Common Grounds Unity Podcast

Drew Baker and Jeanie Shaw interview Joel Peed of Eremos Ministry and discuss the tragedy of ministry and leadership burnout and the gift of rest, rhythm, sabbath, and sabbatical. Joel's new book is titled "A Sabbatical Map: Navigating Holistic Renewal for Ministers. This is an important conversation for the church and church leaders. CGU has a vision to create and support gatherings of unity-mind...

Drew Baker and Tina Bruner have a conversation with Mark Hamilton about what the Bible really says about immigration and how Christians should respond to migrants. Mentioned in this episode: Mark Hamilton's book, "Jesus King of Strangers" Jessica Goudeau's book, "After the Last Border" and the United Nations High Commission on Refugees https://www.unhcr.org/us CGU has a vision to create and suppor...

Kevin Withem has a conversation with Shawn McMullen, the new Editor of the Christian Standard Magazine—the largest publication within the Stone Campbell Movement, which has been in circulation for 157 years. CGU has a vision to create and support gatherings of unity-minded Christians around the globe. Imagine the good news of these gatherings modeling the prayer of Jesus in our divided world. If y...

In this episode, Tina Bruner and Drew Baker talk with Dr. Holly Carey about her book, "Women Who Do: Female Disciples in the Gospels." CGU has a vision to create and support gatherings of unity-minded Christians around the globe. Imagine the good news of these gatherings modeling the prayer of Jesus in our divided world. If you benefit from this ministry, please consider donating monthly to suppor...

Kevin and Tina interview Dr. Daniel Overdorf, the new incoming President of Johnson University. Daniel is an author, preacher, professor, and storyteller. Enjoy the podcast, and for more info, see below: https://johnsonu.edu/ https://www.danieloverdorf.com/about https://christianstandard.com/2022/10/when-we-preach-we-speak-for-god-a-conversation-with-daniel-overdorf-about-his-new-book/ https://chr...

As we focus on Black History Month, Tina Bruner and Rudy Hagood talk with Dr. Jerry Taylor, the founding Director of the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action. Please see more at https://carlspaincenter.org/ and https://carlspaincenter.org/2023tour/ CGU has a vision to create and support gatherings of unity-minded Christians around the globe. Imagine the good news of these gatheri...

As we focus on Black History Month, Tina Bruner and Rudy Hagood talk with Dr. Jerry Taylor, the founding Director of the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action. Please see more at https://carlspaincenter.org/ and https://carlspaincenter.org/2023tour/ CGU has a vision to create and support gatherings of unity-minded Christians around the globe. Imagine the good news of these gatheri...

Tina Bruner and Doug Foster welcome Joel Brown and Paul Tche of the Disciples of Christ to discuss some of the factors contributing to the divides within the Stone Campbell Movement and to explore several efforts that are being made to overcome our divisions. Below are some links to files/websites mentioned in the conversation: https://www.disciplescuim.org https://www.discipleshistory.org https:/...

Drew Baker has an engaging conversation with Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos about their book "Loving Disagreement: Fighting for Community through the Fruit of the Spirit." Find it on Amazon. Fighting, disagreements, hatred, dissension, and silence. These things seem common in the wider Christian community today. Politics, theology, and even personal preference create seemingly insurmountable rifts...

Common Grounds Unity wishes a Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thank you for taking this journey with us through season three. Please consider Tina's homework and communicate with us. You can do so by emailing us at cgupod@gmail.com or texting 919-777-3881. God bless and Merry Christmas. CGU creates spaces for Christians to gather so that we might recognize Jesus in one another. If you are blesse...

Tina Bruner and Kevin Withem interview Tyler Mckenzie, Senior Pastor of Northeast Christian and Christian Standard Columnist. Tyler shares about how healthy churches serve their communities - taking the church to the community. Northeast is a sizeable multi-campus congregation that is having a major impact on the city of Louisville, KY. "Healthy Church." Tyler mentions 30 30-minute short Christmas...

Kevin Withem and Tod Vogt from Mission Alive join up again for a great conversation about what we learn from the early church about "Healthy Church." https://missionalive.org/ CGU creates spaces for Christians to gather so that we might recognize Jesus in one another. If you are blessed by this ministry please consider tax-deductible monthly donation. Please donate at https://www.commongroundsunit...

Kevin Withem has a heartfelt conversation with Kyle Spears, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specializing in trauma. Kyle states that "Trauma is hurt stored in the body." How do we navigate our trauma or trauma stored in the body of our fellowships? How do we create safe places for those who have experienced trauma, or for those who have felt measured but not supported? Many in our...

Drew Baker and Tina Bruner engage in a refreshing conversation with Dr. Chuck DeGroat on the topics of narcissism and wholeheartedness in church leadership. When Narcissism Comes to Church (Amazon) - https://a.co/d/9Cyllzh Wholeheartedness (Amazon) - https://a.co/d/1pemavc CGU creates spaces for Christians to gather so that we might recognize Jesus in one another. If you are blessed by this minist...

Kevin and Steve Staten talk with Randy Lowry (Past President of Lipscomb University) about healthy church, church leadership, and conflict resolution. Randy is one of the most respected in dispute and conflict resolution. Such an important topic for our times. CGU creates spaces for Christians to gather so that we might recognize Jesus in one another. If you are blessed by this ministry please con...

Tina and Mitch Mitchell talk to Dr. Kent Smith about the new book Relational Revolution - https://www.amazon.com/Relational-Revolution-Rediscovering-Heart-Heart/dp/1734684046/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1691851685&sr=8-2-spons This is another book in the series. The first was Joy Fueled - https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Fueled-Catalyzing-Revolution-Communities/dp/1734684011/ref=sr_1...

Kevin and Stan Granberg have an incredible discussion about what healthy church looks like. Check out the LK10 ministry at https://lk10.com/ CGU creates spaces for Christians to gather so that we might recognize Jesus in one another. If you are blessed by this ministry please consider tax-deductible monthly donation. Please donate at https://www.commongroundsunity.org/donate. Please check out comm...

Kevin has a great conversation with the authors of "A Church Called Tov" and "Pivot: The Priorities, Practices, and Powers That Can Transform Your Church into a Tov Culture," Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer. "Pivot" is the follow-up book to "A Church Called TOV" Purchase Scot and Laura's latest book, "Pivot: The Priorities, Practices, and Powers That Can Transform Your Church into a Tov Culture,...

Drew Baker and Jeanie Shaw have an important discussion about Jeanie's book "A View From Paul's Widow - Paul's Teaching on Women." Jeanie approaches this topic with clarity, humility, wisdom, and scholarship. This is one of the most important topics of our day and one in which we must enter into with love and respect for each other. Find Jeanie's book on Amazon or other book sellers. John's Patreo...

Join Kevin and Steve Staten as they discuss Campus Evangelism: The COC Jesus Revolution. This is an incredible story of revival and hope, and heartbreak and opposition to a movement that reached about 40,000 campus students in the late sixties. Find out what happened and the lessons we can learn! Learn more about Steve Staten at https://www.bridginginternational.com/ Jim Bevis Audios at ACU Summit...

Kevin Withem and Sara Allen continue the conversation with Mike Cope. This episode is titled "Finding Harbor" focusing on Harbor: Pepperdine Bible Lectures and its impact. Plan to come to Harbor, in Malibu, in spring 2024. Check it out at https://www.pepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/harbor/ Contact John Teal at john@commongroundsunity.org if you would like to become an assistant audi...

Kevin Withem and Sara Allen have a conversation with Mike Cope about reimaging unity. This conversation springboards from Mike's message at Harbor: Pepperdine Bible Lectures. You can access this incredible message at https://pepperdinebiblelectures.podbean.com/e/participating-in-god-s-restoration-the-story-of-churches-of-christ/ Contact John Teal at john@commongroundsunity.org if you would like to...

Tina Bruner and Mitch Mitchell continue their talk with Steve Cuss about his incredible book "Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs." This conversation is incredibly important! Find it on Amazon or other booksellers. Contact John Teal at john@commongroundsunity.org if you would like to become an assistant audio/video editor. Please subscribe to the CGU Patreon Channel at www.patreon.com/co...

Tina Bruner and Mitch Mitchell talk with Steve Cuss about his incredible book "Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs." This conversation is incredibly important! Find it on Amazon or other booksellers. Contact John Teal at john@commongroundsunity.org if you would like to become an assistant audio/video editor. Please subscribe to the CGU Patreon Channel at www.patreon.com/commongroundsunit...

Kevin continues the conversation with Dr. Stanley Granberg about his book Empty Church: Why People Don’t Come And What To Do About It. Huge paradigm shifts in culture and the pandemic have reshaped the culture and the church must adapt without compromising the gospel. Like people, churches have life cycles. We need to understand these and reinvent our congregations if we want to remain relevant an...