Becoming Church

Social injustices, politics and public revelations are causing many Christians to take another look at their faith. For some, it’s resulted in an exit from the church. For many other believers, it’s a hard, painful process of trying to figure out what they believe and why. In this episode, Kate Boyd, author of “An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus” shares her experiences...

After discussing the history of Juneteenth, we have to turn our attention to now and the racial injustice so many Black people are still facing in America. As they navigate through Christian Nationalism, American Exceptionalism and fear based motivation, Kristin and Rasool Berry share personal stories and experiences that have humbled them to becoming more like Christ. This episode will answer que...

What is Juneteenth for? Can only Black people celebrate it? In this interview with Rasool Berry, he explains the history of Juneteenth and addresses some common misconceptions people in majority culture often hold about Black Culture. We invite you to listen with the spirit of invitation and understanding, especially if you find yourself wanting to react with defenses or justifications. If you are...

There’s no question that many pastors in “White, Evangelical America” need to repent. But what about the ones not caught up in scandal or abuse? This vulnerable conversation between Pastors Ben Cremer and Kristin Mockler Young, will give you hope that there is still good happening in local churches across America. In this behind the scenes conversation, you’ll hear 2 pastors talk about seeing thei...

Generation gaps are real, not just in age but in thought, motivation, belief and lived experience. If we want to have multi-generational churches that don’t get old and die off, we have to be Christians who live in community and do life with people we don’t quite understand. As you listen to Pastor Antwuan Malone explain where Boomers, Gen Z and Millennials are coming from - especially as it perta...

In Mary’s words, this episode is “A spicy one interviewing the coach of spicy ones.” Parenting coach Mary Van Geffen shares her expertise on how to love, lead and discipline our most challenging children. If you’re looking for resources and practical ways to be a better parent or you’re a grandparent, family member or friend who wants to better support the parents in your life, this episode is a m...

If you grew up with a combination of TGIF, See You At The Pole, the Left Behind Series, Casey Kasem’s Top 40, Veggie Tales and Focus on the Family, download this episode immediately. In this conversation, Kristin and Sara Billups, the author of Orphaned Believers, talk about growing up and growing out of the tension of being both in the world yet not of it. They cover purity culture, the rapture,...

Why Am I Like This?: How to Break Cycles, Heal your Trauma & Restore your Faith If you’ve ever wished someone could respond to you with “me too,” this conversation with trauma therapist, Kobe Campbell, will provide you with the reassurance of a shared experience from someone who gets it. This episode is a great one to send with people in your life who are fighting isolation, depression or feel...

Did you feel dragged into 2023? Does your faith feel like it’s wavering? Do you feel like your world is constantly being shaken up? In this episode, Tabitha will help you see that your identity in Christ is not based on what you have experienced. As a Christ-centered trauma therapist, Tabitha Panariso will help you move from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What happened to me?” She will help you under...

Just like Jesus flipped tables, Brittany Estes is flipping scripts. If you feel stuck in shame, overwhelm, stress or defeat, the possibility to find freedom is there. And it is for you. In her book, Flip the Script: Make Your Move from Broken to Brilliant , Brittany helps you identify the lies you’ve been believing and equips you with practical steps to rewrite the narrative. One listener will win...

We’re taking a field trip outside of the church to enter scientology, a wiccan coven or maybe even a cult. Jeremy Jenkins with All Things All People will be our guide in this episode because these are common occurrences for him. Take a deep breath and tell your fear that you’re safe as Jeremy explains how going into dark places and world religions will help us become better Christians. ———— SCRIPT...

If you're asking questions like “Why is there evil in the world? Why do I need a savior from sin? What happened on the cross? Why does the resurrection even matter? How do I walk by the spirit? What’s the church supposed to look like?” then this episode is for you. Phylicia Masonheimer wrote a book on all these topics for real people. It’s more than a devotional but it’s not an academic tradebook,...

The resource list for this episode may be nearly as long as the Bible itself! Kristin and Ashley nerd out on Bible translations, perspectives, tools and their best suggestions for how you can better understand the Bible as you read. If you somehow need more resources - or have questions about what we talked about - we probably have even more, just ask! ———— LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:   First Nation’...

