When Mars Hill Church was planted in Seattle in 1996, few would have imagined where it would lead. But in the next 18 years, it would become one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most influential churches in the United States. Controversy plagued the church, though, due in no small part to the lightning-rod personality at its helm: Mark Driscoll.
By 2014, ... Show More
Jun 2021
Boomers, The Big Sort, and Really, Really Big Churches
In the mid-1950s, Rev. Robert Schuller began preaching in a drive-in movie theater in Southern California. He melded traditions like vestments with a theology of post-war optimism and self-esteem. As his ministry grew, guest preaching in his pulpit became a mark of celebrity achi ... Show More
55m 59s
Jul 2021
"You Read the Bible, Ringo?"
Church planting, even under the best of circumstances, always requires grit and determination. Planting in one of the most progressive cities in the US at the turn of the millennium required even more. But if Mark Driscoll struggled with anything in his ministry, it wasn’t a lack ... Show More
52m 11s
Aug 2021
The Cult of Celebrity Megachurches
One of our favorite topics to date: In this can’t-miss episode, we’re unpacking the wave of trendy evangelical church groups (like Hillsong, Mosaic, and Churchome), which use Silicon Valley-savvy marketing, celebrity endorsements, charismatic pastors, and a slew of doubtlessly cu ... Show More
35m 43s
Dec 2020
The Church Ain’t the Building with Pastor Reginald Sharpe Jr.
The church is a pillar in our communities and families, but in the age of information, how do we reconcile what we know with what we believe? This week, Khadeen and Devale talk to Pastor Reginald Wayne Sharpe Jr. (Fellowship Chicago) about what faith and religion really mean in 2 ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2024
Classic Reply: Spiritual deconstruction among Millennials with Michael Gungor and Evan Wickham (Replay)
Michael Gungor and his wife Lisa were pioneers in the Christian music scene, building a loyal fan base through Gungor's music and podcasts such as The Liturgists. However, Michael's recent turn towards an increasingly progressive, mystical and deconstructed interpretation of fait ... Show More
1h 12m