For the month of August, the Rev. Dr. Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey shares some of her research in a particular problem that is impacting the church - isolation and disconnection. In this first episode, she outlines the depth of the problem. With Tim's help, they unpack why the pandemic, social media, and political polarization is causing people to becoming more and more isolated from one another. Reference is made to some of the following resource:

1. "The Dangerous Experiment on Teen Girls: The preponderance of the evidence suggests that social media is causing real damage to adolescents" by Jonathan Haidt: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/facebooks-dangerous-experiment-teen-girls/620767/

2. "Yes Social Media Really is Undermining Democracy: Despite what Meta has to say" by Jonathan Haidt: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/07/social-media-harm-facebook-meta-response/670975/

3. "Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid: It's not just a phase" by Jonathan Haidt: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/

4. "Attachment and Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Posttraumatic Growth and Religion as Moderators" by Dwiwardani, Shelton, and Oda: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13050470

This month on Popcorn with the Pastors, we are joined once again with pastor brothers, Andy and Nathan, to talk about family dynamics in pop culture as well as how the church lives into family dynamics as a system. What we learn is that families in scripture, families in contemporary culture, show both their dysfunction and their great potential for good.

We wrap up a review of the conversation laid out in 1, 2, and 3 John and what these letters have to say about church conflict by examining 3 John. 3 John is a short 15 verses long, so consider reading it in its entirety before listening to this episode.

We continue to explore what the writer of 1, 2, and 3 John might have to say to a church in conflict. Building on the conversation last week on 1 John, we look at how 2 John continues the same themes of the first letter and adds new insight to these themes. 2 John is a short 13 verses long, so consider reading the letter in its entirety before listening in to this podcast.

For the month of June, we will explore 1, 2, and 3 John - specifically what they might say to a church in conflict. This week we see what 1 John might teach us about schism, splits, and disagreements in the church. The book is only 5 chapters long so consider reading the letter in its entirety and then listening to this episode.

Last time on Popcorn with the Pastors, Audrey, Tim, Andy, and Nathan talked about the apocalypse genre in popculture. This week, we take the conversation a little deeper by looking at examples of the genre and what they teach us about life, human nature, and God. This episode will make reference to a variety of movies, shows, and books and what they have to say about faithfulness now and in the future.

God's justice, and thus Christian justice, is a prominent theme in the May Messenger, a magazine for the Church of the Brethren. Join us as we share about the particular justice themes in the May edition of the Messenger as well as the songs that we paired with these themes.

"The Promise" by Porter's Gate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnDcJMKCTLM

"We Will Make No Peace With Oppression" by Porter's Gate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD4sY84Vfko

"Song of Confession" by Walking Roots Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmElrO-77Ys

"Daughter's of Zion" by Porter's Gate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERnLGAnn3oQ

"Take, O take me as I am" by Cathy AJ Hardy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZoG19OdmEY

The Messenger magazine is rich with Brethren Ecclesiology, which makes sense since it is the magazine for the Church of the Brethren. In this episode of Coffee with the Pastors, we will highlight some important Brethren understandings of the church present in the May Messenger and connect them to the songs from the playlist we curated. The songs we reference in this episode are below:

1. "Kindness" by Steven Curtis Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE5w52Ji6Yw

2. "Sinners, Saints, and Fools" by Brandi Carlile - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-33HggcyEY

3. "The Earth Shall Know" by Urban Doxology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06F7hranxVg

How can the church still be the church in changing times? Well, this month's Messenger magazine highlights the work of the "Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church" initiative. This week's podcast highlights the articles about this initiative as well as the "Circuit Rider" program that has come out of this initiative. These are examples of how the Church of the Brethren has identified and is addressing a growing need for support in the church. To partner with these articles, Pastor Audrey and Pastor Tim chose three songs that also relate to themes of anxiety in the midst of change, and a need for support and rest. Tune in to hear more about these programs, the articles in the Messenger and the songs that accompany them.

The songs referenced in this podcast are:

"Slow Me Down" by Porter's Gate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06kxfswbA8A

"Changes" by Joy Oladokun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3LA6S2IyvE

"Crowded Table" by The Highwomen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPfI8zBWub4

May is often the month when congregations do a music appreciation moment in worship. So we will spend the month appreciating music that we have found meaningful. In particular, we will highlight a fun project we are working. We were asked to curate a playlist that connects with the articles in the May edition of the Messenger (a magazine for the Church of the Brethren). For the next four weeks we will take about music in conjunction with some of the themes present in the Messenger. Join us for this particular exploration of what it means to have a playlist for your life.

You can find the songs referenced on the podcast below:

And Your Praise Goes On by Chris Rice - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Itrgy7_gY

Dive (a fun bluegrass version) by Steven Curtis Chapman (feat. Ricky Skaggs) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHXwcN2_hpI

Declaration of Dependence by Steven Curtis Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gBOkCzE5a4

God is God by Steven Curtis Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue03drQ_vyM

Bring It On by Steven Curtis Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6GCbk17Z1c

With Hope by Steven Curtis Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAQ2Q5uS0Gs

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJZYVYsCnoU

Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKMjEvF2Fkw⁠

Still by Steven Curtis Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNMTQB7DwA4

From Fear to Freedom by Bittersweet Gospel Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmVkq1w6wT0

Vienna by Billy Joel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wccRif2DaGs