Shows
Placed For A PurposeLoving Your Atheist Neighbor with Jon NoyesToday we’re joined by Jon Noyes, a former atheist turned Christian apologist with Stand to Reason, who shares his powerful story of moving from skepticism to belief. Jon reflects on what it was like to be a self-proclaimed "evangelical atheist," how Christians in his life made space for hard questions without defensiveness, and the key role that honest, consistent relationships played in his journey to faith.
We explore what atheists often believe (and don’t believe), how to ask better questions instead of assuming, and how many atheists are wrestling with deeper existential ques...2025-05-2052 minPlaced For A PurposeLoving Your Immigrant, International and Refugee Neighbors with Donna KushnerIn this episode, we dive into what it looks like to love our neighbors who are immigrants, internationals, and refugees. Donna Kushner joins us to share insights from her decades of cross-cultural ministry, including time serving overseas and her current work walking alongside refugee families in the U.S. We explore what makes the refugee experience uniquely difficult—from language and housing barriers to navigating complex systems and overcoming loneliness—and why proximity, hospitality, and reciprocity are so powerful in building relationships.
We also unpack misconceptions around immigration and offer practical ways to take that...2025-05-1339 minPlaced For A PurposeLoving Your Little NeighborsIn this episode, we dive into what it looks like to love our littlest neighbors—kids! Whether they live under your roof, next door, or pop by for snacks and sidewalk chalk, we explore how our view of children shapes the way we engage them. Kristin Jeffries, mom of four and the creative arts co-director for Crossing Kids, joins us in-studio to help us push back against some of the negative cultural narratives surrounding kids—that they’re inconvenient, messy, or burdensome—and instead adopt Jesus’ view of children as valuable, curious, and deeply worthy of love.
2025-05-0646 minPlaced For A PurposeLoving Your Neighbor With Different Parenting StylesIn this episode of our Loving Your [Fill-in-the-Blank] Neighbor series, we’re diving into something many of us face daily but rarely talk about—how to love your neighbor with a different parenting style. From sleep training battles to snack-time politics, from screen-time boundaries to trampoline supervision, this episode is for anyone trying to raise kids in community while navigating differing values, opinions, and convictions.We reflect on our early parenting years and the pressure they felt to pick “God’s way” of parenting—only to realize that many of these decisions fall more in the realm o...2025-04-2940 minPlaced For A PurposeLoving Your Christian Nationalist NeighborIn this continuation of our Loving Your [Fill-in-the-Blank] Neighbor series, we sit down with pastor and author Caleb Campbell to talk about what it means to love our Christian nationalist neighbors. Caleb’s book, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor, invites us to move beyond fear and frustration and instead adopt the posture rooted in empathy, curiosity, and the way of Jesus.We unpack the meaning of Christian nationalism, explore how it functions as political ideology, tribal identity, and spiritual idolatry, and reflect on the cultural forces that have fueled its rise. Caleb share...2025-04-2247 minPlaced For A PurposeLoving Your Muslim NeighborIn this kickoff episode of our Loving Your [Fill-in-the-Blank] Neighbor series, we’re joined by Christina Martin to explore what it looks like to love our Muslim neighbors with grace, curiosity, and genuine friendship.With over 20 years of ministry experience—including time spent living and serving in the Middle East and Singapore—Christina shares what she’s learned about building gospel-centered relationships with Muslims. From practical hospitality tips to navigating cultural differences and spiritual conversations, she helps us see that engaging with our Muslim neighbors doesn’t have to be intimidating. It starts with curiosity, h...2025-04-1527 minPlaced For A PurposeEvery Believer Confident with Dr. Mark FarnhamEver found yourself stumbling in a conversation about your faith? Or unsure how to respond when a neighbor asks a tough question about Christianity? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Mark Farnham, author of Every Believer Confident: Apologetics for the Ordinary Christian, to help lay a solid foundation for engaging neighbors of all backgrounds—whether they’re atheist, Muslim, Mormon, or simply hold different perspectives. With over two decades of experience teaching apologetics, theology, and philosophy, Dr. Farnham invites us to shift our mindset from winning arguments to building meaningful, respectful conversations rooted in curiosity and care.To...2025-04-0839 minPlaced For A PurposeThe Loneliness LoopIn this episode, we explore the deep ache of loneliness—what it is, how it affects our brains and bodies, and why it's become such a defining struggle in modern life. Using the film Castaway as a launching point, we dive into the biology and psychology behind our need for connection and how God designed us for