Podcasts about ecumenical

Send us Fan MailThis episode is Bishop Rob Wright's sermon from the ordination and consecration of Bishop Sarah Fisher, ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, given on May 23. In his sermon, Bishop Wright answers an important question: what is a bishop for? You'll hear a clear, memorable vision of Episcopal leadership as itinerant service, scripture-shaped preaching, guarding the faith, and doing “balcony” work that spots patterns and faces the challenges we'd rather avoid. The hat doesn't make the leader. The work does. Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Pope Leo and Coptic Orthodox Restart Ecumenical Dialogue

Three Renovaré staff members—Carolyn Arends, Monty Harrington, and Brandan Spencer—joined Nathan on Life with God to describe the team's pilgrimage to Montgomery to give sustained attention to injustice against Black people in the United States and celebrate the legacy of God-empowered resistance and resilience.

Send us Fan MailTogetherness is not a warm slogan, it's the only way we meet the scale of what's in front of us. From the start, we press on a simple question: how do you remember the past honestly without letting it turn into bitterness? In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Senator Jon Ossoff about faith, leadership, and what it takes to build a better world when the headlines feel like a steady stream of bad news. Ossoff traces his moral education through the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and the civil rights movement in Georgia, including the historic alliance between Black and Jewish communities in the South. He shares the powerful symbolism of being sworn into the US Senate on scripture belonging to Rabbi Jacob Rothschild, the Atlanta rabbi whose temple was bombed in 1958 for supporting Dr. King and the SCLC. They discuss what interfaith coalition building looks like when it's real, not performative, and why serious faith traditions should pull us alongside each other when the stakes are high. Listen in for the full conversation. Born and raised in Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff serves as our Senior United States Senator. Since his election, Sen. Ossoff has built bipartisanship in the Senate to achieve meaningful legislative results for Georgia — even in a divided Congress. In his first two years in office, Sen. Ossoff passed into law more standalone bills than any other freshman Senator. Sen. Ossoff's legislative achievements include laws to protect children online; to strengthen public safety; to tackle the opioid epidemic and prevent fentanyl trafficking across the Southern Border; to investigate unsolved lynchings and Civil Rights murders; to strengthen mental health care services for veterans; and to fight corruption and improve security in U.S. prisons. Mentored by civil rights legend Congressman John Lewis, Sen. Ossoff previously led a small business that produced investigative journalism exposing war crimes, public corruption, human trafficking, and organized crime. Sen. Ossoff lives with his wife, Dr. Alisha Kramer, and two daughters in Atlanta.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Send us Fan Mail✍️SHOW NOTES✍️What is the harlot of Revelation 17 really about, and does it even matter?SMASH that LIKE button.

Send us Fan MailLove sounds simple until you try to practice it with someone who won't return it, someone who betrays you, or someone whose decisions harm people you care about. That's where Dorothy Day's language hits with force: “God is love,” and love doesn't just soothe fear, it casts fear out. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright use Day's quote as a doorway into a grounded conversation on Christian love, faith and leadership, and what it means to follow Jesus when the world feels tense, divided, and exhausted.  They discuss the uncomfortable gap between sentimental love and what we actually deliver to each other. Bishop Wright names the cost of love that isn't contingent on someone else's goodness, gratitude, or agreement and why that kind of love often feels unrequited. They dig into the difference between belief and opinion: belief is rooted in being beloved by God, then living like it. That includes the hard questions, like how to hold dignity and respect for people you deeply disagree with while still working against policies and behaviors that harm others. Listen in for the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

14/16: Tal Fortgang highlights an ecumenical coalition opposing discrimination against religious groups. He cites the Notre Dame Education Law Project as a leader in identifying and rooting out residual legal biases. The segment details specific hostilities in Colorado, where social progressivism often clashes with traditional religious institutions.1900

Nathan talks with Grace Pouch about her new book Savoring Childhood and how small steps toward a slower, simpler lifestyle create space for a deeply rooted life of love for God and others.Grace's book Savoring ChildhoodA few excerpts:A sample chapter from the publisher"Animal Friends""Simple Tastes""Joy is in the Waiting" on Christianity TodayGrace's website gracepouch.comFollow along for reflections on family life, spiritual formation, and the slow work of renewal on Grace's Substack @GrapplePie, and on Instagram @Grace.Pate.Pouch 

