Christian Chronicle CEO (and sometimes globetrotting field reporter) Erik Tryggestad calls in live (at recording time) from the street in suburban Kyiv. He reports on how the continuing war to repel Russia's invasion is testing the faith, hope, and love of the Church of Christ community in Ukraine and beyond. A test that the church seems to be more than passing with the help of God. Listen to this one for first-hand news from "on the ground." Listen to this one for a testimony to the real presence of God and God's love at work even in war. 

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of the Church of Christ in Ukraine

Link to Sunset International Bible Institute's relief efforts for Ukrainian Christians

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A few months ago, The Wall Street Journal called Dearborn, Michigan, "America's jihad capital," a characterization that the city's mayor called "inflammatory and untrue." The fact is that Dearborn (population 110,000) is America's only major city with a majority Muslim population. Parkside Church of Christ, a congregation that grew up in Dearborn Heights and peaked during the 1990s, decided to stay when Arab Americans and Muslims started moving into the community. The congregation's minister, Wayne Beason, talks about how Parkside Church of Christ loves its Muslim neighbors.

What happens when AI (artificial intelligence) comes to church? Preston Road Church of Christ (Dallas, Texas) minister Josh Kingcade helps us explore the dimensions of this question. Should we assume that using AI in church life and ministry is all bad?

It is accurate to say that Down Syndrome is the spiritual gift and superpower of Ethan Etter and Hope Martin. They share how they prepare and speak to thousands and how their lives are full of joy.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's Cheryl Mann Bacon's story on Ethan and Hope

Link to Extra, the book that Ethan and Hope's moms wrote

Link to video of Ethan and Hope at Abilene Christian University chapel (2024)

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On March 3, 2020, an EF4 tornado struck Cookeville, Tennessee, in the middle of the night, taking the lives of 19 people.

Among those who died was four-year old Hattie Jo Collins, the oldest daughter of Macy and Matt Collins.

In this episode, Macy and Matt tell the story of what happened that night and in the "dark night of the soul" that came over them in the days, weeks, months, and years that followed.

They also tell the story of how God is transforming even the terrible and tragic death of their daughter into a ministry of comfort, healing, help, and hope for those who are in desperate need of good news in their darkest hours.

Link to The Christian Chronicle's online story about Macy and Matt Collins and the Magnolia Foundation they set up in honor of Hattie Jo Collins.

Link to the Magnolia Foundation.

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Over the last few months (and years), "Christian nationalism" became a buzzword in both Christian and mainstream news media. A few years ago, barely anyone knew the term. Now it may be making its way into everyday conversations, if not the pews at local congregations.

But is Christian nationalism even worth talking about?

Dr. Brad East, associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University, thinks that "Christian nationalism" is not a helpful term and that Christians have better language available to talk about matters that are both important and urgent to the church as it sojourns in the United States.

This is not a conversation about politics or the popular culture at large, but about conversations that are happening among people in the pews. Sometimes, language from politics and popular culture becomes the language of the church. When that happens, how do we make our talk and thoughts biblical again?

Link to Dr. East's recent column, "How (Not) to Talk About Christian Nationalism" in Christianity Today

Link to Christian Chronicle editor Bobby Ross, Jr.'s, recent column on Christian nationalism (published in Religion Unplugged)

Link to Episode 62 interview with Dr. Greg Smith of the Pew Research Center, exploring what American Christians know and think about Christian nationalism

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In this episode, The Christian Chronicle's CEO, Erik Tryggestad, interviews popular Christian author Philip Yancey, who recently co-wrote with John A. Bernbaum What Went Wrong? Russia's Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine.

Yancey was one of the first Western Christians that leaders of the former Soviet Union invited in soon after the fall of Communism in the early 1990s. Over the last 30 years, Yancey has formed deep relationships in both Russia and Ukraine, contributing to, and supporting the growth of Christian churches and ministries in those countries. Over that time, he also formed a deep understanding of how culture, current events, history, and powerful figures in both government and the Russian Orthodox Church influenced the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

In his book, Yancey looks at that crisis through the lens of Christianity and the church.

He expounds on that in his conversation with The Christian Chronicle and makes specific application to the Church of Christ community in both countries.

Link to What Went Wrong? Russia's Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine by Philip Yancey and John A. Bernbaum

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of Christians, the Church of Christ, and ministry affiliates in Russia and Ukraine

Link to Mission Eurasia (referenced in the interview)

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To donate to this ministry, please go to christianchronicle.org/donate

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After some time away from the studio (to finish and graduate from the Master of Religious Education in Missional Leadership program at Rochester Christian University), host BT Irwin returns with an episode chock full of information and insight on two timely topics (Christian nationalism and the mental health of LGBTQ+ students on Christian college campuses). Plus, one of the best true stories you'll ever hear (and it involves the most famous man in Rome, Italy).

