Kindred Podcast

In this episode, Rob Griffin unpacks the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, inviting us to see it not just as a story of conversion, but as a radical moment of inclusion. With historical insight and theological depth, Rob explores how eunuchs in the ancient world represented gender and sexual minorities—and how scripture speaks directly to their belovedness.

Through passages from Isaiah, Matthew, and Acts, this teaching reaffi...

In this timely and challenging message, Ron Toft reflects on the early church’s response to oppression in the book of Acts—and asks what it means for us today. As progressive Christians navigating a shifting cultural landscape, are we preparing to grasp power or lay it down? Drawing on Jesus’ teachings and the actions of the apostles, Ron explores what it looks like to resist the cycle of retaliation and instead build resilient com...

In this powerful message, Brandon Evans explores the tension between religious tradition and the surprising, uncontainable movement of the Holy Spirit—both in the early church and today. Drawing from Acts 15, Brandon highlights a pattern throughout church history: whenever institutions tighten their grip, the Spirit moves in fresh, unexpected ways through those previously pushed to the margins. If you’ve ever felt excluded by tradi...

In this episode, Alison Berreman reflects on what the early church’s response to empire can teach us today. Using Acts 11 and 12, she contrasts the resilience of Christian communities with the dependence and idolatry of state power. With honesty and nuance, Alison explores the tension of living faithfully in a time when empire and Christianity are deeply entangled. What does it look like to create systems of care that reflect our v...

In this eye-opening episode, Grace Nichols shares reflections from her recent trip to Cuba, weaving personal experience, historical context, and biblical insight into a powerful conversation about poverty, justice, and generosity. Grace explores the stark contrast between tourist luxury and local scarcity, and invites us to reflect on what it really means to be "open-handed" in a world marked by inequality. Through script...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Kindred podcast, Garrett McGeein dives deep into the tension between divine omniscience and human free will, exploring the philosophical and theological implications of middle knowledge. Using passages from the book of Acts as a springboard, Garrett unpacks how God's foreknowledge and human agency coexist, challenging traditional views while inviting open discussion and thoughtful refle...

In this heartfelt and theologically rich reflection, Alison Berreman explores the difference between sacrificial love and generative giving. Drawing on the teachings of Jesus, the writings of philosopher Erich Fromm, and personal insights, Alison challenges the common Christian framing of self-sacrifice as the highest virtue. Instead, she offers a vision of love rooted in wholeness, vitality, and mutual transformation. This message...

In this Easter message, Kristine Caliger explores the multifaceted nature of the gospel—not as a single answer or formula, but as a mosaic of stories and perspectives. Drawing from parables, scripture, and the writings of Rachel Held Evans and Paul, she weaves a compelling vision of Jesus as both radically generous and courageously just. This episode invites us to embrace the tension in our stories, trust in the harmony of our dive...

In this Palm Sunday message, Garrett McGeein reflects on Jesus’ so-called “triumphal entry” and reclaims it as something far more subversive and quiet: an anti-empire act of kingdom imagination. Drawing from Mark 11 and Zechariah 9, Garrett explores how Jesus resists power-grabbing and spectacle in favor of patient, self-giving love. The kingdom of God, he says, isn’t built with swords—it’s built through the undeniable witness of a...

In this episode, Ron Toft walks us through Acts 10 and 11 in a powerful, personal teaching about one of the most pivotal turning points in the New Testament—the moment the gospel reaches beyond the Jewish world and into the life of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Ron unpacks Peter’s vision, the surprising work of the Holy Spirit, and what it means for us today when God says, “What I have made clean, you must not call unclean.”

Fr...

Rob teaches from Acts 2 and reflects on the Pentecost story as a moment of radical inclusion and spiritual clarity. Instead of focusing on the spectacle of tongues, we explore what this passage reveals about God’s heart—speaking directly to the outsider, the marginalized, the ones who don’t usually get a seat at the table. We also ask what this means for how we understand the Holy Spirit today, and how the Church might carry that s...

In this episode of the Kindred Podcast, guest speaker Alison Berreman dives into a thought-provoking exploration of Saul's dramatic transformation into Paul. Reflecting on her own journey, Alison wrestles with deep questions about grace, justice, and the nature of salvation. Was Saul chosen for a reason? Did he deserve it? And what does that mean for us today?

Join us for a heartfelt discussion on faith, divine love, and the my...

In this episode, retired teacher and longtime seeker Mary Kate Hafemann explores the mystery of the Holy Spirit. Building on last week's discussion of Acts 2, she dives into scripture to examine the Spirit’s role in the early church—healing the sick, empowering bold speech, and even delivering unsettling judgment. Mary Kate shares her personal experience with the Spirit, reflecting on moments of deep conviction, unexpected gui...

In this episode of the Kindred Podcast, Dr. Lorrel Toft leads a thought-provoking discussion on the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, and the practice of speaking in tongues. With honesty and depth, she explores personal and biblical perspectives, reflecting on Acts 2 and the early church’s experiences with spiritual gifts. Dr. Toft shares her own journey with charismatic practices, acknowledging both their power and the skepticism they ofte...

In this episode, Rob Griffin leads a conversation on the book of Acts, exploring how the first followers of Jesus navigated life after his ascension. With a mix of historical context and practical reflection, Rob examines the mission of the early church, the cultural and political challenges they faced under Roman rule, and what it means for us today.

The discussion touches on how we interpret scripture, the role of mission in faith...

In this episode, Ron Toft guides us through a reflective and thought-provoking conclusion to Kindred’s series on the Sermon on the Mount. Exploring its deep connections to Jewish tradition, the role of mountaintop experiences, and Jesus as the new Moses, Ron challenges us to consider how we bring the Kingdom of Heaven into our daily lives. What does it mean to descend from the mountaintop and embody these teachings in the real worl...

In this episode, Ron Toft leads us in closing the book on our long-running Sermon on the Mount series. Ron explores the idea that the heart of Jesus’ message isn’t just about personal salvation but about bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth—right now, in our daily lives.

We reflect on the Sermon’s structure, seeing its climactic center not at the end, but at the mountaintop: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Kindred Podcast, Garrett McGeein takes us on a deep dive into Matthew 6:25-34 and its challenging message about worry, trust, and divine care. But what happens when faith meets the reality of suffering? Through an exploration of Cain and Abel, Job’s lament, and Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, Garrett wrestles with the tension between divine provision and the undeniable hardships of ...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on themes of piety, motives, and the rewards of practicing faith. Through our dialogical teaching approach, we unpack Matthew 6 and reflect on Jesus’ teachings about giving, prayer, and fasting—examining the tension between public displays of righteousness and private, heartfelt devotion.

We also explore the cultural context of Jesus' audience, th...