Episodes

Can one be both a Christian and a patriot at the same time? For some in the US, it is a resounding yes, while for those who live out their Christian discipleship in a global faith community like Community of Christ, the answer is much more nuanced. In this brief episode of Coffee Connect, especially written in recognition of the United States’ Independence Day observance, host Blake Smith reminds us that although the United States is “one nation, under God,” it is not the only nation under God. ...

Controversy, disjunctive revelation, significant change, a new temple, and a connection to essential meaning. This episode of Cuppa Joe continues the theo-history saga with resident panel members, Lach Machay and Tony Chvala-Smith, sitting down with host, Karin Peter to take a look at the Wallace B. Smith era in the church. Grab your coffee and settle in for a fascinating discussion of some of what the church and its leadership encountered during the eighteen years in which “Wally B.” served as ...

Do you sometimes find yourself surrounded by “toxic weeds” in your life … people whom you’d rather not be around for one reason or another? Have you ever wondered if you are the toxic “weed” in someone else’s “field?” In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith take a look at another parable in which Jesus suggests that, in the Kingdom of God, it’s better to let the weeds grow rather than pluck them out. After all, the “plucking” is God’s responsibility, not ours. Our resp...

Enriching Sacred Community with sacraments, tater tots, and the mission prayer. You had me at tater tots!! Who wouldn’t want to go to a retreat with a title like that... just out of plain curiosity if nothing else? Sounds like just the right mix of fun and seriousness, right? Grab a cup of coffee and join host Robin Linkhart as she sits down with Wendy and Bill Brian to get a look into the creative way they bring sacraments, the Mission Prayer, relationships, hospitality, and yes … tater tots … ...

Have you ever questioned your own worth because you were caught between the role expectations and gender stereotypes you were taught and what you were actually feeling and experiencing in life? Have you ever been torn between your love for those who raised, nurtured and loved you into adulthood, and the disconnect that occurred somewhere along your journey that helped you to see things in a new light? In this episode of Chai Can’t Even, host Brittany Mangelson sits down with Kinsey Horringa to h...

Are you the seed, or are you the soil? If you’re the soil, you may find that some days you are more like rocky ground than fertile soil. Life happens, and we don’t always find ourselves in the most nurturing state of mind. The great news is that God continues to sow seeds on all types of “ground.” Find hope, encouragement and challenge this week as hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith take a look at the Parable of the Sower. Whatever you do though, do something that enriches the soil of your inner ...

Meet Ruth Smith. Teacher, author, and recognized intellectual contender of her husband Fred M. Smith. In this episode of Cuppa Joe which continues a discussion about women in the restoration, host Karin Peter and guest Wendy Eaton engage in a fascinating conversation about Ruth based solely on information gathered from female voices … a first. Here, you’ll get a sense of Ruth’s profound influence, protective nature, incredible intellect, sense of humor, and storytelling savvy. For questions, fe...

Great things can happen in unexpected places... especially when God is involved. For Fremont, CA congregation it began with a large piece of property owned by the church that had sat unused for 40-45 years. That, and the open hearts of a group of people who wanted to be a part of Christ’s Mission. Join host Carla Long for a chat with Kent Barnett and Terri McRhoads of the Fremont Congregation, in which they share a story of hard work and determination that has provided for ministry in ways they ...

Do you ever feel like you’re under the scrutiny of “Goldilocks?” Too soft, too hard, not enough, too much … rarely just right? Do you try hard to please everyone only to realize there are just some people you may never please. It’s tiring, isn’t it? It’s a good thing that Jesus gives us permission to stop trying to please everyone and just be who we were created to be. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they discuss accepting the invitation to “come to [Jesus]” and find rest. Download T...

HAPPY 600TH EPISODE PZP! When is someone old enough to be baptized? How ought they to be baptized? Who ought to do the baptizing? These are questions that have been at the heart of conversations in Community of Christ for decades. And, although baptism is a sacrament we share with Christian traditions across the board, we have always had our own particular methods and guidelines. In recent years, however, there has been a growing desire to understand sacraments in a more inclusive way....

Community of Christ counts "Sacredness of Creation” as one of its Enduring Principles. We often hear exclamations noting creation’s beauty and the ways in which our lives are touched by it. But how often do we take the time to really take it in... to acknowledge the elements of fire, air, water, and earth...and, to say thank you for all that it offers us. Join host Wendy Brian as she guides listeners in a meditation that honors the sacredness of creation and offers thanks for the unique gift ...

When was the last time you welcomed a stranger? Back in the “day,” houses had front porches, or stoops, and privacy fences were almost unheard of … at least in most neighborhoods. Now, we live in a time where back decks and privacy fences have become the norm. Welcoming the stranger may not be easy, but it is our calling and responsibility. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they walk with Jesus and the disciples in Matthew 10:40-42. and lift up the importance of hospitality in a seemin...

