Unfinished Community Podcast

Two white guys talking about racism? How could you not want to check this one out? In all seriousness though, this is one episode where we broach an important topic; why is racism and white supremacy so attractive to white, male, Christians? Especially when it is so antithetical to the Gospel message? Of course, there's no better way to discuss that idea than by actually having two white, male, Ch...

Welcome to Episode 3 our new series on the Gospel , "Back to Basics." Featuring Lindsey Peacock and Pastor Don, this series takes a different approach to the Gospel message, working line-by-line through the text and discussing just what exactly is going on with this sometimes confusing, often-misinterpreted story.    This week, we settle in for the second half of Mark, Chapter 1, and we...

We're BACK again, with part 2 of our newest episode of Remote Pastoral Care! Today, we join Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley for the second half of a conversation that basically boils down to, "Why church?" What's the point? Why are we doing this big-building'd, insular-community'd, power-hungry-leader'd....thing? Join us for the exciting conclusion to our fun and hard-hitting conversation! Of cours...

Today is the SECOND episode of our new series on the Gospel , "Back to Basics." Featuring Lindsey Peacock and Pastor Don, this series takes a different approach to the Gospel message, working line-by-line through the text and discussing just what exactly is going on with this sometimes confusing, often-misinterpreted story.  In part 2 this week, we're tackling the Ancient Greek text itself, a...

Welcome to a new episode of our new series, "Kuma's Corner." Every Sunday, Pastor Don shares a brief message about a particular life issue, and how we can understand that in a healthy, Christian way. For our first episode, we're looking at one of the core issues of inequality; those in power and privelege moving the goalpoasts, and calling the poor and vulnerable lazy when they can't meet the ever...

Now that #SummerSabbath has come to a close, we're BACK with a new episode of Remote Pastoral Care! Today, we join Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley in a deep-dive discussion on church history, church and government, and the big question of what it *means* to be the church. What does church do for me, and what should it be doing for me? What is the point of these big damn buildings, sitting empty bec...

Today is the first episode of our new series on the Gospel , "Back to Basics." Featuring Lindsey Peacock and Pastor Don, this series takes a different approach to the Gospel message, working line-by-line through the text and discussing just what exactly is going on with this sometimes confusing, often-misinterpreted story. First, we're tackling Mark 1, verses 1-13, and in part 1 we focus more on u...

Now that we've come to the end of our #SummerSabbath , we want to introduce you to our new series, "Kuma's Corner." Every Sunday, Pastor Don will share a brief message about a particular life issue, and how we can deal with that in a healthy, Christian way. For our first episode, we're looking at the way adults, and parents in particular, manage to look past the frustrating, stupid, and occasional...

During our Summer Sabbath, we’re using our time to prep new material for September. However, for every piece of “new” content that we manage to get rolling, there’s always a few that don’t make it out. So, this month, we’re going to be showcasing some of the truly “unfinished” projects that we’ve tried to make which, for whatever reason, didn’t entirely work out. Today’s Unfinished Project is the...

During our Summer Sabbath, we’re using our time to prep new material for September. However, for every piece of “new” content that we manage to get rolling, there’s always a few that don’t make it out. So, this month, we’re going to be showcasing some of the truly “unfinished” projects that we’ve tried to make which, for whatever reason, didn’t entirely work out.  Today’s Unfinished Project i...

Join us for PART 2 of our first Japan-residents-only episode of Remote Pastoral Care. We've got a great conversation about the wider world of Christianity, insights about how this denominational mess comes together, and the role of American Christianity in pulling the rest of the world in odd, even dangerous directions. It was a fun, lively conversation, so check out part 1 if you haven't already,...

Even though our community is ostensibly "based" in Japan, this. is the first episode of this series featuring ONLY people from Japan! Join us for a conversation about Christianity in the wide world, the intersection of American culture and the teachings of Jesus, and an exploration of how this whole great mess comes together. It was a fun, lively conversation, so check it out! Of course, if you're...

