The Christian Chronicle Podcast

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 be...

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...

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...

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 yea...

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...

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 spokesperso...

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 t...

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 pea...

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 ye...

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 Christi...

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...

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...

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 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 w...

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 fam...

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...

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...

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 Chroni...

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 experienc...

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...

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...

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 Watt...

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...

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...

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. Fea...