Amarillo Central Podcast

Today on the podcast Tim McMenamy and Audra Kirkendall join Hannah McNeill for a discussion about what keeps them connected to God. They delve into spiritual practices—which are represented in our formation zones—and share how being faithful to these practices has personally affected each person’s story. Listen in for a meaningful discussion about how God forms us through spiritual practices.

Today we tackle one of the biggest topics of debate—what’s for lunch? After worship on a Sunday morning, when everyone is hungry and ready to eat, you need a restaurant plan. Who has the best ranch? What’s the best way to eat okra? Hungry for Tex Mex? Listen in for our humorous hot takes.

Looking for something new to read? We have some recommendations! These 3 books have been meaningful to us—covering topics of trauma and its effects on your body, creating space to be with others, and going on a personal journey to rediscover meaning. Pick up “The Body Keeps the Score,” “Simply Tuesday,” or “Chasing Francis” as your next read. (Please note before reading that “The Body Keeps the Sc...

52. We Have A New Student Minister! We are thrilled to welcome Mesa and Z’Ann Allison to lead our student ministry here at Central. Spend a little time today getting to know the Allisons—from where they grew up and how they came here to The Office and Lin’s Grand Buffet. We prayerfully look forward to what God has in store for Mesa and Z’Ann at Central!

01.06.22 – On today’s episode we check in with George Reeves, representing the Preacher Search Team, and Mike Robertson, representing the Transition Team. Where are we in our church transition? How do we reach younger members? What gives us hope about Central’s future? Listen to hear how God is at work at Central as well as the things planned for the coming weeks and months.

12.15.21 - We are blessed to partner with 5 amazing organizations here in town. You’ll hear what they are, how we began working with them, and hear the “why” behind our partnerships. What is God doing through a sack of food or an apartment renovation? How is God at work in people’s lives? As you listen, you’ll hear how these partnerships are not ours—they’re yours! So many of you (we didn’t have t...

12.09.21 - In today’s episode, Mary McNeill, Greg Dowell, and Hannah McNeill lay out 7 outstanding gift options just in time for the holidays. Use the links below to access specific gifts or learn more about them. Links to our 7 Outstanding Gift Ideas for this season: • Art Print—Give the gift of the prayer book “Every Moment Holy” or an art print from the book, complete with an illustration and a...

11.30.21 – The word “Advent” means coming or arrival, and we seek to observe the Advent season and retrain our thoughts on the Incarnation of Jesus by mindfully practicing this season together as a church family. So, what is Advent? How can you participate? Listen in on the conversation between Greg Dowell and Hannah McNeill as they discuss what Advent means for them personally and for us as a chu...

11.11.21 – Today Greg Dowell is joined by Hannah McNeill to recap the “Together” Girls Conference hosted at Central last weekend. Building off of past girls’ conference experiences for our youth group, a dedicated volunteer team here at Central hosted this event for 75 middle school and high school girls. Together they explored spiritual practices as well as service, mission, and personal faith. L...

09.29.21 - Today Mike Robertson joins Greg Dowell to talk about Focus Groups, important dates, and moving forward. Many of you took place in the 1st phase of feedback which was the Church Health Assessment (CHA). The 2nd phase of listening to your feedback about Central as a church begin this Sunday with Focus Groups. These groups are for discussion, and one of the questions we’d like you to answe...

08.10.21 – In today’s conversation, Carson Reed with Siburt Institute joins Mike Robertson and Greg Dowell to discuss church transition. We have a great opportunity for Central as an entire congregation to evaluate where we are and where we are going. How is God at work during times of transition? How do we pursue our mission during this new season? Join us for this important conversation about th...

08.05.21 - At the end of August, we’re trying something new at Central to build relationships across all ages, classes, and life stages. It’s all about people and food—and the element of surprise. Jennifer Dowell and Hannah McNeill join Greg on the episode today to tell you about this upcoming opportunity. Have a listen and sign up to participate at www.amarillocentral.org/right-now .

