Vox Veniae Podcast

Reconstructing Church: From Conformity to Community While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.    As we continue our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, Lilly Ettinger honors the tender and challenging experiences many have had with church while asking us to participate in the kind of community centered on Christ that would lead to our collective flourishing. [Hebrews 10:24-25] Reflection  Where do I see the kind of community I want to be a part of? What do I wish motivated me to come to church? How might I reimagine my role in this church? Resource PDF:  Vox Growing Together 2025

Reconstructing the Cross: From Punitive Scapegoating  to Divine Nonviolence While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.  As we continue our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, guest Anthony Bartlett reveals the cross as pointing to the way of our nonviolent transformation rather than a retributive transaction demanded by God. [2 Corinthians 5:13-21]   Reflection  What traditional explanations of Christ’s death have I been given in the past? What if the violence of Jesus’ death was the whole point–displaying human violence and the counter-revelation of divine nonviolence? Is it possible for me to accept the revelation of a God of absolute nonviolence? Resource PDF:  Vox Practicing Nonviolence

Reconstructing Evangelism: From Tactics to Authenticity While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.  This week, in our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, Vanessa Maleare shifts perspective from tactics to sell a religion to authentically bearing witness to the goodness of God present in each of our lives. [John 4:7-30] Reflection  What is inherently good for you in the ways of Christ? Is there anyone you know that embodies this goodness? Resource Book: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Faith by Rob Bell PDF: Vox Veniae Bearing Witness to Goodness 

Reconstructing Scripture: From Solo to Symphony While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.  Our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, continues with Christopher Mack gathering us to for the practice of Lectio divina as a way of stepping into God’s Story, even as we find it infusing in our being. [Mark 12:28-34] Reflection  How does the relational nature of this scripture conversation between Jesus and the scribe impact how you might reflect on scripture? Where do you experience the disconnect in your life from hearing scripture and embodying it? How might our experience of scripture be different if we try making a meal of it (formational) instead of reading it for helpful or inspiring bits (informational)? Resource Book: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun Book: Opening to God: Lectio Divina nad Life as Prayer by David Brenner Book: Solo: An Uncommon Devotional by Eugene Peterson, Jan Johnson, J.R. Briggs, and Katie Peckham Book: Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson PDF: Vox Veniae Lectio Divina

Homily Title: Reconstructing Spirituality: From Guilt to Growth While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.  Our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, begins with Christopher Mack inviting us to consider the practice of Rhythm of Life as a way of allowing the simple seed of God’s kin-dom in our lives and world to become a vibrant, yet surprisingly great shrub. [Mark 4:30-32] Reflection  What preconceptions about how God is supposed to work today might actually prevent you and others from growing in God’s Love? Do you sense a distraction you might lay down or change your relationship with over the next month? Is there an area in your life where you wish to take a simple step for the next month in the hope of experiencing growth? Resource Book: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun PDF: Vox Veniae Rhythm of Life

Claire Kinder, Hannah Friesen, Gena St. David, and Lindsay Stanek share about Vox Veniae’s new global partner, American Friends of Combatants for Peace, and the good work of nonviolent peacemaking happening between Palestinians and Israelis working in solidarity to advance a just peace. [Psalm 133]   Reflection  What is the cost of peace without justice, and who bears it?  What systems am I part of that maintain peace for some and oppression for others?  How can I disturb my comfort to open the way to collective peace rooted in justice? Resource Website: https://www.afcfp.org/contact-us 

What is perpetually draining you of hope and joy?  Aurelia Dávila Pratt encourages us to steward a full cup for our own embodied self and the Body of Christ in relation to our time and how we relate to social media. [1 Corinthians 12:12-26] Reflection  What’s something that quietly energizes you—or helps refill your cup-when you’re feeling drained?  Where in your life are you being invited to pay closer attention, to tend gently and intentionally to what matters most?  What does it mean to belong—to yourself, to others, to something larger—and how does that truth live your body today? Resource Book: How to Focus , by Thich Nhat Hanh

How can I do something for someone else that brings me joy? Vanessa Maleare defines self-care by casting a vision of service as self-care. [1 Peter 4:7-11]   Reflection  What area of helping others bring you joy or energy?  Is there an area of service in which you’d like to grow?  If there is a barrier to you giving your time somewhere, could that barrier be moved in a creative way? Resource Book: How to Be a Living Thing: Meditations on Intuitive Oysters, Hopeful Doves, and Being Human in the World by Mari Andrew

What’s your favorite call to adventure? Christopher Mack hears the call to reconsider our relationship with the status quo as we are invited to daily form Beloved Community. [Luke 14:25-33]   Reflection  Where do you feel an invitation to subvert the values and expectations of the status quo? How might a cruciform vision of spirituality challenge you? Is there a way you might explore the practice of awakening to the Divine Presence daily this week? Resource Book: Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer  by Richard Rohr Book: Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now by Greg Boyd

How do you know when you are standing on your own sacred ground? Christopher Mack imagines a table where we are not serving our unhealthy fixations and impulses, but are living out of attachment to God’s Inclusive and Transformative Love. [Luke 14:1, 7-14] Reflection  Which strategy for pursuing happiness seems primary for you right now? Who might you share your honest experience of life with this week? Is there someone you. Might invite to experience the radical love and grace of God’s Beloved Community this week? Resource Book: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun