voice and words.
Link to an archive of The Christian Chronicle’s coverage of events surrounding Botham Jean’s murder

Link to After Botham: Healing From My Brother’s Murder By a Police Officer, by Allisa Charles-Findley and Jeremiah Cobra (Chalice Press)

Link to Botham Jean Foundation

Link to Allisa Charles-Findley’s website

Color of Change

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TAGS

After Botham, Chalice Press, Botham Jean, Allisa Charles-Findley, Amber Guyger, Dallas, Texas, Dallas West Church of Christ, Harding University, forgiveness, law enforcement, police brutality, Botham Jean Foundation, racism, grief, Grief Share, therapy, anger with God, anger, forgiveness, justice, accountability, Brandt Jean, trauma, police reform, no-knock warrants, Breonna Taylor, Amir Locke, chokeholds, Antwon Rose, George Floyd, Justice in Policing Act, decertification, Color of Change, BT Irwin

Episode 150: How a church from the 1920s is still ahead of its time in the 2020s (Harold Shank)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

How many Church of Christ congregations in the United States baptized 8,000 people in their first 20 years?

Central Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee, did.

Forming in 1925, the Central Church of Christ did not choose to assemble in the desirable, fast-growing, upwardly-mobile parts of Nashville. Rather, the congregation chose to put down roots in the highest-crime, highest-poverty part of town.

Backed by philanthropist A.M. Burton, Central Church of Christ activated a dazzling array of community services and ministries that would seem ahead of their time even today. Led by minister E.H. Ijams, the congregation operated from the belief that announcing the kingdom of God and practicing neighbor love are one and the same.

In this episode, Ijams's protege and student, Harold Shank, talks about the legacy of Central Church of Christ and what congregations around the world today can learn from it today.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's archive of coverage of the Central Church of Christ

Link to It's All About God, Harold Shank's book about E.H. Ijams and the Central Church of Christ

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Episode 144: Should ministers be trained for the digital age? (Todd Brenneman and Tommie Lee Washington)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Once upon a time, a Church of Christ minister could be effective with some education in Bible and training in preaching.

But is that enough in the "digital world" of the 21st century?

Dr. Todd Brenneman and Tommie Lee Washington, professors at Faulkner University, make the case that it's past time for Church of Christ ministers to add excellence in media and technology to their ministry repertoire.

In this episode, we talk about how the "digital citizens" of the 21st century expect to encounter and interact with ideas...including the gospel. Among the things that come up in this discussion:

Designing church materials using tools like Canva
Reaching more people through new media and streaming platforms
Using cutting edge animation software to produce teaching content
Producing lessons and sermons using AI

The New Testament is full of examples of ancient Christian teachers using the innovations of their time to communicate the gospel. So is it so far-fetched to imagine that Christian teachers today will do the same?

But is there any point at which using technological innovation to preach and teach the gospel is going too far? What are the dangers?

Link to the Faulkner University Bachelor of Biblical Studies with a digital ministry track

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Episode 12: Asbury students talk about the Asbury Revival. What really happened?

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT

On February 8, 2023, spontaneous prayer and worship broke out among a few students on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. That prayer and worship continued nonstop around the clock for the next two weeks, eventually drawing tens of thousands of people from around the world to what became known as the Asbury Revival. In this episode, we hear from Daniel Silliman, the Christianity Today reporter who covered the event as well as four Asbury students who were part of the revival from start to finish. Also: Students from two Church of Christ universities reflect on what they heard about Asbury and what they hope God does among their own student bodies.

Link to The Christian Chronicle’s coverage of the Asbury Revival

Link to Daniel Silliman’s article in Christianity Today

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of Winterfest revival

Link to donate to The Christian Chronicle

Asbury Revival, Asbury University, Asbury Outpouring, Hughes Chapel, Bobby Ross Jr., Daniel Silliman, Christianity Today, confession, prayer, evangelism, worship, worship music, Kentucky, Methodists, Wesleyanism, holiness, Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University, BT Irwin

Episode 52: Insurance is choking churches, stories from a historic Church of Christ landmark, and how to write fiction for Christian young people

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:00:00 GMT

Christian Chronicle contributor Cheryl Mann Bacon talks more about her recent report on how the cost of insurance is threatening the very existence of some congregations. Ethel Sherrill, a longtime member of the landmark historic Silver Point West End Church of Christ in Silver Point, Tennessee, shares an oral history with The Christian Chronicle’s Ted Parks. Christy Award-winning author Sara Watterson (Edmond Church of Christ, Edmond, Oklahoma) talks about writing Christian and clean fiction for young readers.

SEGMENT ONE: Congregations are struggling to keep or pay for their insurance (Cheryl Mann Bacon)

Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle coverage of insurance companies dropping congregations or more than tripling their annual premiums in some states

Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle column on advice she collected for congregations from insurance industry experts

SEGMENT TWO: An oral history of a landmark congregation in the Church of Christ tradition (Ted Parks with Ethel Sherrill)

Ted Parks’s Christian Chronicle story on the reunion of the Silver Point West End Church of Christ

Erik Tryggestad’s Christian Chronicle interview with Evelyn Buck, the keeper of the important and rich history of the Silver Point Christian Institute and Silver Point West End Church of Christ

SEGMENT THREE: Award-winning Christian fiction author talks about how to write a great book for teens and young adults (Sara Watterson)

Link to Sara Watterson’s author page

Link to Sara Watterson’s Christy Award-winning Christian young adult fiction book This Dreamer

Link to Sara’s book recommendations and reviews website for Christian and clean teen and young adult fiction, including fantasy, romance, and science fiction

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TAGS

Insurance, premiums, natural disasters, acts of God, church buildings, church finance, church administration, church budget, climate change, California, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Cheryl Mann Bacon, Black history, Black History Month, G.P. Bowser, Silver Point Christian Institute, Silver Point West End Church of Christ, Civil Rights Movement, segregation, integration, Silver Point, Tennessee, Ethel Sherrill, Ted Parks, Christian fiction, Christian fantasy, Christian romance

Episode 139: Are new federal policies keeping international students from attending Christian colleges? (Kenzie James)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Colleges and universities with roots and ties in the Church of Christ community have a strong history of seeking and welcoming international students to their campuses. Many of them see this as essential to their Christian mission to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Gospel of Matthew 28:19).

Rapid changes to federal policies, however, may be keeping some international students out of the United States and out of the Church of Christ colleges and universities they want to attend.

In this episode, one of The Christian Chronicle's 2025 interns, Kenzie James, talks about a recent story she reported on how federal policies are affecting these students and the colleges and universities that want to enroll them. She also talks about what it's like to be a college student herself, making plans for a career in journalism (in these wild times for journalists).

Link to Kenzie James's report on how federal policies are affecting Church of Christ colleges and universities and their international students

Link to an archive of Kenzie James's stories for The Christian Chronicle

Link to Kenzie James's true crime podcast, Case Closed

Episode 57: A preacher loses everything in a wildfire. An old radio ministry is new again. An 11-year old baker competes on Food Network.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 21:00:00 GMT

Texas preacher Shawn Davis finds strength in the Lord after he loses everything in a wildfire. Herald of Truth, an old radio ministry, is new again (and partnering with The Christian Chronicle). Elsie Stark, an 11-year old baking entrepreneur competes on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship.

SEGMENT ONE: A Texas preacher finds strength in the Lord after he loses everything in a wildfire (Shawn Davis, Canadian, Texas)

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle story about Shawn Davis

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle coverage of the Texas wildfires

Broken Things used by permission (Ken Young, Hallal Music)

SEGMENT TWO: An old radio ministry is new again and partnering with The Christian Chronicle (Will Hester, Herald of Truth, and Erik Tryggestad, The Christian Chronicle)

Link to Herald of Truth’s new Truth Digital Media online radio program

Baxter, Batsell Barrett, "The Resurrection" (1974). Herald of Truth Audio. 27.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/hot_audio/27

SEGMENT THREE: An 11-year old baking entrepreneur competes on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship (Elsie Stark, Southern Hills Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas)

Link to Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship, Season 12, featuring Elsie Stark

Link to Elsie Stark’s baking business page, Elsie’s Awesome Sweets & Treats, on Facebook

Link to Elsie Stark’s baking business page, Elsie’s Awesome Sweets & Treats, on Instagram

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TAGS

Texas wildfires, Smokehouse Creek Fire, Canadian, Canadian Church of Christ, Panhandle Church of Christ, Shawn Davis, Broken Things, Bobby Ross Jr., Herald of Truth, Truth Digital Media, Batsel Barrett Baxter, Harold Hazelip, Chris McCurley, Wes McAdams, Will Hester, Erik Tryggestad, Food Network, Kids Baking Championship, Elsie Stark, Elsie’s Awesome Sweets & Treats, Southern Hills Church of Christ, Abilene, BT Irwin

Episode 77: How (and why) Hermitage Church of Christ became New Garden Church

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT

After years of decline, Hermitage Church of Christ maintain its facility at a cost of $3,000 per week while its ministry languished. So the congregation sold its building and became New Garden Church. In this episode we explore how becoming a guest in its own community changed how New Garden Church discerns God at work in Hermitage and how it ministers with its neighbors. What lessons could other congregations, struggling with similar low membership and high operating costs, learn from New Garden Church?

This episode also features a conversation with The Christian Chronicle's editor-in-chief, Bobby Ross Jr., who talks about how and why The Christian Chronicle chooses to cover stories of congregations that leave behind traditional practices (and sometimes drop the "Church of Christ" name altogether). Ross also touches on the Chronicle's recent decision to publish a profile on Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's controversial superintendent of public instruction.

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s Christian Chronicle story on Hermitage Church of Christ becoming New Garden Church

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s Christian Chronicle story on Oklahoma public schools superintendent Ryan Walters

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s editorial on how and why The Christian Chronicle covers stories like New Garden Church and Ryan Walters

Link to New Garden Church

Link to Heritage 21 Foundation (referenced in the New Garden Church segment)

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Episode 148: Church of Christ congregations and ICE may be on a collision course in Chicago

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Lakeview Church of Christ and Northwest Church of Christ, both in Chicago, have long histories ministering to their neighbors and welcoming strangers into their pews. For decades, migration trends mean that many of their members and neighbors are from countries beyond the United States.

For both Lakeview and Northwest, embracing and supporting these newcomers has always been a simple matter of obedience to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and the laws of the kingdom of God as the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46.

Changes in attitudes among some U.S. voters, however, led to a new federal administration that promised to deport 10 million illegal immigrants in 2025. Federal law enforcement is now deploying personnel and tactics that are affecting Lakeview and Northwest members and neighbors.

Which raises difficult questions for congregational leaders. What will they do when obedience to the Christ could bring them to not comply or not cooperate with the U.S. government? What will they do if law enforcement tries to enlist, search or surveil their congregations?