Send us Fan MailThis week, we celebrate 300 episodes of For People! 300 episodes in, we're still surprised by what happens when you pair a simple setup with a clear purpose: offer people a Jesus-shaped invitation that doesn't rely on shame, fear, or gatekeeping. In this milestone episode, Bishop Wright sits down with producer and co-founder Easton Davis to share behind-the-scenes stories from the early days and reflect on how For People grew from a small investment into a podcast with 400,000 downloads, reaching listeners in thousands of cities across 184 countries.They discuss candidly why digital evangelism matters right now and how online spaces have become the new front door of the church. For many, a short-form video or a podcast is the first step toward faith, especially for those who have only heard harmful theology that says they are not enough. We dig into what it looks like to communicate the gospel with clarity, creativity, and consistency, and why we believe scripture can be shared in ways that respect questions, nuance, and real life. Listen in for the full conversation.Easton serves as Canon for Communications and Digital Evangelism for the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, where he has been a member of the Bishop's Staff since 2015. Since 2020, in his current role, he has helped shape the diocese's voice and presence across digital platforms. A passionate storyteller, Easton believes deeply in the power of the visual arts to connect, inspire, and share the Gospel.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Send us Fan MailWaiting for people to show up at church can feel polite, safe, and even faithful, but it may be the quickest way to lose real connection. In this episode, Bishop Rob Wright has a conversation with The Rev. Joseph Yoo, an Episcopal priest and creator known for talking about God with rare plainness, to explore what it looks like to take the Great Commission seriously as “come and see” and “go therefore” instead of “wait and welcome.”Joseph shares his journey as a Korean immigrant kid raised in a family where ministry is almost a birthright, and how seminary forced him to sort out what belonged to his parents' expectations versus what belonged to his own call. They get practical: Joseph explains why he started posting on TikTok and Instagram, why he wears a collar out in public to normalize faith, and what mainline churches can learn about speaking to people who are not already insiders. The grounded takeaway is simple and demanding: get local, learn names, show up, and bless someone today by helping them breathe easier, even for a moment. Listen in for the full conversation.Joseph Yoo currently works as a Church Planter and Episcopalian priest at Mosaic Episcopal Church in Pearland, Texas. He has served as a member of the clergy in multiple states in the US, including Hawaii and California. Born in Korea in 1980, he immigrated to the United States in 1986 and has lived in multiple states throughout his childhood and adult life. He received his BA in Psychology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa in 2003 and his M.Div from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2006. He got his priesthood in 2021 from the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. He currently lives with his wife and family in Pearland. Learn more about Joseph: https://josephyoo.com/Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

On Nathan Foster's recent trip to England, he recorded an in-person conversation with Roy Searle, board member for Renovaré Britain and Ireland and elder in the Northumbria Community, about seeking and finding God in the era of “great unravelling.”Show NotesRoy is a Companion in the Northumbria Community and a former Pioneer Ambassador with the Baptist Union of Great Britain. A popular speaker, writer, leadership mentor, spiritual director, retreat leader and advisor, he is passionate about encouraging people to know the transforming love of God, helping them to realize their potential and encouraging people to love both God and neighbor and live generously. He is a Fellow of St. John's College, Durham, an Associate Tutor at Spurgeons College, London, a member of the Renovaré Board in Britain and Ireland and an associate of The Commons Co-operative.Roy's latest book - Forming Communities of Hope in the Great Unraveling by Alan J. Roxburgh and Roy SearleThe Northumbria Community websiteCeltic Daily PrayerCeltic Spirituality - A Beginners GuideThe Patrick Compline is an evening prayer from the Celtic Daily Prayer collection — a collection and practice used by the Northumbria Community as part of their shared rule, or community rhythm.

Send us Fan MailThreats to voting rights rarely announce themselves as “suppression.” In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. They discuss the SAVE Act and related proposals that would tighten voter registration. Janai explains why the US already has voter verification systems, why fraud is not the widespread problem it's sold as, and how new rules can be engineered to shrink the electorate while sounding neutral on paper. This conversation goes deeper than policy. It wrestles with what it means to be a patriot in a country still learning how to be a multiracial democracy, and why naming white supremacy matters if we're serious about building something better. Janai offers a framework that sticks with us: reckon with our past, reimagine what this country can be, and refound it by removing the harmful systems that still weigh us down. If the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a kind of “birth certificate” for modern American democracy, then the work of growing up is still unfinished and still possible. Listen in for the full conversation.Janai Nelson is President and Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), the nation's premier civil rights law organization fighting for racial justice and equality. As the institutional thought-leader, she directs the organization's programmatic strategy and operations. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in numerous landmark legal cases, shaping the fight for civil rights.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Send us Fan MailEaster doesn't just ask us to believe something happened 2,000 years ago. It challenges the size of our imagination today. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Rob Wright have a conversation about his Easter devotion “Alive". They talk about what it means to live as Easter people who confess, without flinching, that nothing is impossible for God. Together, they unpack how the resurrection is a blueprint for real life and leadership: God's persistent love that can't be silenced by soldiers, stones, or collusion with empire. Bishop Wright argues that Jesus isn't “resurrected” only after the crucifixion, he's already living a resurrected way before it, restoring dignity, healing old wounds, and telling the kind of truth we often try to deny, soften, or kill. That raises the stakes for how we face fear and mortality, and how we keep pursuing God's truth even when it costs us. Listen in for the full conversation.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Lori Melton joins Nate on the Life With God podcast this week to share about the spiritual practice she writes about in her new book, Journey with a Giant. 

Send us Fan MailServing people in prison isn't a side project of the Church—it's at the heart of the gospel. Jesus makes it unmistakably clear: “I was in prison and you visited me.” To step inside those walls is to encounter Christ himself, already present among the forgotten.  In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Chaplain Susan Bishop, who serves at Lee Arrendale State Prison. They explore what 44 years of prison ministry have taught her, including how Susan got involved in this work. Susan didn't set out to become a prison chaplain, but what began as a step along the way became a life-altering calling. Susan also reflects on why this work matters—even when it's hard, messy, and emotionally demanding. She speaks honestly about crime and harm, while also pointing to God's capacity to restore what seems beyond repair. In their conversation, Susan names a truth many prison volunteers quickly discover: you think you're bringing Jesus into prison—then you realize Jesus was already there. Listen in for the full conversation. Chaplain Susan F. Bishop is an ordained Southern Baptist clergywoman with more than four decades of experience in prison ministry. She currently serves as Director of Chaplaincy Services and Clinical Chaplain at Lee Arrendale State Prison. Over the course of her 44 years of service, she has held a variety of roles, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to spiritual care, pastoral leadership, and the support of incarcerated individuals.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Send us Fan MailGood Friday isn't just a date on the calendar—it's a truth test. What happens when real integrity shows up in public life and refuses to be bought, bent, or silenced?In his 1964 meditation Discovery, Howard Thurman suggests that death isn't the worst outcome. The real tragedy is living without dignity, without conviction—without the integrity of your spirit and soul.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright wrestle with the uncomfortable logic of the cross. If Jesus embodies a truth that heals, feeds, and restores, why do systems react as if that truth is a threat? Maybe it's because truth—real, lived truth—disrupts what's convenient. Bishop Wright offers a simple invitation: anchor yourself in God's goodness, treat every person as a sibling, and live a truth the world can recognize. Listen in to the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional. Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Today many influencers are inciting people to use the term “Christ is King” as a rallying cry against the obvious evils of Zionism, Communism, Islam and Liberalism — yet the spirit and agenda behind this seemingly biblical statement is actually part of the antichrist NWO agenda. Today we will examine this phenomenon closely and show with scripture and history why it is both wrong and also uniting people to the final beast system.* 00:00 - Introduction* 13:59 - Important History* 1:14:07 - Theological Errors: Soteriology* 1:44:23 - Theological Errors: Christology* 1:56:19 - Theological Errors: Ecclesiology* 2:15:05 - Theological Errors: Eschatology* 2:29:17 - Quick Review* 2:32:29 - Christian Nationalism & The NWO This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danceoflife.com/subscribe

Send us Fan MailThe military chaplain is one of the few people trained to stand close to war without becoming part of the fight, and that tension can change everything. In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Bishop Ann Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, about what spiritual care looks like in deployed units, VA health care facilities, and federal prisons, and why chaplains exist to help people stay whole in the middle of experiences most of us will never face.They get practical about the day-to-day reality: providing Episcopal worship, facilitating religious support for other traditions when no clergy are available, advising commanders on the human needs inside a unit, and showing up for service members and veterans who carry trauma, grief, and moral injury. Bishop Ritonia also shares why Episcopal chaplains are formed as priests first, and how that priestly identity helps them care for all, including people who may be turned away elsewhere. Listen in for the full conversation.The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia served parishes of all sizes for more than 19 years before her election as the eighth bishop suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of The Episcopal Church. She served 17 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve, holding a range of leadership and executive roles. Ritonia's military honors include two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendations, and the Recruit Honor Graduate Award. She served seven years on the Chaplain Selection Committee for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries and provided spiritual direction and pastoral care to chaplains.Mother to four adults and grandmother to Eva, Adaline, Leo, and Polly, Ritonia and her husband, Mike, live in Ellicott City, Maryland, with their two English bulldogs and golden retriever, Phoebe, Gemma and Louie.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

Send us Fan MailDuring the season of Lent, Bishop Wright invites all to a five-week Lenten teaching series, We Confess, with weekly video meditations and study guides that frame Lent as a loving turn toward healing, renewal, and hope through honest confession. You can learn more about the series at episcopalatlanta.org/lent26.In this week's episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the fifth reflection: We Confess Nothing is Impossible for God. In Ezekiel 37, dry bones come to life– nothing is impossible for God. Whether you read the dry bones as literal or symbolic, the point is the same: God can revive what looks dead, even what has been desecrated and denied dignity. That raises a practical question for anyone trying to live a faith that matters: what is our role in breathing life over death? Listen in for the full conversation.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright. 

3/20/26 7am CT Hour - Jenni Thyng/ Re Erich Rutten Glen and Sarah chat about official start of spring, Fred Rogers, going to the library and more. Jenni speaks to how we can find joy in all seasons, even in the midst of suffering and Lent. 3 Questions with Mary Fr. Erich explains what ecumenism is and the efforts the Church has been apart of to create unity and peace between Christian religions.

In this week's main episode, Matthew chats with three pastors/ex-pastors (Jeremy Jernigan, Jeremy Steele, and Stuart Delony) about how their faith transformed during and after their time from the pulpit. If you want to call in to the Bonus Show, leave a voicemail at (530) 332-8020. We'll get to your calls on next Friday's Bonus Show. Or, you can email Matthew at matthew@quoir.com. Join The Quollective today! Use code "heretic" to save 10% off a yearly subscription. Pick up the new book, Quantum Theology today, as well as The UnChristian Truth About White Christian Nationalism. Please consider signing up to financially support the Network: QuoirCast on Patreon If you want to be a guest on the show, email keith@quoir.com. LINKS QuoirCast on PatreonQuoirCast on Patheos Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nate talks with author and Renovaré Institute alum Emily Bain Murphy about her new middle grade fiction book and the potency of stories for spiritual formation.

Send a textDuring the season of Lent, Bishop Wright invites all to a five-week Lenten teaching series, We Confess, with weekly video meditations and study guides that frame Lent as a loving turn toward healing, renewal, and hope through honest confession. You can learn more about the series at episcopalatlanta.org/lent26.In this week's episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the fourth reflection: We Confess We Do Not See as God Sees. What if the metrics you trust most are blinding you to the best possible choice? In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel's search for Israel's next king helps us uncover why patience, humility, and a long memory of God's ways are essential for real discernment. The story refuses our love of polish and speed: seven strong candidates pass by, and the answer arrives late, smaller, and smelling like pasture. That pause—Have we seen all the sons?—becomes a model for leadership, relationships, and everyday decisions that resist convenience in favor of wisdom. Listen in for the full conversation.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Send a textDuring the season of Lent, Bishop Wright invites all to a five-week Lenten teaching series, We Confess, with weekly video meditations and study guides that frame Lent as a loving turn toward healing, renewal, and hope through honest confession. You can learn more about the series at episcopalatlanta.org/lent26.In this week's episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the third reflection: We Confess We Forget. Thirst in the desert will test any heart. Using Exodus 17, they trace the tension of freshly freed people, real dehydration, rising panic, and ask why human memory collapses right when we need it most. Their focus lands on confession as a path back to freedom: admitting that we forget and that fear tempts us to outsource our agency to leaders or systems that cannot carry our soul. Walking through the story, they name the true cost of freedom—responsibility and agency—and sit with Moses in the uncomfortable middle between a grieving crowd and a listening God. Rather than scolding the ancestors, we let their honesty teach us. If you're standing at the edge of a hard need—health, money, work, or grief—this conversation invites you to carry memory like water and to trust that provision may arrive from an angle you didn't expect.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

This Pod Tract consider the question of Christian Unity and the See of Peter. How do we consider the historic apostolic ministry while not embracing claims of universal jurisdiction. especially in light of Resolution #9 from Lambeth 1920.

Fr. Evan is joined by show producer Mike once again to answer your questions on if the Eucharist is a re-sacrifice, whether or not the Orthodox consider Mary a mediator between God and the faithful, if non-Orthodox are considered Christians by the Church, what makes a council "Ecumenical," clergy attending Liturgy at parishes undercover, Fr. Evan's thoughts on A.I., and postponing Catechesis until kicking a nicotine habit on this Mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live!

In this episode, the team speaks with Rev'd Dan Kim about ChristianStory, a project that aims to bring the history and theology of Christianity to life with deeply researched and beautifully animated videos. Think BibleProject, but with history and theology! Ecumenical in its ethos, it is a gift to the church catholic and a fantastic resource for people in parish ministry, working with youth, or as a general tool for catechesis and discipleship. You can email us at holycofe@gmail.com or follow us on X at @holycofe1.

Nate speaks with author and Willard scholar Keas Keasler about the enduring helpfulness of Dallas Willard's life and work.

This week, we share a conversation Rev. Bill Haley hosted recently about Coracle's 2026 vision, "Building the Fire." He shares about the Coracle Community and the Coracle Center of Contemplation for Action, as well as numerous other initiatives to draw folks near and far deeper into life with Jesus for the sake of the world.Learn More About Spiritual Direction through Coracleinthecoracle.org  |  @inthecoracleSupport the showFor the Journey is a resource of the Coracle Center of Formation for Action and is made possible through the generous support of men and women across the globe.

Send a textBeginning on Ash Wednesday, Bishop Wright invites all to a five-week Lenten teaching series, We Confess, with weekly video meditations and study guides that frame Lent as a loving turn toward healing, renewal, and hope through honest confession. You can learn more about the series at episcopalatlanta.org/lent26.In this week's episode, Melissa has a conversation with Bishop Wright about the first reflection: We Confess Our Disobedience to God. Starting with Genesis 2–3 as a living paradigm, they unpack why humans reach for control even when life is abundant, and how that refusal to submit to God's words and ways leads to guilt, isolation, and disobedience. The aim isn't to scold; it's to show a path home. Listen in for the full conversation.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Preaching for Ash Wednesday, Carolyn D. Townes, OFS invites us to enter into Lent with a posture of openness - hearts softened, spirits awake, ready return to one another and to God: "May the ashes we receive today awaken in us a holy tenderness. May they strengthen our resolve to honor the sacredness of every life — not only in prayer, but in practice. Not only in lament, but in the daily work of building a world where peace is possible, where justice is lived, where love is the shape of our choices."Carolyn D. Townes, OFS is a spiritual life and leadership coach and a loss to life mindset strategist, where she uses faith-based principles to provide spiritual and emotional wellness to those moving from the pain of grief and loss to a new life of purpose and peace. Since professing as a Secular Franciscan in 2000, Carolyn has served in several leadership roles for the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is currently serving on the Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee. At present, she serves on the boards of Franciscans International, Pax Christi International Fund for Peace, and the Franciscan Federation and is an active member on the Nuns Against Gun Violence Coalition.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02182026 to learn more about Carolyn, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Nathan Foster talks with Tiffany Clark about what the 20th century Indian Christian mystic Sundar Singh can teach us about encountering God. 