meaningful relationships. We unpack the loneliness loop—how chronic isolation impacts our thinking, our health, and our ability to connect—even when we try.But there’s hope. Drawing from both research and Scripture, we look at how small, intentional steps towa...2025-04-0136 minPlaced For A PurposeWhy Your Neighbor’s Mood Could Be Changing Your Life (Without You Knowing)In this episode, we explore the surprising power of social networks and how our influence extends far beyond what we can see. Inspired by the book Connected by Nicholas Christakis, we discuss the ripple effect that spreads through relationships—how our moods, generosity, and even small acts of kindness can impact not just our neighbors, but their neighbors and their neighbors’ neighbors.We also dive into the fascinating science behind social contagion, from how emotions spread to why our actions can shape a neighborhood’s culture. Just like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon, our relationships are intricat...2025-03-2529 minPlaced For A PurposeAwkwardness: Your Neighboring SuperpowerIn this episode, we’re embracing the awkward! Awkwardness is something we all experience, whether it's forgetting a neighbor's name, misreading a social cue, or simply feeling out of place in a new interaction. Instead of avoiding it, what if we saw awkwardness as a superpower in building relationships? Drawing from Good Awkward by Dr. Hannah Pryor, we explore how these cringe-worthy moments can actually make us more relatable, endearing us to those around us.We unpack the psychology behind awkwardness, including the "pratfall effect," which shows that small blunders can actually make people like us more. We a...2025-03-1828 minPlaced For A PurposeUnreasonable HospitalityWhat does it mean to go beyond regular hospitality and show unreasonable hospitality? Inspired by Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, this episode explores how simple, thoughtful acts can transform neighborhood connections. From the story of how 11 Madison Park became the number one restaurant in the world to practical ideas like snow day donuts and welcoming gifts, we discuss how to make neighbors feel truly seen, valued, and cared for.Discover how showing up with intentionality and generosity can bring color and magic to everyday interactions. And learn how these extraordinary gestures reflect the extravagant, grace-filled love of God...2025-03-1132 minPlaced For A PurposeEmotionally Healthy Neighboring: Trauma Aware with Eliza HuieIn the final episode of our Emotionally Healthy Neighboring series, we explore how to navigate trauma with compassion and care, featuring special guest Eliza Huie, a licensed professional counselor and author of Trauma Aware: A Christian's Guide to Providing Help and Care. Eliza explains the difference between trauma and suffering, offering practical guidance on how to respond when neighbors share difficult experiences. She emphasizes the importance of being present over offering quick fixes and shares how to build trust and compassion while maintaining healthy emotional boundaries.We also discuss how to practice empathy and validation without overstepping, a...2025-03-0438 minPlaced For A PurposeEmotionally Healthy Neighboring: AdulthoodWhat does it really mean to be an adult? Owning a house, working a job, or paying bills? In this episode of our Emotionally Healthy Neighboring series, we explore the deeper side of adulthood—taking responsibility for our lives, exercising God-given power, and learning to show up in relationships with confidence and humility.Drawing from Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud, we discuss the importance of moving from one-up, one-down dynamics to true peer-to-peer relationships with our neighbors. How do we relate to those who seem to have it all together? Or those we quietly judge? How ca...2025-02-2529 minPlaced For A PurposeEmotionally Healthy Neighboring: Sorting Out the Good and BadIn this episode of our Emotionally Healthy Neighboring series, we explore the challenge of sorting out the good and bad in ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities. It’s easy to fall into black-and-white thinking—seeing our neighbors as either all good or all bad—but true growth happens when we learn to embrace the tension of both. We discuss insights from Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud that helps us navigate disappointment, frustration, and expectations while maintaining meaningful relationships with our neighbors. Plus, we reflect on the power of grace, forgiveness, and seeing both our neighbors (and oursel...2025-02-1832 minPlaced For A PurposeEmotionally Healthy Neighboring: BoundariesIn week two of our Emotionally Healthy Neighboring series, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges of building relationships with neighbors—boundaries. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, or even resentful because you don’t know how to say no, this episode is for you. We explore what healthy boundaries look like, how they help us love our neighbors well, and why setting limits doesn’t make you selfish—it makes you wise.Drawing insights from Dr. Henry Cloud’s Boundaries, we discuss real-life scenarios, from lingering neighbors who won’t leave to spontaneous pop-ins at the worst times...2025-02-1127 minPlaced For A PurposeEmotionally Healthy Neighboring: BondingIn this kickoff to our new series, "Emotionally Healthy Neighboring," we dive into the foundational concept of bonding. Drawing from Dr. Henry Cloud's book Changes That Heal, we explore what it means to connect with others on a deeper level and how bonding—or the lack thereof—shapes our relationships with neighbors, family, and even God. Join us as we discuss the challenges of disconnection, the neuroscience of loneliness, and practical steps for initiating meaningful connections in our neighborhoods. Whether you're feeling stuck in the "loneliness catch-22" or ready to take small steps towards building community, this episode offers hope...2025-02-0430 minPlaced For A PurposeHere Goes Nothing: An Introvert's Reckless Attempt to Love Her NeighborIn this episode, we’re joined by Kendra Broekhuis, author of Here Goes Nothing: An Introvert's Reckless Attempt to Love Her Neighbor, to explore the unique strengths and challenges introverts bring to neighboring. Kendra shares her journey of embracing her God-given personality while building connections—from awkward beginnings to thriving behind the scenes. We discuss practical tips for leaning into your strengths, stepping out of your comfort zone, and balancing connection with quiet acts of love. Whether you’re introverted, extroverted, or in between, this episode offers encouragement to neighbor well.Here Goes Nothing: An Introvert's Reckless Attempt...2025-01-2838 minPlaced For A PurposeAtomic Neighboring HabitsIn this episode, we dive into the power of habits, inspired by the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, and explore how small, consistent changes can transform the way we neighbor. As we step into 2025, we reflect on our bad habits (like pantry crumbs and "the chair") and explore how to build better habits for fostering community. We discuss Clear's Four Laws of Behavioral Change—make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying—and apply them to neighboring, with practical examples like smiling at neighbors, hosting seasonal gatherings, or sending encouraging texts. By incorporating these...2025-01-2126 minPlaced For A PurposeIn Our Neighborhood As In HeavenIn this episode, we talk with Lance Ford, author of Next Door as It Is in Heaven, about living out God’s kingdom in our neighborhoods. Lance shares practical insights on what it means to have an incarnational presence—to see ourselves as sent by God into our communities—and to prioritize hospitality and inclusion. Drawing on inspiring stories, like building relationships with neighbors labeled as “difficult,” Lance highlights the transformative power of small acts of kindness, shared meals, and open-hearted living. This episode challenges us to move beyond consumerism and isolation, to embrace our role as ambassadors of God’s love...2025-01-1444 minPlaced For A PurposeThe Simple Act of Showing Up: Lessons from a Year of CatchWhat do neighboring and playing catch have in common? Ethan Bryan’s simple daily commitment to playing catch for an entire year transformed not only his life but also his understanding of connection and community. From freezing winter tosses to spontaneous backyard games, Bryan discovered how something as ordinary as a game of catch fosters vulnerability, rewires our brains, and deepens relationships. Listen and learn how this simple yet intentional act opened doors to meaningful connections, encouraged him to take risks, and reminded him of the transformative power of showing up....kinda like neighboring.Read: A Year of...2025-01-0730 minPlaced For A PurposeCountdown to 2025: Our Top 10 Highlights of the YearThis year-end episode is a highlight reel of the most inspiring and transformative moments of 2024 on the podcast—just like your Spotify Wrapped! We're diving into listener favorites, from the surprising power of small talk and reimagining gospel conversations to the earthy beauty of neighboring through trees, bees, and community gardens. Plus, we revisit raw and meaningful discussions on grief, humility, and loving neighbors in tough circumstances. Packed with standout clips and reflections, this episode brings you practical insights and heart-stirring stories to inspire purposeful living in your neighborhood.Top 5 episodes:
Neighborhoods Reimagined: Poor in Spirit (wit...2024-12-3149 minPlaced For A PurposeGuided Neighborhood Prayer Walk: Peace on EarthDuring Christmas, the longing for peace feels especially acute, reflected in the songs we sing, the decorations we hang, and the verses we read during Advent. Both believers and non-believers desire peace—in the world, in our country, in our families, and in our neighborhoods. This guided prayer walk invites us to pray for peace in our lives, our neighbors' lives, and our communities.Scripture for this guided neighborhood prayer walk:Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be...2024-12-2416 minPlaced For A PurposeGood Enough NeighboringTake this in: You don’t have to be the perfect neighbor; you just have to “good enough.” Today we share a concept we’re calling “Good Enough Neighboring,” inspired