Engaging in mission looks different in every community. It can be experienced through simple acts of service, but it can also be a huge undertaking. Some mission opportunities arise spontaneously, and some take a long time to get up and going. But, once the momentum starts to build and partnerships are formed ... amazing things can happen. Such is the case with the missional ministry happening in and around the Portland Community of Christ. Join host, Carla Long, for a very exciting conversation...

Looking for a new and exciting learning environment. David Lloyd, Director of the Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) at Community of Christ Seminary and lifetime member of Community of Christ, has spent the last decade working to make online learning more accessible for everyone while seeking to maintain the community element that can get lost in online environments. Listen in as host, Brittany Mangelson, sits down with David, to hear about the exciting opportunities available ...

Nobody said it would be easy. Certainly not Jesus! If you’re looking for an easy ride, it could be that discipleship is not for you. It actually comes with a cost that is higher than some are willing to pay. The question is, what is too much for you and me? Only we can decide that for ourselves. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into where the disciples are with Jesus this week, and what it means for us in this day and time. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unf...

For the first time in history, a woman has been elected to serve as the Senior President of Seventy in Community of Christ. With the exception of an admitted brief period of rebelliousness, God has been central to Karin Peter’s life. Starting as a small child quietly absorbing all that she could through books and old men’s conversations of church and faith, a seed was planted in Karin that has continued to grow in her … always searching for ways to help others find what they need to “bring forth...

Arthur Brooke wrote about it. William Shakespeare brought it to stage. In 1957 it came to stage again under another name. It’s a tale as old as time, and we continue to hear versions of it in our daily news. But what’s at the heart of it? Join host Blake Smith for a brief yet thought-provoking episode of Coffee Connect in which he looks at the story within the story. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used wi...

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Is this how we’ll know when the Kingdom of God has come near? What kind of Kingdom is this anyway? Did someone say it’s an “upside down” kingdom? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they explore this week’s Gospel text in an effort to see where we are with Jesus on our journey this week, and what it will mean for how we are to act. The Gospel passage for this week’s episode is: Matthew 9:35 – 10:23. Download Transcript ...

Secrecy, intrigue, persecution, racism, talk of spies … not the things often associated with one’s faith journey, but definitely a part of the faith journey Cristian Ramirez has lived. From an early age, he was faced with questions of faith, and often without the support of his parents and friends. And things got much worse before they got better. How many people would stay “in the game” with so many things seemingly working against them? In this episode of Fair Trade, Cristian opens up to host ...

Located in the heart of Council Bluffs, IA, the Community of Christ Caring Ministries Thrift Store and Food Pantry has been serving the people of the community since the ‘70s, and there’s no end in sight. Between 2 and 3 thousand families a year are served by this incredible ministry. Join host Carla Long, as she sits down with the Caring Ministries Executive Director, Ken Juel, to hear how lives are being changed because of the generosity of donors and the hard work of the staff and volunteers....

Discipleship is not about who you avoid. It’s about how you join Jesus in extending radical hospitality. Welcome to Ordinary Time, a time without festivals in which we can focus on our discipleship in everyday living. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they explore this week’s passage from the Gospel According to Matthew. It’s a chance to hang out with sinners. And, don’t worry... Jesus hung out with them too. The text for this episode’s blessing is from Vanderbilt University “Prayers of...

The last place you might expect to experience a revolution is in the church, but we’ve heard tell that a religion without a theological revolution is a dead religion. Does that hold true for the church? If so, we’re in good shape because revolutionaries have been a part of the church for a long time, and the W Wallace Smith era was no exception. Listen in as host Karin Peter engages regular guests, Historian and current Apostle Lach Mackay and Theologian Tony Chavala-Smith for a fascinating look...

God loves all of God’s creation! ALL... No if, ands, or buts. Unfortunately, that is not always communicated and lived out in authentic, life-giving ways … especially to those In the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. For this episode of Awaken to God’s Presence, and in recognition of Pride Month, host Robin Linkhart, leads listeners through a guided meditation based on the Progress Pride Flag and its rainbow of colors. Regardless of your gender identity or sexual orientation, this meditation encourages you ...

A short passage for a deeply complex concept … the Trinity. Rather than getting bogged down in conversation about Trinity in this episode of Coffee to Go, however, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith focus in on the “sending” aspect of the scripture text. God sends Son, Son sends Spirit. Spirit sends the Church (a.k.a. the people... us). There’s no getting around it. No matter how you understand the Trinity... no matter how you refer to the Trinity … the bottom line is the same. As a disciple, you...