The CGN Podcast

One of the phrases you might hear us use to describe who we are and what we’re about as Calvary Global Network, is the phrase: “Gospel-Centered Renewal.” For example, on our website, we describe ourselves as “a family of churches working together for gospel-centered renewal.” But what do we mean by that? What is “renewal” - and what makes “Gospel-centered renewal” unique? In this episode, Nick Cady speaks with Kellen Criswell about the biblical basis of this phrase, what it means — and how it applies to different areas of life and ministry. Listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith, where he expresses his views on this topic as well. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

How much of an emphasis does Calvary Global Network put on eschatology: the area of theology that deals with studying the end times? What is CGN’s position on end times theology, and how does the network relate to those who do not hold that position? In this episode, Nick Cady speaks with Brian Brodersen and Kellen Criswell about “Premillenialism," which is one of the theological streams to which CGN belongs. We explain what premillennialism is, and why we hold this view. We also discuss the relationship between Premillenialism and “Dispensationalism” — and explain how this distinction works practically out in our network. Brian Brodersen responds to some questions about his own views on End Times theology, and listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith, sharing his heart on these matters. New episodes are being released every two weeks, so make sure you subscribe to the podcast! Episodes will be delivered to your device as soon as they come out. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

The recent years have presented new challenges for pastors and leaders, and many studies are showing that discouragement is at an all time high. Even apart the unique events of the past few years, pastoring and leading can be difficult. What is CGN doing as a network to provide care and coaching for pastors and leaders? In this episode, Brian Brodersen, Kellen Criswell, and Nick Cady are joined by Rob Salvato, who leads the Leadership Care and Coaching Team for CGN. In our discussion, Rob shares about the ways their team is developing systems and providing resources to help pastors and leaders in practical ways, including providing resources to help them lead, and providing a lifeline for those who are struggling. Together we share about some of the struggles we’ve faced as leaders, and how relationships within our network helped us in those times; as well as how we would like to make that experience available to anyone who needs it. Check out the Leadership Collective Podcast here. The Calvary Chapel / CGN International Conference is coming up soon — it will be from June 26-29 in Costa Mesa, California. For more information and registration, visit conference.calvarychapel.com New episodes are being released every 2 weeks, so make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so those episodes will be delivered to your device as soon as they come out. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

What is the role of mission and outreach in the life of a church, or in the life of a disciple of Jesus? Is engagement in missions an optional activity, or is it an integral part of what it means to be a Christian? Where exactly is the “mission field”? In this episode, I speak with Kellen Criswell and Mike Neglia about the history of missions and missional engagement in Calvary Chapel, and why this is a core value of CGN as a network. We talk about how Calvary Chapel has been privileged to be part of two great revivals: one in the United States in the 1960’s & 70’s, and another in Europe in the 1990’s. I share some of the history of Calvary Chapel’s mission work in Central & Eastern Europe, and Kellen shares some practical steps for how to live with a missional mindset no matter where you are in the world. The Calvary Chapel / CGN International Conference is June 26-29, 2022 in Costa Mesa, California. For more information and registration, visit conference.calvarychapel.com New episodes are being released every two weeks. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so each episode will be delivered to your device as soon as they come out. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at cgn@calvarychapel.com

What is CGN doing to help churches in practical ways, including finances, pastoral coaching, and other resources? In this episode, I speak with Kellen Criswell and Jeff Gipe about the Funding and Development initiatives within CGN, and they share stories of how collaborative funds have already been used to help churches during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to fund new church plants.  Jeff and Kellen share about opportunities we have as a network to do more together than we can separately. This episode was recorded in January 2022, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis. At the end of this episode, listen for an update on how CGN has been able to support ministries and individuals on the ground in Ukraine and the surrounding region, through the Ukraine Relief Fund. We also give an update on the development of CGN as an independent entity. New episodes are being released every two weeks. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so each episode will be delivered to your device as soon as they come out. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at cgn@calvarychapel.com

What do CGN leaders believe about the charismatic gifts mentioned in the Bible — specifically, the spiritual gifts of prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues? Are these gifts still in operation? Are they available to Christians today? — And if so, how should they be used practically, in our churches? In this episode of the CGN Mission & Methods podcast, I sit down with Brian Brodersen and Kellen Criswell to discuss on of the theological streams that we belong to as a network, which is: Continuationism. We believe that all the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament are available for believers today. In this episode, we discuss the difference between the terms “Continuationist” and “Charismatic,” and we talk about the biblical reasons why we hold this position, and share some stories as examples of what this can look like in practice. Make sure to listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith, in which he talks about a key passage for this discussion, found in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. New episodes are being released every two weeks! Make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so each episode will be delivered to your device as soon as they come out! We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at cgn@calvarychapel.com

What do CGN leaders believe about things like Critical Race Theory, or how we should relate to those who identify as LGBTQ? Is talking about “spiritual formation” biblical, or does it open people up to unbiblical influences? In this episode of the CGN Mission & Methods podcast, we answer some questions that you, our listeners, have sent in. Nick Cady asks Brian Brodersen and Kellen Criswell questions related to some of the most pressing cultural issues of our day, including Critical Race Theory, Social Justice, LGBTQ issues, and more — giving them a chance to respond to your questions and share their thoughts on these matters. Make sure to listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith, in which he gives his take on racial prejudice and even white supremacy in the church. The CGN Leadership Statement on Racism can be found here. New episodes are being released every two weeks! Make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so each episode will be delivered to your device as soon as they come out! We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at cgn@calvarychapel.com

Calvary Chapel has been recognized as one of the greatest church planting movements of recent times. What are we at CGN doing to make sure we keep this aspect of our heritage alive in this generation, and in those to come? How can we, as a network, use the relationships and resources God has given us, to encourage, train, and support the planting of Bible teaching, gospel-centered churches - around the world? In this episode Nick Cady and Kellen Criswell discuss one of the key initiatives that CGN is developing called: Cultivate. Cultivate is a program designed to assess, train, and deploy new church planters and missionaries — using the local church as the garden in which those leaders are cultivated. Kellen and Nick explain the design and heart behind the Cultivate program, as well as how to get more information and register. Listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith from the 1980's, in which he talks about how many Calvary Chapel churches had been planted back then, and what he envisioned for the future.  New episodes come out every two weeks, on Wednesday mornings. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released.

In this episode of the CGN Mission & Methods podcast, we discuss the future of CGN as a network: What initiatives are currently in the works? How does CGN relate to and work with other groups and churches, while still holding fast to our core convictions, values, and beliefs? What will happen to CGN once Brian Brodersen is no longer leading it? Those questions and more are answered in our discussion this week, as Nick Cady sits down with Brian Brodersen and Kellen Criswell to take you behind the scenes, and give you some insight into the heart and vision for CGN - especially moving forward, into the future. Listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith, talking about the need to adjust our message and approach to ministry in an ever-changing culture. New episodes come out every two weeks, on Wednesday mornings. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released.

In this episode of the CGN Mission & Methods Podcast, we open our Bibles to examine the much-debated topic of the role of women in ministry leadership.  As a network, CGN churches are complementarian. In this episode, Nick Cady asks Brian Brodersen and Kellen Criswell to explain the complementarian and egalitarian positions, and why Calvary Global Network is complementarian. Further, they explain what this means for CGN churches, and where there is room for diversity of practice in this area.  Listen towards the end of this episode for a clip of Pastor Chuck Smith giving his perspective on this topic, in a recording from 2008. Click here to read the CGN statement on Women in Ministry Leadership New episodes come out every two weeks, on Wednesday mornings. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released.