Commons Church Podcast

We’ve talked about ritual before—the rhythms of life, and faith, and practice that ground us in the Christian tradition.And one of the reasons we keep coming back to these conversations is because— well—that’s what ritual requires of us. We don’t ever outgrow the need for persistent daily patterns.We don’t ever get beyond having to build better habits for our good.We don’t ever discover the best of rituals by neglecting the care they require.So, we’re excited for how a return to old ideas and familiar practices might inspire us. Exploring how our struggle to sustain spiritual practices might be a symptom of our efforts to self-improve, to self-support, and self-sustain.Finding that—in looking at the scriptures, and the life and teachings of Jesus—the power of ritual might lie in the ways it pulls us beyond and outside ourselves. ★ Support this podcast ★

We’ve talked about ritual before—the rhythms of life, and faith, and practice that ground us in the Christian tradition.And one of the reasons we keep coming back to these conversations is because— well—that’s what ritual requires of us. We don’t ever outgrow the need for persistent daily patterns.We don’t ever get beyond having to build better habits for our good.We don’t ever discover the best of rituals by neglecting the care they require.So, we’re excited for how a return to old ideas and familiar practices might inspire us. Exploring how our struggle to sustain spiritual practices might be a symptom of our efforts to self-improve, to self-support, and self-sustain.Finding that—in looking at the scriptures, and the life and teachings of Jesus—the power of ritual might lie in the ways it pulls us beyond and outside ourselves. ★ Support this podcast ★

We’ve talked about ritual before—the rhythms of life, and faith, and practice that ground us in the Christian tradition.And one of the reasons we keep coming back to these conversations is because— well—that’s what ritual requires of us. We don’t ever outgrow the need for persistent daily patterns.We don’t ever get beyond having to build better habits for our good.We don’t ever discover the best of rituals by neglecting the care they require.So, we’re excited for how a return to old ideas and familiar practices might inspire us. Exploring how our struggle to sustain spiritual practices might be a symptom of our efforts to self-improve, to self-support, and self-sustain.Finding that—in looking at the scriptures, and the life and teachings of Jesus—the power of ritual might lie in the ways it pulls us beyond and outside ourselves. ★ Support this podcast ★

There’s no way around the challenging work of rebuilding and reconstructing relationships. Because most of us have been there— Needing to forgive.Wanting to lash out.Caught in the awkward middle ground of owning what’s happened and trying to move forward. Which is why—over the next few weeks—we want to reorient ourselves in this work. To consider the ways our broken hearts can be comforted. How broken connections are restored. But also, how the way of Jesus leads us into health in unexpected ways.  Where we start to imagine that God’s renewal of all things might even include our friendships, families, and most intimate relationships. ***January 3: What’s ForgivenessJanuary 10: Practicing Forgiveness January 17: The Myth of Revenge January 24: Boundary Setting ★ Support this podcast ★

There’s no way around the challenging work of rebuilding and reconstructing relationships. Because most of us have been there— Needing to forgive.Wanting to lash out.Caught in the awkward middle ground of owning what’s happened and trying to move forward. Which is why—over the next few weeks—we want to reorient ourselves in this work. To consider the ways our broken hearts can be comforted. How broken connections are restored. But also, how the way of Jesus leads us into health in unexpected ways.  Where we start to imagine that God’s renewal of all things might even include our friendships, families, and most intimate relationships. ***January 3: What’s ForgivenessJanuary 10: Practicing Forgiveness January 17: The Myth of Revenge January 24: Boundary Setting ★ Support this podcast ★

There’s no way around the challenging work of rebuilding and reconstructing relationships. Because most of us have been there— Needing to forgive.Wanting to lash out.Caught in the awkward middle ground of owning what’s happened and trying to move forward. Which is why—over the next few weeks—we want to reorient ourselves in this work. To consider the ways our broken hearts can be comforted. How broken connections are restored. But also, how the way of Jesus leads us into health in unexpected ways.  Where we start to imagine that God’s renewal of all things might even include our friendships, families, and most intimate relationships. ***January 3: What’s ForgivenessJanuary 10: Practicing Forgiveness January 17: The Myth of RevengeJanuary 24: Boundary Setting ★ Support this podcast ★

There’s no way around the challenging work of rebuilding and reconstructing relationships. Because most of us have been there— Needing to forgive.Wanting to lash out.Caught in the awkward middle ground of owning what’s happened and trying to move forward. Which is why—over the next few weeks—we want to reorient ourselves in this work. To consider the ways our broken hearts can be comforted. How broken connections are restored. But also, how the way of Jesus leads us into health in unexpected ways.  Where we start to imagine that God’s renewal of all things might even include our friendships, families, and most intimate relationships. ***January 3: What’s ForgivenessJanuary 10: Forgiving January 17: RevengingJanuary 24: Boundary Setting ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★

Preparing for Christmas is often all about excess.Getting the Christmas presents. Preparing the splendid meals. Packing the tree with so many ornaments that the branches bend under the weightof them all. Excess can be beautiful. Party-worthy, even. But what about the years when you can’t afford Christmas extravagance? What if you just don’t have the energy for it all? What about the years when you don’t have enough?The cast of characters in the Christmas story invites us to see that God works with limitations. In fact, it seems to be God’s preferred way. Mary was not wealthy enough to be the Mother of God. Joseph was not informed enough to be the father who would raise this boy. The shepherds are not respected enough to be visited by angels. The Magi are not in the know enough to understand the gift this Messiah brings.And still, this is the season where we welcome limitation. Where enough sometimes really is enough. ★ Support this podcast ★