Podcasts about Church of Christ

Preaching from her experience as a Black, lay Catholic woman, Dr. Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley offers a reflection on listening to Jesus, embracing the cross with love, and claiming our place in God's ongoing work of transfiguration: "It is this willingness to embrace the cross, the Mount Calvary experience that provides the ultimate transfiguration of our souls and spirits in the Resurrection." Valerie D. Lewis-Mosely, RN, OPA, is the retired Director of Religious Education at the Church of Christ the King - Jersey City, New Jersey, a historical Black Catholic Parish. She now serves in various capacities across the nation as a mentor to youth and young adults; evangelist, retreat leader and revivalist and public speaker, life coach and Spiritual Director. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology at Caldwell University, Caldwell, New Jersey, and Xavier University of Louisiana Institute for Black Catholic Studies. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03012026 to learn more about Valerie, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Friends of the Rosary,Today, we read in the Gospel (Luke 11:29-32) about the people of Nineveh, who are a model for Lent. At the preaching of Jonah the prophet, they did penance and obtained pardon and divine mercy.Jesus said to the crowd,“This generation is an evil generation;it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,except the sign of Jonah.Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”The Church of Christ preaches penance today. Penance and sacrifices are part of the period of preparation for the forty days of the Lenten journey, before we arrive at the joy and glory of Easter.The Lord intends for us to live the Paschal rhythm of death and life to reclaim, through self-examination, our true selves and become ready to share in Christ's glory.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• February 25, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Communication with God is the root than enables effective communication among ministry leaders and to keep the ministry focused on Christ. Listen to Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C share more in this segment of the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, about how we can communicate well within our ministries and ensure that God is leading the efforts. "At the same time, in the life of the Church, mission is closely linked to communion. While the mystery of Christmas celebrates the mission of the Son of God among us, it also contemplates its purpose, namely that God has reconciled the world to himself through Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:19) and in him made us his children. Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to reveal the true face of God as Father, so that we might all become his children and therefore brothers and sisters to one another. The Father's love, embodied and revealed by Jesus in his liberating actions and preaching, enables us, in the Holy Spirit, to be a sign of a new humanity — no longer founded on selfishness and individualism, but on mutual love and solidarity. This task is urgent both ad intra and ad extra. It is urgent ad intra, because communion in the Church always remains a challenge that calls us to conversion. At times, beneath an apparent calm, forces of division may be at play. We can fall into the temptation of swinging between two opposite extremes: uniformity that fails to value differences, or the exacerbation of differences and viewpoints instead of seeking communion. Thus, in interpersonal relationships, in internal office dynamics, or in addressing questions of faith, liturgy, morality and more besides, there is a risk of falling into rigidity or ideology, with their consequent conflicts. Yet we are the Church of Christ, his members, his body. We are brothers and sisters in him. And in Christ, though many and diverse, we are one: In Illo uno unum. We are called, especially here in the Curia, to be builders of Christ's communion, which is to take shape in a synodal Church where all cooperate in the same mission, each according to his or her charism and role. This communion is built not so much through words and documents as through concrete gestures and attitudes that ought to appear in our daily lives, including in our work." ~ quote from Pope Leo XIV: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251222-curia-romana.html   There are seven keys to effective Christ-centered collaboration in the Church: 1) Christ—we must recognize that Christ is the center of all that we do, 2) Cenacle—referring to how the Apostles and the Blessed Mother Mary gathered in prayer, discernment, and action, 3) Communio—communion is the core of collaboration and provides the sense of togetherness, 4) Cooperation—we must work together to understand perspectives and care for those in need, 5) Communication—effective communication ensures that collaboration moves efficiently and effectively to achieve the ministerial goals, 6) Compassion—when things don't go according to plan, ensure that those involved in the work of the ministry are cared for with charity as well, 7) Co-responsibility—we all share in the mission of Christ and his church, it is each of our roles to preach the Gospel.   Notes: Access Collaboration in Ministry resources On Mission: Collaboration and Co-Responsibility More episodes about Living as Missionary Disciples   From the Ad Infinitum blog: Laborers in the Vineyard Collaboration and Co-Responsibility More blogs about Collaboration Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send a textIn the last episode, we talked about when the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit on Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. We  then began discussing when Cornelius  and his family and friends were baptized in the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts chapter 10. We read the entire chapter, 48 verses, in sections with short comments regarding what was recorded. We noticed that in verses 1 through 8 Cornelius is described as an Italian military man and consequently a Gentile and a devout man. These verses describe how Cornelius was addressed by an angel and told to go to Joppa and seek Peter the apostle. In the next section, verses 9-16, Peter has a vision to teach him that Gentiles are acceptable to God under the New Testament just as Jews are. In verses 17-33 we note that those Cornelius sent to seek Peter arrived to tell Peter to come to his house. At his house, Peter and Cornelius described what they were told. The record of Peter's sermon is contained in verses 34-43. In verses 44-48 we find that the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. We discuss what Peter said. In particular the fact that God shows no partiality and accepts any who will obey Him. We discuss what Peter said in Acts 2:38 and note that even though the Holy Spirit fell on those in Cornelius' house, they were still commanded to be baptized in water, the name of the Lord. We have seen two examples of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and we believe these are the only ones in the New Testament except the special occasion when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in Marl 1:10. In the next episode, we will begin looking at the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the miracles related to that. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Holy cooperation involves integrating our ministry's or apostolate's decisions with the grace and movements of the Blessed Trinity to better come to discover where God is calling us. Listen to Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C share more in this segment of the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, about how we can collaborate with the Blessed Trinity throughout the process of discernment and decision making."At the same time, in the life of the Church, mission is closely linked to communion. While the mystery of Christmas celebrates the mission of the Son of God among us, it also contemplates its purpose, namely that God has reconciled the world to himself through Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:19) and in him made us his children. Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to reveal the true face of God as Father, so that we might all become his children and therefore brothers and sisters to one another. The Father's love, embodied and revealed by Jesus in his liberating actions and preaching, enables us, in the Holy Spirit, to be a sign of a new humanity — no longer founded on selfishness and individualism, but on mutual love and solidarity. This task is urgent both ad intra and ad extra.It is urgent ad intra, because communion in the Church always remains a challenge that calls us to conversion. At times, beneath an apparent calm, forces of division may be at play. We can fall into the temptation of swinging between two opposite extremes: uniformity that fails to value differences, or the exacerbation of differences and viewpoints instead of seeking communion. Thus, in interpersonal relationships, in internal office dynamics, or in addressing questions of faith, liturgy, morality and more besides, there is a risk of falling into rigidity or ideology, with their consequent conflicts.Yet we are the Church of Christ, his members, his body. We are brothers and sisters in him. And in Christ, though many and diverse, we are one: In Illo uno unum.We are called, especially here in the Curia, to be builders of Christ's communion, which is to take shape in a synodal Church where all cooperate in the same mission, each according to his or her charism and role. This communion is built not so much through words and documents as through concrete gestures and attitudes that ought to appear in our daily lives, including in our work." ~ quote from Pope Leo XIV: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251222-curia-romana.html There are seven keys to effective Christ-centered collaboration in the Church: 1) Christ—we must recognize that Christ is the center of all that we do, 2) Cenacle—referring to how the Apostles and the Blessed Mother Mary gathered in prayer, discernment, and action, 3) Communio—communion is the core of collaboration and provides the sense of togetherness, 4) Cooperation—we must work together to understand perspectives and care for those in need, 5) Communication—effective communication ensures that collaboration moves efficiently and effectively to achieve the ministerial goals, 6) Compassion—when things don't go according to plan, ensure that those involved in the work of the ministry are cared for with charity as well, 7) Co-responsibility—we all share in the mission of Christ and his church, it is each of our roles to preach the Gospel. Notes:Access Collaboration in Ministry resourcesOn Mission: Collaboration and Co-ResponsibilityMore episodes about Living as Missionary Disciples From the Ad Infinitum blog:Laborers in the VineyardCollaboration and Co-ResponsibilityMore blogs about Collaboration Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Tired of endless denominations and “best” interpretations? Ethan left the Church of Christ after tracing history, worship, and unity back to Orthodoxy. Hear the turning points, the schisms, and his family's conversion. Listen now—what would convince you?What if the problem isn't that people disagree with the Bible, but that we cut the Bible loose from the Church that received it? Ethan Brackin grew up in the Church of Christ, where “Bible alone” shaped belief, worship, and identity. He takes us inside the Restoration Movement—why it rejected creeds, how it tried to rebuild “New Testament Christianity,” and how, within decades, it fractured into institutional and non-institutional camps. The result was a string of verse battles without a stable referee, a culture that prized sincerity but struggled to hold doctrine together, and a worship life that felt increasingly thin.We trace Ethan's path from the Church of Christ to Orthodoxy, mapping the fractures of solo scriptura and the discovery of a living tradition. A family's first visit to Divine Liturgy becomes the hinge that moves study into conviction and conviction into catechumenate.• restoration movement origins and the “Bible alone” claim• rejection of creeds and loss of church history• early schisms and institutional vs non-institutional split• college retreat and the shallows of verse battles• first encounter with Orthodox worship and chant• global unity of faith, fasting, and liturgy• reading the Fathers and naming the Nicene faith• parents visit liturgy and become catechumens• humility, patience, and seeking truth as a habitThe turning point wasn't a debate; it was beauty. A single Orthodox hymn led Ethan into church history, patristic sources, and the living shape of ancient worship. He and his wife spent months reading, praying, and quietly testing claims. What they found was not a clever system, but a continuous life: one Creed, one Eucharistic pattern, one fasting rhythm, echoed across languages and continents. That visible catholicity reframed authority—Scripture in the Church, illuminated by the Fathers, confirmed in council, and embodied in the Divine Liturgy.The story takes an unexpected twist when Ethan's parents ask to attend liturgy. One service became hours of questions and weeks of study, culminating in a confession that surprised even them: the Orthodox Church is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Along the way, we explore why solo scriptura breeds fragmentation, how the early Restoration leaders related to the Trinity, and what real unity looks like when it is lived rather than asserted. If you've felt the ache of endless denominations or the fatigue of constant doctrinal drift, this conversation offers a clear path forward: come and see, read the Fathers, and let beauty lead you to truth.If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who's wrestling with authority and unity, and leave a review to help more seekers find their way.Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send a textWe begin this episode by noting that on the day of Pentecost, according to Acts 1:1-4 that the Jewish apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit or baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in languages or tongues that they never learned. We discuss the fact that this occurred for a special reason which was to be able to speak in the foreign languages of the Jews that were there for Pentecost so they could teach them the gospel. We look at what Peter had to say at that time when he referred to Joel's prophecy about that occasion. We read what Peter said to those gathered and note that there were three thousand individuals who repented and were baptized and that Jesus added them to His Church, the Church of Christ. We note that all of the miracles that Jesus performed had their effect immediately. We look at the next time the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred which was upon Cornelius, an Italian military officer and his household, who were all Gentiles. The record of this is in Acts 10 verses 1 through 48. This was necessary to convince Peter and the other Jews that the Gentiles were also acceptable to God and were required to obey the gospel just as the Jews were. We begin reading the passages in Acts 10 and run out of time before finishing the reading. We will start the next episode by beginning our reading at Verse 23 and finish through to verse 48. We will then discuss what Cornelius and his household did. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. For your convenience, there is a transcription of this Buzzsprout episode provided.

Seeker: When I Finally Stopped Saying No Brother Barry has had many labels in his life. Son. Jamaican. New Yorker. Navy man. Husband. Dad.  Minister of the Gospel. Host of Face the Truth. But if there's one label that changed everything else. it's seeker. This is the story most people don’t know about Brother Barry… the journey of a seeker who was looking for truth in all the wrong places, until God led him to the one place he did his best to avoid. Episode Timestamps 00:00               A Seeker’s Opening: “Could This Be It?” 02:15               Twenty Years in Media: How God Uses Technology to Spread the Gospel 08:20               Born in Jamaica, Raised in the Bronx: The Boy Behind the Minister 11:00               Two Parents, Two Churches: Growing Up Without Spiritual Roots 14:30               Religion as Rebellion: Why the Louder the Preacher, the Better 17:00               “Evidence That Demands a Verdict”: The Book That Confirmed God Was Real 21:30               Joining the Navy at 17: Chasing Structure After a Chaotic Childhood 25:30               Married at 19, Divorced at 20: When the Chaos Followed Him to California 28:30               The Club Epiphany: One Thought That Changed Everything 30:30               From Club to Bible: The Night He Became a Seeker 33:00               Enter Brother Rene: The Coworker He Kept Avoiding 35:30               Offended by the Truth 38:30               Every Church But His: Seeking Everywhere Except the Right Place 40:30               The Chaotic Church That Was the Last Straw 43:00               Talking to God Out Loud: “If You Exist, Show Me” 45:30               Going to Prove It Wrong: The Plan That Backfired 51:00               First Bible Study with Brother Joe Ventilacion: “What Is This?” 53:30               Couldn’t Sleep: The Night the Search Ended 55:30               The Chapel Was on His Route All Along 58:00               Obsessed: Never Missed a Bible Study After That 1:01:00            The Messenger Lesson: The Final Wall Comes Down 1:07:00            First Worship Service: Peace Like He’d Never Felt Before 1:08:30            Baptism Day: The Tears, the Injured Knee, and the New Life 1:12:30            Finally God's son: What It Meant to Belong to God 1:16:00            All or Nothing: What It Really Takes to Seek God 1:22:00            What to Say to Seekers Who Say “That’s Too Hard” 1:27:00            From Seeker to the Pulpit: What happened next? Thirty-five years later, Brother Barry still tears up thinking about that first Bible study, the night he couldn’t sleep because he thought: could this be it? After years of a chaotic childhood, unstable homes, and churches that left him more confused than when he walked in, God led him right to the door he’d been passing every single day. But what he didn’t know was that his story was just beginning. Because God had a calling waiting for him that would blow up every plan he had for his young life. Now, if Brother Barry’s story spoke to you, or if you know someone who’s in the middle of their own secret journey, share this with them. For more Making Changes podcasts, visit incmedia.org, the INC Media app, or find it anywhere you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening, and may your change uplift you. Connect with Aliw Garcia Pablo, the Making Changes Host instagram.com/aliwgarciapablo Watch Want to Find God? https://incmedia.org/want-to-find-god/ Interested in attending a Bible study in the Church Of Christ? Set a time to speak. Connect with the Making Changes Host http://instagram.com/aliwgarciapablo Rate & Review: Spotify and Apple Podcasts Follow the show: Instagram http://instagram.com/makingchangespodcast Visit our website: incmedia.org/making-changes  

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim LawsHow To Study the Bible

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What does it mean to live as the People of God? We are God's beloved children who follow Jesus in practices like baptism, fellowship, and communion through which we are transformed by the Spirit and sent to extend God's transforming love to the world.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!Here we conclude my discussion with Noah Diestelkamp and BJ Sipe on the topic of honor; I hope you've benefitted from it half as much as I have. We wrap up by talking about the honor God says is waiting for us at the end, how we build confidence in His promises, and how we sustain ourselves along the way while He waits to give it to us. If you're thinking we may not quite be done talking about the book of Philippians, prepare to not be disappointed.Noah Diestelkamp, husband and father of three, works with the Cedar Park church of Christ in the Austin area. He and Paul White host the Stand Strong Podcast. Check it out at https://standstrong.buzzsprout.com/BJ Sipe, also a husband and father of three, is with the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl3Ug77n1gc for links to simulcasts from the work at Danville and to https://setyourmindabove.buzzsprout.com/ to find the Set Your Mind Above podcast.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!Believe it or not, we're not done yet talking about how we show honor to politicians and other public figures. I guess we just can't help ourselves. Again, Noah Diestelkamp and BJ Sipe are here sharing their thoughts; as the conversation continued, we tried to get a little more practical in our application. Regardless of your political affiliation, I think they will both exhort you to stand for the right and urge caution in dealing with those you think are in the wrong.Noah Diestelkamp, husband and father of three, works with the Cedar Park church of Christ in the Austin area. He and Paul White host the Stand Strong Podcast. Check it out at https://standstrong.buzzsprout.com/BJ Sipe, also a husband and father of three, is with the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl3Ug77n1gc for links to simulcasts from the work at Danville and to https://setyourmindabove.buzzsprout.com/ to find the Set Your Mind Above podcast.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!We're back with more from my conversation with Noah Diestelkamp and BJ Sipe, preachers with the churches in Cedar Park, Texas, and Danville, Kentucky, respectively; check out their links in the show notes. It's the segment you've all been waiting for: a definitive answer as to whether we really have to honor our governmental officials, even the ones we think – nay, we KNOW – are agents of the devil. Something's telling me we might need more than one segment for this question.Noah Diestelkamp, husband and father of three, works with the Cedar Park church of Christ in the Austin area. He and Paul White host the Stand Strong Podcast. Check it out at https://standstrong.buzzsprout.com/BJ Sipe, also a husband and father of three, is with the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl3Ug77n1gc for links to simulcasts from the work at Danville and to https://setyourmindabove.buzzsprout.com/ to find the Set Your Mind Above podcast.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.

Greater unity and communion with one another allow us to work together more effectively. The Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary gathered in the Cenacle, or Upper Room, to collaborate with each other and the Holy Spirit as they made decision and implemented their actions. This model of prayer and collaboration in union with the Holy Spirit should be emulated at all levels of the Church today, including within parish ministries. Listen to Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C share more in this segment of the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, about why we must deepen our communion with God and each other in order to more fully collaborate and fulfill our ministries."At the same time, in the life of the Church, mission is closely linked to communion. While the mystery of Christmas celebrates the mission of the Son of God among us, it also contemplates its purpose, namely that God has reconciled the world to himself through Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:19) and in him made us his children. Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to reveal the true face of God as Father, so that we might all become his children and therefore brothers and sisters to one another. The Father's love, embodied and revealed by Jesus in his liberating actions and preaching, enables us, in the Holy Spirit, to be a sign of a new humanity — no longer founded on selfishness and individualism, but on mutual love and solidarity. This task is urgent both ad intra and ad extra.It is urgent ad intra, because communion in the Church always remains a challenge that calls us to conversion. At times, beneath an apparent calm, forces of division may be at play. We can fall into the temptation of swinging between two opposite extremes: uniformity that fails to value differences, or the exacerbation of differences and viewpoints instead of seeking communion. Thus, in interpersonal relationships, in internal office dynamics, or in addressing questions of faith, liturgy, morality and more besides, there is a risk of falling into rigidity or ideology, with their consequent conflicts.Yet we are the Church of Christ, his members, his body. We are brothers and sisters in him. And in Christ, though many and diverse, we are one: In Illo uno unum.We are called, especially here in the Curia, to be builders of Christ's communion, which is to take shape in a synodal Church where all cooperate in the same mission, each according to his or her charism and role. This communion is built not so much through words and documents as through concrete gestures and attitudes that ought to appear in our daily lives, including in our work." ~ quote from Pope Leo XIV: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251222-curia-romana.html There are seven keys to effective Christ-centered collaboration in the Church: 1) Christ—we must recognize that Christ is the center of all that we do, 2) Cenacle—referring to how the Apostles and the Blessed Mother Mary gathered in prayer, discernment, and action, 3) Communio—communion is the core of collaboration and provides the sense of togetherness, 4) Cooperation—we must work together to understand perspectives and care for those in need, 5) Communication—effective communication ensures that collaboration moves efficiently and effectively to achieve the ministerial goals, 6) Compassion—when things don't go according to plan, ensure that those involved in the work of the ministry are cared for with charity as well, 7) Co-responsibility—we all share in the mission of Christ and his church, it is each of our roles to preach the Gospel. Notes:Access Collaboration in Ministry resourcesOn Mission: Collaboration and Co-ResponsibilityMore episodes about Living as Missionary Disciples From the Ad Infinitum blog:Laborers in the VineyardCollaboration and Co-ResponsibilityMore blogs about Collaboration Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!I'm joined by two eminently honorable preachers of the gospel – Noah Diestelkamp and BJ Sipe. Bios and links are provided below; make sure you check out their outstanding work in the kingdom. I asked them to comment on Biblical honor, starting with the way we show honor to one another as Christians. I think you'll be blessed by what they have to say. A word of caution first: it may wind up hitting you in your wallet.Noah Diestelkamp, husband and father of three, works with the Cedar Park church of Christ in the Austin area. He and Paul White host the Stand Strong Podcast. Check it out at https://standstrong.buzzsprout.com/BJ Sipe, also a husband and father of three, is with the church of Christ in Danville, Kentucky. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl3Ug77n1gc for links to simulcasts from the work at Danville and to https://setyourmindabove.buzzsprout.com/ to find the Set Your Mind Above podcast.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.

We appreciate you tuning into this episode in the 7th season of the Ray Reynolds Rap podcast. If we can pray for you in anyway please email us at rayreynoldsrap@gmail.com. If you are interested in a deeper, richer study of the Bible please download the FREE study guides available for a limited time. We also encourage you to sign up for a FREE Bible course for a comprehensive study of the entire Bible.The ministry of Reynolds Rap is meant to bring a message of inspiration and encouragement. Our hope it will bless you to find your calling and inspire you to engage in your own distinctive and personal ministry.  Our goal is to help mentor, coach, and motivate you.  We will do this through sharing Scriptures, Bible studies, blogs, podcasts, and LIVE videos.  Our website has many tools to help you in your walk with God to maintain an authentic Christian life (www.rayreynoldsrap.com).This podcast is partially sponsored by Peachtree Press LLC (www.peachtreepress.org), Getting To Know Your Bible (www.gettingtoknowyourbible.com), the Summerdale Church of Christ (www.summerdalechurch.org), and the Reclaiming Hope Ministry (www.reclaiminghopeministry.com).#ReynoldsRap #WixBlog #authentic #Christian #positive #practical #community #God #Jesus #Facebook #Twitter #Instagram #YouTube #Reddit #Substack #Christianity #ReclaimingHope #RayReynolds #MistyReynolds #counseling #PeachtreePress #inspiration #encourage #positive #rayreynoldsrap #reclaiminghopeministry #summerdale #churchofchrist #growinginChrist #story

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

What does it mean to dwell in the Story of God? The Bible is a diverse library that tells a single story from creation to new creation, with Jesus as its climax and fulfillment. We engage Scripture with our heads, hearts, and hands as we learn the story, encounter God, and join in as active participants.

In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley is joined by Matt James, preacher at the Church of Christ in Crosbyton, Texas, for a conversation about small town ministry. Together, they discuss the unique challenges and blessings that come with serving Christ in close-knit communities, where relationships are personal and ministry is deeply connected to everyday life. The discussion highlights the importance of faithfulness, long-term investment, and gospel-centered work in smaller congregations, reminding listeners that meaningful ministry is not measured by size, but by devotion to Christ and service to His people.     Connect with Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearchurch_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564673680147 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DearChurch   Have a question? Email Chris at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com.   #DearChurchPodcast #SmallTownMinistry #ChurchOfChrist #RuralMinistry #PreachingTheGospel #ChristianLeadership #PastoralMinistry #ChurchCommunity #FaithfulService #ChristianPodcast #MinistryChallenges #ServingTheChurch #GospelWork #LocalChurch #BiblicalMinistry

What does it mean to seek the Kingdom of God? Through stories of small seeds and hidden treasures—and through his life, death, and resurrection—Jesus shows us the Kingdom coming near through practices of presence, sacrifice, and renewal as we await its fullness.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

From apps, to blogs, to live and recorded sermons, etc., there are thousands of resources available to Christians who want to supplement their Christian growth. But none of these can replace our active service and regular participation inside the Church of Christ. In this episode, we'll discuss the barriers people erect to this foundational truth; and filter them through scripture, providing biblical and practical ways to overcome them.

To fulfill its assigned mission, the Church of Christ must demonstrate Biblical characteristics.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT FOR THE XXI DAY FAST! a wonderful milestone that is going to be shared with the WOL family, as we set our sights on this final week. Pray for endurance to finish the race strongly and to end the fast illuminated by the presence of Christ in a deeper way than when you began it.This Sunday Pastor Chris continues the Ephesians series by hopping right in to chapter 3 of the book. Paul in this chapter lays out the glory of the church of Christ, one where heaven and earth have been reconciled, and one where generations of saints (a cloud of witnesses) cheer us on to finish the race. This communal element of the church is done by design so that we may know God more deeply and be stretched so that our love may increase in him—"There are depths of God's love that you will never know apart from gathering with Christ-followers who are different from you," Pastor Chris. Do not be afraid to encounter those depths.

 13 And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?  14 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.  17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.  18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.  20 Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.[18] "Thou art Peter": As St. Peter, by divine revelation, here made a solemn profession of his faith of the divinity of Christ; so in recompense of this faith and profession, our Lord here declares to him the dignity to which he is pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom he had already given the name of Peter, signifying a rock, St. John 1. 42, should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the support of the building of the church; in which building he should be, next to Christ himself, the chief foundation stone, in quality of chief pastor, ruler, and governor; and should have accordingly all fulness of ecclesiastical power, signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven.[18] "Upon this rock": The words of Christ to Peter, spoken in the vulgar language of the Jews which our Lord made use of, were the same as if he had said in English, Thou art a Rock, and upon this rock I will build my church. So that, by the plain course of the words, Peter is here declared to be the rock, upon which the church was to be built: Christ himself being both the principal foundation and founder of the same. Where also note, that Christ, by building his house, that is, his church, upon a rock, has thereby secured it against all storms and floods, like the wise builder, [Matt 7:24-25].[18] "The gates of hell": That is, the powers of darkness, and whatever Satan can do, either by himself, or his agents. For as the church is here likened to a house, or fortress, built on a rock; so the adverse powers are likened to a contrary house or fortress, the gates of which, that is, the whole strength, and all the efforts it can make, will never be able to prevail over the city or church of Christ. By this promise we are fully assured, that neither idolatry, heresy, nor any pernicious error whatsoever shall at any time prevail over the church of Christ.[19] "Loose upon earth": The loosing the bands of temporal punishments due to sins, is called an indulgence; the power of which is here granted.St Marcellus I defended the rights of the church with heroic resistance. On this account he was exlied by the heretic Maxenius. He died A.D. 310.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Maraming nagtatanong tuwing Traslacion: “Hindi ba ito pagsamba sa rebulto ng mga Katoliko?”

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

In its services, the Church calls St Basil a "bee of the Church of Christ": bringing the honey of divinely-inspired wisdom to the faithful, stinging the uprisings of heresy. He was born in Cappadocia to a wealthy and prominent family. Their worldly wealth, however, is as nothing compared to the wealth of Saints that they have given to the Church: his parents St Basil the Elder and St Emmelia; his sister St Macrina (July 19), the spiritual head of the family; and his brothers St Gregory of Nyssa (January 10), and St Peter, future bishop of Sebaste (January 9).   Inspired and tutored by his father, a renowned professor of rhetoric, the brilliant Basil set out to master the secular learning and arts of his day, traveling to Athens, where he studied alongside his life-long friend St Gregory of Nazianzus. When he returned from his studies in 356, he found that his mother and his sister Macrina had turned the family home into a convent, and that his brothers had also taken up the monastic life nearby. Puffed up by his secular accomplishments, he at first resisted his sister's pleas to take up a life devoted to God, but at last, through her prayers and admonition, entered upon the ascetical life.   After traveling among the monks of Egypt, Palestine and Syria, he settled in Cappadocia as a hermit, living in utter poverty and writing his ascetical homilies. A monastic community steadily gathered around him, and for its good order St Basil wrote his Rule, which is regarded as the charter of monasticism. (St Benedict in the West was familiar with this Rule, and his own is modeled on it.)   In about 370 he was consecrated Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. Even as bishop, he continued to live without any possessions save a worn garment to cover himself. At this time the Arian heresy was rending the Church, and it became St Basil's lot to defend Orthodoxy in Sermons and writings, a task which he fulfilled with such erudition and wisdom that he is called "Basil the Great." He reposed in peace in 379, at the age of forty-nine.