In this episode we hear from Chicago ministers Walter Pierce (Lakeview Church of Christ) and Carlos Estrada and Patrick Odum (Northwest Church of Christ).

Link to an archive of The Christian Chronicle's coverage of Lakeview Church of Christ

Link to an archive of The Christian Chronicle's coverage of Northwest Church of Christ

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Episode 39: 'Male & Female God Created Them: A Biblical Review of LGBTQ+ Claims' (Dr. Rubel Shelly)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:00:00 GMT

Few changes in popular culture are causing more discomfort and raising more questions in the church than how the LGBTQ+ lifestyle is going mainstream in North America. It's not just outside the church. Over the last 20 years, Christians who accept and even approve at least parts of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle increased from next to none to almost one in three today. For this reason, prominent biblical scholar and congregational leader Dr. Rubel Shelly wrote his latest book, 'Male & Female God Created Them: A Biblical Review of LGBTQ+ Claims.' In this episode, Dr. Shelly answers questions about his new book and the scholarship and thinking that went into its conclusions.

Link to archive of Christian Chronicle reports and stories on LGBTQ+ issues

Link to Male & Female God Created Them: A Biblical Review of LGBTQ+ Claims by Dr. Rubel Shelly (College Press)

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TAGS

LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, Rubel Shelly, Male & Female God Created Them, book, College Press, Bible, God, Jesus, church, congregations, popular culture, marriage, relationships, family, gender, sex, sexuality, homosexuality, gay, straight, trans, traditional family, gender roles, questioning, same sex, same sex attraction, same sex marriage, bigot, bigotry, hate, accountability, salvation issue, single, chastity, purity, Luke Timothy Johnson, Onanism, universal morals, creation order, creation, purity, nature of God, Leviticus, holiness, Genesis 1-2, affirming, welcoming not affirming, The Ink is Dry, lesbian, Holiness Codes, Apostle Paul, BT Irwin

Episode 50: Almost a million Bibles for Europe, a plea for the "Restoration Plea," and a deacon "Forged in Fire"

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 03:00:00 GMT

Dirk Smith of Eastern European Mission describes how EEM will send 800,000 Bibles to Europe, including Ukraine and Russia, in 2024. Dr. Jeremie Beller explains why The Christian Chronicle's editorial board believes that the "Restoration Plea" is still valid. Jason Bivens is not only a deacon with a Church of Christ congregation in Tennessee, he is a bladesmith who won Season Ten of The History Channel's 'Forged in Fire.'

SEGMENT ONE: Eastern European Mission (EEM) is sending 800,000 Bibles to Europe in 2024 (Dirk Smith, vice president, Eastern European Mission)

Link to Eastern European Mission

Link to 55:11 Podcast

SEGMENT TWO: Why the “Restoration Plea” is still valid (Dr. Jeremie Beller, for The Christian Chronicle editorial board)

Link to Dr. Jeremie Beller’s op-ed in The Christian Chronicle

SEGMENT THREE: Church of Christ deacon who won Season Ten of The History Channel’s Forged in Fire reality competition show (Jason Bivens, Church of Christ at Unity, McMinnville, Tennessee)

Link to Audrey Jackson’s Christian Chronicle feature on Jason Bivens

Link to The History Channel’s Forged in Fire

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Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Bible, Eastern European Mission, EEM, 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith, Ukraine, Russia, Europe, evangelism, humanitarian aid, war, invasion, Restoration Movement, Restoration Tradition, Restoration Plea, Restoration, Barton Stone, Alexander Campbell, unity, tradition, Disciples of Christ, Christian Church, church splits, disfellowship, opinion, op-ed, Jeremie Beller, editorial, deacon, Jason Bivens, History Channel, Forged in Fire, reality show, reality competition, bladesmith, Church of Christ at Unity, McMinnville, Tennessee, BT Irwin

Episode 132: Should churches endorse political candidates? (Chris McCurley)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:00:00 GMT

In early July 2025, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service changed its interpretation of the tax code to give houses of worship more leeway to engage in political speech, which may include endorsing candidates...even from the pulpit.

Is this a good thing for the church and its Great Commission?

Chris McCurley, preaching minister with the Walnut Street Church of Christ in Dickson, Tennessee, and host of the popular Dear Church Podcast, joins us to talk about politics in church. How much energy and time should preachers give to preaching and teaching on the politics of the day? When they do preach and teach on politics, what is the biblical way to do it? And should congregations and their preachers get into the political campaigning and endorsing business?

Link to a Church Law & Tax article that explains, in detail, the IRS's recent re-interpretation of the tax code and what it means to houses of worship in the United States

Link to the Dear Church Podcast

Link to the Journey to Hope Podcast (where Christian Chronicle Podcast host BT Irwin was a recent guest)

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Episode 73: The Christian Chronicle's coverage of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT

The attack on former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 happened less than 24 hours before Church of Christ congregations began gathering for Sunday worship. The Christian Chronicle news team wanted to know if congregations prayed special prayers, elders and preachers spoke of the event from pulpits, and if the assassination attempt and what it means became the topic of conversation in Bible classes and lobbies.

And how might Church of Christ folks interpret the event in the days, weeks, and months to come? What might they do?

Christian Chronicle staff members in this episode:

Bobby Ross, Jr., editor-in-chief
Cheryl Mann Bacon, contributing editor
Dr. Jeremie Beller, opinions editor
Calvin Cockrell, media editor
Nic Fraraccio, summer news intern

Link to The Christian Chronicle's front page headline report on how Church of Christ congregations and members are responding to the assassination attempt (by Bobby Ross, Jr.)

Link to editorial on finding our way as Christians and making sense of a violent world (by Erik Tryggestad)

Link to editorial on how Christians might answer the question: "What do we do now?" (by Cheryl Mann Bacon)

For more on this story as well as many other news stories and reports, visit christianchronicle.org.

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Episode 113: Two giants on whose shoulders Christians stand (Billy Curl on the lives and work of Andrew Hairston and James Maxwell)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The clips at the top of this episode are from (in order) the preaching of Andrew Hairston and James Maxwell, two "giants" who worked for decades to build for the kingdom of God.

Andrew Hairston stood in the pulpit at Simpson Street Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia, for more than 50 years. Not only did he preach, he was a practicing attorney and judge and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Hairston worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his peaceful campaign for equal rights for all Americans. Hairston went to his rest on January 14, 2025, at the age of 92.

James Maxwell was a preacher's preacher and professor's professor, who served for half a century in the administration and faculty at Southwestern Christian College, the only HBCU with roots and ties in the Church of Christ. While leading and teaching at Southwestern Christian, Maxwell stood in the pulpit every week in Church of Christ congregations in Kansas, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. Maxwell also went to his rest on January 14, 2025, at the age of 86.

In this episode, their fellow minister and friend, Billy Curl (Crenshaw Church of Christ, Los Angeles, California) talks about why every Christian needs to know Hairston and Maxwell because their work contributed to building the Christian community and culture in which we live and minister today.

Link to Christian Chronicle coverage of Andrew Hairston's life, work and celebration of life

Link to Christian Chronicle coverage of James Maxwell's life, work and celebration of life

Episode 86: The Bible, the church and same-sex relationships (Rubel Shelly)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Almost one year before he recorded this episode, Rubel Shelly appeared on Episode 39 of The Christian Chronicle Podcast to talk about his book, Male and Female God Created Them: A Biblical Review of LGBTQ+ Claims. That remains the most popular episode of this show.

Shelly returns to talk about his follow-up work, The Ink is Dry: God's Distinctive Word on Marriage, Family and Sexual Responsibility.

Framing human relationships and sexuality as aspects of Christian discipleship, Shelly explains how biblical and historical sources support his argument that marriage and sex between one man and one woman is God's design and intent.

But rather than try to punish or shun those in the LGBTQ+ community (or legislate against them through government), Shelly makes a biblical case for compassion, friendship, love, and patience.

Link to Episode 39: Male and Female God Created Them: A Biblical Review of LGBTQ+ Claims

Link to The Christian Chronicle's review of Male and Female God Created Them and The Ink is Dry

Link to The Ink is Dry: God's Distinctive Word on Marriage, Family and Sexual Responsibility

Link to Male and Female God Created Them: A Biblical Review of LGBTQ+ Claims

Link to six-part video companion video series to The Ink is Dry

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Episode 99: Old and young Christians need each other more than ever (Dr. Holly Catterton Allen)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Most Christians in the United States know the saying that Sunday morning is the most segregated time in the country on any given week. Though they often think of segregation as segregation by culture, language, skin color or tax bracket, perhaps the most accepted, encouraged and practiced form of segregation is segregation by age.

During the 20th century, changes in developmental theory led congregations to sort themselves by age group or "life stage" (children, youth, college, young adult, young married, seniors, etc.).

Dr. Holly Catterton Allen makes a compelling case for restoring intergenerational Christian formation in intergenerational congregations. This means purposeful, thoughtful integration of all age groups and life stages in helping each other grow and mature in Christ. This conversation includes helpful how-to tips for leaders who want to try practicing intergenerational Christian formation in their congregations.

Link to Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community and Worship (Second Edition)

Link to InterGenerate Conference

Link to The Christian Chronicle's review of Intergenerational Christian Formation (First Edition)

Link to The Christian Chronicle's review of Intergenerate: Transforming Churches Through Intergenerational Ministry, edited by Dr. Holly Catterton Allen

Link to Christian Chronicle profile of Dr. Holly Catterton Allen (March 2009)

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Episode 17: Michael F. Bird, author of 'Religious Freedom in a Secular Age: A Christian Case for Liberty, Equality, and Secular Government'

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 03 May 2023 21:00:00 GMT

"All of this started when they took prayer out of schools." This is a line that host BT Irwin heard many times over the years from Christians trying to explain bad things that seem to be getting worse in the United States. While their opinion has elements of truth about it, is their solution--to restore Christianity to a preferred place of power and privilege at the center of American institutions--truly what is best for America and for Christians in America? In his book, 'Religious Freedom in a Secular Age,' New Testament scholar and theologian Michael F. Bird argues that conservative Christians who want to hold onto their traditional Christian practices are better off embracing secularism--religious freedom for all and shared power among people of many faiths--than amassing exclusive political power for themselves. In this episode, Bird answers questions about his book and proposes a better way for Christians to protect their religious freedom by protecting the religious freedom of others.

Link to Michael F. Bird biography

Link to Michael F. Bird author page at amazon.com

Link to Religious Freedom in a Secular Age at amazon.com

Link to Christian Chronicle book review of Religious Freedom in a Secular Age

Link to christianchronicle.org

Link to donate to The Christian Chronicle

Send comments, ideas, and questions about the podcast to podcast@christianchronicle.org.

