Podcasts Index

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.

In this episode of the Jesus Collective podcast, we sit with Dr. Mike O'Shea, Lead Pastor at Waterville Community Church and author of "All The Way Down: Rebuilding Christian Faith from the Rubble of Evangelicalism." Dr. O'Shea shares his journey from working in an international Evangelical mission organization to becoming a pastor helping people reimagine their faith.

Many Christians—especially young Christians stepping into a world and a church devastated by division, scandal, and abuse—are asking the question: "What is the gospel?" and deciding that the gospel is not good news. For many, it seems like our faith has little to offer the world around us. Our gospel has become too small—it looks nothing like the Jesus who embodies good news in the flesh. But what if we could re-discover the radical power of a Jesus-shaped Good News that upends religions, disrupts empires, heals the wounded, and empowers the marginalized? Join us as we chat with Jonny Morrison about his new book "Prodigal Gospel" which helps us get lost and found again in the Good News.

At Jesus Collective, we want to be a part of a movement that is trying to look more like Jesus in all things-- and that even includes how we grieve. Author and pastor Leanne Friesen joins us to discuss her book 'Grieving Room,' inspired by the loss of her sister to cancer. Leanne challenges common notions about grief, advocating for authentic emotional processing and the importance of rituals. She shares insights on supporting those in mourning, discusses how loss reshaped her pastoral approach and explores finding hope amidst pain. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or anyone navigating the difficult terrain of loss, this episode offers profound insights on creating space for authentic grieving and finding hope in the darkest moments. Join us for a conversation that will challenge, inspire, and provide practical guidance for walking alongside those in grief.

Join author and theologian Brad Jersak as we embark on a journey into the depths of the Cross. From Abbotsford, BC, Brad, the Principal of St. Stephen’s University, shares his personal evolution of understanding, moving away from the doctrine of penal substitution and towards a non-violent interpretation of atonement. Delving into the landscape of atonement theories, Brad challenges us to broaden our perspectives and embrace the endless mystery and meaning of the Cross. Reflecting on his influential book "Stricken By God?" and the changing ecclesial landscape, Brad offers valuable insights for pastors and church leaders seeking to preach a deeper understanding of Jesus' death, emphasizing the need to approach the Cross with fresh eyes and avoid reductionism. We hope this episode helps you explore the profound truths of the Crucified God.

There's a mystery and a question at the heart of the cross. In his new book "The Wood Between the Worlds," pastor and author Brian Zahnd passionately explores the kaleidoscopic and Theo-poetic nature of the cross, cautioning against misconceptions and urging a recapture of its scandal and shock in a world where it has become a mere religious cliché. From the Crucified God at the center of theology to a Trinitarian co-suffering perspective, Zahnd tackles profound questions about the cross, offering insights into the problem of evil and notions of justice while giving valuable advice for preachers seeking to expand congregational imagination. Join us for a captivating exploration of beauty, art, and poetic theology surrounding the cross, inviting listeners to embrace the mystery and significance of this symbol not just during Lent but throughout their theological journey.

Join us on an inspiring episode as we delve into the transformative power of unity and reconciliation with our special guest, Issa Sadi Ebombolo. Issa currently serves as the Peacebuilding Coordinator at the Mennonite Central Committee in Zambia and Malawi and brings a wealth of experience and hope to the conversation. From sharing impactful stories of reconciliation emerging from the Peace Clubs in Zambia to exploring the role of a unified church in addressing societal polarization, Issa provides valuable insights and practical strategies. As the former chair of the MCC Africa Peace Network, he offers a hopeful perspective on fostering unity in diverse cultural contexts and shares a message for North American church leaders on leading with a commitment to reconciliation. Tune in to discover the positive impact of peacebuilding, learn from successful initiatives, and explore practical steps for creating a more hopeful and unified church environment in today's polarized world.

Mental health and the conversation around it have reached crisis levels in our society. Yet the church has sometimes been hesitant to step into the conversation, fearing they are ill-equipped or overconfident. Join Pastor Jenni Waldron on a learning journey as she shares her family story, pastoral wisdom on walking with people and how the church can be a place of hope and healing.

There is so much emotional anxiety and polarity around issues confronting the church today... Division about politics, hand-wringing about de-churching and disputes over what it means to be Jesus-centred. Join Pastors Brian Zahnd and Greg Boyd as they speak words of hope and encouragement into this moment and how a chaste and diminished church can bring healing to the hopelessness of our moment.

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.