The Word Made Fresh

What does it mean for a church—or a life—to grow? In this episode of The Word Made Fresh, we kick off a new series: “How Our Garden Grows.” Using the metaphor of gardening, we explore what it looks like to plant seeds, tend the soil, and cultivate something meaningful—not just for now, but for generations we may never see. This isn’t strategic planning as usual. It’s something more alive. More fle...

This week, Riverside Church welcomes Rev. Brandan Robertson — author, activist, and theologian — for a special Pride Eve conversation ahead of his May 31st sermon, "Just As I Am." In this preview, Brandan shares what to expect from his message rooted in Isaiah 56, where the prophet envisions a world where eunuchs — the sexual and gender minorities of the ancient world — are not just welcomed but g...

Pentecost isn’t quiet. It’s not calm. And it’s definitely not controlled. In Acts 2, the Spirit shows up like fire and wind—loud, disruptive, and impossible to ignore. But what if that’s the point? This week, we explore what it means to be gathered together in all our differences, to be pushed beyond comfort, and to remember that the Spirit doesn’t belong to us—we’re invited to move with it.

What does it look like to practice faith the way a dancer practices technique? In this week's conversation, Rev. Jim Keat sits down with Rev. Adriene Thorne to explore Philippians 2 — home of the ancient Christ Hymn — and discover that Paul isn't asking us to believe the right things. He's asking us to move the right way. With dancers in worship, a community annual meeting on the horizon, and the...

What does it mean to be the church when nobody is doing it perfectly? This week on The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Jim Keat sits down with Dr. Jillian Langford to explore Philippians 1—a deeply personal letter from Paul written while in prison… and yet filled with joy, gratitude, and a surprising claim: “What does it matter? Just that Christ is proclaimed.” But does it really not matter how Christ is pr...

What if faith wasn’t about proving you’re right—but staying curious? This week on The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim explore Acts 17, where Paul finds himself in Athens surrounded by unfamiliar beliefs, practices, and altars—including one to an “unknown god.” Instead of condemning or correcting, Paul does something unexpected: He affirms. He connects. He gets curious. In a world shaped...

A few weeks after Easter, we return to the pulpit with a challenging and deeply honest conversation about Acts 16—the story of Paul, Silas, and a slave girl. But what if we’ve been reading this story wrong? Instead of focusing on Paul and Silas, Rev. Adriene Thorne invites us to center the unnamed enslaved girl—her exploitation, her “liberation,” and the unsettling question: what actually happened...

What does Acts 2 have to do with Earth Day? In this episode of The Word Made Fresh Rev. Jim sits down with Rev. Derrick Weston—pastor, author, and leader with Creation Justice Ministries—to explore a bold and timely sermon: “Recruiting Terrorists.” This conversation dives into the idea of ecological conversion—a transformation of faith that moves beyond belief into action. Why has the church often...

What happens after Easter? In this episode of The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Jim Keat sits down with Rev. Mira Sawlani-Joyner to explore John 20:19–31, where the disciples are hiding behind locked doors, afraid of what comes next—even after the resurrection. Sound familiar? In a world filled with fear, uncertainty, political tension, and exhaustion, this conversation wrestles honestly with what it mean...

Easter is almost here—but what if resurrection isn’t just something that happened… or something we celebrate once a year? In this episode of The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Adriene Thorne and Jim Keat explore what it means to reimagine resurrection—not as a distant miracle, but as a lived, embodied reality. From Holy Week practices like foot washing and Tenebrae, to the power of imagination, forgiveness...

What if we didn’t skip straight to Easter? This week on The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat explore a surprising approach to Palm Sunday—one that turns toward the crucifixion instead of away from it. Drawing from John 19, this conversation invites us to slow down and sit with the hardest part of the story: suffering, grief, and the cross. In a world filled with pain, injusti...

This Sunday is Pride Sunday! Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk about this Sunday's text (Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-31) and what it's like to preach the same text six months later! Also, this is the Season Finale for The Word Made Fresh. But don't worry, we'll be back in September!

