The ChurchNext Podcast

Join the Chair of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington's Commission on Ministry, Fr. Jeff Queen, as he unpacks what gifts are frequently brought to the priesthood, how discernment 'works', and what a priest's life is like.

Every year 16-20 million guns are sold in the U. S. America is extremely adept at designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling firearms. Unfortunately, we are ill-equipped to go the other way. Because the U.S. lacks any kind of economical, affordable, practical, and attractive way to remove unwanted weapons from circulation, municipalities, churches and other groups have stepped in to fill the void by doing gun buybacks. In this class (turned podcast) you will learn the essentials in how to sponsor a gun buyback that are covered in these information-packed presentations: 1. Why Sponsor a Gun Buyback? 2. Strategic Partnerships 3. Running a Buyback 4. Aftermath This course is designed to help churches and community groups think through the main concerns of sponsoring a buyback in order to make their communities safer and live into Jesus' teachings of caring for our neighbors.

You are listening to Episode number 102 - it’s called "Israel, Gaza, and a Jewish Perspective with Aaron Starr" Aaron is a Conservative rabbi overseeing one of the largest Jewish congregations in Michigan, Shaarey Zedek.

Imam Steve Elturk provides an overview of Israel and Gaza from a Muslim perspective. He explains the historical, religious, and cultural connections that Palestinians have to historic Palestine. He also walks participants through the key political events of the last 120 years that have led to the current conflict in Israel and Gaza. He also offers his perspective on key steps leaders need to take to ensure just and lasting peace in the area.

The Venerable Tim Spannaus, archdeacon of the Diocese of Michigan explores the ministry of deacons, from the history and biblical roots to the evolution of the ministry in today's churches. He explains why the church developed the order of deacons and the importance of their role in Christian community. This course also lays out the discernment process: the steps to take if you're feeling called to this special ministry.

The violence and death in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is wrenching. How did we get here? What are the historical and biblical contexts that play a role in this conflict? And what can we do? Archdeacon Paul Feheley, Partnership Officer for the Middle East for the Episcopal Church, offers an insightful primer on the historical and biblical components of the conflict as well as information about the Anglican Communion's ministry in the area. He also provides information about three important ways people of faith can help.

. Try researching on your own. Use some of the following resources to learn more. Making Sense of the Cross Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and PracticesThe Scriptures, the Cross, and the Power of GodSeven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with JesusCross-Shattered Christ: Meditations on the Seven Last Words You might be interested in other ChurchNext classes on the cross and the resurrection. Consider the following courses: Making Sense of the Cross, Part 1 with David LoseMaking Sense of the Cross, Part 2 with David Lose.Making Sense of the Cross, Part 3 with David LoseFinding the Resurrected Jesus with Susan GoffWalk in Love, Part 2: Marking Time with Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson ShobeWalk in Love, Part 5: The Trinitarian Life with Scott Gunn And Melody Wilson Shobe

We hear about Jesus' invitation to follow him throughout our lives. But what does this "great proposal" really mean? What does it mean to actually follow Jesus in the way he calls us to do? The institution of the Church we have have created is most likely quite different from the path Jesus had in mind when he told Peter he would build his Church "on this rock." In this episode, author and community activist Larry Stoess takes us on a journey of of imaging how to put the values of Jesus' to work in our communities so that we can truly follow him, living and loving like he taught us to in our neighborhoods and communities. Larry calls us to enter into the mystery of the kingdom of God, into which Jesus invites us.

Books: Think Red: Imagine Your Community Living and Loving Like JesusThe Way of Love: A Practical Guide to Following JesusFaithful Questions: Exploring the Way with JesusYou might be interested in other ChurchNext classes on daily spirituality and social justice. Consider the following courses: Who is Jesus? with Jason FoutFinding the Resurrected Jesus with Susan GoffBecoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic RacismFrom Palace to Public Square: The Way of Love

Depression is real. It can touch anyone -- even a bishop in The Episcopal Church. Mental illness is often stigmatized in our culture and even in the Church, but it doesn't have to be. Taking the time to learn about and recognize that mental illness is a part of everyday life for many people, even those we don't suspect of suffering from it, is part of our Christian duty to recognize the dignity of God in each person. In this episode Rob Hirschfeld shows us ways to work with depression in five short lectures: This episode will interest those looking to learn more about how to reach out to people with depression and mental illness and anyone who suspects they or a loved one may be suffering from depression.

Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms, and Party LinesBraver Angels website Civic Engagement Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil DiscourseBridging the Political Divide with Parker PalmerCivil Conversations in Uncivil Times with Ray SuarezFaithful Dissent: Loving Our Way into a Brighter Tomorrow Prayer from Prayers for a Privileged People by Dr. Walter Brueggeman

Bringing a pet into our home as a pulls us out of our human-focused mindset and into direct relationship with an element of God's created world. The fact that in a culture where many of us no longer need pets for practical reasons, so many people take on the expense and responsibility of caring for animals suggests that we long for this connection with God's creation. In this episode, the Rev. Emily Mellott discusses ways in which our connection with animals brings humans, ultimately, into relationship with God. Her talks include: This course is ideal for pet lovers. For a preview, please click below.