Tags

Michael F. Bird, religious freedom, politics, secularism, pluralism, militant secularism, LGBTQI+, LGBTQ, traditional marriage, traditional sexuality, gender, sexuality, marriage, Donald Trump, progressivism, Republican Party, Democratic Party, conservatism, liberalism, conservatives, liberals, polarization, Christian nationalism, civil religion, apologetics, religious liberty, liberty, Christian witness, post-Christian society, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Thessalonian Strategy, BT Irwin

Episode 104: From murder and prison to resurrection and freedom PART ONE (Jerri Anne Blankenship and Mindy Lancaster)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:00:00 GMT

When Jerri Anne Blankenship and Mindy Lancaster (Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ, West Monroe, Louisiana) were young teenagers, their father received a life sentence in prison for murdering their mother. The trauma of this event sentenced Jerri Anne and Mindy to their own kind of prison, as they struggled for years in bitterness, confusion, darkness and oppression. But in a turn of events that could only come from the eternal faith, hope, and love of God, they are their father were born again into the life, light and love of the Christ.

Just in time for Christmas and long rides in the car to spend the holidays with family and friends, Jerri Anne and Mindy tell the first part of their story here.

Link to Episode 40 featuring Al Robertson

Link to Heartfelt Ministries

Link to Episode 30 featuring Joneal Kirby of Heartfelt Ministries

Link to One Kingdom Ministry

Episode 137: Live theatre is building the body of Christ and making disciples in Atlanta (Sheri Gilbert-Wilson)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT

One Church of Christ congregation in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is going all in on producing live theatre for its community. Since giving its first stage production a try, Bouldercrest Church of Christ is attracting casts and crews comprising Church of Christ members from all over the city. And thousands are attending performances like Scenes from the Life of Christ.

In this episode, we hear from the woman at the center of it all. Sheri Gilbert-Wilson is a professional actor, director and writer who felt the nudge to bring the story of God and God's people to the stage at Bouldercrest.

Gilbert-Wilson shares how putting on a live stage production turns out to be a powerful body (of Christ)-building, disciple-making experience. And how it attracts and connects with people who would otherwise never step foot in a church building. She also tells the story of how she gave up a successful paralegal career at age 48 to go "all in" on theatre.

Link to Calvin Cockrell's Christian Chronicle story about Sheri Gilbert-Wilson and the burgeoning live theatre ministry at Bouldercrest Church of Christ

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Episode 143: A conversation with 'The Chosen' creator and show runner Dallas Jenkins

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:00:00 GMT

When Dallas Jenkins, creator, principal writer and show runner for The Chosen spoke at Oklahoma Christian University, The Christian Chronicle's Bobby Ross, Jr., got a chance to sit down with him for a conversation. Carla Hinton, faith editor for The Oklahomanand The Christian Chronicle's CEO Erik Tryggestad joined them.

In this interview, you'll hear Jenkins talk about:

The experience of filming the sixth season of The Chosen, which is all about the crucifixion of Jesus.
How he handles the expectations of politicians that he (and his show) will be a platform and voice for their particular views.
Why he chose to make The Chosen a TV show instead of a movie.
The impact that The Chosen is making on Christians and non-Christians alike all over the world.
How he chose Jonathan Roumie to play Jesus of Nazareth.
The extreme personal and professional challenges of creating and sustaining The Chosen.
How the broader entertainment industry has responded to, and been changed by, The Chosen phenomenon.
The challenge and opportunity of interpreting Scripture through an artistic medium like television.

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s Christian Chronicle story about his interview with Dallas Jenkins.

Link to The Chosen

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Episode 138: Girls and women are the future of rural and small town churches (Dr. Anessa Westbrook)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Church of Christ congregations in the rural areas and small towns of the United States are struggling with closures and membership losses. What act of God and the Church of Christ together could lead to growth and health?

Dr. Anessa Westbrook is co-director of the new Center for Ministry at York University in York, Nebraska. In this episode, Dr. Westbrook unpacks some of the reasons that so many congregations in rural and small town America are struggling. She reveals some of the approaches that may position these congregations for new growth. That includes a new focus and stronger dependence on girls and women, who are often the heart and soul of church growth and yet are sometimes overlooked.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's report on Pepperdine University receiving $7.5 million Lilly Foundation grant to come alongside rural and small town Church of Christ congregations in the United States

Link to Episode 119: Unleashing the superpowers of rural and small town churches (Mike Cope)

Link to the Center for Ministry at York University

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Episode 110: We need to talk about sex (part two) (Holly and Steve Holladay, Ultimate Escape)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The way Christians think about and use sex is changing. For example, a recent study by Barna Group and Pure Desire Ministries shows that Christian porn use is almost equal to porn use by the general public. And an increasing number of Christians believe that it is OK to look at porn. At the same time, fewer and fewer congregations are addressing the issue from the pulpit, in recovery groups or in small groups.

Meanwhile, Adventures in Missions (AIM), a popular missionary training program at Sunset International Bible Institute discovered that is missionaries-in-training needed to talk about sex. Not only because of how sex often becomes an issue on the mission field, but because too many future missionaries are themselves victims of sexual trauma.

In this episode, Holly and Steve Holladay of Ultimate Escape talk about why sexual dysfunction and sexual sin are so prevalent in the church today...and how churches can (and should) address this head-on (instead of avoiding it or pretending it's not there).

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s Christian Chronicle report on "sex education" at Adventures in Missions

Link to Barna Group / Pure Desire study on porn use among Christians

Link to Ultimate Escape

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Episode 88: Christian bioethicists on how to think about abortion, IVF, and...mosquitoes? (Vic McCracken and Cynthia Powell)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT

The recent emergence of in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a legal and political issue is raising new ethical and moral questions among Christians. If life begins at conception, when is conception? What is a soul and when does a human being have one? Advances in science and technology mean that Christians know more about the human body than ever before, but those same advances sometimes lead to questions for which the Bible may seem to have no clear, definitive answers.

So what are Christians to do when life puts them in situations where they need to make choices about, say, whether to overcome reproductive challenges with something like IVF? How might their congregations, elders, and ministers come alongside them as they seek answers that are hard to find?

Christian bioethicists Dr. Vic McCracken and Dr. Cynthia Powell explain how they help their students at Abilene Christian University approach the ethical and moral dilemmas that often arise in health care. Beyond IVF, they also discuss abortion, end-of-life, and...mosquitoes.

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon's Christian Chronicle feature on how professors and students at Abilene Christian University are working through the moral complexities of IVF

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon's Christian Chronicle report on how Church of Christ folks are responding to new questions about IVF

Link to Dr. Vic McCracken's CV

Link to Dr. Cynthia Powell's CV

Link to the "Wesleyan Quadrilateral' referred to in the interview

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Episode 147: Church of Christ history for the next generation (Luke Dockery and Jared Pack)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Kids and young adults growing up in congregations with "Church of Christ" signs on their buildings have honest questions: "Who are we? How did we become who we are? Why do we do what we do?"

These are important questions for young Christians trying to decide whether to remain with the church of their upbringing or strike out in search of something different.

And, if "restoration" truly is essential to Christians who identify with the Church of Christ, then it must be a fresh practice for each new generation.

These are the reasons why Church of Christ youth ministry veterans Luke Dockery and Jared Pack wrote Origin Story: Churches of Christ and the Restoration Movement.

The book, which uses comic book illustrations and fast-moving, punchy language, seeks to orient a new generation to Church of Christ history.

In this episode, the authors discuss why church history beyond the New Testament is still crucial for present-day Christians to learn and study. They also make their case that restoring the New Testament church is always a present and future pursuit and never a past-tense accomplishment. Thus, restoration demands both an awareness of history and an orientation toward emerging generations.

Link to Zack Martin's Christian Chronicle review of Origin Story

Link to Origin Story: Churches of Christ and the Restoration Movement

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Episode 128: How a Church of Christ kid became one of comedy's rising stars...in his 40s (Brian Bates)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Church of Christ member Brian Bates is one of the cleanest--and hottest--comedians in the country these days. In this episode, he takes us behind the jokes to reveal how a comedian builds rapport and trust with strangers--whether they're in a bar on Saturday night or a church on Sunday afternoon. Could all Christians learn something about the "Jesus way" from stand-up comedians?

Link to Brian Bates's website, including upcoming shows and videos

Link to the Nateland Podcast, featuring co-hosts Nate Bargatze, Brian Bates, Dusty Slay, and Aaron Weber

Link to Ryan Hamilton (a clean comedian that Brian Bates recommends)

Link to Greg Warren (another clean comedian Brian recommends)

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Episode 65: The Hattie Jo Collins Story

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 29 May 2024 10:00:00 GMT

On March 3, 2020, an EF4 tornado struck Cookeville, Tennessee, in the middle of the night, taking the lives of 19 people.

Among those who died was four-year old Hattie Jo Collins, the oldest daughter of Macy and Matt Collins.

In this episode, Macy and Matt tell the story of what happened that night and in the "dark night of the soul" that came over them in the days, weeks, months, and years that followed.

They also tell the story of how God is transforming even the terrible and tragic death of their daughter into a ministry of comfort, healing, help, and hope for those who are in desperate need of good news in their darkest hours.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's online story about Macy and Matt Collins and the Magnolia Foundation they set up in honor of Hattie Jo Collins.

Link to the Magnolia Foundation.

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Episode 76: Nancy French lives to tell

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 17:00:00 GMT

Bestselling author (Ghosted: An American Story) and Church of Christ daughter Nancy French opens up about her new memoir and allegations of childhood sexual abuse by a minister. She talks about how sexual abuse happens in Christian churches and organizations and why they sometimes protect perpetrators and not their victims. And, in Christianity, where forgiveness of sins and redemption are central, how might congregations hold abusers accountable while also holding fast to the gospel?

Link to Ghosted: An American Story, by Nancy French (Zondervan)

Link to The Christian Chronicle's review of Ghosted: An American Story

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Episode 66: Loving neighbors in "America's jihad capital." AI comes to church. Down Syndrome is their spiritual gift and superpower.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 10:00:00 GMT

A few months ago, The Wall Street Journal called Dearborn, Michigan, "America's jihad capital," a characterization that the city's mayor called "inflammatory and untrue." The fact is that Dearborn (population 110,000) is America's only major city with a majority Muslim population. Parkside Church of Christ, a congregation that grew up in Dearborn Heights and peaked during the 1990s, decided to stay when Arab Americans and Muslims started moving into the community. The congregation's minister, Wayne Beason, talks about how Parkside Church of Christ loves its Muslim neighbors.

What happens when AI (artificial intelligence) comes to church? Preston Road Church of Christ (Dallas, Texas) minister Josh Kingcade helps us explore the dimensions of this question. Should we assume that using AI in church life and ministry is all bad?

