Bestselling author ( Ghosted: An American Story ) and Church of Christ daughter Nancy French opens up about her new memoir and allegations of childhood sexual abuse by a minister. She talks about how sexual abuse happens in Christian churches and organizations and why they sometimes protect perpetrators and not their victims. And, in Christianity, where forgiveness of sins and redemption are central, how might congregations hold abusers accountable while also holding fast to the gospel? Link to ...
Aug 07, 2024•56 min
In our first-ever show before a live audience, we're pleased to present C. Leonard Allen , author of 16 books that explore Christian life, most of all Christian life together in the church. In his latest book, a memoir titled The Bookroom: Remembrance and Forgiveness , Allen retraces the story of his lifelong search for answers to the questions that he first learned to ask as a boy in his father's bookroom. Growing up in the Church of Christ, Allen couldn't help but wonder if the claims he heard...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Less than a week after an assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump , three preachers talk about how and what they preach when political violence is on the rise. Featuring: Jerrard Davis , minister, Spencer Church of Christ , Spencer, Oklahoma David Duncan , preaching minister, Memorial Church of Christ , Houston, Texas Robin Gough , preaching minister, Fairfax Church of Christ , Fairfax, Virginia Read The Christian Chronicle's coverage of how Church of Christ congregations and memb...
Jul 24, 2024•51 min
The attack on former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania , on July 13 happened less than 24 hours before Church of Christ congregations began gathering for Sunday worship. The Christian Chronicle news team wanted to know if congregations prayed special prayers, elders and preachers spoke of the event from pulpits, and if the assassination attempt and what it means became the topic of conversation in Bible classes and lobbies. And how might Church of Christ folks in...
Jul 17, 2024•29 min
Segment One: Audrey Jackson reports from the Church of Christ in Nazareth, Israel (with Maurice Jadon and Sandro Jadon) The Christian Chronicle's Audrey Jackson reports in from Nazareth, Israel, where she is a guest of the Church of Christ there. Arab Israeli Christians of Palestinian heritage, Maurice Jadon and Sandro Jadon, give their own accounts on the life of Christians and the church in Israel now. Link to Audrey Jackson's full report from Israel (from The Christian Chronicle online editio...
Jul 11, 2024•50 min
Over the last few hundred years, Christians in many different places and times moved to restore the New Testament church. The Church of Christ community emerged from one of those movements that started and spread on the American frontier in the years just after the founding of the United States. In this episode, we explore how the events, ideas, and people that influenced the establishment of the United States also influenced the movement from which the Church of Christ community emerged. Which ...
Jul 05, 2024•48 min
On the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization , we explore what is happening now with abortion in the United States, in general, and the Church of Christ community in particular. Segment One: Tessa Cox, Charlotte Lozier Institute What overall effect has the Dobbs decision had on the number of abortions happening each year in the United States? Now that Roe v. Wade is history, what comes next for those who dream of a day when abor...
Jun 26, 2024•56 min
Segment One: Dr. Warren Blakney, North Peoria Church of Christ, Tulsa, Oklahoma The North Peoria Church of Christ recently received a $1.6 million federal grant to study the removal of one mile of Interstate 244 through the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma . Senior minister Dr. Warren Blakney explains why this is the work that God is calling his congregation to do now. Link to a report on the congregation and the federal grant from The Black Wall Street Times Segment Two: Brandon Beatty...
Jun 19, 2024•47 min
Segment One: Calling for peace in Gaza (James Michael Crusoe, Arlington Road Church of Christ, Hopewell Virginia) Inspired by the "message of reconciliation" in Second Corinthians 5:18-20 , 13 leaders from Church of Christ congregations in seven states and one South African province recently signed a letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza-Israel conflict. Their spokesperson, James Michael Crusoe , explains why. Link to Audrey Jackson's Christian Chronicle report on the cease-fire ...
Jun 13, 2024•51 min
Christian Chronicle CEO (and sometimes globetrotting field reporter) Erik Tryggestad calls in live (at recording time) from the street in suburban Kyiv . He reports on how the continuing war to repel Russia's invasion is testing the faith, hope, and love of the Church of Christ community in Ukraine and beyond. A test that the church seems to be more than passing with the help of God. Listen to this one for first-hand news from "on the ground." Listen to this one for a testimony to the real prese...
Jun 11, 2024•35 min
A few months ago, The Wall Street Journal called Dearborn, Michigan, "America's jihad capital," a characterization that the city's mayor called "inflammatory and untrue." The fact is that Dearborn (population 110,000) is America's only major city with a majority Muslim population. Parkside Church of Christ , a congregation that grew up in Dearborn Heights and peaked during the 1990s, decided to stay when Arab Americans and Muslims started moving into the community. The congregation's minister, W...
Jun 05, 2024•48 min
On March 3, 2020, an EF4 tornado struck Cookeville, Tennessee, in the middle of the night, taking the lives of 19 people. Among those who died was four-year old Hattie Jo Collins, the oldest daughter of Macy and Matt Collins. In this episode, Macy and Matt tell the story of what happened that night and in the "dark night of the soul" that came over them in the days, weeks, months, and years that followed. They also tell the story of how God is transforming even the terrible and tragic death of t...
May 29, 2024•44 min
Over the last few months (and years), "Christian nationalism" became a buzzword in both Christian and mainstream news media. A few years ago, barely anyone knew the term. Now it may be making its way into everyday conversations, if not the pews at local congregations. But is Christian nationalism even worth talking about? Dr. Brad East , associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University , thinks that "Christian nationalism" is not a helpful term and that Christians have better lang...
May 15, 2024•50 min
In this episode, The Christian Chronicle's CEO, Erik Tryggestad , interviews popular Christian author Philip Yancey , who recently co-wrote with John A. Bernbaum What Went Wrong? Russia's Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine . Yancey was one of the first Western Christians that leaders of the former Soviet Union invited in soon after the fall of Communism in the early 1990s. Over the last 30 years, Yancey has formed deep relationships in both Russia and Ukraine, contributing to, and supporti...
May 14, 2024•38 min
After some time away from the studio (to finish and graduate from the Master of Religious Education in Missional Leadership program at Rochester Christian University ), host BT Irwin returns with an episode chock full of information and insight on two timely topics (Christian nationalism and the mental health of LGBTQ+ students on Christian college campuses). Plus, one of the best true stories you'll ever hear (and it involves the most famous man in Rome, Italy). Segment One: Are there Christian...
May 07, 2024•59 min
In this episode: Christian attitudes on immigration in the United States, how the church is helping its neighbors recover from the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey, and how the Freed-Hardeman University men's basketball team won the NAIA national championship..."the right way." Segment One: Christian attitudes on immigration in the United States (Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research) Link to the Lifeway Research survey report Segment Two: Christians and their neighbors one year after the earthquakes in T...
Apr 16, 2024•52 min
The Christian Chronicle, Inc. is getting all-new branding and design across all of its media. In this episode, you'll hear from those who had a hand in the makeover as well as two senior journalism majors who make some predictions about how The Christian Chronicle may function and look in the future. Segment One: The Christian Chronicle editorial team talks about why the time is right for a whole new design and look (Audrey Jackson, Bobby Ross, Jr., and Erik Tryggestad) Link to new-look christia...
Apr 09, 2024•53 min
Haiti’s government is all but nonexistent and gangs are in near-total control of the country, causing death and destruction, food and medical shortages, and spreading violence. Church of Christ congregations, members, and ministries are suffering along with the rest of the country. Hear Church of Christ minister and Haitian political refugee Roolite Religieaux talk about what he knows from his family’s firsthand accounts back home. Also hear Ken Bever , executive director and founder of Hope for...
Apr 02, 2024•53 min
Dr. Bob Waldron, a lifelong minister and missionary for congregations around the world, talks about what he has learned about the Lord’s Supper from his reading, study, and travels. How might we renew and restore all that the Lord intended for this “main event” in the life of the church? Dr. Waldron also talks about his book, Food for the Journey , and its 52 meditations on the Lord’s Supper. Link to Food for the Journey by Bob Waldron Links to other books and resources that Dr. Waldron recommen...
Mar 26, 2024•46 min
Texas preacher Shawn Davis finds strength in the Lord after he loses everything in a wildfire. Herald of Truth, an old radio ministry, is new again (and partnering with The Christian Chronicle). Elsie Stark, an 11-year old baking entrepreneur competes on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. SEGMENT ONE: A Texas preacher finds strength in the Lord after he loses everything in a wildfire (Shawn Davis, Canadian, Texas) Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle story about Shawn Davis Link ...
Mar 19, 2024•47 min
A Kansas City church runs toward gun violence, an Australian teen lost her mom and found her own faith, a puppet ministry bringing Bible stories to 50 million, and a bonus segment (Bible bowling with the Tryggestads). SEGMENT ONE: A Kansas City church runs toward gun violence (Branden and Sharee Mims, Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ, Kansas City, Missouri) Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, Christian Chronicle story on how the Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ is making peace in the most violent part ...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Dr. O.J. Shabazz (Church of Christ in Harlem, New York City), a congregational minister with more than 40 years of experience, talks about the practical wisdom he shares in his book, 'Excellence in Ministry: A Guide to Protocols and Etiquette for Church Leaders'. Dr. O.J. Shabazz (Church of Christ in Harlem, New York City), a congregational minister with more than 40 years of experience, talks about his book, Excellence in Ministry: A Guide to Protocols and Etiquette for Church Leaders . Link to...
Mar 04, 2024•45 min
Dr. Scott Thumma of Hartford Institute for Religion Research reveals how and why minister burnout is on the rise. Dr. Philena Myers (Woodland Place Church of Christ, Ocala, Florida) explains how Black history is Christian history. Let's Start Talking has a waiting list of people who need volunteers to practice conversational English while teaching them the Bible. Leslee Altrock explains how people can volunteer. SEGMENT ONE: Minister burnout is on the rise (Dr. Scott Thumma, Hartford Institute f...
Feb 26, 2024•57 min
We continue The Christian Chronicle’s in-depth coverage of how a “Holy Sexuality” chapel program at Abilene Christian University motivated alumni to petition the university’s administration to change its policies and position on same-sex relationships. SEGMENT ONE: The story so far and why The Christian Chronicle is covering it (Bobby Ross, Jr., The Christian Chronicle ) Link to Bobby Ross, Jr.’s, full recent report on the “Holy Sexuality” story at Abilene Christian University (from February 1, ...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Christian Chronicle contributor Cheryl Mann Bacon talks more about her recent report on how the cost of insurance is threatening the very existence of some congregations. Ethel Sherrill, a longtime member of the landmark historic Silver Point West End Church of Christ in Silver Point, Tennessee, shares an oral history with The Christian Chronicle’s Ted Parks. Christy Award-winning author Sara Watterson (Edmond Church of Christ, Edmond, Oklahoma) talks about writing Christian and clean fiction fo...
Feb 13, 2024•56 min
Dr. Greg Smith of the Pew Research Center talks about the latest data on "nones," Americans who claim no religious affiliation. Today, that make up 28 percent of all Americans, up from 16 percent less than 20 years ago. Who are they and why are they rejecting organized religion? Bobby Ross, Jr. , visits Cuba to interview minister Tony Fernandez . The Church of Christ is growing by bounds and leaps in that Communist country. Tony explains how this is happening. Finally, Irene and Willie Masters w...
Feb 03, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Dirk Smith of Eastern European Mission describes how EEM will send 800,000 Bibles to Europe, including Ukraine and Russia, in 2024. Dr. Jeremie Beller explains why The Christian Chronicle's editorial board believes that the "Restoration Plea" is still valid. Jason Bivens is not only a deacon with a Church of Christ congregation in Tennessee, he is a bladesmith who won Season Ten of The History Channel's 'Forged in Fire.' SEGMENT ONE: Eastern European Mission (EEM) is sending 800,000 Bibles to Eu...
Jan 20, 2024•1 hr 4 min
On this one-year anniversary of The Christian Chronicle Podcast, we ask The Christian Chronicle news team to share what they think were the biggest stories they reported in 2023...and which stories they wish got more attention and started more conversations among Church of Christ folks. They'll also make their best guesses at what stories are most likely to get the most attention in 2024. Featuring Cheryl Mann Bacon, Calvin Cockrell, Audrey Jackson, Bobby Ross, Jr., and Erik Tryggestad. Christia...
Jan 10, 2024•54 min
Author and theologian Curtis Chang talks about his book, 'The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry is the Doorway to Your Best Self' and 'The After Party,' the new small group curriculum he created with David French and Russell Moore to help Christians practice "better politics" in 2024. Link to The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry is the Doorway to Your Best Self (Curtis Chang) Link to The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics (Curtis Chang, David French, Russell Moore) Link to Redeeming Babel ...
Jan 03, 2024•56 min
John Johnson put on the red suit for the first time 40 years ago and he's been Santa Claus ever since. But it's not just a side job or role that John plays for a few months each year; it is his calling and his ministry. In this episode, the member of the Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) Church of Christ shares his secrets and some of his stories from 40 years of loving children, the elderly, the lonely, the poor, and the sick. This episode will make you cry and laugh. And after you hear it, we prom...
Dec 22, 2023•41 min