What’s the difference between Scripture and The Bible? What does Mosaic believe about what it says? Kristin and Ashley unpack the basics and clear up commonly used language like inerrancy, translations, hermeneutics, solo scriptura and proof texting to help you better understand what that book on your bookshelf.  ———— LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE: The Bible as a Library The Mosaic of Christian Belief C...

If finding the Holy Spirit feels like a wild goose chase, this is the perfect episode for you. Naeem and Kristin explain who - what?! - the Holy Spirit is and how it’s for you, with you, in you and works through you. They also explain speaking in tongues and the various ways it could be connected to the Spirit. ———— SCRIPTURE TO EXPLORE: John 14 Luke 12 John 20:22 John 3:1-21 Galatians 5:22-23 1 C...

Who is Jesus? Is Christ his last name? Is he God? Is he human? How does it work that he can be both? Naeem and Kristin explore various beliefs of who Jesus is to different people to help you figure out who he might be to you. ————  SCRIPTURE TO EXPLORE: Colossians 1:15 John 3:16 Romans 10:9 John 1 John 14:6  ————  LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE: Naeem’s encounter with Jesus ———— HANG OUT WITH US: Kristin...

Who is God to you? A parent? The Father or Jesus? A clockmaker? In this first episode of our Essentials series, Naeem and Kristin talk about why God may actually best be represented as a realtor. This conversation will also help you figure out how you to relate to God by asking yourself one simple question. ———— SCRIPTURE TO EXPLORE: 1 Corinthians 8 1 John 3 Matthew 6:9-13 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18...

Magen Thurman has shared the stage with many popular worship leaders and Christian artists but recently she had an experience that made her say “The jig is up.” In a very vulnerable and tender conversation, Magen and Kristin talk about: how to get the most of worship the right and wrong ways to worship celebrity culture in worship what to do when worship is hard Send this episode to someone who ne...

This episode for anyone trying to use social media for networking, influence, purpose and the kingdom. Cassandra and Brittany met through Instagram then ended up co-authoring the book Her True Worth but they know it doesn't always work out that way. Kristin asks the question "Yeah, must be nice, but what about the rest of us?" for anyone feeling discouraged. If you're putting in the work, pumping...

After years in ministry, Cedric Lundy found himself as a pastor without a church home. He talks candidly about compromises he's unwilling to make, how burnout happens for church staff and the difference between a Pastor and Church CEO. If vou find yourself between churches or a little lonely without a faith community, Cedric has suggestions on how to create it outside of the institutional church....

“Does God love boys more than girls?” This was the question that got it all started and sent Mariko Clark on a mission to create a more inclusive children’s story Bible. The Book of Belonging - which is still being written! - doesn’t change the Bible but it does contain more female-centric stories, a brown Jesus and representation of people with all range of skin tones, ability, body shape and siz...

As an internet pastor - and pastor IRL - Ian bravely shares about the dark side of writing content both for sermons and for social media. He shares the missing key to communication with a metaphor that will leave you thinking about how you use a shovel. Ian also gives a peek behind the curtain into pastoral relationships that might surprise you. If you're wondering if there is anything good left i...

In a world where everyone is divided and beliefs are polarizing, Joey Svendsen has some thoughts to make you think. He will challenge you to embrace the mystery of God over the madness of systematic theology by listening in love instead of cancelling those you don’t fully agree with. Whether or not you agree with everything he says, this is an episode for people who are willing to join in uncomfor...

God made you the way you are on purpose. Because He actually likes you that way! In this episode, Rachael Wade will encourage you to dream again as you find yourself in God’s best story. ———— LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE: OliveUs Camp Well Rachael’s website   ————  SCRIPTURE TO EXPLORE: Psalm 52 Acts 2:42 Ephesians 2:10  ———— HANG OUT WITH US:   Rachael on IG: @rachwade OliveUs on IG: @oliveus_together...

It's never about replacing gathering together but Dave Adamson, author of MetaChurch , has some really compelling reasons for why we should lean in to digital ministry. Church leaders and pastors need this conversation to better understand why online options are just as important - if not more important - than gathering together physically on Sunday mornings.  Social media teams, Christian influen...