It is accurate to say that Down Syndrome is the spiritual gift and superpower of Ethan Etter and Hope Martin. They share how they prepare and speak to thousands and how their lives are full of joy.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's Cheryl Mann Bacon's story on Ethan and Hope

Link to Extra, the book that Ethan and Hope's moms wrote

Link to video of Ethan and Hope at Abilene Christian University chapel (2024)

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Episode 59: A Haitian Christian reports on what is happening to Christians and churches in his country. Also: How one ministry is using coffee to bring estranged Christians back together

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Haiti’s government is all but nonexistent and gangs are in near-total control of the country, causing death and destruction, food and medical shortages, and spreading violence. Church of Christ congregations, members, and ministries are suffering along with the rest of the country. Hear Church of Christ minister and Haitian political refugee Roolite Religieaux talk about what he knows from his family’s firsthand accounts back home. Also hear Ken Bever, executive director and founder of Hope for Haiti’s Children, talk about that ministry’s ongoing efforts to care for children and orphans in the face of growing danger and difficulty.

Also in this episode: Dr. Drew Baker, executive director of Common Grounds Unity, talks about that ministry’s "caffeinated" effort to bring together estranged Christians to give unity a try.

SEGMENT ONE: What is happening with some Church of Christ congregations, members, and ministries in Haiti? (Ken Bever and Roolite Religieaux, Hope for Haiti's Children)

Link to Hope for Haiti's Children

SEGMENT TWO: Unity starts with a cup of coffee (Dr. Drew Baker, Common Grounds Unity)

Link to Common Grounds Unity

Link to Common Grounds Unity Podcast

Link to Purpose Door Coffee (as mentioned in the segment)

Link to Dry Bones Denver (as mentioned in the segment)

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Christmas Special: Good news of great joy for the all the people (Jerrard Davis)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:00 GMT

This Christmas special features a message of "good news of great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10) by Brother Jerrard Davis (Spencer Church of Christ, Spencer, Oklahoma) and vocal arrangements by Praise & Harmony.

Episode 83: They came from Nigeria to be born, then came back to be born again.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:00:00 GMT

In 2010, Ose Ehimare and her four(!) unborn children faced poor chances of survival unless they could get special medical care not available where they lived in Abuja, Nigeria. God made a way for Ose to come to the U.S. to get the care she needed for herself and her children at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

But she was 6,000 miles from home and all alone in a strange land. That's when the Northlake Church of Christ in nearby Tucker, Ga., gave her and her children a home and surrounded them in extraordinary care until they were all healthy and strong enough to return to Nigeria.

Fourteen years after their birth, Ose's four children, Alyssa, Bibiana, Noah and Valencia, asked to return to Northlake Church of Christ to be born again. On August 25, all four of them went down together into the waters of baptism.

In this episode, we hear from Ose Ehimare and Bibiana Ehimare, one of her daughters who returned to Northlake Church of Christ for her baptism. We also hear from Cathy Hendrick, the Northlake member who, along with her husband, Jeff, made their own house a home for Ose and her babies in 2010.

The closing song is the Northlake Church of Christ singing "Great Things".

Link to The Christian Chronicle's Erik Tryggestad's original 2010 report on Northlake Church of Christ coming alongside Ose Ehimare and her quadruplets

Link to Erik Tryggestad's Christian Chronicle report on Alyssa, Bibiana, Noah, and Valencia coming back to Northlake Church of Christ for their baptisms in 2024

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Episode 53: Should LGBTQ+ faculty and students (and those who affirm them) have a place and a voice at Abilene Christian University?

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:00:00 GMT

We continue The Christian Chronicle’s in-depth coverage of how a “Holy Sexuality” chapel program at Abilene Christian University motivated alumni to petition the university’s administration to change its policies and position on same-sex relationships.

SEGMENT ONE: The story so far and why The Christian Chronicle is covering it (Bobby Ross, Jr., The Christian Chronicle)

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, full recent report on the “Holy Sexuality” story at Abilene Christian University (from February 1, 2024)

SEGMENT TWO: A defense of Abilene Christian University’s policies and position on same-sex relationships (Dr. Kenneth Pybus, Abilene Christian University)

Link to Dr. Kenneth Pybus’s Christian Chronicle guest editorial in defense of Abilene Christian University’s policies and practices in regard to same-sex relationships

SEGMENT THREE: A critique of Abilene Christian University’s policies and practices regarding same-sex relationships (Paul Anthony, Wildcats for Inclusion)

Link to Paul Anthony’s Christian Chronicle guest editorial that calls for a change to Abilene Christian University’s policies and practices regarding same-sex relationships

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TAGS

Abilene Christian University, ACU, Holy Sexuality, Holy Sexuality Week, chapel, chapel program, sexuality, LGBTQ+, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, Christopher Yuan, same sex attraction, same sex relationships, biblical marriage, biblical sexuality, biblical interpretation, traditional marriage, traditional sexuality, Sexual Stewardship Policy, Christian education, Christian college, Christian university, student life, student conduct, HR, academic freedom, student safety, employment policy, employment, Phil Schubert, Bobby Ross Jr., welcoming not affirming, welcoming and affirming, Dr. Kenneth Pybus, Wildcats for Inclusion, Paul Anthony, BT Irwin

Episode 18: A deacon's wife who forever changed politics in a city of 1.3 million. And the story of church that became a hospital.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 10 May 2023 22:00:00 GMT

We remember the life and work of Sister Ruth Wyrick of the Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas. Born in the segregated South of the 1930s, Sister Wyrick used the power of hospitality and kindness to forever change politics and public service in Dallas. Shay Wyrick Cathey and Christian Chronicle board member Taneise Perry reveal how Sister Wyrick's faith, hope, and love inspired her to change the course of her community's history. Then, Edward Bowen and Devon Newburn explain how they helped turn the Longmont (Colorado) Church of Christ into a medical clinic that serves 11,000 of their neighbors every year. Plus, Christian Chronicle CEO Erik Tryggestad does a little "humble bragging."
Segment One: Christian Chronicle wins awards (Erik Tryggestad)

Link to list of Christian Chronicle editorials, features, and stories that won journalism awards

Segment Two: Remembering Sister Ruth Wyrick (Shay Wyrick Cathey and Taneise Perry)

Link to Taneise Perry’s tribute to Sister Ruth Wyrick in The Christian Chronicle (May 2023)

Link to Sister Ruth Wyrick’s going home service livestream from Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ

Link to Sister Ruth Wyrick obituary

Segment Three: “God’s clinic” cares for thousands (Edward Bowen and Devon Newburn)

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.’s Christian Chronicle story about the Hopelight Clinic at Longmont Church of Christ

Link to Longmont Church of Christ, home to the Hopelight Medical Clinic

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Episode 33: PIVOT: The Priorities, Practices, and Powers That Can Transform Your Church Culture (Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer, authors of the popular 2020 book, 'A Church Called Tov,' talk to us about their follow up book, 'PIVOT'. They answer questions about how congregations can tell if toxic traces taint their cultures, what it takes to "detox" a church, and practical steps congregations can take to start the process of culture change.
Link to PIVOT: The Priorities, Practices, and Powers That Can Transform Your Church Into a Tov Culture, by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer

Link to A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing, by Scot McKnight ad Laura Barringer

Link to Renovation of the Church: What Happens When a Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation, by Kent Carlson and Mike Lueken

Link to The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 11

Link to Sharing God's Love: The Jesus Creed for Children by Laura Barringer

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Scot McKnight, Laura Barringer, PIVOT, Church Called Tov, Tyndale House, tov, Renovation of the Church, Kent Carlson, Mike Lueken, Willow Creek Community Church, Bill Hybels, toxic culture, abuse of authority, abuse of power, authority, power, abusive, sex abuse, sexual abuse, misogyny, scandal, elders, pastors, ministers, church structure, church governance, women in the church, 1 Timothy 2:12, complementarian, complementarianism, BT Irwin

Episode 78: A Democrat and a Republican walk into the podcast studio

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT

These days, politics in the United States seems to be a dividing force even among Christians. Over the last few years, how many Christians changed congregations or cut off relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ over politics? How many Christians feel, and sometimes give into, the temptation to attack other Christians because they identify with a different political figure or party?

In this episode, two Church of Christ members who are leaders in opposing political parties come to the table to share their thoughts on how Christians can run counter to the current political culture and rise above its negativity. How might Christians disagree (even strongly) on policy without judging and waging war on each other?

Shay Cathey is a member of Central Pointe Church of Christ in Dallas and vice chair of the Texas Democratic Party. She is a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Michele Woodhouse is a member of Biltmore Church of Christ in Asheville, N.C., and Republican Party chair of North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. She was a delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

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Episode 97: He coached 720 wins and four national championships ... and not one of them was a home game (Coach Garth Pleasant)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Coach Garth Pleasant (Horton Road Church of Christ, Jackson, Michigan) is one of the winningest college basketball coaches of all time (720 wins, 19 national tournament appearances and four national championships at Rochester Christian University, Rochester Hills, Michigan, over 38 years).

In all that time, Coach Pleasant and his teams never played a single home game ... because they didn't have a home court.

In this episode, Coach Pleasant, who is also a veteran Church of Christ preacher for more than five decades, answers whether he would choose coaching or preaching...and why.

He shares both his philosophy and practice of coaching that made him successful by his own standard: Transforming the lives of young men into Christians and citizens.

Coach Pleasant also touches on:

The current state of college athletics in the age of name-image-likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal (and how it affects private Christian schools like Rochester).
How a greater dependence on intercollegiate athletics revenue is changing Christian college campuses.
How the gospel he preaches (and how he preaches it) matured and seasoned over many decades in the church.

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s Christian Chronicle profile on Coach Pleasant (Sept. 20, 2024)

Link to the film documentary, Coach: Make the Bigtime Where You're At

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Episode 107: How a Christian leads a big, secular state university (Dr. Bill Pink, president, Ferris State University)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Dr. Bill Pink, a Church of Christ lifer (and outstanding song leader) is president of 10,000-student Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

In this episode, he talks about how he practices Christianity while being a faithful public steward of a secular, tax-funded university where all faiths (and no faiths) have a place. Dr. Pink:

Talks about the trends that are shaping higher education in the 21st century (and how universities like Ferris State might respond)
Why Christians have a place (and, indeed, a Commission) to study and work at public universities
Argues against Christians in places of public authority using that authority to "mandate" Christianity
Makes the case that his generation of Christians may owe future generations an apology for failing at civility and kindness
Explains how he can be supportive of professors and students whose beliefs and practices are not in line with his own Christian beliefs and practices
Talks about how he and his administration are preparing for the possibility that the federal government may try to deport Ferris State employees and students

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s profile of Church of Christ member Ryan Walters, superintendent of public instruction for the state of Oklahoma, referenced in this interview

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Episode 122: Does the Restoration Movement need to be restored? (Matt Dabbs)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:00:00 GMT

"The Restoration Movement" refers to the 19th and 20th century stream of events, people and thinking from which the Church of Christ emerged. Church of Christ folks of a certain age imagine that they are restoring the first century church as they find it in the New Testament.

