Episodes

Graceland is back in session, and PZP is back in the Swarm. In this episode of Coffee in the Swarm co-hosts, Aliyah Farrell and Mike Hoffman, sit down with Danny Dennis. Growing up in the Liberty Street congregation in Independence, MO, the church has always been an important part of Danny’s life ... even though he admits, he didn’t always go by his own choosing. Not to worry, he’s grateful for it now, and grateful for his time at Graceland, where he has been very involved in campus life ... esp...

Every day of our lives, we are writing our story. Sometimes the story comes out the way we plan it and sometimes it’s something altogether different. The thing is that we don’t write our story alone. It is added to by the people we encounter and with whom we journey. Some of those “co-writers” become like saints to us. That’s right, ordinary people can do or say ordinary things that become extraordinary influences in our lives... even if we don’t recognize it in the moment. It’s important that w...

“We are Companions on the Journey” ... a hymn sung many times in Community of Christ gatherings, and words we need to keep in mind as we navigate our personal spiritual journeys of life and faith. Like the disciples, we sometimes forget what and who is the focus of our journey. In those moments, our salt loses its “flavor.” Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for a look at what Jesus has to say about where our focus should be and how important it is to “have salt in [ourselves] and be at pe...

If you’ve ever met Janne Grover, you know that she is a bright light, full of joy and a deep love for people. Her smile is contagious and inspiring. So much so that she could have been in commercials. Wait! She was. But you’ll have to listen to this episode of Nice to Matcha to get the details. And that’s not all you’ll get. Join host Robin Linkhart as she sits down with Janne Grover to talk about Janne’s journey of faith and calling. Find out how a young girl from a small rural town now finds h...

If you thought the Presiding Bishopric was only about money and budgets, you’re in for a treat. Join host, Robin Linkhart, for this episode of What’s Brewing to see how generosity not only drives mission, but how mission inspires generosity. Presiding Bishopric Ron Harmon, Wim van Klinken, and Carla Long share their hopes and dreams with the church ... and their enthusiasm, as well as their deep love of God’s people, the church, and it’s call to serve the world. Listen in to see how Community of...

There is no such thing as a dumb question. At least that’s what some people say. There are, however, questions that, when asked, may make one seem less smart. What’s worse is when someone thinks they know the answer so doesn’t see a need to ask any questions. Join hosts, Karin and Blake, for a walk through Mark 9:30-37 where the Twelve find themselves in that exact position. If nothing else, perhaps you’ll find comfort in knowing you’re not the only one who didn’t understand. Download Transcrip...

From the age of 10, he began to understand the world in a different way. He had to, because what he was experiencing and hearing didn’t fit with what he was beginning to understand and believe about God. 40 years later, with extended theological education, a deep love for his family, and a deep love for God’s vision for the World, Matt Frizzell has accepted a call to the office of Apostle. Host, Robin Linkhart, sat down with Matt and asked him to let us see inside his story of faith, family, and...

Mary Anne Bennet-Ripsam and Kassie Ripsam make their Project Zion Podcast Debut in this recording from their recent live event, Say What? Meet the Hosts. In this episode, these two young women share their hopes and dreams, as well as some of the pressing questions they hope to address in this new series. And, they take the mic to try out their interviewing skills and show that they are ready to tackle the big stuff... with a twist of youth energy and curiosity. You won’t want to miss it. NOTE: ...

Jesus’ ministry is taking a turn ... toward Jerusalem, and anyone who wants to be a follower will need to “take up [their] cross” and follow him. With each step toward “Jerusalem,” the cost of following gets more and more costly. That’s right... some things in life may be free, but discipleship is not one of them. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for a closer look at this week’s passage from the Gospel of Mark (8:27-38). Before you pick up your cross... spend some time thinking about who...

Here’s your chance to get to know Carrie Welch, from Salem, Oregon! Newly called to the Council of Twelve Apostles, Carrie tells her story growing up in Community of Christ and the many unexpected adventures she experienced along Life’s path, now realizing how all of it helped prepare her to serve in a role that for her was once unfathomable. In this exclusive interview, Carrie shares details about receiving her new call, her family's response, and her inspiring heart-felt hopes for Community of...

There’s nothing quite like SPEC ... a place where young people can come together for a week of personal exploration, leadership development, visual and performing arts, worship, all you can eat soft serve ice cream, and ... yes ... a bit of healthy sports competition. No matter one’s level of skill in any of SPEC’s program offerings, everyone who attends BELONGS immediately and completely! For decades, SPEC has served as one of Community of Christ’s premier youth events staffed by adults who und...

Dive into the heart of the Christian tradition with us on "Coffee to Go." This week, we're in Mark's Gospel, witnessing Jesus' encounters with a Syrophoenician woman and a deaf man. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they unpack the complexity of Jesus' actions, the coexistence of our best intentions and flaws, and the assertiveness of faith. 💭 Reflect with us on how we balance our divine presence with our human moments. How do we assert our faith in a world that often tells us to be ...