BOOKS Christian Vegetarian AssociationGuided by the Faith of Christ: Seeking to Stop Violence and ScapegoatingGood News for All CreationDominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to MercyThe Global Guide to Animal TheologyCreatures of the Same God: Explorations in Animal TheologyWhy All Christians Should Go Vegan OTHER CHURCHNEXT COURSES Water and JusticeHoly Grounds: The Surprising Connections Between Coffee and FaithChristians and Climate Change

Lindsay Hardin Freeman looked at every instance of a woman speaking in the Bible, and what she found is powerful, life-giving, and transformational. Based on her award-winning book published by Forward Movement, Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter, Freeman invites us into a sacred circle of inspiring voices. While we all may be familiar with Mary, Martha, Sarah, and Elizabeth, we may be surprised to discover that not only do none of these women hold the record for speaking the most in the Bible, but those that do offer equal inspiration in their words and deeds. Her talks cover: This episode will interest those who are interested in Bible study, especially those looking to hear women's voices in scriptures.

The word 'icon' is perhaps most popularly used with reference to a thumbnail image on our computers: it is a small illustration that takes us someplace else. This is the same with the library of Christian imagery that believers have been using for centuries to take them somewhere else - into a deeper sense of the presence and understanding of God. In this episode, pastor and teacher Randall Warren introduces us to the theology, history, and practice of icons, showing us how we might use them to deepen our own faith in Jesus.

Books: Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman Online Resources: QuakerSpeak - a bi-weekly series on YouTube Silence and Witness (2004) by Michael Lawrence Birkel. Quaker.org: "A place for people worldwide to access reliable basic information about the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers) and to explore resources that could help them find a spiritual path and community." Quaker.org is a project of Friends Publishing Corporation, which also publishes the Friends Journal. The Friends General Conference webpage offers overviews of Quaker beliefs and resources for people who want to learn more. I Need You - A Prayer by Howard Thurman I need Your sense of time. Always I have an underlying anxiety about things. Sometimes I am in a hurry to achieve my ends and am completely without patience. It is hard for me to realize that some growth is slow, that not all processes are swift. I cannot discriminate between what takes time to develop and what can be rushed because my sense of time is dulled. O to understand the meaning of perspective that I may do all things with a profound sense of leisure of time.

Originally scheduled for 2020 and postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the most recent Lambeth Conference finally was able to meet in late July and early August of 2022. In this episode Bishop Eugene Sutton of the Diocese of Maryland offers his perspective on the 2022 Lambeth Conference. He offers an overview of what exactly the conference is and why it matters, discusses the current place the conference holds as an Anglican Church authority, talks about the main issues discussed at the 2022 conference, and addresses the question of why it matters that the Lambeth Conference and other meetings between members of the global Anglican communion continue to happen. This episode will interest anyone interested in the Anglican Communion in general, the Lambeth Conference specifically, or -- even more specifically -- in the major themes and issues covered in the most recent Lambeth Conference.

Come to the Table pageEating Together Faithfully: A Framework for ConversationFood, Faith and Farmers of Color: A Guide for Community Collaboration.Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of PlentyMore Than Just Food: Food Justice and Community ChangeFood, Farms, and Community: Exploring Food SystemsYou might be interested in other ChurchNext classes on daily spirituality and social justice: Introducing Christian Vegetarianism with Steve KaufmanGleaning Today: Conserving Food for Hungry People with Michael BingerOrganizing for Justice with Kayla GilchristDynamics of Helping the Poor with Lee Anne ReatCreating Common Good 1: Economic Inequality with Julio MurrayCreating Common Good 2: Christian Responsibility with Rachel Held EvansEconomic Inequality and the Church For Groups

Gleaning is the age-old agricultural practice of collecting excess food for the hungry. Centuries ago, food was left in the field for the poor to collect. Today in America, we waste literally tons of excess food every year that could be used to feed those who need it. We have a responsibility as people of faith to nurture God's abundance. In this episode, Michael Binger, Society of St. Anthony Regional Director of the Carolinas, explains how contemporary gleaning works to reclaim excess food in the twenty-first century food system and directs that food to people who need it. He discusses what gleaning is, the biblical foundations of the practice, why we glean today, and how to get started. You'll be interested in this episode if you're interested in food ministries or serving hungry people.

Books Why I Am an Atheist Who Believes in GodPatience with God: Faith for People Who Don't Like Religion (or AtheismFollow the Red BirdBelieving Is Seeing: A Physicist Explains How Science Shattered His Atheism and Revealed the Necessity of FaithOnline Frank Schaeffer's WebpageOther ChurchNext classes on similar topics. Consider the following courses: Finding the Resurrected Jesus with Susan GoffHealing Spiritual Wounds with Carol Howard MerittWhy Suffering? with Ian Markham