Podcasts about church life

How do you receive God's Word? For many believers, the Bible is a tool used to reinforce their own preconceived notions and the way they want to perceive the world. They wield it recklessly as a sword, ready to take down anyone who disagrees with them. But, as Pastor Bill will point out in the example of the Bereans, this book, this gift from God, is meant to reveal who He is to our hearts. When we study it with humility, he'll reveal His truth and transform our hearts to be more like His.

In today's message from Pastor Bill, we'll encounter a group of Jews who challenge us in our walk. This group was from the region of Berea, and they were known and still remembered for their faithfulness to God's Word. They diligently studied it daily, and when Paul came with the Gospel, they received him eagerly and weighed his words against the Word of God. This is what we need to be doing every time we take in teaching, testing it for ourselves to be sure it aligns with Scripture.

Episode Topic: Is There a Feminine Genius? Thirty years ago, in both Evangelium Vitae and his Letter to Women, Pope John Paul II issued a clear call for the genius of women to be “more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as in the life of the Church” (Letter to Women 10). Throughout his papacy, in fact, he emphasized women's “prophetic character,” calling on them to be “witnesses” and “sentinels” — guardians of the sacred gift of life and the order of love (Mulieris Dignitatem 29; Homily at Lourdes 2004). “Is There a Feminine Genius?” a panel discussion with Deborah Savage, Sr. Theresa Aletheia, Abigail Favale, Sr. Ann Astell, and moderator Melissa Moschella, took place at the McGrath Institute for Church Life conference True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture at the University of Notre Dame in March 2025, developed by Abigail Favale, Ph.D., Professor of the Practice, Theology & Literature, at the McGrath Institute for Church Life.Featured Speakers:Melissa Moschella, University of Notre DameSr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, Sisters of the Little Way of Beauty, Truth, and GoodnessSister Ann W. Astell, University of Notre DameAbigail Favale, University of Notre DameDeborah Savage, Ph.D., Franciscan University of SteubenvilleRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/ae947f.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture. Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

Tim Wood Faith, Love, Hope at Work (2025)

Jai preaches from 1 Peter 2:4–12 on what it means to live as God's people — a community built on Jesus, the living cornerstone.The church is not a collection of the moral elite, but a community of the rescued. We are a royal priesthood and a holy nation, called to serve with humility, love others deeply, and reflect the grace of the One who chose us.When we understand that the God who owns the stars calls us His treasure, it changes how we see church — not as a place we go, but as a people we belong to.

On this episode of Day by Day, Living in the Glass House, Dr. Clif Johnson talks with Noah Johnson as they share insights on how church members can pray for their pastors' families—especially their kids—by focusing on inward spiritual change and genuine motivation, rather than just outward appearances or routine church attendance. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org

What are parental rights? Are they a legal stance—or a philosophical one? In today's conversation, Dr. Melissa Moschella of the University of Notre Dame discusses the profound and practical implications of the parent-child relationship. She then explores how those conclusions operate in the American legal tradition, tracing from natural law to John Locke to historic court cases and the public discourse today. Chapters: 3:46 True rights imply true duties 10:04 Natural law: knowable through reason 15:00 The rights and duties of parents 22:32 Role of the state in the American tradition 28:44 Twentieth-century shift, John Rawls 37:29 Whether schools can be value-neutral 43:34 Parental rights in American courts 46:47 Beyond religious liberty 55:00 School choice as parental choice 1:00:57 Public discourse: how to talk to friends, family, neighbors 1:05:30 Her book on natural law Links: Melissa Moschella, Ph.D., McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame To Whom Do Children Belong? Parental Rights, Civic Education, and Children's Autonomy by Melissa Moschella Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law: Principles for Human Flourishing by Melissa Moschella Democratic Education by Amy Guttman (argued against by Dr. Moschella) Brief of Amica Curiae in Support of Petitioners by Melissa Moschella “Nonreligious Parents Have Rights Too,” WSJ op-ed by Melissa Moschella Also on the Forum: The Mortara Case: Parental Authority and Thomas Aquinas featuring Dr. Matthew Tapie and Dr. Lionel Yaceczko Parents as Primary Educators by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Fathers' Conference at The Heights School (November 1, 2025) The Art of Teaching Boys Conference at The Heights School (January 7-9, 2026 / May 6-8, 2026)

Professor Melissa Moschella of the University of Notre Dame joins us to discuss the contents of her recently published book titled, "Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law: Principles for Human Flourishing." A rich yet cogent articulation of New Natural Law Theory (NNLT), Moschella's work has been described as "the clearest, most readable exposition and defense of contemporary natural law theory yet to appear" by Dr. Robert George. Professor Moschella provides an overview of the ideas in her book with respect to the subject of parental rights and two recent landmark decisions currently shaping its discourse. Melissa Moschella is Professor of the Practice in Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life. Her work spans the fields of ethics, political philosophy, and law, and her areas of special expertise include natural law theory, biomedical ethics, and the family, especially parental rights. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, earned a Licentiate in Philosophy summa cum laude from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, and received her Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from Princeton University. 

What is baptism? This episode seeks to dive into the different views on baptism in Christianity, and then highlight the reformed view we believe at Providence Church. The goal of this episode is to help you understand the different views as well as have humility and charity towards other Christian views. Connect With Us providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook Email Us formation@providenceomaha.org

What does it look like for a church's budget, bylaws, and building to reflect the values of justice and faith? In this episode of the Future Christian Podcast, host Loren Richmond Jr. speaks with Rev. Dr. Sheryl Johnson, theologian, ethicist, and author of Serving Money, Serving God: Aligning Radical Justice, Christian Practice, and Church Life (Fortress Press, 2023). Together they explore how churches can move beyond good intentions to embody justice through everyday practices—especially around finance, fundraising, stewardship, and administration. They discuss: Why church administration is theological, not just logistical How job postings and pay scales reveal a congregation's real values The pitfalls of donor-centered fundraising and better alternatives Honest communication about money, failure, and hope How churches can make ethical decisions about property and buildings What it means to see the local church as a foretaste of God's reign Sheryl challenges pastors and leaders to re-imagine what “faithful stewardship” truly means in today's world—where economic justice, transparency, and collaboration are essential for credible ministry. Sheryl Johnson (she/her) is a settler on Ohlone land and was born in Treaty 1 Territory in what is colonially known as Winnipeg, Canada. She began teaching at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in the fall of 2020, as she was defending her PhD in Theology and Ethics at Graduate Theological Union. Her dissertation focused on the intersections of social justice (racial, economic, gender, etc) and ecclesial practices (specifically stewardship, finance, and polity). A book based on her dissertation, Serving Money, Serving God:  Aligning Radical Justice, Christian Practice, and Church Life, was published by Fortress Press in 2023. Sheryl is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, with dual standing in the United Church of Christ. Sheryl has served several congregations, campus ministries, ecumenical advocacy organizations (especially KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives and the Student Christian Movement/World Student Christian Federation), and global church partners (specifically the National Council of Churches of the Philippines and People's Action Forum in Zambia), in addition to her academic work. She completed her M.Div and MPS degrees at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto and also completed a Certificate of Specialization in Theology and Ecology at the University of St. Michael's College during her theological studies. Sheryl is passionate about embodied, participatory, and critical pedagogies and supporting students to make connections between justice commitments and vocational practices.    Mentioned Resources:

Dr. Tom Curran interviews Abigail Favale, Ph.D, author and professor in the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, about her book Our Lady of the Sign: A Novel. (Ignatius Press)

Hope Church - Life's Big Questions - How Do We Get Along? - 10_19_25 by Hope Church Utah

In this episode, we're giving you a peek behind the curtain with real-life updates and our unfiltered takes on everything from reality shows and parish bingos to social media, smartphones, and DIY projects. We even get serious for a moment about how we use technology, faith, and the “thoughts and prayers” culture online. If you've ever wondered what we're like when the mics aren't scripted—this one's for you. Fun, honest, and a little unpredictable, this episode mixes laughter with reflection on living faith in everyday life. Writing projects mentioned: "The Surrender Journal (https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/the-surrender-journal)" "Near to You: (https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/near-to-you-a-10-date-marriage-retreat-at-home-pre-order)" Marriage retreat at home Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)." Click here (https://www.patreon.com/c/drawnear/membership) to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. "Like" and follow us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fredandkara/)! Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. (https://www.drawnear.me/) Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell

Episode Topic: Rethinking Complementarity“Rethinking Complementarity,” was presented by Abigail Favale, Ph.D. This discussion took place at the McGrath Institute for Church Life conference True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture at the University of Notre Dame in March 2025. The conference was developed by Favale, who is Professor of the Practice, Theology & Literature, at the McGrath Institute for Church Life.Featured Speakers:-Abigail Favale,Professor of the Practice, Theology & Literature, at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre DameRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/6bac46.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture. Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

Text, email, messenger, facetime, skype… you could go on and on with the various means we have to communicate with others in our world. And of course, there's still the option of meeting face-to-face. As Pastor Bill will remind us in today's message, we have an amazing privilege and responsibility before us in this life. We've been given new life in Christ, and we're surrounded by people who are drowning in their sin and sorrow. We need to get out there and share the hope we've found.

Text, email, messenger, facetime, skype… you could go on and on with the various means we have to communicate with others in our world. And of course, there's still the option of meeting face-to-face. As Pastor Bill will remind us in today's message, we have an amazing privilege and responsibility before us in this life. We've been given new life in Christ, and we're surrounded by people who are drowning in their sin and sorrow. We need to get out there and share the hope we've found.

Hope Church - Life's Big Questions - How Do We Handle the Mystery of Evil? - 10_12_25 by Hope Church Utah

You're called to prophesy to the world around you. That doesn't mean you need a pulpit and a congregation. This means you need to share the Good News of the Gospel with the people in your community through your words and deeds. As Pastor Bill will point out in today's message, some in the Church make themselves busy in every other way possible, and the work they do is wonderful, but those activities and programs are only part of the picture. The focus needs to be on sharing Jesus. 

You're called to prophesy to the world around you. That doesn't mean you need a pulpit and a congregation. This means you need to share the Good News of the Gospel with the people in your community through your words and deeds. As Pastor Bill will point out in today's message, some in the Church make themselves busy in every other way possible, and the work they do is wonderful, but those activities and programs are only part of the picture. The focus needs to be on sharing Jesus. 

Church Life, “Are You a Good Berean?”                                     (Acts 17:10-15)  The Right Mind (vv. 10-11)Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. - Charles Spurgeon -  Heb. 5:12-14 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  Ro. 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. The Right Heart (v. 12) The Right Mission (vv. 13-15)How to Develop Wisdom and Discernment (through God's means of grace):1.     Seek God in the word (be a good Berean)2.     Seek God in prayer (Ja. 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.)3.     Seek God in the fellowship of the local church (‘iron sharpens iron')

Send us a Text Message - include your name!In this episode of Faith Over Breakfast, Andy and Eric completely let loose. They talk baseball. They talk board games. They talk about their two churches teaming up for a baseball, kickball, and board-gaming extravaganza. It's friendship, laughter, and chaos all wrapped into one conversation.Honestly, they're just having a blast. This episode is pure fun, one you'll want to hear more than once. If this description doesn't convince you to listen, I'm not sure what will.Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW BEYOND SUBSCRIPTIONS1. CASH APP2. Justgive"Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" is a weekly podcast where Pastors Andy and Eric come together over a imaginary delicious breakfast to talk about faith, food, sermons, culture, and more. In each episode, the pastors delve into thought-provoking topics and offer inspiring insights and practical guidance for those seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus. With occasional guests joining the conversation, "Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" provides a unique perspective on what it means to live a life of faith in today's world. Whether you're a seasoned Christian or just starting on your faith journey, this podcast is the perfect companion for your morning routine. So join Pastors Andy and Eric each week as they explore the intersections of faith, food, and life over a delicious breakfast.Support:https://www.buzzsprout.com/97804/support

What if a university included among its common learning goals for its students, cultivating the practice of disciplined attention and becoming active participants in your holistic formation? That would mean, I suppose, that such a university would be interested and invested in not just what their graduates could do or produce, but also in who they become. Such an education would value the education of the heart alongside and integrated with the education of the mind. This would go a long way toward giving a fresh, persuasive response to the increasingly pressing questions of what is college really for and is it really worth it.These two learning goals – cultivating the practicing of disciplined attention and becoming active participants in your holistic formation – are in fact the stated goals of the newly launched first-year seminar at the University of Notre Dame. This is a course that every single Notre Dame student takes in their first semester of college, in a seminar setting comprised of 19 students, one instructor, and one peer leader. It is called the Moreau First-Year Seminar, named after the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Moreau. The seminar seeks to give students a common entry point for their collegiate education, an education that takes seriously the responsibility and privilege of pursuing a life well-lived.Joining me today to talk about this vision of education and the challenging project of creating a common yet substantive seminar for all undergraduate students is my friend and colleague, Professor Bill Mattison. Bill serves as the academic director of the Moreau Program, in addition to his role as Wilsey College Professor of moral theology and ethics.Follow-up Resources:Learn more about the Moreau First-Year Seminar at https://moreaufirstyear.nd.edu/ “In Search of a Full Life,” podcast episode via Church Life Today“Forming an Intentional College Culture, with Joe Wurtz,” podcast episode via Church Life Today“Becoming the Adult in the Room, with Sarah Pelrine,” podcast episode via Church Life Today“There is no such thing as winning at life, with Elizabeth Klein,” podcast episode via Church Life TodayChurch Life Today is a partnership between the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and OSV Podcasts from Our Sunday Visitor. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Hope Church - Life's Big Questions - Why do I sin? - 10_5_25 by Hope Church Utah

Sunday AM ServiceSelected ScripturesI. Review the Standard for Our GivingII. Realize the Standard of Our GivingIII. Raise the Standard of Our GivingSupport the show

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

Hope Church - Life's Big Questions - What Happens Next? - 9_28_25 by Hope Church Utah

Hope Church - Life's Big Questions - Who am I? - 9_21_25 by Hope Church Utah

Year C – 15th Sunday after Pentecost; Lectionary 25 – September 21, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd Luke 16:1-13   Grace and peace to you from God and the Holy Spirit, and from Jesus Christ, who, together, offer liberation through reorientation. Amen. *** Jesus says… we cannot serve both God and wealth. …and yet, it is as true today as it was then… that both God and wealth, or Mammon, demand to be our top priority. These words from Jesus are convicting… we cannot serve both God and wealth… they are convicting… because we know in our heart… they are true. …and Jesus… well… he tends to be right. That's why we're here, yes? I actually prefer the old translation… instead of wealth, the original Greek uses the Aramaic word, Mammon. Mammon is a personification for the acquisition of wealth… something Martin Luther called in the Large Catechism, the “most common god on earth.” So, it isn't so much wealth or money alone… that demands our dedication… Jesus doesn't criticize wealthy people just for being wealthy… and money is a tool we all must use. But it's the pursuit of money for the sake of getting richer that Jesus condemns… it's the drive to store up more and more at the expense of others, the persistent need to acquire more and more that takes over our lives. To build bigger barns while others are starving… and then to rationalize our greed and overabundance… this is the Mammon that Jesus warns us against. To worship Mammon is to prioritize the accumulation of wealth… while disregarding the suffering and needs of others. Mammon demands that we look only to our own wants and desires, acquiring only for ourselves alone. Mammon is… isolating. God… on the other hand… demands that we put God above all else, and then look to our neighbor… God invites us to look through the lens of God's love… and look to the needs of our neighbor first… so that we may flourish together… through relationship and in community. We cannot serve both God and Mammon. So… to illustrate this point… Jesus offers a rather strange parable. And all the authors I've read seem to agree that this one is just weird and challenging. It helps, I think, to dig into the context… and recall the economics of Roman-occupied Galilee in the first century. Remember… that the Roman Empire exploited the people's resources and labor through crippling taxation, which was often more than the average peasant could pay. And the rich landlords and rulers were basically loan sharks who got richer by exploiting peasants… offering loans to pay their taxes, but with exorbitant interest rates, something that was in direct violation of biblical covenantal law. So, when the peasants couldn't pay back the loans, the rich would take ownership of their farm, disinheriting the peasant farmers of their family land… But they would “graciously” allow the peasants to stay on as tenant farmers… who now had to pay both taxes to the Roman government AND a high percentage of their yield to the rich new landowner. So… the rich got richer… and the poor got poorer. It was… an unjust system. Furthermore, the rich tended to live in the south, around Judea… while the peasant farmers lived in the north, around Galilee. The rich landowners wouldn't go back and forth themselves… that could be dangerous, so they utilized middle managers to collect their spoils. These managers would also add to the debt that the farmers owed, because that's how they got paid… and the more they added, the more money they made for themselves. It was the manager's prerogative to squeeze these poor farmers out of as much of their crops… as much of their wheat, wine, and olive oil as possible. The farmers were, after all, expendable… all that mattered was gaining more wealth. Mammon. And so now here we are… Jesus' teaching… his words for us today continue on from the gospel from last week. Last week's scene opened with the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, grumbling because this man, Jesus, welcomes sinners and eats with them. Jesus put people over and above social order and expectations. So, he tells the grumbling Pharisees these parables… There was a lost sheep… there was a lost coin… there was a lost son. And then comes our text for today… “There was a rich man who had a manager…” “There was a rich man… who had a manager.” Does it ring a little differently now? This manager is about to get fired for squandering his boss' property… he's in trouble for not delivering as much as the rich man thought he should have. He's about to be tossed out on his butt with nothing… so what does he do? What does he do? Once the hold of Mammon is broken… he has clarity! He realizes… that what he needs in his life are people. Mammon… the pursuit of wealth… drives people away. But for true flourishing… we need community. Money isn't the ultimate measure of things… not in God's economy! Our neighbor… our relationships and our community… this is where true riches are found. But… this guy… this middle-manager… he's still locked in an unjust system… he's still trapped by it, just as much as the poor farmers are still trapped… but he realizes… he realizes that generosity is the best investment. He uses that ill-gotten wealth, gained from exploiting others, to ease the debt burden on his neighbors, and gain social capital in the process. It's very possible that the amounts he reduced each person's debt by was the amount of his portion, and the interest that was added onto it. Because… after all, the rich man is ultimately impressed. His manager chose to forego wealth… for the riches of relationships. He used the last remaining shreds of power he had to disrupt the unjust system… and revive the community by reviving biblical, covenantal economic life. He revives the community and gives them hope… by reorienting himself back to God's command to love God above everything else… and to love our neighbor. He is liberated from Mammon… set free from the addictive nature of chasing after wealth and hoarding resources at the expense of his neighbors' well-being. And he is transformed… restored into community when he realizes that people matter so much more than money. Because in God's economy… your neighbor's needs are bound up with your own. (x 2) Our own true flourishing and riches can only be achieved by working for the well-being of others. We cannot serve both God and Mammon. And that's that. Jesus leaves some loose ends in this parable… there's no epilogue… no discourse where Jesus fully explains its meaning to his disciples, who never seem to understand anyway. We are simply left with the wondering… left with the open question of “how much more…” If even this dishonest manager can realize that relationships and people are more important than chasing after money… then… how much more… should the children of light realize that “true riches” have to do with relationships rather than wealth or possessions. How much more? You see… Jesus never says that having money is bad… or criticizes wealthy people for being wealthy. What matters for Jesus… is what you do with that wealth. What Jesus says… is that when we reorient ourselves back to God and God's commandments… when we love God above all else, and love our neighbor as ourselves… Then it changes our relationships. Our relationships with our neighbors are transformed when we realize that we are all connected… and every person is valuable to the community, and that every person is loved by God. And… reorienting ourselves back to God… changes our relationship with money. Rather than allowing money to become an idol… we understand that money is a tool, and we can use it to help others, so that together, we are blessed. Here's a beautiful example… in my old church, the men's group met monthly on a Saturday to make homemade bread and have breakfast together. …No agenda, other than spending time together and making delicious bread. Then they'd offer that fresh, homemade bread to the congregation and collect a free-will offering… and… I know they always held back a few loaves for the single mom who was getting by on pennies. Finally, they used the money they raised to fund microloans through a non-profit program called Kiva, which offers very low—or no-interest loans for entrepreneurs in underserved communities worldwide. As the loans were paid back, which they always were, the men reinvested the funds in other people, giving more and more people the boost they needed to help themselves and their communities. The more they gave away, the more they found they were richly blessed, and they always seemed to have more to give… more to invest in people. And so, out of their abundance, they also regularly gave to our youth program, and to our food ministry… and to so many other ministries. These men were quietly committed to sharing as much as they could, and they delighted in watching how their investments in people always brought returns. Blessing others and investing their money in helping to heal unjust economic systems… was a true joy for them… and their joy was our joy! And this gospel today… this challenging piece of good news… is also a source of joy. Because Jesus came to bring good news to the poor… to set the oppressed free, to restore us to each other… and to liberate us from the bondage of our sin… and Mammon… Mammon is a big one. But Jesus does not leave us to the destruction of our sin… Jesus calls us back, time and time again… back to God and to the source of our salvation. Jesus reminds us that we are commanded to serve only one God, who is above all other gods. A God who loves us and has given us the way of everlasting life… who liberates us… and points us toward the true richness found in relationships and community. So, love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself. Trust in the good news of Jesus and in God's commands. Do this… and you will be richly blessed. Amen. _________________________________________________________________________ Notes: www.kiva.org Commentary on Luke 16:1-13, by Barbara Rossing, on www.WorkingPreacher.org Commentary on Luke 16:1-13, by Mary Schertz, September 2007 issue of Christian Century  

Have you ever considered the divine plan for your emotions? We might think God's plan would be for us to get rid of our emotions or ignore them, but the wisdom of the Christian tradition says otherwise. So, too, does the Son of God, who took on our human emotions when he took on our flesh. The key to the divine plan for our emotions lies in integration and alignment, working to direct all parts of ourselves toward the good God intends for us. But how do we do that? My guest today has spent a considerable amount of time thinking such things, practicing such things, even teaching and preaching on such things. He is Abbot Austin Murphy, a Benedictine monk of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois, who holds a Ph.D. in theology from Notre Dame. His new book, Emotional Holiness: Discovering the Divine Plan for Your Human Emotions, offers guidance on how to reckon with and direct our emotions, into concord rather than discord with our mind and our will. It is a practical book that is filled with insight.Follow-up Resources:Emotional Holiness: Discovering the Divine Plan for Your Human Emotions, by Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB.“Monastic Life and Human Ecology, with Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB,” podcast episode via Church Life TodayChurch Life Today is a partnership between the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and OSV Podcasts from Our Sunday Visitor. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Hope Church - Life's Big Questions - What do we do with Evil? - 9_14_25 by Hope Church Utah

Hope Church - Life's Big Questions - Are You Sure? - 9_7_25 by Hope Church Utah

Wednesday Series

Heather Foucault-Camm, Program Director of the Science & Religion Initiative at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, speaks with Bishop Caggiano about: space ethics, the implications of artificial intelligence, the question: "What do you believe more: science or theology?", and more. Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ Other shows The Tangent: https://thetangent.podbean.com/ Daily Gospel Reflections https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/  The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/  

Hoops, Hope, and Holiness, with Fr. Pete McCormick, C.S.C. Everybody at Notre Dame knows Fr. Pete. He's the director of campus ministry, who's responsible for leading a team that cares for the spiritual needs of our student body. He lives in a Notre Dame residence hall, where about 250 young men share life – and pranks – together. He's the chaplain of the Notre Dame men's basketball team, where he helps guide student-athletes through the privilege and challenges of balancing very busy lives. He's even the sometimes-DJ for campus events, including live on College Game Day when the show visited campus a couple years ago. But at the heart of it all, he is a Holy Cross priest, dedicated to his prayer and ministry, and to his religious community in the Congregation of Holy Cross.Fr. Pete and I have been close friends for over 20 years. He joins me today to talk about ministry to our students, chaplaincy to the basketball team, his own vocation, and being fully alive.Follow-up Resources:Story about “Fr. Pete” in the Notre Dame Magazine.Learn more about Campus Ministry at Notre Dame.Church Life Today is a partnership between the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and OSV Podcasts from Our Sunday Visitor. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

[Acts 20:7-12] We need the revelation of Gods word and relation with Gods people

Church Life “Trial Separation” (Acts 15:36-41) Next Journey (v.36)Next Conflict (vv. 37-41)1 Cor. 7:5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.1 Cor. 13:4-7 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.2 Tim. 4:10-11 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,[a] Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.  Three Warning Signs - that you're not loving and not interested in peacemaking:Number one: When the issue becomes a controlling passion of your life. Number two: When you start thinking about revenge against those who have hurt you. Number three: When you begin to attack the person and not the problem.2 Tim. 2:23-26a 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant[e] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil

IntroMy name is Travis Aicklen, and we're concluding our "Summer of Wisdom" series on Proverbs next week. Today, I'm delivering our annual "State of the Union" address. This is not a typical sermon, but an important one as we set the course for the new year. I want to talk about three things: the realities of being a sending church, our Sunday rhythms, and our readiness and responsiveness as a community.Scripture ReferencesJohn 2:1-11, John 20:21, Acts 1:8Key PointsRealities of a Sending Church:We were planted in 2005 with a vision to be a constellation of churches. We know church planting is a highly effective way to reach the unchurched; research shows 40% of church plant attendees were unchurched.This vision is a mix of gratitude for what God has done and a desire to heal from past pain.Planting churches is difficult. It means sending our best people and resources, but it's a huge win for the kingdom. We celebrate the 53 people and $100,000/year that have moved to Radiant Exeter. This requires new pillars to emerge, as the burden shifts.God is a sending God. He sent the Son, who sent the Spirit, who now sends us (John 20:21). The church's nature is to be generous and to give, just as our God is generous and gave dearly.Rhythms of Our Year:Bible Teaching: This fall, we'll begin a study of the book of Exodus. It's foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible, including Jesus's ministry and our own story of redemption.Worship: Kids (K-6th grade) will continue to join us for worship for the first few songs. This models worship and gives them a sense of belonging.Service Length: Our service will be 90 minutes. We're shortening announcements to allow for more time to respond in worship and at the communion table.Readiness and Responsiveness:The church is not an audience, but an orchestra. Your presence and participation are essential.We're asking for consistency. The average churchgoer misses 75% of what happens. Make attending the rule, not the exception.We're asking for punctuality. Being on time communicates that what we do here matters. It honors the people who serve and the Lord we've come to worship.The servants who helped Jesus turn water into wine were the only ones who saw the miracle; the guests only got the wine. Those who serve get a special glimpse into what Jesus is doing.God wants us to overcome our fear and risk of commitment and participate in His work.ConclusionWhen we wonder why we do this—sending our friends and money, taking on new burdens—we must remember our God is a sending God. He sends us, as He was sent by the Father. He gives generously, and so do we.Calls to ActionServe: Consider joining a ministry team and becoming part of the "orchestra."Commit: If you're connected, commit to consistent attendance and punctuality.Communion: The table is open for all who believe Jesus died for their sins. Come and remember what He has done, and how He is raising up an army from dry bones in our valley. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Fr. Nate Wills has been the chaplain for the Notre Dame football team since 2018. He's been along for exhilarating triumphs and devastating losses. He's seen and felt the energy of packed stadiums and the nervous focus of the pregame rituals. He's watched young men try and fail, then recover and succeed. But through it all, maybe the most important thing of all is simply this: he's been there. He's been present. And because of that, he's witnessed the presence of God in unexpected and otherwise unseen places, and he's helped other people to take note, too.After collecting stories of these rich and humbling experiences, Fr. Nate has crafted these stories into short, illuminating reflections for the rest of us. His new book, Pray Like A Champion Today, opens up for us stories of the Notre Dame football program as seen in relation to the Gospel, with a call to prayer. Fr. Nate joins me today to talk about culture, character, and the presence of Christ as seen from the sidelines and beyond.Follow-up Resources:Pray Like a Champion Today, by Fr. Nate Wills, C.S.C.Follow ”Pray Like a Champion Today” on InstagramCheck out the hugely popular “Saturdays with the Saints” lecture series, where a public lecture on a saint is offered (in-person, plus available online) every Notre Dame home football Saturday.Church Life Today is a partnership between the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and OSV Podcasts from Our Sunday Visitor. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Episode Topic: Called to be Woman: Mary's Genius and Ours “Called to be Woman: Mary's Genius and Ours,” presented by Sr. Ann Astell, took place at the McGrath Institute for Church Life conference True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture at the University of Notre Dame in March 2025, developed by Abigail Favale, Ph.D., Professor of the Practice, Theology & Literature, at the McGrath Institute for Church Life.Featured Speakers:-Sister Ann W. Astell, University of Notre DameRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/07ad4b.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture. Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

On the show, we interview long time friend Dr. Artur Rosman, translator of the new book The Philosophy of Drama, by Józef Tischner. Artur is the Editor-In-Chief of the Church Life Journal, at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame University. On the one year anniversary of the publication of his translation of the book, Artur joins us to speak about Tischner's contribution to philosophy and theology through the lens of his philosophy of drama, his place in Polish Catholicism and the Solidarity movement, and what its like to translate such an intriguing, in depth work. You won't want to miss it! Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManusCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonMaking It Personal with Bishop William JoensenMan Up! with Joe StopulusThe Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo BonnerThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleWant to support your favorite show? Click Here

Topics: Recovery, Bipolar, Incarceration, Racism, Church Life, Adult Children Hosts: Brian Perez, Chris Williams, Dr. Jill Hubbard Caller Questions & More: Chris discusses four steps to focusing on your Internal State. I have bipolar disorder and I depended on my mom who died 2yrs ago; how can I keep working if I try to work but get filled with dread? My son is The post New Life Live: August 12, 2025 appeared first on New Life.

Many of us have learned to see the world differently because of C. S. Lewis. But how did Lewis learn to see the world the way he did? From whom did he learn to see the marriage of the spiritual and material, of heavenly things right along with scientific things? If we go in search of answers to such questions, we find ourselves plunged into the Medieval world and encountering, among others, Dante.In his book, The Medieval Mind of C. S. Lewis, Jason Baxter helps us uncover the influence of great books on Lewis's great mind. Dr. Baxter joins me to continue our conversation which began on his work of translating Dante, to move now from Dante to Lewis, who was himself a man who lived in modern times but was not of those times.Follow-up Resources:The Medieval Mind of C. S. Lewis: How Great Books Shaped a Great Mind, by Jason M. BaxterLearn more about Dr. Baxter's work at https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/Church Life Today is a partnership between the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and OSV Podcasts from Our Sunday Visitor. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Acts 2:42-47

Many of the disruptions in local church life are widely known. For example, most congregants and church leaders can clearly see the impact of COVID several years ago. But there have been a number of “quiet” disruptions that don't get much attention. Thom and Sam look at ten of them over two episodes. The post Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 2) appeared first on Church Answers.

Many of the disruptions in local church life are widely known. For example, most congregants and church leaders can clearly see the impact of COVID several years ago. But there have been a number of “quiet” disruptions that don't get much attention. Thom and Sam look at ten of them over two episodes. The post Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 1) appeared first on Church Answers.

Watch on YouTube Topics: Medications, Teens, Counseling, Church Life, Suicide, Siblings, Difficult Conversations, Borderline, Adult Children, Weddings Hosts: Brian Perez, Dr. Jill Hubbard, Dr. Jim Burns Caller Questions & More: Dr. Jill discusses the importance of evaluating medication over time because the risk may start to outweigh the benefit. My 17yo son is hanging out with guys who have threatened suicide; The post New Life Live: July 3, 2025 appeared first on New Life.