08.04.21 - We are joined today by Kevin Schaffer, Central’s Worship Minister, who recently returned from sabbatical. What is a sabbatical? Why is it important? Kevin gives us a look into his time away and tells us how our faithful God ministered to him through this time of rest.

07.21.21 – For today’s episode, Greg Dowell interviews the three people we added to our youth staff for the summer. They arrived in May, and Amelia Stanford, Mesa Allison, and Wesley Handwork jumped right in to working with our youth group. In this episode, we get a recap of the summer in the student ministry and how this time has been impactful for both our students and our summer interns. They d...

07.12.21 – Last week Central sent a group of 7 high school students and 2 adults to Camp Blessing for the week. Camp Blessing exists to give youth and young adults with disabilities a full camp experience. Our team had an amazing week and learned many things about faith—how God loves and hears ALL people, how deep serving is hard but so fulfilling. Listen in on their conversation with Greg Dowell.

07.08.21 - This Saturday is our congregational event: Central @ the Koben Puckett Invitational PBR. In preparation for the weekend, Greg Dowell interviews our own Koben Puckett. Hear a little about his story, the basics of bull riding, the journey that brought him to where he is today, and his message of hope. Use the links below to find out about the Press On Foundation as well as the Koben Pucke...

07.01.21 - Why is it important that we celebrate? As a church coming out of the pandemic, we have now had two congregational celebrations, and we’re looking forward to a third in September. Why do these matter? Mary McNeill, Children’s Minister, joins Greg Dowell, Executive Minister, for a conversation about the practice of “Celebration.”

06.24.21 - Mike Robertson, an elder at Central and chair of the transition team, joins Greg Dowell, our Executive Minister, in a conversation about the changes Central is experiencing. How long will we be in a period of transition? How do we manage the uncertainty and the unknown? Take a look with us back at the major shifts at Central both 20 years ago and again 10 years ago. Let’s consider toget...

03.24.21 - Howard Griffin, the Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, joins Allan for a conversation about the upcoming 4Amarillo Maundy Thursday worship service. What does Maundy mean? Why are we serving communion on a Thursday? Why do we leave the service in silence? Allan and Howard break it down in bite-sized chunks on the latest episode of the Central Podcast.

03.03.21 - The latest episode of the Central Podcast has just dropped. Valerie Gooch, the Executive Director of Panhandle Adult Rebuilding Center, joins Allan to discuss how The PARC is impacting the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Amarillo. Valerie shares some of the more recent success stories and recounts how she has seen our God at work during the pandemic.

02.10.21 - All Central members are receiving a package from the church in the mail this week to connect us through the Lent season that begins next Wednesday and runs through Easter Sunday. Central Communications Director Hannah McNeill joins Allan in a conversation about those packages and our Ash Wednesday Drive-Thru event on February 17. What is Ash Wednesday? When did Lent start and why? And w...

02.04.21 - This episode features Craig Gladman, representing Central’s COVID team, as he joins guest host Greg Dowell. Together they address the fact that people are actively receiving the vaccine as we continue in this pandemic. What does that mean for us as a church? When is it safe to come back to in-person worship? Listen in as they dive deeper into the coronavirus, the vaccine, and our church...

01.27.21 - Central Podcast tackles Re|Start: Greg Dowell joins Allan for a conversation about the Central Re|Start Team and their plans for our post-pandemic church. Find out what the team heard from our church family in the recent Re|Start survey and focus groups, what was affirmed and what was suggested, and how we faithfully move forward into what God is doing in and through our congregation.

01.06.21 - For more information about tonight's parking lot event and how we are all participating together in "Everything New!" check out today's Central Podcast. Central Communications Director Hannah McNeill joins Allan for a conversation about our January theme and making ourselves available to God's faithful work in our lives.

12.09.20 - Central's Communications Director, Hannah McNeill, joins Allan on today's podcast in a conversation about the Advent season. Why are the candles purple and pink? Why is the first day of Advent called the Christians' New Year's Day? What does it mean to order your life, not according to the secular calendar, but to the Story of God?