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Monday, November 4, 2024

Power, Peacemakers, and Politics

This is not new, but we have a problem with power. Everyday we see stories of power being abused and misused…In a world where forgiveness was inaccessibly expensive for most, a forgiveness scam, Jesus came to establish a whole new forgiveness economy, for the everyone and anyone…Be people of peace. Be people of hope. And love courageously.

Podcasts

These are relational online learning and equipping hangouts for like-minded leaders to wrestle with what Jesus-centred living and leadership means while learning from and engaging interactively with thought and practice leaders from this growing Jesus-centred movement.

Check out our featured podcast as well as past episodes below.

Unite Series 01: How Can a Church Centered on Jesus Surrender Power in a World Obsessed With Control? With David Fitch

Welcome to Episode 1 in our Unite Series. We are exploring themes we will dive deeper into at our global Unite Gathering on April 24 – 26, 2024 in St. Paul, MN. In this episode, Paul Walker and Christie Penner Worden sit down with Northern Seminary Professor David Fitch to talk about his new book (January 30, 2024) called Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When it’s On the Wrong Side of Power. Dave, Paul, and Christie have a practical and honest conversation about what happens when the church unknowingly bases its power assumption on a secular operating system. This conversation surfaces important mistakes the church is making in our time and what we can do to align ourselves with Jesus in how we lead and operate communities of Jesus in our cultural moment. 

www​.jesus​col​lec​tive​.com/​unite

Check out Dave’s forthcoming book Reckoning with Power

Past Episodes

November 3, 2024

A Jesus-Shaped Political Advocacy With Anna Vogt

Join us for a compelling conversation with Anna Vogt, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), as we explore what Jesus-shaped political advocacy looks like in today’s complex world. Drawing from over a decade of experience with MCC, including years of grassroots work in Colombia, Anna shares powerful stories of transformation, reconciliation, and the occasionally surprising journey of loving one’s enemies.

In this timely discussion, we dive into how Christians can navigate political engagement while maintaining their primary allegiance to Jesus, especially during this unprecedented global election year. Anna offers practical wisdom for church leaders seeking to foster unity amid political division and shares insights on building communities of peace that stand as alternatives to our culture’s polarized discourse.

From witnessing prisoners being set free to seeing communities forge paths to peace, Anna’s experiences illuminate how faith-informed advocacy can help make the impossible possible. Whether you’re a pastor, peace worker, or someone wrestling with faith’s role in politics, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on embodying Jesus’ way in our political engagement.

Referenced links from the podcast

Advocacy toolkit and resources: www​.mcc​.org/​g​e​t​-​i​n​v​o​l​v​e​d​/​a​d​v​o​c​a​c​y​/​c​anada

Talk climate, practice peace: www​.mcc​.org/​w​h​a​t​-​w​e​-​d​o​/​i​n​i​t​i​a​t​i​v​e​s​/​c​l​i​m​a​t​e​-​c​h​a​n​g​e​/​t​a​l​k​-​c​l​i​m​a​t​e​-​p​r​a​c​t​i​c​e​-​peace

Peaceful Practices: A guide to healthy communication in conflict: www​.mcc​.org/​r​e​s​o​u​r​c​e​s​/​p​e​a​c​e​f​u​l​-​p​r​a​c​t​i​c​e​s​-​g​u​i​d​e​-​h​e​a​l​t​h​y​-​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​-​c​o​n​flict

Anna’s website: www​.annavogt​.ca

Sign up for the Peace & Justice newsletter: www​.mcc​.org/​i​m​p​a​c​t​/​n​e​w​s​l​e​t​t​e​r​s​/​p​e​a​c​e​-​j​u​stice


October 24, 2024

The Surprising Rebirth of Christianity in a Secular Age with Justin Brierley

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Justin Brierley, who has created spaces for meaningful conversations between believers and skeptics, earning respect from both communities for his thoughtful approach to faith, science, and culture.

In this episode, Justin shares his remarkable journey from an early podcast pioneer to a respected cultural commentator. Drawing from his extensive experience and insights from his recent book The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God” (2023), he explores the unexpected resurgence of religious interest among public intellectuals and what this means for the future of faith.

In this episode, we delve deep into:

The art of hosting difficult conversations across ideological divides

How twenty years of dialogue with skeptics has shaped his faith

The current meaning crisis” and Christianity’s unique response

The decline of New Atheism and the changing landscape of belief

Practical wisdom for church leaders engaging with a post-Christian culture

Justin brings a unique perspective on bridging the gap between intellectual discourse and everyday faith. Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers valuable insights on navigating faith in an increasingly complex world.

Visit www​.justin​bri​er​ley​.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

October 10, 2024

The Me I Was Made To Be with Christie Penner Worden

In this episode of The Jesus Collective Podcast, we sit down with Christie Penner Worden, author of The Me I Was Made to Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate the Identity Conversation. Christie dives deep into the heart of her new book, exploring how today’s kids and youth are grappling with identity in ways that often differ from the adults in their lives.

Together, we discuss how parents and church leaders can walk alongside young people as they navigate questions of who they are and how they fit into God’s family. Christie emphasizes the importance of telling a more Jesus-centered, gospel-rooted story that invites kids into the conversation rather than leaving them out.

This episode offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to love, guide, and understand the next generation as they learn who they are and who they are in Christ. Tune in for a thoughtful, heartfelt discussion on how we can better engage in these crucial conversations and help kids feel safe, seen, and valued within the family of God.

Thanks for listening!

www​.jesus​col​lec​tive​.com

Videos

Check out some engaging content, highlights from recent events, and stories from within the Jesus Collective community.