Send a textWhat if the friends you need for today's troubles include people from yesterday's pages? Jesus' transfiguration points to a friendship that bridges time. It unites Jesus with Moses and Elijah to steady him for the hard road ahead. From that mountaintop, we explore how spiritual companions—ancestors in faith and the neighbors at our table—help us move through division, loneliness, and the loud churn of public life without losing our center.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the transfiguration and friendship. From that mountaintop, they explore how spiritual companions—ancestors in faith and the neighbors at our table—help us move through division, loneliness, and the loud churn of public life without losing our center. Listen in for the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Send us a textWhat if the most political act in history was God taking on human flesh? In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to explore what it means to follow Jesus in a complex, pluralistic, and politically charged world. Drawing on the Incarnation, John 14, and decades of global ministry, Welby reflects on human dignity, solidarity with all people, and why an apolitical Jesus is no savior at all. From interfaith neighborliness to immigration, public witness, and the courage required of the church today, this episode invites listeners to imagine a faith rooted in Christ, lived boldly in context, and marked by hope, humility, and love. The claim is simple and bracing: following Jesus means honoring the dignity of every person and showing up where life is fragile, complicated, and real. Listen in for the full conversation. Justin Welby was Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican Communion from 2013 to 2024. Born in London in 1956, he was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied history and law. For 11 years—five in Paris and six in London—he worked in the oil industry; his booklet, Can Companies Sin?, drew on this corporate experience and evolved from his dissertation at theological college. He was Bishop of Durham, Dean of Liverpool Cathedral, and Canon of Coventry Cathedral, whose international reconciliation work he led for five years. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he set three priorities for his ministry: a renewal of prayer and religious communities across the Church; supporting churches and Christians to be agents of reconciliation and peace-making in places of conflict; and encouraging and inspiring Christians to share their faith. Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Send us a textIn this special release episode, Bishop Rob Wright speaks with Bishop Craig Loya of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota about the immigration crisis unfolding in Minnesota and beyond. Recorded as a resource for clergy and lay leaders, the conversation moves beyond headlines to the lived realities facing immigrant communities.“On the one hand, we're seeing a campaign of cruelty and intimidation and violence. On the other hand, we're seeing the faith community mobilizing for love.” — Bishop Craig Loya“The central question for followers of Jesus is always the same: What does Christian love require of us now?” — Bishop Rob WrightBishop Loya shares how Episcopal congregations are responding with care—delivering food to families afraid to leave their homes, expanding food pantries, caring for children, and standing vigil outside daycares—while also naming the fear and trauma communities are experiencing.These themes echo a recent letter signed by 154 bishops across The Episcopal Church, including Bishop Wright. Addressed to the American people, the letter calls for accountability, restraint, and renewed commitment to human dignity, asking a simple and urgent question: Whose dignity matters Together, the podcast and the bishops' letter offer a clear call to prayer, moral courage, and faithful action in a time of fear.Give to the Episcopal Church in Minnesota.Give to Casa Maria. Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Send us a textThe story we tell about Jesus often sounds suspiciously like the story we want to tell about ourselves. We pull his words toward our preferences and mistake charisma for character. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about what Jesus actually says. They unpack how the “identity theft of Jesus” happens in public life and in our own hearts. Rather than wag a finger at politicians or rivals, start with the mirror: integrity begins by acknowledging the gap between what we say on Sunday and how we live on Monday. Bishop Rob Wright lays out a simple but demanding path back to center—read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John slowly, let Jesus speak for himself, and test every claim by long-term fruit. Listen in for the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Last week we talked about a newer movement within the visible Church called Christian Nationalism, and we want to continue our discussion in this episode with some words of warning. What are syncretism and ecumenicalism, and how might we be influenced toward this unbiblical mixing of truth with error through political organizations such as TPUSA?

Send us a textBarriers don't bury the church; they clarify the mission. The Book of Acts reveals a pattern in which every barrier is followed by a fresh witness to Jesus. In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Bishop Justin Holcomb using Acts as the centerpiece. From language and culture gaps to political pressure and outrage cycles, they discuss how a consecrated voice—rooted in promise, not panic—cuts through the noise and opens doors for real renewal. Their conversation points toward a practical path forward: witness over winning, promise over pressure, and trust that the Holy Spirit will write the next paragraph of the church's story. Listen in for the full conversation.The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb was ordained and consecrated as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida on June 10, 2023. He was elected at a special Diocesan Convention on Jan. 14, 2023.A native Floridian, the bishop earned his Ph.D. in theological studies from Emory University and has both a Master of Arts in theological studies and a Master of Arts in Christian thought from Reformed Theological Seminary as well as a B.A. in biblical studies from Southeastern University. He also studied at the University of Oxford during the summer of 1996.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Pete Greig, author of the book How To Hear God (up next in the Renovaré Book Club), joined Nate for a wonderful conversation on the ways that God speaks and what it looks like to listen well.

Send us a textGreatness to God is measured not by a country's advances in buildings and technology but by how those are treated with the least. In Dr. King's final Sunday sermon at Washington National Cathedral, he addressed a challenge of the day that remains true in the present: if we claim blessing, are we ready for God's accountability? That question us into the bracing clarity of Matthew 25, where Jesus sets the bar with the hungry, the unhoused, and the stranger.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation centered on Dr. King's final Sunday sermon, given four days before his murder. Together, they explore why prophets are often met with resistance. Instead of condemning, true prophetic work loves a nation enough to critique it. Followers of Jesus embedded in institutions can bend systems toward mercy through fair wages, humane services, restorative practices, and transparent accountability. A nation's greatness, then, becomes directional: power constrained by love, budgets aligned with neighbor-care, and policies that honor the image of God in every person. Listen in for the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Nathan and Vivianne Foster share a meditation for the New Year melding a famous quote by Francis de Sales with the words of Mary from Luke 1 in this bonus episode of Life With God.

