Episodes

Are you a “prodigal?” Have you ever thought you knew a better way for your life only to find out that you had it pretty good? At least you knew you were loved and welcomed. Perhaps it is true that “the grass is NOT always greener...” In this episode of Coffee Connect, Host and former apostle, Linda Booth is back with a couple of prodigal stories, and you might be surprised to find that one of the stories is her story. It just goes to show you that it can happen to anyone. But, the good news is t...

Summertime comes with a vengeance this year across much of our world. Sustained high temperatures can have broad impact like damaging crops, illness or death for livestock, widespread power outages, and severe risk of wildfires. Several fires are blazing across the globe today. Sometimes our spiritual lives can feel scorched by heat, dried in the sun, or even singed by life’s occasional firestorm. Today’s Welcoming Prayer, first recorded in the 2020 Pandemic, will help you get in touch with you...

What happens when we’re hungry for something, and it’s not what Jesus is serving? Many, if not all, have been in that place where we’re so hungry that, until we are fed physically, we can’t think about anything else...at least that’s what it feels like. In this week’s episode of Coffee to Go, Jesus is serving up a helping of deeper relationship with God, and the crowd is wanting something more. They’re so focused on getting what they think they need, they miss what they truly need. Sound familia...

In case you haven’t noticed, music plays a big role in the lives of both Humberto Tinsman and Jacob Ross, creators and hosts of the Ministry for Dummies podcast. And they are back in this cross-post of their fourth episode, Music and Our Faith. Watch out, they’ve got some strong opinions about what’s good and what’s bad, what’s spiritual and what’s not. But, even if you don’t agree, this episode will get you thinking about music’s place in your own spiritual journey. And, you’re always invited t...

It’s encouraging to hear stories of people finding deep welcome and connection in the church ... no matter which congregation they step into. That is the case in the personal stories shared by Mike Sherman of Pensacola, FL with host, Blake Smith. Join Mike and Blake for this episode of Chai Can’t Even, and you’re sure to find yourself reconnecting with some your own memories, stories, and experiences of finding “home” in Community of Christ. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Un...

Which came first, the chicken or the egg ... abundance or blessing. You may have what you believe is THE correct answer, but apparently, there are sound arguments for both. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, join Jesus and the disciples on a mountainside and in a boat, both of which lead them to ponder whether or not these were literal miracles, or if that even matters. Maybe it is simply the fact that God sustains in all circumstances that matter. Either way, th...

No one in their right mind would sign up to go it alone on the frontier ... raising a family, tending a farm, and everything else that goes with it. Well, no one except the women who were part of the early Reorganization. Women whose husbands served as missionaries and were gone for long periods of time. It’s those women whose stories we hear in these special episodes of Cuppa Joe. Join two amazing modern-day Women of the Reorganization, host Karin Peter and historian Wendy Eaton, for this episo...

“Yay, we’re at the party. We’re going to a church party!’ Wouldn’t it be great if a few more people felt that way about church ... and not just two-and-a-half-year-olds? In this episode of Chai Can’t Even, host Blake Smith sits down with Kara Sherman of the North Pensacola (FL) congregation to hear her story and what it is that has kept her coming to Community of Christ. Hear her hopes and dreams for the church, and gain some inspiration to be a part of something special. Download Transcript T...

“Come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest. Oh wait, there are crowds of people gathering who need our help first!” Have you ever felt like just when you were about to get a chance to enjoy some much-needed rest, something “more pressing” came up? Well, you’re not alone! In this week’s episode of Coffee to Go, that is exactly the situation in which Jesus and the disciples find themselves. Join host Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look at the importance of balancing blessing and s...

Violence in our world is not new, and neither is the conversation about non-violence in Community of Christ! In the special episode of Coffee Buzz, host Apostle Robin Linkhart sits down with Prophet President Steve Veazey and Prophet President Designate Stassi Cramm for an in-depth conversation about the recently released draft statement on non-violence. The First Presidency hopes that there will be broad participation in the ongoing conversation so that the World Conference 2025 delegates may c...

How could something so “natural” be so dangerous? Two of the most harmful greenhouse gasses are the byproducts of very natural processes ... living (breathing) and dying (decay). We’ve all heard of the problems that increased amounts of CO2 can cause to the atmosphere, but in reality, methane is 80 times more potent ... at least in the short term. Ok, we know it’s harmful to the environment, but what can we do? Join Climate Brewing host, Susan Oxley and guest Rod Downing, for an insightful discu...

The desire to gain power and to keep it can make people do crazy, if not awful, things... even when they don’t really want to do them. Such is the case in today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into the story of Herod and John the Baptist. See what is possible when power is at stake. Think deeply about how to recognize systems of power in your everyday life and find encouragement to speak truth to those systems. Download Transcript Thanks fo...

