The Common Good Podcast

(00:00-39:08): We were joined by Jason Feffer from The Practice Tribe at Willow Creek . He goes into the purpose and mission behind “practice-based” ministry. There is a spiritual practice after gatherings in The Round at Willow, and are very intentional after teachings. At the center of the gathering space, there is a communion table; purposely.  Jason also touches on how he is a...

(00:00-37:20): Catherine McNiel is a speaker and writer of All Shall Be Well: Awakening to God’s Presence in His Messy, Abundant World and Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline . She joined Ian to talk about parenting during the pandemic, finding God in chaotic times and living in a posture of fear.   (37:20-1:13:56): Justin Gill is a teacher and writer on...

(00:00-37:17): We were joined by author, speaker, and CEO of Generation Distinct , Hannah Gronowski. Generation Distinct empowers young adults to discover the wrong they were born to make right, leading them to experience who Jesus really is and compelling them to lead others to experience who Jesus really is. She is launching the “ 2023 in 2023 ” initiative aims to unleash 2023 young...

(00:00-36:43): We were joined by the Executive Director of Ignite Church Planting , Lance Hurley. He shared the heart and mission behind this ministry. Ignite is a church-planting ministry located in one of America's greatest cities with a huge population base; Chicagoland and NW Indiana is home to 10 million people. It is estimated that almost 6.5 million people have no relationship with Jesus or...

(00:00-37:46): We were joined by Chris Baker, the founder of Ink180 , a tattoo removal service and ministry that helps gang members, victims of sex trafficking, and more to get a second chance. He shared his amazing story from living in LA to living in Chicago and how God redeemed him. He felt led to starting a service that helped people get a fresh start.  (38:42-1:15:50): We were joined by...

(00:00-09:42): Even with the Coronavirus continuing to affect large urban areas, states are refraining from stricter restrictions . Brian and Ian discuss COVID-19 and the way cities and states are handling it.  (09:42-19:16): Scot McKnight writes “ Evangelism in One Word? ” in Christianity Today. When Luke summarizes the apostles' preaching, he can reduce it to one word. Brian and...

(00:00-09:27): Update out of the Christian Post: ‘Defund Pornhub’: Christian actor Terry Crews declares as 1.5M demand porn site be shut down . Brian and Ian cover this growing story.  (09:27:27:27): We are joined by David Fitch, Chair of evangelical theology at Northern Seminary, Chicago. He posted a few days ago about how people use the Bible to coerce people into thinking a cer...

(00:00-09:00): Brian and Ian cover a few hot topics in the news. These include, llamas are essential to helping us fight COVID-19 , Barack Obama is among those hacked on Twitter , and North Carolina city approves 'reparations,' apologizes for role in slavery .  (09:00-34:24): We are joined by Rev. Esau McCaulley, Professor of the New Testament at Wheaton College. His doctoral dissertation, ca...

(00:00-09:53): Eight months after his most recent post on social media, John Crist posted this video on Facebook offering his apologies and explanations. John Crist had canceled his 2019 Tour Dates after several accusations of sexual misconduct were made against him .  (09:53-19:18): Interesting piece by Morgan Guyton in Patheos “ Celebrity-Driven Church Is Not Safe For Kids ”. Br...

(00:00-09:51): Lady A, the Blues Singer, Responds to Band’s Lawsuit: ‘They Always Knew What They Were Gonna Do’ . The Seattle-based singer told Vulture what she intended to do with the $10 million settlement offer the country band balked at. We spoke with the author of the article, music writer Chris Willman about the story.  (09:51-19:04): Joan C. Williams writes “ Th...

(00:00-09:51): We kick the show off with some major headlines over the weekend. The Washington Redskins are officially changing their nickname to remove the derogatory reference to Native Americans. Also, Trump is threatening to imprison those who defame statues in the state of Michigan .  (09:51-29:50): We are joined by author and pastor, Kyle Tennant . He goes into his background as a Metho...

(00:00-09:15): The COVID-19 outbreak has dominated the news. Brian and Ian spent a few minutes focusing on the other stories that haven’t gotten much attention because of the virus. (09:15-17:57): Francis Collins is a world-renowned geneticist and director of the National Institutes of Health, is the 2020 recipient of the Templeton Prize. The award honors individuals who use scientific advan...