But does restoration itself sometimes need to be restored?

If so, how do Christians restore restoration?

Matt Dabbs, a Church of Christ minister and scholar, offers his answers in his book, Restoring a Movement: A Hopeful Future for Churches of Christ.

In this episode, Matt talks about the powerful trends that fed the rise of the Church of Christ in its 1950s "golden age" in the United States. He also explores the powerful trends that worked against the Church of Christ and led to its decline in U.S. congregations and members in recent decades. Most important, he testifies to the power and work of God that is already making a future for emerging generations...if they choose it.

Links:

Restoring a Movement: A Hopeful Future for Churches of Christ by Matt Dabbs

Home Church Resources (Matt Dabbs's ministry to Christians and congregations who want to explore planting home churches)

The Christian Chronicle's report on Matt Dabbs's "backyard church" that formed during COVID isolation

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Episode 120: Urban ministry is coming to an exurb or suburb near you (Dr. Steve Cloer)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT

It is a fact that more people in the world live in cities than in rural areas. That means the Church of Christ, if it is to be faithful and obedient to Jesus the Christ, must get used to city life and loving its neighbors in the city.

But what we imagine to be "urban ministry" in the Church of Christ is outdated and perhaps was never quite right-headed in the first place. These days, affluent professionals are moving to the "inner city" in droves while the things that we once assumed characterize the inner city are becoming more common in exurbs and suburbs.

So, in a sense, "urban ministry" may now be just...ministry.

In this episode, Dr. Steve Cloer, associate professor of ministry at the Harding School of Theology and director of the Center for Church and City Engagement in Memphis, Tennessee, talks about how our assumptions about "urban ministry" reveal a lot about ourselves and what we imagine about God and the world God so loves. He also riffs on how the Church of Christ might follow God into a future of (city) ministry that may look nothing like what was normal in the mid- to late-20th century.

Link to Dr. Steve Cloer's Christian Chronicle column on the "changing face of urban ministry"

Link to the Center for Church and City Engagement

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Episode 72: Audrey Jackson reports from Israel. Ministers too poor to retire? No college is God-less, but many are church-less.

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Segment One: Audrey Jackson reports from the Church of Christ in Nazareth, Israel (with Maurice Jadon and Sandro Jadon)

The Christian Chronicle's Audrey Jackson reports in from Nazareth, Israel, where she is a guest of the Church of Christ there. Arab Israeli Christians of Palestinian heritage, Maurice Jadon and Sandro Jadon, give their own accounts on the life of Christians and the church in Israel now.

Link to Audrey Jackson's full report from Israel (from The Christian Chronicle online edition June 30, 2024)

Link to Episode 42 interview with Sandro Jadon, Arab Israeli Christian of Palestinian heritage who is a member of Nazareth Church of Christ

Segment Two: Too many aging Church of Christ ministers are too poor to retire (Cheryl Mann Bacon reports)

The Christian Chronicle's Cheryl Mann Bacon answers questions about her deep-dive report on how many Church of Christ ministers cannot afford to retire. She explores some of the assumptions and causes of what turns out to be a crisis for aging ministers and their families.

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon's full report on the retirement crisis among Church of Christ ministers (from The Christian Chronicle online edition June 24, 2024)

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon's interview with Jordan Coss, which provides resources and a to-do list for congregations and ministers planning and preparing for retirement

Link to Episode 21, featuring an interview with Jordan Coss, who completed his doctoral dissertation on retirement trends among Church of Christ ministers

Segment Three: 4,000 college campuses in the U.S. and only 150 Church of Christ campus ministries (Chris Buxton and Casey Coston, Campus for Christ)

This segment starts with a challenge that one Church of Christ leader made in 1971 to evangelize college campuses. More than 50 years later, Church of Christ campus ministries exist on fewer than four percent of all college campuses in the United States. Chris Buxton and Casey Coston talk about how to change that.

Link to Campus for Christ, an organization that exists to support growing campus ministries across the United States

Link to ulife, a coaching and consulting service that helps congregations plant and grow campus ministries

Episode 14: A poet, a preacher, and a singer reflect on the resurrection of Jesus

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:00:00 GMT

In the follow-up to the Episode 13 reflection on the death of Jesus, this episode celebrates his resurrection. Features the congregational singing of the Highland Church of Christ (Memphis, Tennessee) led by Brishan Hatcher, the poetry of Dr. Sara Barton (chaplain, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California), and the preaching of Chris McCurley (Walnut Street Church of Christ, Dickson, Tennessee).
Congregational singing by Highland Church of Christ, Memphis, Tennessee (Brishan Hatcher)

Link to Highland Church of Christ

Preaching the resurrection of Jesus (Chris McCurley)

Link to Walnut Street Church of Christ

Link to Dear Church Podcast

Link to Chris McCurley’s author page on amazon.com

Poetry (Dr. Sara Barton)

Link to Pepperdine University Office of the Chaplain

Link to A Woman Called: Piecing Together the Ministry Puzzle by Dr. Sara Barton

Link to Camarillo Church of Christ

Links to relief efforts for those recovering from tornadoes

Churches of Christ Disaster Relief

Christian Chronicle coverage of tornado aftermath and relief efforts in Arkansas

Christian Chronicle coverage of tornado aftermath and relief efforts in Mississippi

More news and stories at The Christian Chronicle

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Make a tax-deductible gift to The Christian Chronicle

Give to The Christian Chronicle

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podcast@christianchronicle.org

Episode 28: Lee Camp of the No Small Endeavor live stage show, podcast, and (now) national radio show

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:00:00 GMT

In his wildest dreams, Lee Camp could never imagine this! Many years ago, the professor of theology and ethics at Lipscomb University had a crazy idea: A live stage show that mixes entertainment and interviews with thinkers who address the "big questions" of life. The 'Tokens Show' first appeared on a Lipscomb University stage in 2008 and then grew until Camp moved the production to the Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Old Opry, in downtown Nashville. In 2020, Camp launched the 'No Small Endeavor Podcast'. Soon after, Nashville Public Radio picked up the show for broadcast. This year, PRX put 'No Small Endeavor' into national radio syndication. In this episode, Lee talks about how the idea for 'No Small Endeavor' came to him, how he got the courage (and money) to give it a try, how it grew and is growing, and what comes next. He also talks about why this is a valid and valuable way to do "theology in public."
Clip of interview with actor Martin Sheen courtesy of No Small Endeavor. Used by permission.

Closing music is John Henry, performed by Lee Camp featuring Bryan Sutton and recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Song is public domain. Performance used by permission. Hear the story of this recording here.

Link to No Small Endeavor Podcast (unabridged interviews)

Link to No Small Endeavor website

Link to PRX

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TAGS

Lee Camp, Tokens Show, No Small Endeavor, Lipscomb University, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville Public Radio, National Public Radio, PRX, Martin Sheen, Bryan Sutton, Garrison Keillor, Prairie Home Companion, theology, ethics, BT Irwin

Episode 114: These frat bros are cycling through Death Valley (to make life better for others)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT

On March 7, 2025, eleven men from Gamma Sigma Phi (Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas) will push off on a cycling relay that will take them 1,400 miles across deserts, mountains, unpaved trails and Death Valley. Riding day and night, they plan to reach Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, in just five days. They're riding to raise money for Greater Than Three and the Pepperdine Strong Fund. In this episode, Gamma Sigma Phi Jackson Kulp and Carter Young explain why they're doing this and how.

Link to the Bike to Pepperdine website. Click here to learn about the relay team and route, how they're preparing for the ride and their progress once they push off. You can also donate to their cause here. www.bikeridetopepperdine.org

Link to Greater Than Three, one of the causes that the bike ride supports.

Link to the Pepperdine Strong Fund, the other cause the bike ride supports.

Episode 69: Tear down this highway! One congregation, two full-time preachers (one Black, one White); Miss Juneteenth USA runner up Madison Swain

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Segment One: Dr. Warren Blakney, North Peoria Church of Christ, Tulsa, Oklahoma

The North Peoria Church of Christ recently received a $1.6 million federal grant to study the removal of one mile of Interstate 244 through the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Senior minister Dr. Warren Blakney explains why this is the work that God is calling his congregation to do now.

Link to a report on the congregation and the federal grant from The Black Wall Street Times

Segment Two: Brandon Beatty and Todd Hamm, pulpit ministers with Deep River Church of Christ in High Point, North Carolina

When Deep River Church of Christ formed in High Point, North Carolina, a little over 20 years ago, its leaders wanted the people in the pews to reflect the diversity of the people in the community. That led to an arrangement whereby two full-time ministers, one Black and one White, share the same pulpit. Those two ministers tell how it works.

Link to 'At the River' podcast from Brandon Beatty and Todd Hamm

Segment Three: Madison Swain, Miss Juneteenth Texas and Miss Juneteenth USA runner up for 2023 (Westward Church of Christ, Texas City, Texas)

Nineteen-year old Madison Swain (Westward Church of Christ, Texas City, Texas) is Miss Juneteenth Texas and first runner up to Miss Juneteenth USA for 2023. She talks about what it takes to be Miss Juneteenth and what the tiara means to her as she represents both Christ and her community.

Link to a column Miss Juneteenth Texas Madison Swain wrote for The Galveston County Daily News

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Episode 140: How many Americans would allow Christian prayer in public schools? (Chip Rotolo)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT

A little more than half (52 percent) of Americans say they would allow public school teachers to lead their students in prayers to Jesus in taxpayer-funded public schools. This is according to the latest Religious Landscape Study from the Pew Research Center.

In this episode, that study's author, Chip Rotolo, reveals how Americans have changed in both religious and spiritual beliefs and practices since Pew started researching them in 2007. While it may come as no surprise that Americans' adherence to, and participation in, organized religion has declined, Pew's research shows that the newest generation of Americans is showing signs of more openness than preceding ones.

Rotolo unpacks this and more data from the Pew report. What might these trends mean to Church of Christ congregations, their leaders and their members?

Link to the Pew Research Center's Religious Life Survey

Link to Chip Rotolo's site (referenced in the interview)

Link to Religious Landscape Study report that measures how religious is each state (released after this interview, but references in the episode)

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Episode 136: What English-speaking Christian youth from Spanish-speaking churches and homes can teach the Church of Christ

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 21:00:00 GMT

"Honorary title for this episode is 'Filling the Void.'" Listen and find out why (and thanks to Alonzo Rojo)!