We don’t have to look too closely to find things in our past that may have been progressive at the time, but are considered embarrassing by many in today’s context. In those cases, we must ask, “Face it or erase it?” In this episode of Cuppa Joe, host Robin Linkhart talks with Lach Mackay about the First Presidency’s response to World Conference Resolution G-2 which called for Section 116 of the Doctrine and Covenants to be removed and placed in historical records. See why facing it can be the m...

You know you’ve done something right when a child/adolescent goes to church... not because they have to, but because they want to. An ordained teacher at 18 and a high school band teacher at 21, Ethan Mitchell, was one of those children, and the credit goes to a loving congregation who created a loving, nurturing environment where kids could thrive and grow... physically and spiritually. Join host, Blake Smith, as he sits down to hear Ethan’s story, and to find out why Ethan has found a forever ...

Who does he think he is? Jesus, that’s who! This week we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue, and the people are astounded. How could this “son of a carpenter” know all of these things? Well, besides the fact that he’s the Son of God, he’s taken the time to be with people where they are... to experience “the world” with fresh eyes ... and to push on with the work to which he has been called ... in spite of the naysayers and critics. Grab your sandals (no need for bag, bread, or money), and shak...

Camping season is here. So, while campgrounds are on our minds, why not think creatively about how to sustain those resources while contributing to environmental justice? As you’ll hear in this episode in the Climate Brewing Series, there are several things we can do. Join host Susan Oxley, as she sits down with fellow Climate Justice Team member, Joan Thompson, to discuss some of those “doable” things. You may be surprised at how easy some of these ideas are to implement. In a denomination wher...

There is no shame in being thankful for one’s blessings, especially as they relate to one’s country of origin or residence.... as long as the gratitude is grounded in an understanding that God doesn’t favor any one nation over another. After all, God is God of all the nations. It’s important to remember that people everywhere are God’s children ... all of whom have common hopes and dreams. Join host Robin Linkhart for a spiritual practice of dwelling in a hymn that helps us to remember just that...

Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they dive into a captivating exploration of faith, healing, and the transformative power of Jesus' presence in this episode of "Coffee to Go." Delving into the Gospel of Mark, they unpack two miraculous stories that not only showcase the incredible faith of those who encountered Jesus but also remind us of the boundless love and grace available to all. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! I...

It doesn’t get any more real ... and welcoming... than a church where kids are included, bathrooms are available to the general public, music comes from a boombox, and the podium is made out of a cardboard box found out behind the building. Welcome to East Brewton, AL, a congregation that started as a house church with two people and now finds itself engaging in new expressions of church and faith community. Listen in as Seventy, Wayne Ellis bears his testimony of how sacrifice, generosity and d...

Everybody loves camp. It’s the highlight of the summer. But, not too many fill a car with school friends they’ve invited to join in on the fun. In this episode of Steamers and Sodas, host Blake Smith sits down with Levi Blakesley, a very avid inviter when it comes to camping. Blake and Levi discuss the importance of camp experiences for youth, with Levi sharing his personal story of inviting friends to camp and the positive impact it had on their relationships. Levi suggests involving church lea...

This week on "Coffee to Go," Blake Smith and Karin Peter explore the theme of faith in the face of life's storms, drawing from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus calms a raging sea. The hosts discuss the misconceptions surrounding faith and challenge the idea that it should be used to compare oneself to others or as a measure of personal strength. They emphasize that true faith is about trusting in God's love and presence through all circumstances, and that it is nurtured through community and pe...

In this episode of the Project Zion Podcast, host Robin Linkhart sits down with Andrew Webber, a member of the Community of Christ congregation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Andrew shares his personal journey from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to his current faith home in the Community of Christ. He discusses the challenges and reflections that led him to question his beliefs, the impact of his father's death on his spiritual journey, and his eventual embrace of a new faith comm...

“Well ... if nobody else is going to ... I will.” This was Rod Downing's response to a lack of conversation in the church (specifically in the Herald) about environmental issues. Rather than complain, he started doing something about it. In this episode of Climate Brewing, host Susan Oxley pushes environmental and climate advocate Rod Downing to share how he brought his passion for the environment and his concerns over the climate crisis to the church, making it an integral part of his ...

Holy Invasion... doesn’t that sound intriguing? Perhaps a bit scary or creepy rather. In this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Jesus speaking in parables. Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider the importance of approaching those parables as a heart project versus a head project. Like poetry, sometimes it’s good to just “experience” the parables ... rest in them ... allow that to which they point, the reign of God, to invade our spirits. Recommended Readings/Poems for experiencing “invasion...