What Makes A Church Grow?

Do churches grow when their belief systems evolve with the times, or by holding to theologically conservative positions? Or is it more about conviction? Norann, Peter, and Bernard discuss. And then a conversation on raising girls and models of true womanhood.

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

-Wary of Modern Society, Some Christians Choose a Life Apart: http://on.wsj.com/2kAvArf

-Liberal churches are dying. But conservative churches are thriving: http://wapo.st/2lhelaE

-Event: Time for the Benedict Option?: http://www.plough.com/en/events/2017/benedict-option

-The Case Against Contemporary Feminism: http://bit.ly/2ksBNDS

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Find out more about the Bruderhof:

Website: www.bruderhof.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thebruderhof

Facebook: facebook.com/TheBruderhof

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bruderhofcommunities

Contact: [email protected]

Why Would a Middle Class Family Join The Bruderhof?

How do we counter the negativity and pessimism that are so prevalent in today’s discourse? Where are the voices imagining a different reality and taking steps to realize it? Norann Voll, Peter Mommsen, and Bernard Hibbs discuss. Then an interview with Bernard’s father David Hibbs about why he and his wife Fiona gave up their comfortable middle class life, sold everything, and joined the Bruderhof.

Rate us and leave us a comment on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Bruderhof’s website at www.bruderhof.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thebruderhof

Facebook: facebook.com/TheBruderhof

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bruderhofcommunities

Contact: [email protected]

Episode 11: Should Boys Learn to Cry?

It’s a truism that our world is more polarized than it has been for decades. How do we resolve the tensions that inevitably arise between friends, families, or neighbors? Norann, Peter, and Bernard talk about their experiences with conflict in community. And then, what to make of concerns about “toxic masculinity” in our culture? A discussion about models of true manhood.

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

-Time For the Benedict Option? An event at the Union League Club in NYC: http://www.plough.com/en/events/2017/benedict-option

-The Bruderhof’s "Foundations of Our Faith and Calling" has a section on direct address: http://www.bruderhof.com/en/our-faith/foundations/church-order/no-law-but-love

-“Boys Will Be Boys, and Eventually Should Be Men” by Matt Labash: http://tws.io/2knu1sB

-“Dear Feministis, ‘Male Vulnerability’ Isn’t a Virtue” by David French: http://bit.ly/2kP0Zpq

-"Homage to a Broken Man" by Peter Mommsen is about the life of his grandfather J. Heinrich Arnold: http://bit.ly/2lpeqsx

Rate us and leave us a comment on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Bruderhof’s website at www.bruderhof.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thebruderhof

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBruderhof

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bruderhofcommunities

Contact: [email protected]

If You Can’t Love Everyone, You Can’t Love God.

That includes refugees, the unborn, and criminals on death row. In this episode, Bruderhof members Norann Voll, Peter Mommsen, and Bernard Hibbs talk about how to apply a consistent ethic of life. They also discuss the importance of disconnecting from the noise of news and politics, and exchange strategies for remaining centered.

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

-Leroy Barber writes about his recent experience protesting the death penalty outside the Supreme Court and getting arrested for it: http://bit.ly/2k8AkB2

-4.1 Miles is a documentary short film about a coast guard captain on a small Greek island who is suddenly charged with saving thousands of refugees from drowning at sea. It was nominated for a 2017 Academy Award: http://nyti.ms/2juLwWu

-Norann read part of the "Letter to Diognetus" which can be found in "The Early Christians In Their Own Words" (ed. Eberhard Arnold). Free download available here: http://bit.ly/2l3b27x

-Bernard reflected on a visit to Little Gate Farm, a charity that exists to support adults and children with Learning Disabilities: http://littlegatecarefarm.co.uk/

-Peter referred to "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster (http://amzn.to/2aQ3d3w) and "Destroyer of the Gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World" by Larry W. Hurtado (http://amzn.to/2kp9ULo)

Rate us and leave us a comment on Itunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Bruderhof’s website at www.bruderhof.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thebruderhof

Facebook: facebook.com/TheBruderhof

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bruderhofcommunities

Contact: [email protected]

Talkfest Episode 9: Is This A Time To Retreat?

Why are some people withdrawing from mainstream society into “intentional communities”? Is that a good thing? Also, what are the hands and feet of Christian hospitality? Bruderhof members Norann Voll, Peter Mommsen, and Bernard Hibbs discuss.

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

-Emma Green’s article “Seeking an Escape From Trump’s America” was published in The Atlantic: http://theatln.tc/2jzahSP

-For an interesting perspective on Christian hospitality check out "The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert" by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield: http://amzn.to/2jSueVb

-Bernard was intrigued by "The Strange Death of Moral Britain" by Christie Davies: http://amzn.to/2j5VG4R

Rate us and leave us a comment on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Bruderhof’s website at www.bruderhof.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheBruderhof

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBruderhof

Instagram: www.instagram.com/BruderhofCommunities

Email: [email protected]

Why is Martin Luther King Jr looked up to as an icon and inspirational figure today when at the time of his death he was marginalized? Also, as we reflect on the passing of Detective Steven McDonald; how can his message of forgiveness be applied in each of our lives?

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

-Letter From a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/letter-birmingham-jail

-Steven McDonald, a close friend of the Bruderhof who died this week shared his powerful story of forgiveness in “Why Forgive”: http://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/forgiveness/why-forgive

-The Prayer of St Francis read by Steven McDonald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBnehWB2ebY

Bruderhof members Norann Voll, Peter Mommsen, and Bernard Hibbs explore what living out peace and justice means and how to talk with non-believers about their faith. Also some New Year’s resolutions.

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

-Norann quoted Eberhard Arnold’s book “Innerland”. Free download here: http://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/bible-studies/innerland

-Adam Curtis on Why Self-Expression Is Tearing Society Apart: http://www.artspace.com/magazine/interviews_features/qa/adam-curtis-hypernormalisation-interview-54468

-HyperNormalisation 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fny99f8amM

-Steven McDonald, a close friend of the Bruderhof who died this week shared his powerful story of forgiveness in “Why Forgive”: http://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/forgiveness/why-forgive

In Episode 6, Norann Voll, Peter Mommsen, and Bernard Hibbs discuss the effect 2016 has had on children and how this should influence how we celebrate Christmas. They also share their favorite - and least favorite - parts of the season.

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

- A Turkish broadcaster began to cry on the air because doctors are forced to operate on children in Aleppo without anesthesia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1K2bD-spL0

- Bernard wrote down his reflections after visiting a refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece in October 2015: http://www.bruderhof.com/en/voices-blog/2015/october/i-hope-god-is-here

- "You Carried Me," a new book by Melissa Ohden, is the story of what happens when an abortion survivor finds and forgives her birth mother, who never knew her daughter was alive. Available January 9, 2017. http://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/relationships/you-carried-me

In Episode 5, Norann Voll, Peter Mommsen, and Bernard Hibbs talk about the Dylann Roof trial and whether the death penalty is ever justified, and why reading aloud is an important form of community.

Here are some of the links and references from this episode:

• Bernard quotes Hippolytus from "The Early Christians In Their Own Words" compiled and edited by Eberhard Arnold. http://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/early-christians/early-christians

• Peter quotes Athenagoras of Athens from "A Plea for the Christians." http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/athenagoras-plea.html

• "The Fear of 13" is a 2015 documentary about Nick Yarris who spent 21 years on death row in Pennsylvania but was released in 2004 when DNA evidence proved him innocent. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5083702/

• Dale Recinella answers questions about his work on death row in America magazine http://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/finding-god-death-row-10-questions-chaplain-dale-recinella

• "Willibald's Trip to Heaven" by Reimmichl and "The Chess Player" by Ger Koopman can be downloaded for free. http://www.plough.com/en/topics/culture/short-stories/christmas-stories/willibalds-trip-to-heaven. http://www.plough.com/en/topics/culture/short-stories/christmas-stories/chess-player

• Top ten Christmas stories to read to your kids http://www.bruderhof.com/en/voices-blog/2016/december/top-ten-christmas-stories-to-read-to-your-kids

Norann Voll, Peter Mommsen, and Bernard Hibbs on the divide in evangelical Christianity today, the 50th anniversary of the film release of "A Man For All Seasons," and the 500th anniversary of Thomas More’s "Utopia."