Send us a textEver feel the tug to shrink yourself so others stay comfortable? Pleasing people drains joy, while pleasing God frees us.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the difference between pleasing people and pleasing God, and why living as our truest selves leads to freedom from fear and a deeper peace. Purpose stops being mystical and becomes practical through small, faithful steps that compound into a life of impact. They trace how obedience isn't about rule-keeping—it's the doorway to hearing God more clearly, knowing who we are, and unchaining our lives from fear. With God, we can trade our anxiety for a grounded sense of worth, and vague resolutions for purposeful action. Listen in for the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

January 6th, 2026 - We welcome Aaron Kildow to discuss the oil-related consequences of the Maduro capture. Then we're joined again by Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute to talk about an “interfaith chapel” at a Catholic university. TheStationOfTheCross.com/ACT

Send us a text"In the Christmas story, God slips through a birth canal underneath the empire. This star child is born in a borrowed room and takes his first rest in a feeding trough. God chooses vulnerability over visibility and humility over dominance. Christmas helps us to know who God is through God's choices. The child we say we love tonight but are afraid to love too much is born on the underside of history. No status, no security. So if you're looking for God, you can always find God where the world least expects God to be. So if we're only watching the Empire's headlines, we may be missing the holy things that are being born right in front of us. Christmas is God's graceful and gentle refusal of the Empire's terms and methods. In God's Christmas story, domination is overthrown by incarnation and love."Excerpt from Bishop Wright's Christmas Sermon "Born Beneath the Headlines"Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

The discourse presented herein delves into the intricate tapestry of Christmas traditions as observed across various strands of the Christian faith. Central to our dialogue is the exploration of how these traditions have evolved, as well as their significance in contemporary society. Our esteemed guests, Father Jonathan Resmini, Pastor Dr. Peter Beck, and Professor Chris Moreland, each representing distinct theological perspectives, contribute their insights on the historical context and contemporary practices surrounding Christmas celebrations. As we traverse the past, present, and future of these traditions, we aim to elucidate the shared values that unite us amidst our diverse practices. Ultimately, this episode serves as a reflection on the essence of Christmas, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of the varied ways in which we commemorate this sacred season within the Christian community. The conversation delves into the historical evolution of Christmas celebrations within various Christian traditions, critically examining how the observance has transformed over the centuries. The speakers engage in a rich dialogue about the origins of Christmas, contrasting early Christian practices that prioritized Easter over Christmas, with the later incorporation of festive elements that are now commonplace. They scrutinize the commercialization of the holiday, probing the extent to which secular influences have overshadowed the spiritual significance of Christmas. Furthermore, the episode invites listeners to consider how different denominations observe the holiday, highlighting the diversity of practices while also identifying a shared commitment to honoring the birth of Christ. This examination not only illuminates the complexities of Christmas traditions but also serves as a call to unity among Christians in celebrating the season's profound meaning. In this episode, we confront the contemporary challenges faced by Christians during the Christmas season, particularly the pervasive grumpiness and discontent that often accompanies the holiday festivities. The speakers reflect on their personal experiences with the commercialization of Christmas, lamenting how materialism can detract from the spirit of giving and compassion that should characterize this time of year. They advocate for a return to the foundational values of joy, community, and shared humanity that Christmas embodies, emphasizing the importance of fostering genuine connections with others. The discussion culminates in a call to action, encouraging listeners to engage with individuals from different Christian backgrounds, share stories, and participate in charitable endeavors that reflect the true essence of the season. By doing so, they argue, we can cultivate a more profound sense of unity and purpose that transcends denominational divides, ultimately embodying the spirit of Christmas in our daily lives.Takeaways:Christmas traditions have evolved significantly over the centuries, reflecting diverse theological perspectives across denominations.The importance of community and charity during the Christmas season is emphasized in various Christian traditions.Despite differences in practice, all denominations can find common ground in the celebration of Christ's birth.Understanding the historical context of Christmas celebrations can foster greater unity among different Christian traditions.Engaging with individuals from other denominations can lead to a deeper appreciation of their faith practices.

