Chicago Fellowship Talks

Ray Carter leads as we honor our Veterans. Ray welcomes Karl "KJ" Johnson to share with us – a member of our Fellowship, and a retired U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel. Ray and KJ consider the parallels between military service and the Christian life.

Continuing our series "Finding and Following Jesus," Ray Carter looks at passages from Paul's letters and the Book of Acts to consider how 1st century believers – by placing their hope in Christ and His work – turned their world upside down.

Ray Carter continues our series "Finding and Following Jesus." Ray looks at John 17 and Gal. 6:2 and the foundations of our unity. In these times where so much divides us, how do we remain united as the witness to the world the Lord has called us to be?

Joel Hamernick looks at lessons from the lives of Abraham and Paul to examine what it means to find our identity in Christ, and the implications this has for how we engage with others in a divided world.

Longtime Chicago Fellowship member Brett Hersma shares his recent ordeal with COVID-19. Brett reflects on specific experiences from June through today to reveal how God has been present and at work through this trial.

We begin a new series: Finding and Following Jesus. Ray Carter looks at encounters with Christ throughout the Gospels to reflect on the transforming power of Jesus' presence.

We welcome Jon Harmon, chairman of McGuireWoods. Amid the George Floyd protests, Jon penned a WSJ opinion piece titled: "My Father's Advice: Don't Hate, Don't Hide, Don't be a Victim." Jon shares his story with us as a fellow brother in Christ.

What might it look like to engage in confession and repentance as a people? Ray Carter looks at Daniel 9, Joshua 7 and other passages that challenge us to expand our understanding of confession and repentance beyond the personal to the corporate.

We are joined by Dr. Mark Jobe – President of Moody Bible Institute and Sr. Pastor of New Life Community Church. Dr. Jobe challenges us to look at disruption as a God-given opportunity to consider what God has for us in this moment.

Ray Carter looks at the first-century church in Ephesus as a model for how we can engage in the messy, challenging work of building community across racial, social and cultural barriers.

Ray Carter kicks off our 2020 season. Ray looks at David's life and considers how everybody needs a Goliath, and everybody needs a Nathan.

Ray Carter looks at Romans 3:21-26 and what God's redemptive plan tells us about the importance of justice. What framework does it give us for understanding and responding in a God honoring way to the unrest we are witnessing in our world today?

We continue an honest dialogue on racial justice with a panel Q&A. Hear insights from Ray Carter, Joel Hamernick, Franklin Ballenger, David Dillon, Greg & Mary Beth Lernihan and others. We recommend you first listen to Joel's talk from 6/12/2020.

Joel Hamernick has spent 20 years promoting the flourishing of youth and families on the South Side. Through his relationships with African American neighbors and community leaders, Joel is uniquely positioned to speak a prophetic word into this moment.

Skye Jethani examines Jesus' command to "judge not" in Luke 6:37, considering how it relates to the challenges gripping our nation. Skye is an award-winning author, co-host of the Holy Post podcast, and creator of the With God Daily devotional.

We continue our series on Col. 3:12-13 and what it means to represent Christ in today's world. Ray Carter looks at Luke 17:3-19 and "Forgiving One Another". What does it mean to bear with and forgive one another and where do we get the power to do it?

We continue our series based on Colossians 3:12-13 and what it means to represent Christ in today's world. This week, Ray Carter looks at Luke 18:9-17 and "Living with a Compassionate and Generous Spirit".

Ray Carter kicks off a a new series based on Colossians 3:12-13. As Christ's followers, how are we called to represent Him in our world? This week, Ray considers the Humility and Meekness of Jesus.

Patrick Fisher dives into the historical context of Ancient Rome as an important lens for understanding the New Testament and Jesus' ministry and teaching.

What does this current pandemic tell us about the importance and nature of true community? Joel Hamernick looks at 1 Corinthians 12 and "Building Community in the Midst of Crisis".

Ray Carter leads as we conclude our study from the Book of Habakkuk. Ray looks at Habakkuk 3:1-19 and "Rejoicing in the Lord". What does it mean to Rejoice in the Lord in difficult times and how do we help one another do it?

Ray Carter looks at Habakkuk 2:5-20 and the importance of "Looking Deeper Inside Our Life" during a time of challenging and difficult circumstances.

On this Good Friday, Ray Carter leads as we consider the hope found in Christ during this Easter season and beyond. We look at two phrases spoken by the risen Christ – "fear not" / "follow me" – and what they mean for us today.

When we call out to the Lord in the midst of difficult times, what are we called to do as a part of "waiting" on Him for a response? Are we called to passive stoicism or are there deliberate actions we are to take? Join us as we explore the answer to this important question.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we begin a new series called Living By Faith in Difficult Times. This situation forces us all to consider what and who it is we most value. Join us as we consider these things and invite the Lord to work in redemptive ways.