Segment One: Are there Christian nationalists in Church of Christ pews? (Dr. Greg Smith, Pew Research Center)

Link to Pew Research Center's latest survey data on Christianity in politics

Link to Pew Research Center's report on views of the United States as a "Christian nation"

Link to Pew Research Center report on attitudes toward separation of church and state

Link to Christian Chronicle editor Bobby Ross, Jr.'s, column on Christian nationalism (from Religion Unplugged)

Segment Two: Are Christian colleges safe places for LGBTQ+ students? (Dr. Justin Dyer and Dr. Jenet Erickson, Brigham Young University)

Link to Dr. Dyer's and Dr. Erickson's research on mental health of LGBTQ+ students at religious colleges and universities

Link to Handbook of Religion and Health (referenced in the interview)

Link to research on the link between human flourishing and religious communities (referenced in the interview)

Segment Three: Who does a Church of Christ Sunday school teacher meet when he's deep inside the Vatican? (Dr. Tom Campbell, Spring Meadows Church of Christ, Spring Hill, Tennessee)

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In this episode: Christian attitudes on immigration in the United States, how the church is helping its neighbors recover from the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey, and how the Freed-Hardeman University men's basketball team won the NAIA national championship..."the right way."

Segment One: Christian attitudes on immigration in the United States (Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research)

Link to the Lifeway Research survey report

Segment Two: Christians and their neighbors one year after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria (Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle)

Link to Audrey Jackson's full story in The Christian Chronicle

Link to First Hope Association (Turkey earthquake relief)

Link to One Kingdom (Turkey earthquake relief)

Segment Three: The Freed-Hardeman University NAIA national champion men's basketball team (Coach Drew Stutts and players Geraldo, Peyton Law, and Ryley McClaren, Freed-Hardeman University)

Link to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of Freed-Hardeman University's NAIA national championship win 

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The Christian Chronicle, Inc. is getting all-new branding and design across all of its media. In this episode, you'll hear from those who had a hand in the makeover as well as two senior journalism majors who make some predictions about how The Christian Chronicle may function and look in the future.

Segment One: The Christian Chronicle editorial team talks about why the time is right for a whole new design and look (Audrey Jackson, Bobby Ross, Jr., and Erik Tryggestad)

Link to new-look christianchronicle.org story on the redesign

Segment Two: The leader of the creative team that performed the makeover talks about how they did it (Jose Reyes, executive creative director, Metaleap Creative)

Link to Metaleap Creative

Segment Three: Senior journalism majors and student news editors at Harding University and Pepperdine University talk about how The Christian Chronicle may evolve to stay relevant in the future (Tiane Davis, Harding University; Abby Wilt, Pepperdine University)

Link to The Bison, the student newspaper at Harding University

Link to The Pepperdine Graphic, the student news at Pepperdine University

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Haiti’s government is all but nonexistent and gangs are in near-total control of the country, causing death and destruction, food and medical shortages, and spreading violence. Church of Christ congregations, members, and ministries are suffering along with the rest of the country. Hear Church of Christ minister and Haitian political refugee Roolite Religieaux talk about what he knows from his family’s firsthand accounts back home. Also hear Ken Bever, executive director and founder of Hope for Haiti’s Children, talk about that ministry’s ongoing efforts to care for children and orphans in the face of growing danger and difficulty.

Also in this episode: Dr. Drew Baker, executive director of Common Grounds Unity, talks about that ministry’s "caffeinated" effort to bring together estranged Christians to give unity a try.

SEGMENT ONE: What is happening with some Church of Christ congregations, members, and ministries in Haiti? (Ken Bever and Roolite Religieaux, Hope for Haiti's Children)

Link to Hope for Haiti's Children

SEGMENT TWO: Unity starts with a cup of coffee (Dr. Drew Baker, Common Grounds Unity)

Link to Common Grounds Unity

Link to Common Grounds Unity Podcast

Link to Purpose Door Coffee (as mentioned in the segment)

Link to Dry Bones Denver (as mentioned in the segment)

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Dr. Bob Waldron, a lifelong minister and missionary for congregations around the world, talks about what he has learned about the Lord’s Supper from his reading, study, and travels. How might we renew and restore all that the Lord intended for this “main event” in the life of the church? Dr. Waldron also talks about his book, Food for the Journey, and its 52 meditations on the Lord’s Supper.

Link to Food for the Journey by Bob Waldron 

Links to other books and resources that Dr. Waldron recommends for reflection and study on the Lord’s Supper:

The Meal Jesus Gave Us by N.T. Wright

Last Supper & Lord’s Supper by I. Howard Marshall

The Lord’s Supper by William Barclay

Jesus and the Last Supper by Brant Pitre

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The songs 'Come Share the Lord' and 'Arise' used by permission of Ken Young, Hallal Music.

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