THE UN-SILENT CHURCH

Sometimes, the dilemma with modern language is the inadequacy to accurate describe a complex, layered problem simply. Evidence of this is seen time and time again when we're faced with tragedy, and almost universally, most of us are at a "loss for words." In this episode with John O, we get the privilege to talk about a new language that every one of us needs to learn, but almost none of us know h...

In this episode we discuss the problem with left and right thinking and how a third way gives us better understanding.

There's been much discussion about the crisis men in America are going through, and now it seems that men, particularly Gen Z men, are becoming more religiously affiliated. In contrast, more and more, women of the same age group, are increasingly becoming more and more unaffiliated when choosing their attachment to religious institutions. Why is that? Are men finding who they are, finding purpose...

In a series of executive orders, the new administration has created a storm of new policies, budget cuts and big rollbacks of standing initiatives, not surprisingly including the rollback of all DEI programs throughout government agencies. Alongside those changes, many corporations lined up "Atten-hut," and removed many of the DEI line items in their budgets corporate documents. What just happened...

By 2034, the global health and wellness market is projected to reach $9.94 trillion. If someone were to do the math, what would the global church "market" be projected to reach? You've probably never considered church to be an industry, but for centuries, people have used the gospel for capital gain. Remember, it was because of the money changers, that Jesus tied together a whip and began turning...

From Big 3 to Big Me, Kendrick Lamar has established himself as an undeniable force, not just in music, but in culture. After his massive hit diss record, it was clear that there are levels in this game and according to Kendrick, he's on a level on his own. With that said, he's not been silent about his spiritual journey, citing on record thoughts he's had about what people like Lecrae and Dee1 wo...

The following is some statistical data as it pertains to Maricopa County: One in ten Americans aged 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse.  Women and those over the age of 80 are more likely to experience abuse as well as those with physical and health conditions. Two out of every three victims are women.  90% of abusers are known to the victim and in almost 60% of elder abuse and...

In this episode of the Unsilent Church Podcast, we're continuing the practice of wrestling with important topics that impact the lives we and so many around us live. In this episode we wrestle with the inevitability of AI in preaching, along with one NBA player's decision to "give up basketball for full-time ministry." What would Jesus do with ChatGPT? Would OpenAI have come up with the Sermon on...

In this episode of the UNSILENT Church, we address a number of issues, starting with the misconception of being a "good" Christian. In the early days when followers of Jesus were first called "Christians," it was because their actions were much clearer than those who did not follow the way. Today, is it still as easy to spot a Christian in the wild, simply by the good things they do or the kind th...

If Jesus were to see the criminal justice system in America today, what kind of parable do you think he would tell? In this episode of the Unsilent Church, Chrystal McCowan and Joshua Coe join us from Neighbors Table, an organization that exists to equip local churches to see and serve the least among us—especially those in prison. We've done well in past years to talk and embrace the idea of reco...

Thanks for listening to the unsilent church podcast. In this episode, we have the privilege of holding a conversation with Gizette Knight, founder of the Black History Matters mural project that showcases key leaders in history who have contributed to American History in ways often overlooked. When I say the names Robert Smalls, Carter G. Woodson, or W.E.B. DuBois, Charles Harrison Mason, Richard...

Thanks for listening to the unsilent church podcast. This is our third episode talking about idea of a post-black America—and can something like that really exist. We’re in an election year at the time of this recording, and there’s no more effective way to force a conversation than to present people with two polar opposites and force them to choose. Psychologists use this tactic often for persona...

Thanks for listening to the unsilent church podcast. We’re carrying forward our conversation from black history month talking about black identity in America how it has become more fluid in its essence. 

To be black in the country very much meant to push against the boundaries that were put around specific people in this country. That common experience, though wrongfully set, did create a culture...

Thanks for listening to the unsilent church podcast. It’s black history month, and without apology, we’re going to celebrate that, so we’re starting a new season on the podcast titled, “The Souls of Black Folk.” If that sounds familiar, it’s because the name comes from the classic work by W.E.B. DuBois, and similar to the purpose of that book, in this episode, we’re talking about what it means to...

How much does representation still matter today? In a country that’s professed equality for all but has an unfortunate history of bias and preference for specific people groups, must it remain a priority, in an effort to create a more just future, to maintain laws that ensure the equal treatment and representation of all people? Is it even possible for laws to achieve those outcomes considering th...

Thanks for listening to the Unsilent Church Podcast. This is the last episode in this season around the idea of “serving the city.” With every episode, after listening, our hope is that you walk away with a valuable insight that helps you navigate your life with more awareness, empathy, and compassion. This episode is no different. Our guest is Eunice Yazzie, founder of Indige Design Collab and co...

Thanks for listening to the Unsilent Church Podcast. If you’ve been listening this season, you know that we’ve been talking all about serving the city and how the church can play a critical role in the growth, development and health of our cities. But what about art…and creativity?

 What can the church do to help facilitate and make room for creativity and the arts? Even more so, would you ever b...

In this season, we’ve been talking about serving the city, and what it looks like to be a part of communities in a way that benefits the people while demonstrating God’s presence. 

A regular conversation happening in the city centers around the idea of community development? What is it, how do we do it, and how can the church play a role in facilitating the kind of community development that hono...

Thanks for listening to the Unsilent Church Podcast. Whether you’re new here or have been listening for a while, you may not know that we also record these episodes on video. You can find many these podcasts on YouTube, so if you prefer to watch these episodes, head over to YouTube and subscribe to our channel to so you see new episodes in your feed as we release them.

In this episode of the Unsilent Church Podcast, we're talking about serving the city and how our presence, our attention and our connection with one another helps us do that. With us today is owner and operator of The Churchill, in downtown Phoenix, Kel Duncan. He shares the story of how he got started, how the Churchill got its name, and what the city needs to do in order to do the best for its c...

For reasons beyond our understanding, "social justice" has become a term of derision, often cast away as an unclean things that must be kept separate. However, when we read about the life and behaviors of Jesus—and pay close attention to His words—we quickly realize that those who would attempt to distance justice in the social sphere away from the heart of the gospel, may well be distancing thems...

When you hear the word "gentrification," how does it make you feel? If you've grown up in the hood, or most neighborhoods of lesser means, when you hear the term "gentrification," it probably makes you cringe—and rightfully so. So much of what comes with gentrification and redevelopment deserves that kind a response, if not even resistance. But if gentrification is a tidal wave that's bound to com...

As we’ve been in this 3rd season of the podcast, we’ve had the indelible privilege of speaking to people who have been at the center of justice and peace activity, both in their life personally, as an application of biblical instruction, but also in their city…and fort us here, they’ve been active and at the center of justice and peace in our city, making the kind of difference that for our guest...

In this season of the podcast, we decided to address the topic of justice and how we might see more just societies. We’ve mentioned that we’d be inviting guests, and we had the greatest privilege enjoying conversation with Pastor Aubrey Barnwell, Senior Pastor at First New Life Missionary Baptist Church in South Phoenix. On the issue of justice, Christians have found themselves on opposite sides o...

This episode is sort of a one off, and we’ll have a few of these sprinkled in between our regularly scheduled programming throughout this season. But in case you missed it, Netflix released a documentary about the artist formerly known as Kanye West, entitled JEEN-YUHS—and before I go further, let this serve as a public service announcement that there’s a good chance we may spoil it for you if you...