Podcasts Index

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.

We sit down with Jenni Waldron and Preston Ulmer as they share their perspectives and insights as practitioners who are deepening their discipleship and creating spaces of discipleship for others. Both Jenni and Preston are leaning into a practice-based way of engaging spiritual formation and discipleship through Jesus XP (the Jesus Experience). They share how this relational resource has been deeply impacting people in the way of Jesus. Pull up a chair to the metaphorical podcast table and listen in as we explore a practical Jesus-centered tool to form Jesus more deeply in those we love and lead.

Join Jesus Collective for a live podcast episode featuring Marlena Graves. In this live podcast, we will explore Marlena's latest book "Bearing God: Living a Christ-formed Life in Uncharted Waters." Together, we will explore what makes Jesus-centered spiritual formation unique and how it equips us to be non-anxious leaders in a world characterized by uncertainty, anxiety, polarization, and a longing for control.

Join Keith Smith and Jon Hand as they talk about how we can deepen our leadership and discipleship to Jesus in a polarized world. Jesus Collective is committed to helping leaders be better leaders by becoming better followers of Jesus. One of the ways you can deepen your Jesus-centered leadership is by exploring our Online Learning Collective. Today, Keith and Jon talk about the upcoming OLC launching in January 2023 and how this experience is intricately designed for practical learning and personal transformation.

A pastor, lobbyist, network leader, and Middle East peace advocate talk about the war in Palestine and Israel. Join Keith Smith, Mercy Aiken, Anna Vogt, and Jon Hand as they share insights into the unfolding war and how we can be peacemakers in the tensions created by this tragedy.

Join Paul and Cherish in this insightful exploration into the wisdom of the New Testament book of Galatians. Professor Mark Baker, author of Centered-Set Church, highlights his new commentary on Galatians. This conversation highlights the humanity of Paul, the missional heart of this letter, how this letter addresses identity and cancel culture, and how it critiques progressive and conservative ideologies, plus much more.

In these dynamic times, a healthcare professional, church developer, co-pastor, and network leader come together to discuss the relevancy of Jesus. Be part of this varied group of leaders as they explore the implications of adopting a Jesus-centric approach to address the emerging challenges in their specific environments. This engaging dialogue underscores the significant and optimistic role that the church plays in their settings. Tune in to hear stories of personal growth, the influence of the Gen Z demographic, and strategies for leading more optimistically during uncertain times.