Like it says on the tin, this *isn’t* a sermon!  I actually hadn’t planned on delivering a sermon today, but God has a funny way of working inspiration when you’re reading Amos on the Fourth of July. So, listen in for some more off-the-cuff remarks about Amos, justice, and the uncomfortable situation of being both American and Christian in a time when both groups are the perpetrators of great inju...

Join us today for part 2 of our episode featuring Steve, Audra, and Courtney, and our new guest Jay! Watch and/or listen for the exiting conclusion to our conversation about coming out, Christian education, and our own experiences with the judgmental voices that call out from within the Christian church. Of course, if you're hungry for more, come join us on Discord! As an online church community,...

With Scripture read from Mark 5:21-43 by our new Education Director, Audra Warrick, today's sermon looks into the "Markan Sandwich" story of Jairus' daughter, and the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. Both of these sound like terribly dramatic stories in their own right, but when they are brought together we find a story that deconstructs power and privilege, and teaches us something about...

In today's episode of Remote Pastoral Care, we're joined by regulars Steve, Audra, and Courtney, and. anew guest Jay! We spend our time talking about coming out, Christian education, and everything in between. It was. a great conversation; so great that it's another two-part episode! So check out part one today, and tune in next week for part two!   Of course, if you're hungry for more, come...

In today's episode of Remote Pastoral Care, we're joined by our new Director of Education Audra, and our returning guest Emmie Arnold, a chaplain with the PC(USA). We spend our time talking about fear, faith, and how we wrestle with some of the darkest, most difficult moments in life, as well as how that applies to larger issues of justice, mercy, and generally not being an idiot. Check it out! &n...

In today's episode of Remote Pastoral Care, we're joined by some old faces, but two new faces as well. With Kate and Audra, we start by digging into some of the weird, sexual misconceptions at the root of supposed "Christian" opposition to women's rights and bodily autonomy, and we wander through a number of good topics from there. Join us for an in-depth conversation on some truly meaningful issu...

Working out of Mark 3:19b-25 (as read this week by Kate Mears), we spend our time today wrestling with one of the most annoying passages in scripture, and trying to figure out just what it means to be advocates for a God who calls us to real, true reconciliation. Do we keep making calls for bold and decisive action, big proud speeches that call for justice and paint our opponents as enemies of pro...

In today's episode of "Remote Pastoral Care," we enter into the long-expected second part of our crossover episode! Featuring Rev. Dr. JJ Flag of the UCC, and Steve Augustin, we continue logically from our multi-topic conversation last week and spend some time talking about Christian worship, music, and how all...that...works. It's part 2, y'all! So enjoy! Of course, if you're hungry for more, com...

In today's episode of "Remote Pastoral Care," we get what is quite possibly the greatest crossover event in denominational history! Ok...at least the greatest crossover event in the history of Unfinished Community, at any rate. This week we we are joined by both our regular contributors, Courtney Fraley and Steve Augustin, as well as Rev. Dr. JJ Flag of the United Church of Christ, and Chaplain Em...

Working out of Romans 8:22-27, we spend our time today meditating on just what it means to encounter the Holy Spirit when we don't feel like big, flaming pageantry. What does God need with big, bold miracle stories anyways, and why are we always so fixated on this one miracle story, when God isn't about the big show of force anyways? Join us for a conversation about the quiet Spirit this Pentecost...

In today's episode of "Remote Pastoral Care," Courtney and I start the process of breaking down a big issue, and one that really weighs on a lot of hearts: sin, predestination, and the question of why there is evil in the world if God truly plans out every last detail. At the heart of this discussion is the story of Judas Ischariot, and just...what's up with that guy.   It was a good conversa...

Today's scripture comes from John 15:9-17, and in it we find a sermon that was almost too difficult for me to write! Today we talk about Christ as our friend, as our "buddy," and confront the one thing that our evangelical and charismatic "siblings" actually get very right in how they conceive of almighty God. As always, today's sermon is meant to be the start of a conversation, not the whole thin...

One of the many challenges during a pandemic is that you simultaneously find yourself with enough time on your hands to deeply consider and wrestle with all the inconsistencies, questions, worries, and doubts you have encountered along your faith journey, while at the same time being completely unable to just...go to church and have a sit-down with the pastor to hash them out. Well...allow us to i...