Kindred Podcast

In this powerful message, Brandon Evans explores the tension between religious tradition and the surprising, uncontainable movement of the Holy Spirit—both in the early church and today. Drawing from Acts 15, Brandon highlights a pattern throughout church history: whenever institutions tighten their grip, the Spirit moves in fresh, unexpected ways through those previously pushed to the margins. If...

In this episode, Alison Berreman reflects on what the early church’s response to empire can teach us today. Using Acts 11 and 12, she contrasts the resilience of Christian communities with the dependence and idolatry of state power. With honesty and nuance, Alison explores the tension of living faithfully in a time when empire and Christianity are deeply entangled. What does it look like to create...

In this eye-opening episode, Grace Nichols shares reflections from her recent trip to Cuba, weaving personal experience, historical context, and biblical insight into a powerful conversation about poverty, justice, and generosity. Grace explores the stark contrast between tourist luxury and local scarcity, and invites us to reflect on what it really means to be "open-handed" in a world m...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Kindred podcast, Garrett McGeein dives deep into the tension between divine omniscience and human free will, exploring the philosophical and theological implications of middle knowledge. Using passages from the book of Acts as a springboard, Garrett unpacks how God's foreknowledge and human agency coexist, challenging traditional views while inviting o...

In this heartfelt and theologically rich reflection, Alison Berreman explores the difference between sacrificial love and generative giving. Drawing on the teachings of Jesus, the writings of philosopher Erich Fromm, and personal insights, Alison challenges the common Christian framing of self-sacrifice as the highest virtue. Instead, she offers a vision of love rooted in wholeness, vitality, and...

In this Easter message, Kristine Caliger explores the multifaceted nature of the gospel—not as a single answer or formula, but as a mosaic of stories and perspectives. Drawing from parables, scripture, and the writings of Rachel Held Evans and Paul, she weaves a compelling vision of Jesus as both radically generous and courageously just. This episode invites us to embrace the tension in our storie...

In this Palm Sunday message, Garrett McGeein reflects on Jesus’ so-called “triumphal entry” and reclaims it as something far more subversive and quiet: an anti-empire act of kingdom imagination. Drawing from Mark 11 and Zechariah 9, Garrett explores how Jesus resists power-grabbing and spectacle in favor of patient, self-giving love. The kingdom of God, he says, isn’t built with swords—it’s built...

In this episode, Ron Toft walks us through Acts 10 and 11 in a powerful, personal teaching about one of the most pivotal turning points in the New Testament—the moment the gospel reaches beyond the Jewish world and into the life of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Ron unpacks Peter’s vision, the surprising work of the Holy Spirit, and what it means for us today when God says, “What I have made c...

Rob teaches from Acts 2 and reflects on the Pentecost story as a moment of radical inclusion and spiritual clarity. Instead of focusing on the spectacle of tongues, we explore what this passage reveals about God’s heart—speaking directly to the outsider, the marginalized, the ones who don’t usually get a seat at the table. We also ask what this means for how we understand the Holy Spirit today, an...

In this episode of the Kindred Podcast, guest speaker Alison Berreman dives into a thought-provoking exploration of Saul's dramatic transformation into Paul. Reflecting on her own journey, Alison wrestles with deep questions about grace, justice, and the nature of salvation. Was Saul chosen for a reason? Did he deserve it? And what does that mean for us today? Join us for a heartfelt discussi...

In this episode, retired teacher and longtime seeker Mary Kate Hafemann explores the mystery of the Holy Spirit. Building on last week's discussion of Acts 2, she dives into scripture to examine the Spirit’s role in the early church—healing the sick, empowering bold speech, and even delivering unsettling judgment. Mary Kate shares her personal experience with the Spirit, reflecting on moments...

In this episode of the Kindred Podcast, Dr. Lorrel Toft leads a thought-provoking discussion on the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, and the practice of speaking in tongues. With honesty and depth, she explores personal and biblical perspectives, reflecting on Acts 2 and the early church’s experiences with spiritual gifts. Dr. Toft shares her own journey with charismatic practices, acknowledging both their...