On this week's podcast episode, Nathan and Vivianne Foster discuss how to welcome Christ—looking to Jesus' parents as a picture of consent, receptivity, and hospitality.Show NotesVivianne's Christmas Pie RecipeThis recipe was invented as my mother and I struggled to figure out the perfect way to enjoy Christmas Day together without fussing over ten different casseroles that needed to go in and out of the oven, and magically all be ready at the same moment. Having a French Canadian heritage, meat pies — called tourtieres are a big thing for us. This one takes things a step further: essentially everything you'd find on your Christmas plate goes IN the pie. If it feels too risky to swap out your complicated chaotic menu for this sumptuous simple main dish, take a risk by using your leftovers to make this pie. If you can't handle recipes that simply paint a picture, and omit detailed measurements, I highly recommend not embarking on this adventure. For the rest of you, here we go:Pie crust: Use whatever savory pastry recipe you usually make, adding some fresh or dried herbs, cut up (eg: thyme, rosemary, sage)Filling:You'll need enough to fill each pie you're going to make, which I usually eyeball as I mix and add ingredients into a very large mixing bowl, so that the total amount in the bowl is sufficient to fill the shells. Make the ratio as seems fit to you:In a big bowl, combine:Cooked turkey, shredded into chunky pieces, or cutCubed bread, preferably sourdough, preferably dry so that it doesn't turn to mush, cubed. (You can toast cubes of fresh bread in the oven if you don't have any stale bread)Fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped, but raw (so that each berry is at least halved, but could be in quarters)Diced applesIn a cast iron frying pan, set to low medium, cook a pound of bacon, slowly; I usually have to do this in two batches, and set on cutting board to cool before chopping into small pieces.Keep the rendered fat from the bacon in the pan, turning the heat up to medium and adding:A few diced onions, or a larger amount of leeksA few diced potatoes (small diced)Once potatoes seem tender but not soft, remove from heat, pouring onion and potato mixture into main bowl, along with bacon bits.Stir the mixture to combine, adding a very generous amount of dried sage (I use at least 1/4 to 1/2 a cup for 2-3 pies. Add as you wish: pepper and salt.  Add one egg per pie into the main bowl, mixing thoroughly to moisten the mixture.You will need a minimum of 6 cups of filing per pie you want to fill. Spoon mixture into pie shell, mounding it up in the middle. Cover with pastry top, and cut a few designs in the top to allow hot air to escape. Cover with foil and bake as per your usual preference for baking pies, or wrap in plastic wrap and freeze if you don't plan on cooking within a day.We usually set aside a family afternoon for assembling the pies and freeze them, then bake from frozen the day of Christmas. A fun part of our tradition is using Christmas cookie cutters to make designs appliquéd on top of the pie. Have fun!

Send us a textA life can pivot on a single whispered word. In Matthew 1, Joseph is at a real-world crossroads, balancing righteousness, reputation, and love, until an angelic message reframes his next step. That shift from fear to faithful action changed everything. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the angels we encounter in the real world. God speaks at difficult intersections, often through ordinary messengers like therapists, pastors, songs, and trusted friends, and those messages give courage to walk a hard path. Listen in for the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Send us a textWhat if hope isn't tidy or instant, but slow and stubborn—something that holds you when outcomes don't? In Matthew 11, John the Baptist asks a big question about Jesus. "Are you the one, or should we wait for another?" John's question is really our question. Is Jesus deserving of our faith, hope, and following? In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the ache for a savior who will make it all better, especially amid Christian nationalism and culture-war politics. It's human to want a rescuer, but it's risky to confuse charisma with character. The kingdom's pattern is quieter: reversal at the edges, healing without spectacle, and justice in motion. Advent brings the hard edge of timing. God is not a magician, and the “already and not yet” of the kingdom asks us to live with tension—trusting that change has begun while admitting it is not complete. This is mature faith: patient, honest, and, grounded in the long arc of God's work. Listen in for the full conversation.Read For Faith, the companion devotional.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Artist, author, and speaker Scott Erickson joined Nate for a conversation about creative expression as a way to speak truth, notice God's work in our lives, and excavate prayer and adoration for Christ.

Send us a textHow do we bring spiritual practices into our everyday working lives? This adaptive challenge requires a new path—one where risk becomes stewardship, attention becomes a sacred resource, and everyday tasks turn into a living conversation with God. In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Dr. Chip Roper, founder and president of the VOCA Center. Chip's journey from profit-chasing ambition to seminary and back into the marketplace as an executive coach gives him rare range: he understands performance pressure, pastoral care, and the hard realities of modern organizations. Bishop Wright and Dr. Roper dig into the quiet epidemic of workplace loneliness and the surprising data showing how few professionals tap spiritual resources when the heat is on. From Jesus' words about doing only what the Father is doing to the easy yoke that lightens our overwork, Chip maps out a way to lead with courage and calm. Listen in for the full conversation.Dr. Chip Roper is the Founder and President of the VOCA Center, a faith-based organization driven to equip Christians to approach their daily work with God's wisdom and power. With an Executive Coaching Certification from Columbia University and a Doctorate of Ministry from Missio Seminary,  Chip tackles client challenges from 30+ years of P/L leadership responsibility as a small businessman, a pastor, a career coach, and a business consultant. Chip's clients are found at Blackstone, Sunrise Brokers, JP Morgan, Randall-Reilly, Goldman Sachs, Nielson, Knopman Marks, and CNBC.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.