(00:00-09:19): Coronavirus cases in Illinois have been trending downward in recent weeks , but the state recorded a large jump in positive tests Wednesday, recording the single-highest increase in cases in more than a month. Brian and Ian shared their reaction to where we are in the outbreak at this point. (09:19-27:57): David Ireland is the lead pastor of Christ Church , a multi-site multiracial...

(00:00-09:19): On NBC News: “ U.S. says foreign students may have to leave if their school goes online-only ”. The news comes as some colleges and universities, including Harvard , have announced they will hold online-only courses this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. (09:19-19:15): We were joined by Director of Athletics Communications at Judson University, Austin Anderson. He shar...

(00:00-09:09): As the Coronavirus continues to spread in certain areas, experts are concerned that the US is still only “ knee-deep ” in the crisis. Brian and Ian discuss the severity of the disease and what we can continue to do to prevent its spread.  (09:09-29:31): We are joined by author, speaker, consultant and ordained pastor, Skye Jethani . He discusses his book “ Wha...

(00:00-10:07): Brian and Ian kick the week off talking about their Fourth of July weekends. News flash: IT WAS HOT and there were explosions. They also covered the “Gospel in ‘Hamilton’, along with articles from Christianity Today by Ed Stetzer and Sarah Author .  (10:07-19:15): Megan Fowler writes “ How a Reformed Facebook Group’s Private Comments Turned Into a...

This show is made up of some of our favorite moments from the past few months. Enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:50): We have a few updates about several topics including Jeffery Epstein’s accomplice , the “ COVID party” in Alabama , and NBA2K’s tribute cover to Kobe Bryant .  (09:50-19:32): Kelly Hamren writes “ Reflections from a Christian scholar on Social Justice, Critical Race Theory, Marxism, and Biblical Ethics ” on No Walls Ministry.  (19:32-38:...

(00:00-09:14): Happy Birthday to our nation to the north, Canada! She turns 153 today. Brian and Ian chat about America’s Tophat and discuss interesting not-so-well known facts about them . It is also Bobby Bonilla day! The former MLB star is making $1.1 Million today, and will every year until 2035 . (09:14-19:05): Brett McCracken writes “ 4 Reasons to Wear a Mask, Even if You Hate It...

(00:00-09:25): Actor and creator of the Dick Van Dyke Show, Carl Reiner is dead at 98 . Brian and Ian take time to reflect on his expansive career in comedy and television.  (09:25-19:03): Amanda Casanova writes “ Only 39 Percent of Americans Believe 'Life Is Sacred,' Barna Finds ” in Christian Headlines. Brian and Ian try and understand why this is as they reflect on their own pe...

(00:00-09:58): We discuss several updates with Trump and sports in Alabama. The Governor of Alabama resigned after comments against the Alabama football team came out. Plus, Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana abortion law . (09:58-19:33): Carrie Kintz writes “ 7 Sayings People Mistake for Scripture ” in Church Leaders. Brian and Ian reflect on this as pastors, and share anecdotes on...

(00:00-36:38): A scheduling conflict forced Brian and Ian to be even more socially distanced than usual. During the first hour, Ian shared four blog posts from his past, some close to twenty years old: “Fences,” “Water,” “Library” and “Plans.” (36:38-46:59): Brian took over for the second hour of the show. He started out by talking about the implicat...

(00:00-09:45): Why have face masks become political? Brian and Ian talked about the weirdly divisive issue . (09:45-18:35): Jim Galvin joined Brian and Ian to talk about his new book "Maximizing Board Effectiveness: A Practical Guide for Effective Governance," and what Pastors need to know when they take on the task of running church organizations. (18:35-28:14): Did Evangelicals create “Can...

(00:00-09:51): The FBI said Tuesday a noose found in the team garage of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace at the Talladega Superspeedway has been there since last year and he, therefore, is not a victim of a hate crime . Brian and Ian talked about the social media reaction. (09:51-27:35): Andrew Lee is the Retired Senior Pastor at Chicago Christian Union Church. He joined Brian and Ian to talk about his...

(00:00-09:07): The NASCAR field gave a show of support for Bubba Wallace ahead of the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday after a noose was found in his team’s garage on Sunday. Brian and Ian shared their reaction. (09:07-28:09): TJ Stevens has a good life now, but in 1982 as an eighteen-year-old James Quentin Stevens opened fire in his high school, holding 10 people hostage for 2...