In this episode, Rob Griffin leads a conversation on the book of Acts, exploring how the first followers of Jesus navigated life after his ascension. With a mix of historical context and practical reflection, Rob examines the mission of the early church, the cultural and political challenges they faced under Roman rule, and what it means for us today. The discussion touches on how we interpret scr...

In this episode, Ron Toft guides us through a reflective and thought-provoking conclusion to Kindred’s series on the Sermon on the Mount . Exploring its deep connections to Jewish tradition, the role of mountaintop experiences, and Jesus as the new Moses, Ron challenges us to consider how we bring the Kingdom of Heaven into our daily lives. What does it mean to descend from the mountaintop and emb...

In this episode, Ron Toft leads us in closing the book on our long-running Sermon on the Mount series. Ron explores the idea that the heart of Jesus’ message isn’t just about personal salvation but about bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth—right now, in our daily lives . We reflect on the Sermon’s structure, seeing its climactic center not at the end, but at the mountaintop: "Your kingdom...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Kindred Podcast, Garrett McGeein takes us on a deep dive into Matthew 6:25-34 and its challenging message about worry, trust, and divine care. But what happens when faith meets the reality of suffering? Through an exploration of Cain and Abel, Job’s lament, and Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, Garrett wrestles with the tension between divine provisi...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on themes of piety, motives, and the rewards of practicing faith. Through our dialogical teaching approach, we unpack Matthew 6 and reflect on Jesus’ teachings about giving, prayer, and fasting—examining the tension between public displays of righteousness and private, heartfelt devotion. We also explore the cultural...

In this episode, Pastor Rob guides the discussion as we continue our deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount by exploring Matthew 5:17-20. Together, we wrestle with Jesus’ call to fulfill the law and consider what it means to live in a way that reflects God’s character in the world. Through a lively discussion we discuss the purpose of Old Testament instructions and how Jesus redefined righteousnes...

In this heartfelt Christmas message, Kristine Caliger shares a deeply personal reflection on faith, doubt, and hope amidst life’s challenges. Recorded in the midst of a family health crisis, Kristine invites listeners to consider the meaning of a "mustard seed faith"—a faith that is small but steadfast, pure, and powerful. Through honest storytelling and biblical insights, this episode e...

In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, Eric Laster explores a timeless lesson from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount about building a solid foundation for our lives. Through dialogue, humor, and personal reflections, Eric discusses the difference between rock-solid conviction and the shifting sands of comfort. You'll hear insights on humility, community, and how the teachings of Jesus c...

In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, we explore the radical teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes. What does it truly mean to be "blessed"? Is it health, wealth, and comfort—or something far deeper? We discuss how Jesus inverts cultural expectations, elevating the meek, the mournful, and the peacemakers, calling his followers to embrace a new way of living that challenges the st...

This week, Alison Berreman leads an inspiring exploration of the profound challenge and call of Jesus to "love your enemies." Through Alison’s unique perspective, personal stories, and reflections on thinkers like Eric Fromm, the episode unpacks the transformative power of love—how it bridges our human separateness and fulfills God's vision for unity. You’ll hear candid discussions...

In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, Dr. Brandon Evans leads us through the concluding sections of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. What does it mean to bear good fruit? How do we define a follower of Christ, especially across diverse denominations, beliefs, and practices? Through engaging dialogue, we unpack Jesus’ teachings on humility, character, and the timeless relevance of the Sermon’s...

***CONTENT ADVISORY*** in this episode there are mentions of child harm In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, Ron Toft leads us through a powerful continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Jesus’ teachings on anger, reconciliation, and love for our enemies. Reflecting on passages where Jesus contrasts anger with murder and challenges us to love those who oppose us, Ron dives in...

Join us as Rob Griffin dives into the Beatitudes, revealing how Jesus' teachings invite us to live out the Kingdom of Heaven right here on Earth. Far from being a distant, abstract concept, the Kingdom is something we enter through acts of compassion, justice, and humility. Rob explores how Jesus modeled this life and calls us to follow—a Kingdom not marked by power but by love and mercy for...