Get out of the boat! What does it mean to step away from fear and step into who God is calling you to be? Listen in as Rev. Jim Keat talks with this Sundays guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams, about the sermon she will be preaching from Matthew 14:22-33 as well as how she goes about writing a sermon and why you should be looking forward to experiencing this one! Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Wil...

Science fiction uses language and ideas from the future to talk about the present. And in many ways, apocalyptic literature does the same! Join Rev. Jim Keat as he reflects on the book of Revelation, this particular passage from chapter 21, and invites us all to learn more about Dr. Yii-Jan Lin, the guest preacher at The Riverside Church this Sunday. Be sure to join us for Open Bible Study at 9:30...

Are you in step with the Spirit? Sit down with Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim as they dive in to the of the letter to the Galatians, exploring the Work of the Flesh, the Fruit of the Spirit, and what it means to be in step with and guided by the Spirit. Bonus: you'll also hear Rev. Jim talk about his marathon strategy and some excellent podcasts that Rev. Adriene recommends.

You foolish Galatians! Dive in to Galatians 3 with Rev. Jim and Rev. Jabe as they explore how it is coming to life in the sermon Rev. Jabe will be preaching this Sunday. Consider this conversation a mini seminary class -- buckle up and get ready to wade into the theological deep end! Join us on Sunday as we talk more about this text: http://www.trcnyc.org/SundayMorningWorship

Galatians! A new book but a familiar story -- what is the solution for church conflict? Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk about this Sunday's text (Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21). And bonus conversation -- what exactly does it mean to be "crucified with Christ?" Listen in to find out!

Listen in as Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat reflect on a text that neither of them are preaching. But you're in luck, because this Sunday's preacher is one that we will all be eager to hear -- Rev. Dr. Andrea White! And be sure to keep listening to this extra-long and extra-special episode as Rev. Adriene tells Rev. Jim all about the why and how of her approach to preaching. If you ever wan...

It's all about trust. Listen in as Rev. Jim talks with Rev. Adriene about the sermon she will be preaching this Sunday at The Riverside Church. Put on your running shes as we follow Phillip sprinting down the wilderness road to talk with the Ethiopian Eunuch.

What can we learn from older adults? That is one question we will have answered this Sunday at The Riverside Church. Rev. Tim Dalton will step into the pulpit as we celebrate Older Adults Month for a sermon filled with the voices and stories of older adults from our Riverside community. Join Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim as they sit down with Rev. Tim to talk about this coming Sunday and the story of...

What is Holy Humor Sunday? What is Rev. Jim planing for this sermon? Pull up a chair as he talks with Rev. Adriene about this coming Sunday at The Riverside Church. (And if you know anything about Rev. Jim's sermons, you know he has a surprise or two tucked up his sleeve!)

Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they look ahead to Easter Sunday. And yes, while this day is special, so is every day. While you might only hear the timpani and brass on Easter Sunday, we are intentional about bringing a little Easter magic into every Sunday (and every day!). Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk about what you can expect this Sunday at Riverside! Visit http://...

Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they take a closer look at the story of Jesus entrance into Jerusalem (Luke 19:29-44). And even though there aren't any palm branches in the text, we'll still e waving them on Sunday!

Join Rev. Jim Keat as he sits down with Minister Heelee Velez to talk about Luke 18:31—19:10, the story of Jesus healing a blind man and sharing a meal with a tax collector (Zacchaeus!) and the sermon she will be preaching on Sunday. And watch out, because she's got a secret about her sermon that she's not sharing! Leave a comment and let us know what you think it might be!

Jesus is talking about money, specifically one person who has it and one person does not. What is the relationship between the rich and the poor? How do they engage the world around them and what might God have in store for those on the extremes of an ever-expanding wealth gap in our world? Join Rev. Jim Keat as he rolls into this week's Narrative Lectionary text (Luke 16:19-31) and offers a few t...