The Echo Collective

When most people hear the word theology, they might think of books, doctrines, debates. They might even think of a theologian in a sweater vest, smoking a pipe while pondering deep questions. But what if theology is ultimately about learning to see, speak, and live in the world the way God does? What if theology is also a child wanting to pray when something hard happens? In this conversation, Dr....

In The Silver Chair (Book 6 of Narnia), Aslan warns Jill to remember the signs because once she returns to Narnia, distraction and confusion will make remembering really hard. This short reflection discusses why forgetfulness is one of the central struggles of the human experience and how practices of remembering help us stay rooted when life gets crazy.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a weird story about a corrupt judge, a pesky widow, and a persistence that refuses to go down without a fight. In this episode, we explore why the parable is not about annoying God into answering our prayers, but about trusting the just and compassionate character of God while continuing to pursue mercy, justice, and hope in a weary world.

In this episode of Echo Collective, I sit down with Benji Horning for a thoughtful conversation about spiritual formation, not as a cultural buzzword, but as an ancient way of life. Together, we explore humility, the voice of the Spirit, the wisdom of the early church (among other things), and the ways we are all being formed by the world around us. At the center of it all is the invitation to bec...

This episode is quite simply a brief meditation from a book that I have been re-reading: The Silver Chair by C.S.Lewis. I thought it would make a great mini-episode. Thanks for tuning in.

Jesus tells a haunting story about a rich man who insulates himself from the suffering outside of his privileged life. In this episode of Echo Collective, we explore the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the danger of separation, and what happens when wealth, comfort, and convenience keep us from truly seeing the suffering of people right next to us.

In this episode, Jesus tells a story about a dishonest manager who gets praised by his master and it feels completely wrong. This parable, in my humble opinion is the most difficult parable to understand. But, when we have a good seat and the right prescription in our lenses, we can see the beauty that is revealed in this story; God is merciful beyond our comfortability. It is not a surprise that...

Matthew 25 gives us the Parable of the Talents. We’ve been given an idea that this parable is about using our gifts for God but what if it’s really about something way more risky? In a world that is pretty unsure about the Master (Jesus), I think this story is asking a very direct question: are you willing to risk by association? Enjoy!

In this episode, Jesus tells a story where the hero is a hated outsider. The parable of the Good Samaritan forces us to confront our own boundaries and is most certainly calling us to the kind of life that crosses them even when it costs us something.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and pastor Dr. Mark Foreman to talk about prayer and what it looks like to move beyond a transactional faith experience. Through our conversation, we explore the beautiful invitation into something deeper, a relationship with God that actually looks like friendship.

In this episode, we sit with one of Jesus’ most unsettling parables: a story where radical forgiveness and grace is met with cruelty and violence. This episode will ask us to consider what it means to truly receive grace and why it's meant to move through us, not just stop with us. This is the Parablw of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18.

Easter is not just about what happens after we die; it’s about what God does in places that already feel dead. This short reflection explores resurrection as both a future hope and a present reality, reminding us that because Christ is risen, everything is gonna be okay.

Why do Christians call the darkest day in the story “good”? This Good Friday episode explores the meaning of Good Friday , the significance of Holy Week, and the mystery of the Christ, who entered fully into human violence and refused to perpetuate the cycle.

In this episode, Jesus tells a short story about two men who go pray, but only one of them leaves right with God. In this episode, we explore tax-collectors and pharisees as categories, thew disease of self-righteousness, the necessity of humility, and the reality that desperation gets us closer to God than spiritual performance ever will.

Matthew 20 gives us the the parable of the workers in the vineyard where Jesus tells a story that completely obliterates our sense of fairness. God's generosity doesn't fit inside our paradigms of fairness...and that's a good thing.

The story doesn't end when the younger son comes home... Jesus isn’t finished yet. In the second half of the parable, we meet the older brother. He's loyal, faithful, responsible, and downright crusty. He's absolutely furious that grace has been given so freely. This part of the story is aimed at those of us who think we’ve been doing everything right all along. Watch out. These parabl...

Sometimes stories from the Bible become so familiar that they start to lose their impact. In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories about things that are lost. The third one is about two sons who are both, in their own ways, lost. We may think we know this story well, but maybe its familiarity has dulled its power. Let’s see if we can rediscover the grandeur of God’s grace.

In Matthew 21, Jesus tells a story about two sons. One son says the right thing but never does what is asked, and the other son says 'No' but eventually changes his mind and does it. This parable reminds us that in God's economy, transformation matters more than appearances and empty words. This is the parable of the 2 sons.

In this episode, I sit down with Willie Register , a longtime pastor and trusted friend, to talk honestly about the way we’ve emphasized decisions over formation. Together, we explore what it means to follow Jesus over a lifetime...it's the Long Game with Willie Register

Jesus describes the kingdom as a feast where the invitation is generous and the refusals are insulting. The prophet Isaiah dreamed of a day when God would host a banquet, swallow up death, and wipe away every tear. Now, Jesus says that feast is hot and ready. The question is not whether the table is set, but why so many still choose not to come.

Today we explore Jesus’ parables of the hidden treasure and the merchant looking for fine pearls. These are two stories about a kingdom that is so quietly present that most people miss it, yet it's so valuable that those who truly see it will gladly reorder their entire lives to possess it.

The rich fool thought he had finally arrived; He was secure, satisfied, and at ease. That fool thought he was living his best life. In this episode, we sit with an unsettling parable and consider how a life built around false security can quietly shrink until there’s no room left for anyone else.

Welcome to season 2! Before moving forward, it matters to say what we’re doing here. This episode sets the tone for season 2 by naming the vision, and the posture, and the kind of faith we’re trying to practice together. Thanks for joining us on the journey. Let's get into it.

On Christmas Day, we celebrate the new thing God is doing! Hope is made flesh in the birth of Jesus. This final Advent reflection says, "Finally! He is breaking into our weary world!" It's time to party!

It's Christmas Eve. We pause in wonder as God’s Spirit brings newness beyond our control, reminding us that salvation comes in ways that we never saw coming.