The CGN Podcast

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.

How did Jesus develop ministry leaders? Should all pastors and ministry leaders engage in leadership development? What are the biblical and practical foundations for healthy leadership development in the local church? In this episode, Kellen Criswell discusses these important questions with seasoned ministry trainer, Rod Thompson. Pastor Thompson has been used by the Lord to relationally mentor and deploy nearly 200 men and women into fruitful ministry around the world over the last three decades. In addition to serving as a pastor, church planter and missionary, Pastor Thompson continues to engage in training leaders for ministry in many places today, including the United States, Serbia, Italy, the Philippines and more.

What is the biblical portrait of personal and spiritual maturity? What are the primary historic and contemporary approaches to spiritual formation? How can church leaders help church members cultivate spiritual maturity on a congregational level? Listen in as Dr. Randy Roberts, President and Professor of Christian Spirituality at Western Seminary, discuss these crucial questions, and more.

In this episode, Kellen Criswell talks with Pastor Phil Metzger about the history and future of missions in Eastern Europe, and some specific lessons from his involvement that can benefit modern missions in both the global and local-church context.

In this episode, Kellen Criswell, Director of CGN, and Pastor and Bible Commentator, David Guzik, discuss important issues related to the theory and practice of biblical preaching. Their conversation covers important questions, including: What is Spirit-empowered preaching? What is Christ-centered preaching? How should we understand what the apostle meant by, “the whole counsel of God?” What are common preaching pitfalls for new preachers and more experienced preachers?

“In this episode Brian Brodersen and Kellen Criswell discuss the past and present of Calvary Chapel on formal ministry training and education. Important questions tackled in their conversation include: - Why has Calvary Chapel often been labeled ‘Anti-intellectual’? - Why are many Calvary Chapel leaders today experiencing new openness to using theological seminaries for part of their ministry preparation? - Why are the flagship Calvary Chapel Bible Colleges in Europe and North America pursuing formal accreditation? - What do these changes mean (and not mean) regarding Calvary Chapel’s historic commitment to the idea that formal education is not a necessary prerequisite for serving in ministry leadership?”