Shows
For People with Bishop Rob Wright#6 We Believe!Send us a textWhat does it mean when we have proximity without fellowship? Through Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, we get a glimpse. This parable reveals two men sharing the same address—one living in luxury while the other suffers at his gate—yet separated by an unbridgeable social gulf that continues even after death. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the parable and how the rich man's sin wasn't wealth but indifference to human suffering. Rather than being "Washington-minded and locally neglectful," Wrigh...
2025-09-2617 minFor People with Bishop Rob Wright#4 We Believe!Send us a textWhat does it really mean to be a sinner? When stripped to its Greek roots, sin simply means "missing the mark." In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about sin and what Jesus' approach. The religious elite's biggest complaint against Jesus? That he dined with and welcomed those who missed the mark. "Now that's my kind of God," Bishop Wright reflects. This divine comfort with imperfect people creates a powerful invitation for all of us to bring our whole selves to faith.Read For Faith, the c...
2025-09-1214 minFor People with Bishop Rob Wright#3 We BelieveSend us a textTrue freedom emerges not from the world's prescription of unbridled self-indulgence, but through faithful obedience."Truth in advertising" is how Bishop Wright describes Jesus' approach to discipleship. Unlike our romantic relationships, where we rarely calculate what love will cost us before diving in, Jesus takes a refreshingly honest approach. He stands at the threshold and asks us to pause, reflect, and genuinely count the cost before committing to follow him.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that explores this radical invitation found in Luke 14, where Jesus uses...
2025-09-0514 minFor People with Bishop Rob Wright#2 We BelieveSend us a textWhat happens when our religious rules collide with human suffering? In Luke 13, Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath despite religious opposition. Jesus' act models the need to push beyond the status quo. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that invites us to examine how our own spiritual boundaries might be limiting our capacity for compassion. "Why don't God's children have housing? Why isn't there equal access to medicine? Why don't God's children have a living wage in a wealthy country?" Bishop Wright's own questions challenge us t...
2025-08-2222 minFor People with Bishop Rob Wright#1 We BelieveSend us a text"When we say that we believe, we are saying that we are in the response position." In our latest series, Bishop Wright invites us to consider the profound implications of the declaration "We Believe" that unites Christians across time, denomination, and geography. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about what it truly means to believe. Far more than intellectual agreement, belief positions us in relationship to a God who exists whether we acknowledge it or not. When we stand and recite ancient creeds, we join a timeless c...
2025-08-1525 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightTreasureSend us a textHow do we respond when the winds of division, uncertainty and despair threaten to blow us off our center? We go deep into what we believe! This episode introduces the new series "We Believe!". Bishop Wright chose this series title because belief defines us, consoles us and guides us no matter the seasons of life. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that shifts the understanding of belief itself - moving beyond intellectual agreement to embrace trust as the foundation of faith. "When we say we believe," Bishop W...
2025-08-0818 min
For People with Bishop Rob WrightExploring Dignity with Dr. Beth-Sarah WrightSend us a textThe concept of dignity—the unwavering worth within each human being—lies at the heart of our religious traditions, political systems, and human interactions. But what does it mean to respect someone's dignity, especially when society has trained us to look away?In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with Dr. Beth Sarah Wright, author of "DIGNITY: Seven Strategies for Creating Authentic Community", centered on James 3:18. They discuss human dignity and how genuine community emerges when we honor each person's inherent value. "Dignity isn't a moral imperative, nor is it a...
2025-08-0125 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightVengeanceSend us a textWhen we've been hurt or rejected, vengeance may be something we desire. Christian maturity helps us build capacities to defer and fend off the need for vengeance.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about vengeance. Using Luke 9:51-62, they unpack Jesus' response when his disciples wanted to "rain fire and brimstone" on a Samaritan village that rejected them. Jesus rebukes their desire for vengeance suggesting that vengeance distracts those who have decided to pursue the kingdom of God. Whether we're discussing global conflicts or personal relationships, the...
