The Collective Table

By The Collective TableSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity

The Collective Table episodes

October 20, 2022 S6E4: "Lonely"
During season 6, Rev. Chelsea, Dana and Rev. Claire will be taking a deep dive into some of Jesus’ most known and beloved teachings. But these stories are not just sweet, little children’s stories meant to make us feel good. They are radical and challenging and would have been shocking to Jesus’ audience. They point to God’s grace, God’s upside-down Kin-dom, and the ways in which we are invited to respond.
In this episode, Claire explores Luke 12:13-21, otherwise known as the parable of the Rich Fool. But shouldn't we just call it the parable of the really lonely guy? Listen in as Rev. Claire unpacks what this parable has to say about greed, wealth, and loneliness.
Follow us on instagram @The.Collective.Table, and check out our website at thecollectivetable.org!
17 min
October 13, 2022 S6E3: Who is Not My Neighbor?
During season 6, Rev. Chelsea, Dana and Rev. Claire will be taking a deep dive into some of Jesus’ most known and beloved teachings. But these stories are not just sweet, little children’s stories meant to make us feel good. They are radical and challenging and would have been shocking to Jesus’ audience. They point to God’s grace, God’s upside-down Kin-dom, and the ways in which we are invited to respond.
In this week's sermon, Chelsea explores Jesus' parable found in Luke 10:25-37, otherwise known as the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
19 min
September 29, 2022 If God is Love, Don't Be a Jerk by John Pavlovitz
Listen to a recording of TCT’s September Book Club Author Q&A with John Pavlovitz about his book, If God is Love, Don't Be a Jerk.
Imagine for a moment what the world might look like if we as people of faith, morality, and conscience actually aspired to this mantra. What if we were fully burdened to create a world that was more loving and equitable than when we arrived? What if we invited one another to share in wide-open, fearless, spiritual communities truly marked by compassion and interdependence? What if we daily challenged ourselves to live a faith that simply made us better humans? John Pavlovitz explores how we can embody this kinder kind of spirituality where we humbly examine our belief system to understand how it might compel us to act in less-than-loving ways toward others.
This conversation was recorded on September 28th, 2022.
57 min
September 22, 2022 S6E2: "God's Not Fair"
During season 6, Rev. Chelsea, Dana and Rev. Claire will be taking a deep dive into some of Jesus’ most known and beloved teachings. But these stories are not just sweet, little children’s stories meant to make us feel good. They are radical and challenging and would have been shocking to Jesus’ audience. They point to God’s grace, God’s upside-down Kin-dom, and the ways in which we are invited to respond.
In this week's sermon, Chelsea explores Jesus' parable found in Matthew 20:1-16, which is typically called the Parable of the Workers in the Field. But Chelsea likes to call it the Parable of the Generous Landowner. She hopes you'll see why by the end of this episode!
15 min
September 15, 2022 S6E1: "You Lost?"
During season 6, Rev. Chelsea, Dana and Rev. Claire will be taking a deep dive into some of Jesus’ most known and beloved teachings. But these stories are not just sweet, little children’s stories meant to make us feel good. They are radical and challenging and would have been shocking to Jesus’ audience. They point to God’s grace, God’s upside-down Kin-dom, and the ways in which we are invited to respond.
In today's episode, Dana shares a sermon on Luke 15, a collection of three parables: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son, or the prodigal son.
18 min
August 16, 2022 S5E11: Semler - Late Bloomer
Today Chelsea & Claire are joined by Grace Baldridge, a.k.a. Semler, to talk all things music, spirituality, queerness, and how these things are reflected in their song, Late Bloomer.
Semler is a queer-identifying musical artist whose songs have topped the charts in the Christian music world. Their new album, Stages of a Breakdown, is available now. Follow them on Instagram @gracebaldridge.
Want to be a part of The Collective Table? Follow us @the.collective.table!
38 min
August 09, 2022 S5E10: Royce Lovett - Better Ft. Canon
On today’s episode, Claire & Chelsea chat with Royce Lovett about his song, Better.

Royce Lovett is a singer songwriter who has been signed to Motown Gospel Records. In 2016, Royce released his ‘Love Wins’ EP, followed by his ‘Love & Other Dreams’ album in 2017. Royce has also given a TED Talk. In 2019, Royce got an opportunity to be a contestant on Season 17 of the ‘Voice.’ Learn more about Royce on his website: https://www.roycelovett.com/
Support Royce on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/roycelovett
Want to be a part of The Collective Table? Visit us at thecollectivetable.org and follow us on Instagram @the.collective.table
22 min
August 02, 2022 S5E9: The Many - All Belong Here
Today Chelsea & Dana are joined by Hannah Rand, Lenora Rand, and Darren Calhoun to talk about their song, “All Belong Here”. Hanna, Lenora, and Darren are part of The Many, an uncommon, intentionally diverse collective making music for people to sing together about peace and justice and a world where all belong.
Drawing on indie pop and gospel influences, The Many makes music to help give voice to faith and doubt, questions and fears, laments and longings, music that speaks to a non-violent God, a Jesus who is with us and for us, and to a Spirit that can't be easily defined or controlled. It's music for a movement of resistance to hatred and division, for reconciliation and restoration, and music that always reminds us "we are on this earth to love."
Learn more about The Many at https://www.themanyarehere.com/, and the BTS Center at https://thebtscenter.org/
Want to be a part of The Collective Table? Visit us at thecollectivetable.org and follow us on Instagram @the.collective.table

31 min
July 26, 2022 S5E8: Joey Pearson - Welcome at God's Table
Today, Chelsea & Dana are with Joey Pearson, talking about his song, Welcome At God's Table!
Joey Pearson is soulful singer and songwriter from southern Georgia, raised in southern California, and educated in Washington, D.C. Raised in the Baptist church, Joey combines R&B, pop, and gospel into a unique style influenced by the music of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Elton John.
Joey's songwriting includes themes of love, acceptance, justice, community. As a child, Joey was a semifinalist on CBS Star Search. His music took a pivotal turn though his involvement in the Georgetown University Gospel Choir. He continues to sing at his local church in California where he directs the band and writes music for the progressive Christian movement. The lyrics of his songs encompass a larger call to action to fight for equality and inclusion through community action. Joey's music brings people together in love and action. He writes anthemic songs that stick with listeners through the hard work of building community and disrupting systems of oppression.
Follow Joey on Instagram, @joeypearson
Want to learn more about The Collective Table? Give us an Instagram follow @the.collective.table or check out our website at thecollectivetable.org.
33 min
July 22, 2022 Spirituality is Served: Food Justice as Spiritual Practice with Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter
This is the audio from the Spirituality is Served Food Justice as Spiritual Practice webinar on July 18th, 2022. It was led by Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter.

Combining a critical analysis of our food system and the Christian theological assumptions that fostered the system with a bit of humor, Rev. Dr. Carter helps us understand the broad impact of our food choices. He concludes this talk by describing what it would look like for us to eat in ways that are reflective of a spirituality of compassion, love, and justice in today's society.

Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter’s teaching, research, and activist interests are in Black, Womanist, and Environmental ethics, with a particular focus on race, food, and nonhuman animals. He is the co-creator of Racial Resilience, an anti-racism and anti-bias program that utilizes the combined insights of contemplative practices and critical race theories.
55 min