Podcasts about Church of Christ

We focus heavily on the turbulent history of the physical temple lot in Independence, Missouri, and the controversial figure of apostle Otto Fetting. Daniel Malone, a Sunday school teacher for the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) gives his insights. https://youtu.be/xqRZPoyaUqk Don't miss our other conversations on Hedrickites: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/Hedrickites/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved The 1920s Influx and a Changing Church During the 1920s, the RLDS Church experienced a major schism over “supreme directional control,” which led to a massive influx of former RLDS members joining the Church of Christ. This sudden growth swelled the Independence congregation from roughly 250 to nearly 600 members. Amidst an era of intense theological debates, the Church of Christ made a monumental organizational change in 1925: they completely abolished the office of a presiding elder (or president), choosing instead to be led collectively by a Quorum of Twelve Apostles. However, Malone candidly admits that the early church had a “horrible track record” of electing apostles, resulting in numerous leaders leaving and taking factions of the church with them. Otto Fetting and the Masonic Blueprints One of the most notable apostles from this era was Otto Fetting, who joined around 1927 and claimed to receive a series of revelations from John the Baptist. Fetting instructed the church to build a temple and provided blueprints for a massive 180-by-90-foot structure that Malone describes as looking like a Masonic lodge. This directly contradicted Joseph Smith’s earlier instructions to build the Independence temple to match the dimensions of the Kirtland temple, which was much smaller. Fetting’s revelations eventually commanded that members be rebaptized, which was a bridge too far for the church. The Church of Christ ultimately rejected Fetting, redacted all of his revelations, and considers them non-binding8. Ironically, the 180-by-90-foot dimensions proposed by Fetting are the ones still marked out on the temple lot today. The Cornerstone Controversy While excavating the foundation for Fetting’s temple, workers unearthed cornerstones that are currently housed in the church’s visitor center. Malone expressed deep personal suspicion regarding these artifacts. While he acknowledges the possibility that Joseph Smith could have originally placed them there to mark the spot, Malone finds it highly convenient that they were discovered right as Fetting was attempting to legitimize his massive temple project, suggesting they could potentially be forgeries planted by Fetting. Current Temple Plans and “Closed Communion” Despite owning the property, the Church of Christ has absolutely no current plans to build a temple. They have money strictly earmarked and set aside for a temple, but they refuse to move forward unless they receive a direct, divine revelation from God commanding them to do so. We also addressed a rumor regarding a Brazilian restoration group attempting to merge with the Church of Christ to gain voting rights over the temple lot. Malone dismissed the likelihood of this, explaining that the church practices “closed communion” and requires all new members to be rebaptized directly into their organization. In fact, they stopped accepting priesthood and baptismal transfers from the RLDS Church back in the 1920s or 1930s due to stark differences in belief. Don't miss our other conversations on the Temple Lot group: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/Hedrickites/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved 0:00 Otto Fetting/Temple Cornerstones 15:11 Brazil Group

Part 9 For Jesus Name Pentecostals, except that a person is baptised in water, they cannot have their sins forgiven, since they believe that it is at baptism that God washes away the sins of the believer.  Oneness Pentecostals are not alone in this; other cults, including the Church of Christ, believe the same, as also do the Roman Catholic Church.  What distinguishes Jesus Name Pentecostals from other groups is their belief that baptism is effective only when it is performed in the name of Jesus.  What evidence is there in the Word of God for such a belief?  What about the Great Commission, where Jesus commanded the disciples to baptise in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?   Consideration shall be given in this ninth teaching part, and the evidence put forward by the Oneness Pentecostals shall be weighed in the balance.      Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/9_Baptism_in_Jesus_Name.pdf

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15 But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.Si autem peccaverit in te frater tuus, vade, et corripe eum inter te, et ipsum solum : si te audierit, lucratus eris fratrem tuum. 16 And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.Si autem te non audierit, adhibe tecum adhuc unum, vel duos, ut in ore duorum, vel trium testium stet omne verbum. 17 And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.Quod si non audierit eos : dic ecclesiae. Si autem ecclesiam non audierit, sit tibi sicut ethnicus et publicanus. 18 Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.Amen dico vobis, quaecumque alligaveritis super terram, erunt ligata et in caelo : et quaecumque solveritis super terram, erunt soluta et in caelo. 19 Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning any thing whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven.Iterum dico vobis, quia si duo ex vobis consenserint super terram, de omni re quamcumque petierint, fiet illis a Patre meo, qui in caelis est. 20 For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.Ubi enim sunt duo vel tres congregati in nomine meo, ibi sum in medio eorum. 21 Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?Tunc accedens Petrus ad eum, dixit : Domine, quoties peccabit in me frater meus, et dimittam ei? usque septies? 22 Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times.Dicit illi Jesus : Non dico tibi usque septies : sed usque septuagies septies.[20] "There am I in the midst of them": This is understood of such assemblies only as are gathered in the name and authority of Christ; and in unity of the church of Christ. St. Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae.

Homily preached at the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the church of Christ the King in McFarland, WI in the Parish of Stella Maris.

I was able to get a rare interview with a member of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot.) Daniel Malone is an adult Sunday school teacher for the church in Independence, Missouri. He provides a candid look into the history and theology of the organization, often historically referred to as the “Hedrickites.” https://youtu.be/pe4r4P3PkQ0 Don't miss our other conversations on Hedrickites: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/Hedrickites/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Scripture and the Book of Commandments The Church of Christ grounds its doctrine strictly in the King James Version of the Bible and the Book of Mormon (specifically utilizing their 1990 Independence Edition, which is based on the 1908 RLDS version.) Any theological belief must completely agree with both of these texts. A major highlight of the interview is Malone’s clarification on the Church of Christ (Temple Lot)’s position regarding the Book of Commandments. While outsiders often mistakenly assume it acts as the church’s canonized version of the Doctrine and Covenants, Malone explains that the church recently voted to officially stop printing it and distance themselves from it. The church has never considered the Book of Commandments to be binding scripture. Historically, it was used primarily as an evidentiary tool to demonstrate how early revelations were manipulated and changed when the Doctrine and Covenants was published. The Church of Christ completely rejects the Doctrine and Covenants, making this historical comparison crucial during late 19th-century ideological splits with the RLDS Church/Community of Christ. Church of Christ (Temple Lot) 1830 Roots Malone outlines the church’s desire to strip away what they view as “inventions” that crept into the early Mormon movement between 1830 and 1844. They believe Joseph Smith took on too much authority and that the church should be led collectively by a quorum of twelve apostles, rather than a single prophet, closely mirroring the New Testament church found in Acts. Following the scattering of church members after Joseph Smith’s death, a small, isolated group of believers in Illinois and Indiana maintained these original foundational beliefs. Under the leadership of Granville Hedrick, they received a revelation to return to Independence, Missouri. In 1867, they became the very first restoration group to bravely resettle in Missouri, doing so while the Mormon Extermination Order was still active. Women's Roles and Local Autonomy Malone also takes time to correct a misconception regarding the role of women in the Church of Christ. While they do not hold ministerial priesthood offices, women are considered essential spiritual pillars of the church. They take active roles in worship services, where they pray, testify, prophesy, teach Sunday school, and lead music. Malone also shares his own relaxed, autonomous approach to teaching his adult Sunday school class, noting that they do not follow a set correlation schedule, but rather study whatever topics excite him or inspire the class. The episode wraps up by teasing the next part of the conversation, which promises to dive into the controversies surrounding the 1930s apostle Otto Fetting, his massive blueprints for a temple, and the mysterious cornerstones unearthed on the temple lot. Don't miss our other conversations on Hedrickites: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/Hedrickites/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

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

Saint Gregory Palamas, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

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Today we are going to refute some of the claims Cultish makes about the Church of Christ. They rely on "straw man" caricatures rather than the actual biblical harmony taught within the Church of Christ.Note: Not everyone in the Church of Christ would answer in the way we do here but I suspect everyone who will disagree with how they describe the church of Christ and what we believe.

Today we are going to refute some of the claims Cultish makes about the Church of Christ. They rely on "straw man" caricatures rather than the actual biblical harmony taught within the Church of Christ.Note: Not everyone in the Church of Christ would answer in the way we do here but I suspect everyone who will disagree with how they describe the church of Christ and what we believe.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!This is an encore episode. It originally appeared as part of Episode 222 on July 5, 2023. Adam Shanks, host of the Preach Impediments podcast, is also the author of In God We Trust, an excellent book on money management. You can find it at Adam's website, Edenhollow.com. In this segment, Adam and Reagan McClenny, who preaches for the church of Christ in Lufkin, TX, discuss with me the importance of properly managing our money, and what our failure to do so says about our faith.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

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

Series: N/AService: Radio Program / PodcastType: Radio Program / PodcastSpeaker: E.R. Hall, Jr.

Send a textIn this episode we continue our study of miracles by asking if they exist or happen today as they did in New Testament times? We note that just about all of Jesus testimony or preaching was verified by miracles. We talk about what Nicodemus said about that as well as other passages that John wrote. We mention that references to the miracles performed at that time can be found in secular writings of the time. Before discussing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded again that the Holy Spirit fell independently upon individuals only three times and look at those times. We begin our study of the gifts of the Holy Spirit by noting that they are discussed by Paul in 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14. We talk about the purpose of the gifts by noting they existed while the words were being preached and written down and before all of the New Testament words were delivered. We note that Paul said that while this was being done, the gospel was proclaimed to whole world at that time. We look at 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul writes about the diversities of gifts. We talk about Jesus' prayer for unity among His people and how the gifts of the Holy Spirit ensures the unity of the words received and taught. Paul identifies the gifts and we note them in this episode. We talk about how Paul uses the human body and some of its members to show the purpose of the spiritual gifts to the local church at the time. We look at what Paul says about there being a more excellent way than the Holy Spirit's gifts. Paul writes about the gift of tongues and prophesy and notes why one is better than the other. We run out of time before we can finish this discussion. So, we will start there next week. 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 transcription of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.

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.

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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 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

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

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 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.

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.

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!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

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

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