2025-06-2720 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightDiversitySend us a text"Diversity belongs to God's imagination." With this bold statement, Bishop Rob Wright cuts through the political noise surrounding conversations about human difference. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore how the ancient biblical story of Pentecost offers a divine endorsement of human diversity that transcends modern political debates.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Pentecost centered around Acts 2:1-21 where the Holy Spirit descends on a linguistically and ethnically diverse gathering, creating understanding without erasing distinctiveness. This divine affirmation of difference provides a powerful counterpoint to modern...
2025-06-0619 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightReleaseSend us a textPrison takes many shapes and forms. The size of an individuals home or investment portfolio pales in comparison to true spiritual release - a freedom of purpose, clarity, and belonging that transcends physical limitations. This God given release is true freedom!In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright delve into Acts 16, reflecting on the story of Paul and Silas. Imprisoned yet singing joyfully after freeing a slave girl from demonic possession, their experience serves as a powerful metaphor. The conversation explores themes of oppression and freedom, highlighting a recurring pattern in...
2025-05-3023 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightSpeechSend us a textWords create worlds. From Genesis where God speaks creation into being, to Jesus asking a paralyzed man, "Do you want to be made well?", speech carries the power to transform reality. But what happens when certain topics become unspeakable?In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that explores how modern society increasingly avoids difficult conversations. Using Jesus' healing story, Bishop Wright reveals how bringing things into speech opens pathways to healing and resurrection. They also discuss more recent examples including the evolution of Malcolm X's speech as his...
2025-05-2319 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightSuspenseSend us a textBeing in relationship with God is accompanied by suspense. Even in the bible, John 10: 22-30, Jesus is asked "Are you the Messiah? How long will you keep us in suspense?" Faith in God meets in the tensions of certainty and the suspense of the unknown. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the suspense that accompanies faith. Bishop Wright offers a perspective that transforms how we view life's uncertainties. "The suspense is not if there's God, the suspense is how will God choose to be God and o...
2025-05-0920 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightMoreSend us a textWhat do we do with our wounds? When betrayal cuts deep, when painful experiences leave scars, we have control of how we move forward - with God's help. Jesus' post-resurrection appearances challenge our conventional responses to hurt. Jesus, freshly risen from death after being betrayed by his closest followers, doesn't seek distance or retribution. Instead, he passes through locked doors to reconnect with the very people who abandoned him. This radical choice reveals what authentic power looks like: not domination or revenge, but the capacity to remain engaged despite deep wounds....
2025-05-0220 minFor People with Bishop Rob Wright250th SpecialSend us a textThis week we celebrate 250 episodes of our Podcast, For People! From its inception until now our purpose has been singular, to talk about God, God’s goodness and how we might respond to this good God made known to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus far, we have listeners in 142 countries. An immense thank you goes to Easton Davis, our producer, and Melissa Rau, my conversation partner, most weeks. Incredibly affirming and instructive for us in this work is that we have heard from so many telling us about the ways Fo...
2025-04-2530 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightAuthoritySend us a textAuthority comes in many forms, but as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, he modeled an understanding that may transform how we view our empowerment. While crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" one day and "Crucify him!" shortly after, Jesus remained steadfast. Neither public praise nor rejection sways him from his purpose. This spiritual maturity stands as both a challenge and an invitation to us – can we remain faithful to our calling regardless of external forces?In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Je...
2025-04-1123 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightGrowing Up in Christ! | LossSend us a textLoss hits hardest when we love deeply. How do we face it without denial or paralysis? In John 12, at a dinner for Jesus after Lazarus' resurrection, his friends respond to impending loss differently—Lazarus with nostalgia, Martha with busyness, and Judas with business. But Mary offers a different way: acknowledging a loss that draws her closer to Jesus.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about loss. They use the dinner party to unpack how people respond to loss. Bishop Wright reminds us that Jesus is equipped to gu...
2025-04-0418 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightGrowing Up in Christ! | EmpathySend us a textEmpathy is not just about intellect. Empathy is about putting flesh on Christian ideals. It's about compassion enough for everyone. The story of The Prodigal Son is one of Jesus' parables thats reaches beyond the Christian faith. In the story, Jesus stretches empathy wide for everyone involved. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about empathy, focusing on the story of The Prodigal Son. Using the story as inspiration, they discuss how God calls us to make community from the very things that cause divide. In the words o...
2025-03-2821 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightGrowing Up in Christ! | CuriositySend us a textWhen Moses noticed a burning bush and decided to investigate rather than ignore it, he unwittingly set in motion events that would liberate an entire people from slavery. What might happen if we approached our faith with similar holy curiosity?In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about remaining curious with our faith matters. They discuss how curiosity serves as the gateway to authentic worship and meaningful action. Our willingness to approach the unusual, to ask questions rather than settle for easy answers, often precedes our most profound...
2025-03-2122 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightGrowing Up in Christ! | MaladjustedSend us a textTo grow up in Christ will make you maladjusted to the world. St. Paul was a Roman citizen - the platinum standard for the age. Yet, in Paul's letter to the Philippians, he reminds us that we are citizens of heaven living on earth. What are the costs of this heavenly citizenship? As we grow up in Jesus, we get a glimpse of how we have adjusted ourselves to a world in open opposition to truth, peace, love and justice.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about...
2025-03-1420 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightGrowing Up in Christ! | SettledSend us a textJoin us in keeping a Holy Lent! The theme for this year’s Lenten series is Growing Up in Christ! We get to this theme in response to the opportunity and necessity of us all becoming more mature Christians. Our marriages, families, vocations, state, nation and world all will be better when we decide, with new resolve, to Grow up in Christ! Above all, Growing up in Christ is an active friendship with Jesus that changes us and points us toward the world that he loves. For the next five weeks, we’ll offe...
2025-03-0720 min
For People with Bishop Rob WrightThe Heart of Moral Leadership with The Rev. Dr. Robert FranklinSend us a textJoin us for Bishop Wright's latest podcast series: The Heart of Moral Leadership. Moral leadership is critical in turbulent political times because it provides a compass for guiding people through uncertainty, promoting justice, and fostering unity. In periods of division, leaders with strong ethical principles inspire trust, encourage empathy, and model behavior that prioritizes the common good over personal gain.Jesus' leadership, marked by compassion, forgiveness, and a radical commitment to loving one's neighbor, offers a moral framework that transcends political and social boundaries. His teachings focus on humility, service, and...
2025-02-0726 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightTick-TockSend us a textTick-Tock... Not the app some of us spend time on! Tick-tock used to refer to the passing of time marked by a second hand on a watch or clock. When Matthew tells his story of Jesus, he often uses a word that points to the rapid elapse of time, “immediately.” “Immediately,” James and John left their family’s fishing business and joined Jesus in his friend making campaign.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the art of time management against the backdrop of faith and life pressures...
2025-01-2420 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightTo Be Witnesses: Bishop Wright's Sermon at the 118th Annual CouncilSend us a textBishop Wright's sermon "To Be Witnesses" given at the 118th Annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta. Read the full Annual Council Recap here.Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.
2024-11-1515 minFor People with Bishop Rob WrightWitnessSend us a textActs 1 shows us how Jesus exemplified the true nature of power—not through dominance but through actions and choices that reflect a true commitment to God and one another. That through the power of Witness, we can change the world.In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Acts 1 and bearing witness to the love of God - now more than ever. Bishop Wright unpacks how using faith as a tool for unity and change elevates us above division! Listen in for the full conversation. This ep...
2024-11-0816 min
For People with Bishop Rob WrightAbundant Life for All with The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, ELCASend us a textGod made each of us for an abundant life, but that isn't the world we live in. To strive for an abundance of life for all people is to actively take up your faith and civic responsibility!In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They discuss the essential role of unity among Christian denominations and through shared partnership we can amplify our call to seek justice for marginalized voices. Bishop Eaton also shares p...
2024-10-2524 min