We know her. We love her. And, many of us have been blessed by her ministry. Meet Mareva Arnaud Tchong! Called to serve as Community of Christ’s next Presiding Evangelist, Mareva will bring unprecedented diversity to this world church leadership role. In this exclusive interview, Mareva candidly shares the process of receiving the call to Presiding Evangelist and her journey to saying, “Yes.” Get to know Mareva on a personal level as she talks about her hopes and plans to bring an international ...

So many things demand our attention, causing us to live our lives in a hurried pace ... rarely offering us a chance to catch our breath, much less pay attention to our breath and the toll stress takes on our bodies. There’s no better time than the present to pause and take care of yourself. So, why not join host and spiritual director, Tyler Marz, for a “spiritual coffee break.” In this episode of Awaken to God’s Presence, Tyler leads the listeners through the practice of Embodied Lectio Divina....

Leave it to the Pharisees to pick and choose which laws they want to follow while forgetting something a little more important ... the greatest commandments ... love God, and love one another. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith for this week’s “journey with Jesus” in the Gospel of Mark. As is his way, Jesus is ready to set the Pharisees straight on what types of things make the top of his “what matters most” list. When all else fails... focus on relationships. Hand out floaters ... not sink...

It's time to get a glimpse of what mission and ministry look like in communities of Seekers who are needing a place of welcome and healing for themselves, not to mention communities that look different from week to week and year to year. In this episode of What’s Brewing, we’re picking up where we left off in Part 1. Prepare yourself for a raw and heartfelt look at some of the opportunities and struggles of Seekers ministry. Get a glimpse into ways in which even the most inclusive of communit...

In this What’s Brewing episode, we’re headed to Northern Utah, to what we’re calling the Wasatch Front. Join host Blake Smith as he sits down with Utah Expansion Minister, Laura Pennock, and Salt Lake Pastorate Team Member/Communications Team Member, Brittany Mangelson, for a look into some very dynamic ministries that look a little different than many traditional congregations in Community of Christ. Find out the types of struggles faced by persons, most of whom did not grow up in Community of ...

Hopefully, followers of Jesus can say, without hesitation, that they believe in Jesus, but is that enough? The world is crazy, and we are faced with so much that can challenge or even scare us. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith suggest that it is not enough to simply believe. What Jesus calls us to do is abide in him. When we abide in him, we are transformed. How we see the world and act in the world... the very course of our life... is forever changed. Download...

Issues that threaten the very heart of what we hold dear in Community of Christ also work to divide us as a people committed to following Jesus Christ, the peaceful one. The worst thing we can do is give in to the temptation to stop talking, stop listening and go our own ways. In this cross-post from Witness the Word, President Designate Stassi Cramm, shares a critical message in which she challenges the church to remain in the conversation ... to talk it out. It’s time to courageously challenge...

Nothing screams “call to action” like people dancing around a pink boat that is blocking traffic in central London! At least that was part of what got Andrew Fellows started in the climate justice protesting business. In this episode of Climate Brewing, host Susan Oxley sits down with guest and fellow Climate Justice Team member, Andrew Fellows, to hear his story and advice for engaging in non-violent advocacy on this critical topic. Scared to join for fear of being arrested? Well... that’s alwa...

But I don’t want to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Do I really have to? Thank goodness Jesus talks in metaphor. What he really wants is for us to “abide” in him... to be so closely aligned with him that he becomes for us a life source. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they explore what it means to abide in Christ. Then, take time to this week to figure out for yourself what abiding means for you. Just know, that you’re probably going to ask and answer some pretty hard questions ab...

There is nothing better than hearing someone say that one of the reasons they have stayed in the church is because they’ve been “loved to death.” And, that seems to be a recurring theme here at Chai Can’t Even. Kudos to the congregations who keep the love and welcome flowing. Join host, Blake Smith, for a sit down with Wes Hodgson, former pastor and current member of the Lamoni Heartland Mission Center leadership team, who shares his story of growing up and staying in the church. Be inspired by ...

Linda Stanbridge is no stranger to Project Zion Podcast. As an advocate for Harmony and the LGBTQIA+ community and as a minister of invitation, Linda has had lots of great things to share ... all of which have been laced with personal stories and passion. But there’s more to Linda’s story. She is back again, but this time it’s all about her personal faith transition story ... a story of searching for and finding a community that offered “a God that she could love,” and that, because of the ordin...

Believing things about Jesus is good. As a matter of fact, knowing what you believe about Jesus is a great place to start, but it’s not necessarily life-changing. It’s when you come to the point of believing in Jesus that things begin to change within you. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they explore what it means to “partake” of the “bread” that Jesus offers. It will do more than fill your stomach... it will change your heart. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfil...