The CGN Podcast

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.

Welcome to Season 3 of the CGN Mission & Methods Podcast! In this first episode of the new season, host Nick Cady speaks with Brian Brodersen and Kellen Criswell about the origins of CGN, including how it is related to and building upon the heritage of Calvary Chapel.  This episode features clips from Pastor Chuck Smith, as we discuss the heart behind CGN. New episodes will be released every two weeks, on Wednesday morning. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released.

Nick Cady and Aaron Salvato talk with missionaries Jed Gourley and Pam Markey about the situation in Ukraine! We at CGN wanted to do what we can to help our Calvary family understand what is happening in Ukraine during the start of this war and how we can all be praying.

As we conclude part two of Worship Leadership, Philosophy and Theology, Scott Cunningham, of School of Worship and Calvary Creative, discusses the question of using lyrics from songs written out of questionably theological sources. Find out on this episode of Mission & Methods! -

Scott Cunningham has been a significant influence on church worship services within the Calvary Chapel movement for decades. His resumé includes Worship Leader at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Founder/Director of the School of Worship and overseer of the Calvary Chapel Worship Leaders Conference. He has written, recorded and produced many popular worship songs and albums, has partnered with such artists as Matt Redman, Shane & Shane, Jeremy Camp and Brian Eichelberger (Modern Post, Citizens & Saints, The Sing Team), and he produces the Pure Worship podcast. In this first part of a two-part series, he and Kellen Criswell talk about his background as a musician, songwriter and worship leader. Scott shares practical thoughts, perspectives and wisdom that will be an immense benefit to anyone in pastoral leadership and worship ministry.