gcr's Podcast
A weekly Progressive Christian podcast from co-hosts Carol Howard Merritt and Derrick Weston.

The season of Advent is upon us! During this time of watchful expectation, we often turn to the words of the Hebrew scripture for inspiration and enlightenment as we prepare are hearts for the coming of the Messiah. Dr. Stephen B. Reid discusses with ways to think about these scriptures with respect to their roots in Judaism and illustrates what we can learn about prayer from the Hebrew texts. 

Direct download: GCR_S5E7.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:44pm CDT

What are today's youth saying about their faith? How does what they profess compare to our historic creeds? What are they saying about the beliefs of their parents? Join Derrick Weston as he talks to Kenda Creasy Dean about your book Almost Christian and learn how youth reflect the faith of our communities. Plus, you won't want to miss the insightful reflections of the Two Friars and a Fool (Aric Clark, Doug Hagler, and Nick Larson) and Carol Howard Merritt.

Direct download: Dean.mp3
Category:Religion/Spirituality -- posted at: 10:46am CDT

What the heck is process theology? Author Bruce Epperly helps us to understand the concept of process thought and how we might apply it to some of the more challenging issues in our life of faith. 

Direct download: GCR_S5E5.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:28am CDT

Have you ever experienced a major shift in how you view politics? How did it happen? How does your faith and political life intersect? How should it intersect? Join Derrick Weston as he talks to Alisa Harris, the author of Raised Right, about these questions and more. We’ll also introduce the Two Friars and a Fool—Aric Clark, Nick Larson, and Doug Hagler-- as they reflect on the Occupy Movement.

Direct download: Harris.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:25am CDT

In major cities all across the globe, crowds of people are coming together in at the seats of political and financial power. What began with Occupy Wall Street has become a genuine movement that begun a national dialogue about economic inequalities. Washington D.C. pastor, and friend of the show, Brian Merritt shares his experience with the Occupy K Street community and shares insights as to how the faith community can be involved with this movement. 

Direct download: GCRS5E3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:22pm CDT

Have you ever gotten frustrated with Christmas shopping? Yes? Well, have you ever gotten so irritated with buying Christmas crap that you make a decision that would change your life? Craig and his wife did that... and they ended up with a year of plenty. 

Direct download: Craig_Goodwin.mp3
Category:Religion/Spirituality -- posted at: 11:30pm CDT

"Evangelism" has become a scary word in many mainline congregations, even scarier for those outside of the church. But if sharing our faith is an essential part of our spiritual health, not to mention the health of our congregations, how can it be done in a way that takes away some of the anxiety? 

Martha Grace Reese shares her insights from her work with the Mainline Evangelism Project as well as some of the helpful tips from the "Unbinding" series with Carol. Carol and new co-host Derrick Weston then discuss some of their previous history with evangelism in their pasts and their hopes for it in the church. 

Direct download: GCR_S5E1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:16am CDT

Where does that coffee come from? What does that chocolate bar have to do with global slavery? How do our everyday choices affect the global economy and human rights? Julie Clawson wrote a book on these very things.

Carol Howard Merritt talks to Julie Clawson about her unique perspective on the Emergent Church as well as her book, Everyday Justice. Then Carol talks with Ryan Kemp-Pappan about what Julie had to say. 

Direct download: ClawsonRKP.mp3
Category:Religion/Spirituality -- posted at: 11:00pm CDT

Direct download: Hackenberg.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:40pm CDT

Direct download: S4E3_-_Jonathan_Brink.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:50pm CDT

Join Carol Howard Merritt and Landon Whitsitt as they interview Steve Knight of the Transform Network as he discusses mission in the 21st century church.

Direct download: S4E1_-_Steve_Knight.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:15pm CDT