Jóvenes for Christ is a summer camp for English-speaking young Christians growing up in bilingual or Spanish-speaking churches and homes. In this episode, we hear from Jóvenes for Christ board members, Kevin Rivera (Lakeview Iglesia de Cristo, Garland, Texas), Alonzo Rojo (Robinson Avenue Iglesia de Cristo, Springdale, Arkansas), and Yazmin Tabares (Robinson Avenue Iglesia de Cristo, Springdale, Arkanses).

They explain why growing up in English-speaking America and Spanish-speaking churches and homes is hard for young Christians. More important, however, is how this exposes the "generation gaps" common in so many Church of Christ congregations. While older generations in Spanish-speaking congregations may prefer to hold onto the Spanish language, does that come at the cost of driving away their English-speaking younger generations? And how might English-speaking younger generations honor and preserve what is precious from their Spanish-speaking elders?

This episode's cover features Jóvenes for Christ founder JuanRaymon ("J. R.") Rubio, who died in a car crash in December 2024. He was on his way home from a planning retreat for this year's Jóvenes for Christ camp. This episode is dedicated to his memory. Read The Christian Chronicle's report on Rubio's death and its impact on Jóvenes for Christ.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of the 2025 Jóvenes for Christ camp with its record attendance and baptisms

Link to Jóvenes for Christ (for more information or to support)

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Episode 26: From Russia with love (for Ukrainians), how Danny Mills didn't die (when doctors didn't give him much of a chance), and the car crash that ended with two baptisms

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 21:00:00 GMT

God is alive and working in the world. This episode proves it. First, hear from Julia, a Russian immigrant who is ministering to hundreds of Ukrainian refugees in Houston, Texas. Then listen to Danny Mills and his wife, Heather. Danny got COVID so bad he almost died and only lived after a double lung transplant. Hear their story of survival through the grace of God, grit, and the prayers of the church. Finally, most car crashes end with damage, injury, and lots of bad feelings. Hear the story of how a car crash in Plantation, Florida, led to the baptism of two new Christians.
Segment One: From Russia with love (for Ukrainian refugees) (Julia from Russia)

Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle story about Julia and her ministry to Ukrainian refugees through Memorial Church of Christ in Houston, Texas

Link to Memorial Church of Christ in Houston, Texas

Segment Two: How Danny Mills almost died (but didn’t) (Danny and Heather Mills)

Link to Calvin Cockrell’s Christian Chronicle story about Danny and Heather Mills

Segment Three: Car crash leads to baptism (Julie and Mike Aldrich, Anna and Craig Washington)

Link to Christian Chronicle report on the car accident that led to a baptism

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TAGS

Ukraine, Russia, refugees, Memorial Church of Christ, Houston, Texas, Bobby Ross Jr., COVID, Danny Mills, Heather Mills, North Tuscaloosa Church of Christ, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, UAB Hospital, Calvin Cockrell, West Broward Church of Christ, Plantation, Florida, Julie Aldrich, Mike Aldrich, Anna Washington, Craig Washington, baptism, Bible study, BT Irwin

Episode 96: A Black Christian woman on the meaning of Kamala Harris' candidacy (Trindi Mitchell)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Note: We had some issues with the audio and recording on this one. We apologize for the "glitches."

Recorded immediately before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Christian Chronicle editorial board member Trindi Mitchell opens up about what Kamala Harris' run for president means to her (and many others).

Mitchell expands on the theme on why representation matters, not only in national politics, but in the church.

Link to Trindi Mitchell's Christian Chronicle guest op-ed on why representation matters

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Episode 135: How journalism can be a truth-seeking ministry that serves God's justice (Jerry Mitchell)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipient, Pulitzer Prize finalist and world famous investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell talks about how a relentless pursuit of the truth honors God and promotes God's desire for justice. In this episode, Mitchell talks about how he helped crack cold cases that brought to justice the murderers of five 1960s-era Civil Rights workers in Mississippi. He also makes a plea for Christians in society to renew and restore their collective and personal efforts to find and hold up truth, even when it hurts.

Link to Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era by Jerry Mitchell (Simon & Schuster)

Link to the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting at Mississippi Today

Link to Jerry Mitchell's recent investigative work

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Episode 127: For the church to thrive, its leaders need to eat more pie (Doug Pell)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Could eating more pie lead to healthier and stronger churches?

Doug Pell says "yes." A longtime Church of Christ elder and retired senior executive from the U.S. defense industry, Pell recently authored Set in Order the Things That Are Lacking: Lessons in Biblical Leadership (Sain Publications).

In this episode, Pell shares the experience he gained from decades in church and corporate leadership and the knowledge he gained from his intense study of biblical eldership for local congregations.

Pell touches on the following themes:

Why the corporate management model is not the leadership model that the Lord chooses for his church
Why biblical leadership is harder than anyone imagines, but perhaps not as hard to attain as congregations might think
How congregational leadership must happen in living rooms, not elders' meetings
Why deacons and wives may be the most important people to a congregation's eldership
And what does pie have to do with congregational health?

Link to Set in Order the Things That Are Lacking: Lessons in Biblical Leadership

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Episode 105: From murder and prison to resurrection and freedom PART TWO (Jerri Anne Blankenship and Mindy Lancaster)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 10:00:00 GMT

In Episode 104 (Part One of this double feature), Jerri Anne Blankenship and Mindy Lancaster (Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ, West Monroe, Louisiana) tell the story of how God rescued them from darkness and the downward spiral that happened after their father went to prison for the murder of their mother.

In this episode, Jerri Anne and Mindy describe how they accepted an invitation to tell their story to the women on the inside at a Louisiana state prison. Unsure at first, they found themselves caught up in in a mighty work of God, allowing themselves to be part of baptizing hundreds of women a year in a place that most of the world forgets or ignores.

Just in time for Christmas and long rides in the car to spend the holidays with family and friends, Jerri Anne and Mindy tell the second part of their story here.

Link to Episode 40 featuring Al Robertson

Link to Heartfelt Ministries

Link to Episode 30 featuring Joneal Kirby of Heartfelt Ministries

Link to One Kingdom Ministry

Episode 70: What does it mean to be "pro-life" two years after Dobbs?

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 14:00:00 GMT

On the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, we explore what is happening now with abortion in the United States, in general, and the Church of Christ community in particular.

Segment One: Tessa Cox, Charlotte Lozier Institute

What overall effect has the Dobbs decision had on the number of abortions happening each year in the United States? Now that Roe v. Wade is history, what comes next for those who dream of a day when abortion disappears?

Link to Charlotte Lozier Institute

Segment Two: Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research

In the United States, evangelical Protestant communities (a cohort in which many researchers place the Church of Christ) tend to be vocal and to vote for anti-abortion candidates and policies. But how active and supportive are those communities when it comes to helping children, families, and women in the crises that often lead to abortions?

Link to Lifeway Research study on church support for pregnancy resource centers

Link to Lifeway Research study on how much women trust their churches when seeking help in crises that could lead to an abortion

Segment Three: Eric McPherson, Christian Family Services

How has the Dobbs decision changed things "on the ground" for a Christian crisis pregnancy ministry in a state that banned abortion?

Link to Christian Family Services

Link to archive of abortion/crisis pregnancy coverage by The Christian Chronicle

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Episode 87 LIVE in Michigan: A church for the sake of the world (Dr. John Nugent)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 09:00:00 GMT

LIVE from the campus of Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, Michigan, we bring you Dr. John Nugent, author of Priestly Presence: A Church for the World's Sake (Fortress Press).

Nugent draws from the levitical priesthood as a pattern for what God calls the church to be and do in the world, most of all during a time when the struggle for power in the world is growing acute.

Link to Priestly Presence: A Church for the World's Sake

Link to Dr. John Nugent's other titles

Link to 'The After Class Podcast' hosted by Samuel Long, John Nugent, and Ronald Peters

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Episode 62: Christian nationalism, LGBTQ+ students at Christian schools, and deep inside the Vatican

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 07 May 2024 11:00:00 GMT

After some time away from the studio (to finish and graduate from the Master of Religious Education in Missional Leadership program at Rochester Christian University), host BT Irwin returns with an episode chock full of information and insight on two timely topics (Christian nationalism and the mental health of LGBTQ+ students on Christian college campuses). Plus, one of the best true stories you'll ever hear (and it involves the most famous man in Rome, Italy).

Segment One: Are there Christian nationalists in Church of Christ pews? (Dr. Greg Smith, Pew Research Center)

Link to Pew Research Center's latest survey data on Christianity in politics

Link to Pew Research Center's report on views of the United States as a "Christian nation"

Link to Pew Research Center report on attitudes toward separation of church and state

Link to Christian Chronicle editor Bobby Ross, Jr.'s, column on Christian nationalism (from Religion Unplugged)

Segment Two: Are Christian colleges safe places for LGBTQ+ students? (Dr. Justin Dyer and Dr. Jenet Erickson, Brigham Young University)

Link to Dr. Dyer's and Dr. Erickson's research on mental health of LGBTQ+ students at religious colleges and universities

Link to Handbook of Religion and Health (referenced in the interview)

Link to research on the link between human flourishing and religious communities (referenced in the interview)

Segment Three: Who does a Church of Christ Sunday school teacher meet when he's deep inside the Vatican? (Dr. Tom Campbell, Spring Meadows Church of Christ, Spring Hill, Tennessee)

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Episode 24: Mike Cope on the present and future of preaching

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 21:00:00 GMT

For almost 40 years, Mike Cope preached in Church of Christ congregations from North Carolina to Arkansas to Texas. Now at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, he directs the annual Bible lectures, leads church relations efforts, and takes on the challenge of educating and forming a new generation of ministers and preachers. In this episode, Cope talks about the state of preachers and preaching in the Church of Christ tradition, the headwinds congregations and ministers face together in the 21st century, and what gives him hope and inspiration for the future of those preaching gospel.

Link to church relations (featuring Mike Cope) at Pepperdine University

Link to the Lilly Endowment

Link to archive of Christian Chronicle stories featuring Mike Cope

Link to archive of The Christian Chronicle’s “Sacred Calling” series

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Episode 158: The complicated legacy of Marshall Keeble (Dr. Edward Robinson)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Marshall Keeble (1878 - 1968) may be the most accomplished and influential Church of Christ preacher of all time. For decades, he preached all over the world, baptizing as many as 40,000 and planting hundreds of Church of Christ congregations. Today, hundreds of Church of Christ elders and ministers trace their own Christian ancestry back to Keeble.

What makes this story even more remarkable is that Keeble did most of his work in the Jim Crow South, where legal and social norms limited what he could do and say. Sometimes, Keeble preached at the risk of his own life.

Marshall Keeble is one of the greatest preachers of all time, but like all great preachers, his legacy is more complicated than it seems at first look.

Dr. Edward Robinson, a "spiritual grandson" of Keeble, is author of Show Us How You Do It: Marshall Keeble and the Rise of Black Churches of Christ in the United States 1914 - 1968. In this episode, Robinson explores the harder questions about Keeble's ministry and what the present-day Church of Christ has to learn from one of its all-time greats.

Link to Bobby Ross's Christian Chronicle story on the new Marshall Keeble exhibit that opened in 2026 at Jackson Street Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee

To learn more about how to join a Thrive cohort, contact Dr. Sears here.

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Episode 154: Why church history is bigger than the New Testament (Dyron Daughrity)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Church of Christ folks sometimes have an uneasy relationship with church history outside of the New Testament. In a tradition that esteems the Bible as the singular authority and pattern for the church, it may feel weird or wrong to explore church history from other sources.

Dr. Dyron Daughrity is a Church of Christ kid who not only grew up to be a local Church of Christ minister, he became a historian. And not just a historian; Dr. Daughrity recently became the next president of the American Society of Church History.

In this episode, Dr. Daughrity argues that the project to restore primitive New Testament Christianity encourages knowing the history of the church in the 2,000 years between Acts of the Apostles and today. He also makes the case for Church of Christ folks exploring their more recent roots in the Stone-Campbell Movement. For fun, he reveals the characters and events in recent Church of Christ history that may not be household names, but are worth knowing and studying.

Link to Dr. Dyron Daughrity's faculty biography at Pepperdine University

Link to The Bible: Our Final Authority, the latest book by Dr. Dyron Daughrity

Link to Dr. Daughrity's author page at amazon.com

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Episode 7: News from Ukraine, ministering to ministers, and a congregation writes a book

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 02:00:00 GMT

Erik Tryggestad brings the latest news from Christians and churches in both Russia and Ukraine, as they struggle to keep their faith, hope, and love alive in the hell of war. Matthew Morine shares the vision and work of Partners in Missions for Colorado, a ministry the Castle Rock (Colorado) Church of Christ is growing to minister to ministers in rural congregations. Cindy Keister and Kaye Trisler tell the story of how their congregation, the Legacy Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, Texas, captured the personal faith stories of its members in a new book, 'Our Legacy of Faith.'

Segment one: Erik Tryggestad reports on Ukraine

Link to the Christian Chronicle’s coverage of the war in Ukraine

Link to the Christian Chronicle’s list of options to send relief to Ukrainians

Segment two: Matthew Morine talks about Partners in Missions for Colorado

Link to the Christian Chronicle’s online and print story on Partners in Missions for Colorado

Link to Castle Rock Church of Christ

Segment three: Cindy Keister and Kaye Trisler talk about their book, Our Legacy of Faith

Link to Legacy Church of Christ

Link to order form for 'Legacy of Faith' book

Episode 109: We need to talk about sex (part one) (Rodney Wright, Pure Desire Ministries)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The way Christians think about and use sex is changing. For example, a recent study by Barna Group and Pure Desire Ministries shows that Christian porn use is almost equal to porn use by the general public. And an increasing number of Christians believe that it is OK to look at porn. At the same time, fewer and fewer congregations are addressing the issue from the pulpit, in recovery groups or in small groups.

In this episode, Rodney Wright talks about the reasons that Christian attitudes about sex are changing, why the church seems to be retreating from the subject and what Christians and congregations can (and should) do.

Link to Barna Group / Pure Desire study on porn use among Christians

Link to Pure Desire Ministries

Link to How to Talk with Your Kids About Sex

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Episode 85: Colt McCoy wants you to remember him for something greater than football

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Church of Christ kid and small-town high school athlete Colt McCoy grew up to be one of the greatest college football players of all time before going on to play 13 seasons in the National Football League.

Just a few weeks before recording this conversation with The Christian Chronicle, McCoy announced his retirement from playing the sport that made him famous.

In this episode, he opens up about what it is like to do something at such a high level for so long, only to wake up one day and recognize that it is all over. He shares how, through the loss of big games (like the 2009 BCS National Championship) and missed opportunities (like being the Heisman Trophy runner-up his senior year), God taught him how to stay hopeful in loss.

McCoy also opens up about how he found ways to lead his teammates, tolerate constant (and sometimes debilitating) pain and see God everywhere he went in college and professional football.

Most of all, he explains how he kept his focus on God and on representing Christ in the bright lights, constant temptations and enormous pressure of big time football. And he lets us wonder with him what God might do next as he enters the second act of his life after football.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's archive of Colt McCoy interviews and stories from his 18-year college and professional football career

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Episode 115: She turned her mental health struggles into a ministry...for you (Marie Stroughter)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Marie Stroughter (Westside Church of Christ, Killeen, Texas) is an all-star "church mom" and "church wife," raising three kids (two adopted), supporting her elder/deacon husband, and volunteering in the life and programs of the church. And she does all of that while living with mental health challenges like obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks.

As many as one in four Americans deals with mental illness on some level at some time. As Marie says in this episode, that means that in a congregation with 100 members, there could be 25 members who are going through some mental health struggle at any given time.

Living with mental illness gives Marie the compassion, empathy and understanding to come alongside other Christians who are living with mental illness challenges of their own. She started the MoMo ("Motivational Moments") 634 (as in Matthew 6:34) Podcast, a daily dose of affirmation and inspiration from Scripture for those who live with mental illness.

Link to MoMo634 Podcast

Link to 9-8-8 suicide crisis hotline

Episode 64: Dr. Brad East REALLY doesn't want to talk about Christian nationalism

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 15 May 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Over the last few months (and years), "Christian nationalism" became a buzzword in both Christian and mainstream news media. A few years ago, barely anyone knew the term. Now it may be making its way into everyday conversations, if not the pews at local congregations.

But is Christian nationalism even worth talking about?

Dr. Brad East, associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University, thinks that "Christian nationalism" is not a helpful term and that Christians have better language available to talk about matters that are both important and urgent to the church as it sojourns in the United States.

This is not a conversation about politics or the popular culture at large, but about conversations that are happening among people in the pews. Sometimes, language from politics and popular culture becomes the language of the church. When that happens, how do we make our talk and thoughts biblical again?

Link to Dr. East's recent column, "How (Not) to Talk About Christian Nationalism" in Christianity Today

Link to Christian Chronicle editor Bobby Ross, Jr.'s, recent column on Christian nationalism (published in Religion Unplugged)

Link to Episode 62 interview with Dr. Greg Smith of the Pew Research Center, exploring what American Christians know and think about Christian nationalism

Go to christianchronicle.org for all coverage and stories by The Christian Chronicle

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Episode 67: Erik Tryggestad reports from on the street in Kyiv, Ukraine

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Christian Chronicle CEO (and sometimes globetrotting field reporter) Erik Tryggestad calls in live (at recording time) from the street in suburban Kyiv. He reports on how the continuing war to repel Russia's invasion is testing the faith, hope, and love of the Church of Christ community in Ukraine and beyond. A test that the church seems to be more than passing with the help of God. Listen to this one for first-hand news from "on the ground." Listen to this one for a testimony to the real presence of God and God's love at work even in war.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of the Church of Christ in Ukraine

Link to Sunset International Bible Institute's relief efforts for Ukrainian Christians

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Episode 119: Unleashing the superpowers of rural and small town churches (Mike Cope)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT

It is a common narrative (assumption?) that Church of Christ congregations in rural and small town America are in decline. Perhaps that is a story that numbers (of congregations and members) might tell.

But are numbers the whole story? Or even the most important one?

Mike Cope believes it is not the whole story. In this episode, he talks about how the way we talk and think about rural and small town congregations needs to change and how those congregations enjoy spiritual gifts that make them rich and strong in things that matter.

Mike also fills us in on how Pepperdine University plans to invest a $7.5 million Lilly Endowment grant to come alongside rural and small town Church of Christ congregations to position them for the growth in the kingdom of God.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of the Lilly Endowment's grant to Pepperdine University

Link to The Christian Chronicle's ongoing coverage of Church of Christ trends among congregations in rural and small town America

Episode 157: How not to be a ministry burnout (Dr. Darrel Sears)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

If surveys are on point, burnout is epidemic among professional and volunteer ministers in congregations everywhere. Not only does burnout end ministries, it damages churches and families as well. It's a major problem that congregations and ministers brush off or put off at their own peril.

In this episode, Dr. Darrel Sears (assistant professor of Bible and ministry, York University) defines "burnout," shares his own experience with it in ministry, and talks about how churches and ministers alike can head it off and recover from it. He also introduces Thrive Network, an online small group-based ministry where ministers help each other prevent, and recover from, burnout.

Link to Eliza Rohda's Christian Chronicle story on Dr. Sears's Thrive Network

Link to Dr. Sears's dissertation (free online) that focuses on the causes and cure for minister burnout (includes many books and other sources for further study)

Link to Christina Maslach's research on burnout (referenced in the interview)

Link to Resilient Ministry (Burns, Chapman, Guthrie) (referenced in interview)

To learn more about how to join a Thrive cohort, contact Dr. Sears here.

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Episode 90: The (Christian) face of immigration (Eduardo and Odalis Vasquez)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 17:00:00 GMT

Almost half of the world's migrants claim Christianity according to new research from Pew Research Center.

In this episode, we hear from two Christian immigrants, Eduardo and Odalis Vasquez, Church of Christ members who are part of the 7.7 million people who fled Venezuela over the last few years.

The Vasquezes talk about why and how they left their home behind and what it is like to try to make their new home in Montevideo, Uruguay.

They also share the story of how immigrants (from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela) are breathing new life into the Montevideo Church of Christ (which was struggling before the arrival of so many immigrants in recent years).

Link to Erik Tryggestad's recent story about the Montevideo Church of Christ (featuring Eduardo and Odalis Vasquez).

Link to an archive of The Christian Chronicle's complete coverage of the "diaspora" of Church of Christ members from Venezuela as they migrate around the world.

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Episode 46: "Holy Sexuality" at ACU, art of living hands-free, Waffle House Church of Christ

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

SEGMENT ONE: Abilene Christian University is facing organized backlash from LGBTQ-affirming alumni, students, and even some professors for its "Holy Sexuality Week. Christian Chronicle CEO Erik Tryggestad fills in the story and talks about how The Christian Chronicle will cover it in 2024.

Link to Religion News Service coverage of the “Holy Sexuality Week” backlash at Abilene Christian University

Link to Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 39 featuring Rubel Shelly talking about his book, Male and Female, God Created Them

Link to online transcript of the Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 39 interview with Rubel Shelly

SEGMENT TWO: Barbara Bagwell has never been able to use her hands, but that hasn't stopped her from living a full life and making art in her own way. The member of the Pikes Peak (Colorado) Church of Christ tells her story in her own voice and words.

Link to Barbara Bagwell’s book, Beautiful Stranger

Link to Barbara Bagwell’s art page

SEGMENT THREE: Youth minister Philip Jenkins of the Mt. Juliet (Tennessee) Church of Christ ended up in a local Waffle House for 15 hours straight. He'll explain how this happened and how it turned into one of the best-attended (but unplanned and unscheduled) church outreach events ever.

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle story about Philip Jenkins’s day at the Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Waffle House

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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TAGS

Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, Holy Sexuality Week, LGBTQ+, Wildcats for Inclusion, homosexuality, same sex, Phil Schubert, Religion News Service, traditional marriage, biblical marriage, Christopher Yuan, Christian colleges and universities, Christian education, gay affirming, sexuality, Erik Tryggestad, Barbara Bagwell, disability, living with disability, art, artist, Pikes Peak Church of Christ, Pikes Peak, Colorado, Beautiful Stranger, Philip Jenkins, Mt. Juliet Church of Christ, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Waffle House, youth, youth group, loving neighbors, community, outreach, fellowship, BT Irwin

Episode 8: Keith Lancaster on 40 years of Acappella (and the future of worship music)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 13:00:00 GMT

In 1982, Keith Lancaster formed Christian vocal group Acappella. Forty years later, that group is now a ministry comprising multiple Christian vocal ensembles (including the original Acappella) and programs that help congregations and worship leaders learn how to find and use the unique voices that God longs to hear. In this episode, Keith and his son, Anthony Lancaster (also now a member of Acappella) recall the history of Acappella, share the group's new album and 40th anniversary concert tour, and talk about worship trends in the Church of Christ community and what the future may hold.
Link to Acappella 40 album

Link to Acappella 40th anniversary concert tour schedule and tickets

Link to Acappella Ministries website

Link to donate to christianchronicle.org

Link to christianchronicle.org main site

Email comments, ideas, and suggestions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

Episode 106: Why (and how) Abilene Christian University is building a nuclear reactor (Doug Robison)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Since it opened almost 119 years ago, Abilene Christian University (ACU) has been educating, forming, and training Christian evangelists who spread the news of Jesus Christ around the world.

This year, however, the university is launching something that has the potential to change the world and save lives in a surprising new way.

ACU is building and preparing to fire up an experimental nuclear reactor that is cheaper, cleaner, safer and more scalable than any other kind of nuclear technology available in the world today. And it has the potential to cure cancer, eliminate existing nuclear waste and provide energy to the poorest regions of the world.

In this episode, you'll hear form lifelong Texas oil man (and nuclear convert) Doug Robison, who is on the ACU board of trustees and a principal investor in the university's nuclear experiment. He explains both the how and the why of ACU's nuclear turn and how this is an extension of the university's Christian mission.

Link to the American Nuclear Society's report on the ACU nuclear reactor

Link to the NEXT Lab at Abilene Christian University

Link to Natura Resources (the company Doug Robison founded to invest in the ACU nuclear experiment)

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Episode 81: An award-winning Western writer talks about how boys grow into men (S.J. Dahlstrom)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT

S.J. Dahlstrom is one of the most award-winning and critically-acclaimed authors of youth fiction. He is the creator of the "Wilder Good" series of nine books that follow the adventures of a 12-year old boy growing up in the American West. Dahlstrom is a four-time winner of the Wrangler Western Heritage Award, five-time winner of the Will Rogers Medallion, four-time finalist for the Lamplighter Award, and two-time finalist and one-time winner of the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. He's also a lifelong member of Churches of Christ and the son of a Church of Christ preacher.

In this episode, Dahlstrom talks about the crucial role the church and its men play in forming and training boys for Christian manhood.

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Episode 79 LIVE in Memphis: Navigating an election season without losing our witness (Josh Ross)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT

In front of a live audience at Sycamore View Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee, we interview Josh Ross, author of Coreology: Six Principles for Navigating an Election Season Without Losing Our Witness.

So many things that Christians hear, read and talk about these days have to do with how they get along with political opponents or how they use their political power. In this conversation, however, we focus on how the church of Christ protects and upholds its unique witness in times of political strife. How does the church hold onto its story, maintain its credibility and integrity, rise above the discord and noise and proclaim good news that is truly good?

Link to Josh Ross's book, Coreology: Six Principles for Navigating an Election Season Without Losing Our Witness

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Episode 48: 'The Anxiety Opportunity' and better Christian politics in 2024 (Curtis Chang)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT

Author and theologian Curtis Chang talks about his book, 'The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry is the Doorway to Your Best Self' and 'The After Party,' the new small group curriculum he created with David French and Russell Moore to help Christians practice "better politics" in 2024.

Link to The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry is the Doorway to Your Best Self (Curtis Chang)

Link to The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics (Curtis Chang, David French, Russell Moore)

Link to Redeeming Babel

Link to Curtis Chang’s biography

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

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TAGS

Curtis Chang, Redeeming Babel, Anxiety Opportunity book, After Party, politics, anxiety attack, anxiety, anxiety disorder, panic, panic attack, panic disorder, worry, Donald Trump, January 6, Joe Biden, Republicans, Democrats, partisan politics, political violence, conspiracy theories, David French, Russell Moore, curriculum, church, congregation, small group, Christian politics, Christian nationalism, BT Irwin

Episode 93: Running by faith (2024 Paralympic medalist Liza Corso)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Liza Corso is a two-time Team U.S.A. Paralympic medalist in the women's 1500m (Silver, Tokyo, 2020 and Bronze, Paris, 2024). She is also a senior psychology and nutrition major at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.

In this episode, Liza talks about what it is like run at a world-class level while seeing through her vision impairment. She also talks about how her faith and her running developed and formed together.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's report on Liza Corso's Bronze Medal race in the 2024 Paris Paralympics

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Episode 124: She's hand-written cards for almost 7,000 new Christians in two years (Lorraine Smith)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Wed, 14 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT

In some congregations, you may find one member whose ministry is sending hand-written cards of congratulations to new Christians upon their baptisms.

Imagine if that one member tries to send a card to every new Christian, not just in their own congregation, but in the entire world.

Meet Lorraine Smith of Central Church of Christ in Dalton, Georgia. Inspired by a card her grandson received from strangers after his baptism, Lorraine set out to handwrite an encouragement card to every new Christian she can find. In the last two years, she's hand-written and sent cards to almost 7,000 new Christians from all over!

In this episode, she talks about how (and why) she does it and what's she's learned about how God turns strangers into family. She also testifies about how God is adding to the church of Christ every day (though we are often too distracted by bad news to notice). And she talks about how the church can better come alongside new Christians when they come up out of the waters of baptism.

Links from this episode:

Calvin Cockrell's Christian Chronicle report on 37 Faulkner University football players submitting to baptism in one night (from August 2023)

Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 30 interview with some of the Faulkner University football players who submitted to baptism in August 2023

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Episode 149: How the church can make peace in a world that seems to want war (Tryce Prince)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

These days, the heat and wind of the political environment is kindling even in some Christians what seems to be an appetite for rage, revenge and violence.

When the church of Christ allows itself to be set ablaze by politics, how can it demonstrate the grace and peace of the kingdom of God? How can it bear witness to the reconciling and redemptive work of Jesus Christ? How can it be a refuge for those who are exhausted and wounded by the acrimony of our times?

Recorded in late 2025, this conversation with Tryce Prince addresses these questions head-on.

Prince is director of the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and and Spiritual Action at Abilene Christian University, contributes to the Good Culture Show podcast and writes at the First Sunday Substack. He recently published an essay, "Fighting Fire with Plants" in Christianity Today.

As the church searches its soul and tries to find solutions to the crises of these times, Prince points to a branch of the Christian family tree from recent history. The Black church in the United States responded to hateful and violent circumstances in the 19th and 20th centuries by cultivating a "beloved community" of proactive and purposeful love and peace-making.

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Episode 131: How prepared is your congregation for an active shooter? (Rick Arrington)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, a gunman armed with an AR-15 assault rifle opened fire on Crosspointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, as it assembled for worship. A fast-thinking deacon and two armed members of the congregation's security team killed the gunman before he could enter the church building and take the lives of any members or visitors.

As the frequency of active shooter situations at houses of worship is on the rise, how many congregations are prepared if the worst case happens?

Our guest is Rick Arrington, a security expert who trains houses of worship, schools and law enforcement agencies across the United States. A retired police lieutenant and an elder with the Rocky Mount (Virginia) Church of Christ, Arrington is the founder and CEO of the Crime Prevention Center and author of Securing the Faithful: Preventing and Addressing Crime in Places of Worship from Sunset Institute Press.

In this episode, Rick explains how congregations can better secure themselves against active shooters and other threats without abandoning the compassion, kindness, hospitality and openness that are to characterize the church of Christ.

Link to Crime Prevention Center

Link to Securing the Faithful: Preventing and Addressing Crime in Places of Worship by Rick Arrington

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of active shooters at Church of Christ congregations

Link to a Christian Chronicle story (from March 2020) about Rick Arrington's ministry to help congregations better secure themselves

Listeners to this episode get a 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT on Rick's Securing the Faithful online training course. Click on the link below and enter the discount code PSQ5ZGC at checkout. crimepreventioncenter.org/training-courses/online-securing-the-faithful-course

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Episode 123: Confessions of an "incompetent" minister (Casey Coston)

The Christian Chronicle Podcast — Thu, 01 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In 2 Corinthians 3:5, the apostle Paul writes: "Not that we are competent in ourselves...but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of the new covenant."

Casey Coston is a veteran Church of Christ campus minister of more than 20 years. As he started his third decade in ministry, he took stock of his own "incompetence" and turned it into a book: Made Competent: A Story About Life in Ministry.

In this episode, Casey touches on some of the biggest ministry challenges and shortcomings he's faced so far, including:

Balancing the commission to "make disciples" (a slow process that happens with a few intimate relationships at a time) and the pressure to attract bigger and bigger crowds to ministry "events"
Balancing the love the church needs and the love his own family needs (and how church and family often compete for his energy, focus and time)
Handling disagreements and discord with church elders and members

Casey also uses his unique point of view working with emerging generations of believers and seekers to imagine:

How evangelism is changing and must change to connect with emerging generations
How legacy congregations and new congregations might adapt to changes in the culture (without changing the essence of the church and the gospel it practices and preaches)
The kinds of ministers who will meet the next moment

Links for this episode:

Made Competent: A Story About Life in Ministry by Casey Coston

Campus for Christ national Church of Christ campus ministry network

Episode 72 featuring Chris Buxton and Casey Coston on campus ministry

Discipling: The Multiplying Ministry by Milton Jones

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