by the parenting philosophy, “Good Enough Parenting.” This is not a passive or apathetic approach. On the contrary; it’s transformational. Good Enough Neighboring tells us that when we reject perfectionism and embrace our limits, we’ll become neighbors who model vulnerability and repair. Get excited, because you are about to discover the joy of being a neighbor who is “good enough.”Article: Good Enough ParentingCONNECT ON SOCIALS: In...2024-12-1734 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighboring with Purpose and PresenceThis Advent, we dive into the powerful idea of incarnational living—being fully present in our neighborhoods, just as Jesus was as Emmanuel, "God with us." Reflecting on the humanity of Jesus and His presence among us, we discuss how His example calls us to dwell and engage authentically with our neighbors. From sharing meals to walking our neighborhoods with purpose, we consider practical ways to embody Christ’s love in our everyday lives. Let’s move from being invisible in our communities to being tangible expressions of God’s love, bringing light and hope to those around us this hol...2024-12-1027 minPlaced For A PurposeThe 12 Days of NeighboringIn the spirit of the season, we’re launching the 12 Days of Neighboring Challenge! Inspired by the classic Christmas carol, we’re sharing fun and creative ways to connect with and love your neighbors this holiday season—from delivering Christmas cards to hosting an open house. Join us as we unpack each step of the challenge and offer practical tips to make neighboring both meaningful and manageable. Plus, we’re adding a little incentive: complete the challenge, and you could win a $100 Visa gift card (use the link below to contact us)!! Whether you try one idea or all twelve...2024-12-0329 minPlaced For A PurposeFrom Grumbly to Grateful: A Neighbor’s GuideGobble, Gobble! Or should we say "Grumble, Grumble?" Thanksgiving is here, but sometimes we’re more grumbly than grateful. In this episode, Dustin Crowe, author of The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks, explores the difference between feeling thankful and actually expressing gratitude. We’ll discuss simple ways to build a gratitude practice in your daily life—whether it’s through Thanksgiving traditions, reframing challenges, or creating a culture of thankfulness in your neighborhood. Let’s turn our grumbles into gratitude and connect with our neighbors in a way that reflects God’s goodness.Grumbler's Guide to Giving Thanks...2024-11-2635 minPlaced For A PurposeRuthlessly Eliminating Hurry In Our NeighborhoodsIn a world that celebrates busyness, we’re often left feeling rushed and disconnected from the people around us. Today, we discuss how we can intentionally slow down and connect more deeply with our surroundings, including our neighbors. With insights inspired by John Mark Comer’s "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," we’ll share practical ways to shift our mindset and create time to invest in those living around us. Let's reframe our view of time—not as a scarce resource—but as a gift we can share with others, demonstrating a love that’s unhurried, patient, and grounded in God’s pre...2024-11-1931 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Be a Horrible Listener (and what to do instead)Let’s face it—most of us are horrible listeners but don't know how to change. Today, we’re diving into the hilarious, painfully relatable ways we all miss the mark and offering practical (and maybe even life-changing) tips to reset your listening default settings. Join us for laughs, real talk, and a guide to becoming the listener everyone wishes they had!CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.2024-11-1227 minPlaced For A PurposeSmall Talk: A RebrandToday, small talk is getting a glow-up! Rather than dismissing it as a waste of time, we’ll consider how neighborly chit-chat can be a doorway to meaningful relationships and deeper conversations. We'll discuss how the challenges—social anxiety, awkward pauses, and a lack of emotional fulfillment—are real, but by viewing small talk as an essential “icebreaker” to genuine connection, we can break through these obstacles. With this small-talk rebrand, we might start seeing it as the first step in building relational bridges—and an important way to join in on what God is already doing in our neighborhood...2024-11-0522 min
Moms at Work with Jeanette TapleyLiving the Beatitudes & Being a Good Neighbor with Chris and Elizabeth McKinneyJoin host Jeanette Tapley in this enlightening episode of "Moms at Work," where she speaks with authors Chris and Elizabeth McKinney about their transformative journeys in writing their books on neighboring and the Beatitudes, including "Being a Good Neighbor" and "The Beatitudes for Everyday Life."In their conversation, Chris and Elizabeth share how their lives have changed over the past three years and discuss the vital role the Beatitudes play in living out a life of humility, mercy, and community engagement. They offer practical insights on how to be good neighbors and emphasize the...2024-10-3047 minPlaced For A PurposeExtraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary People with Carolyn LaceyCarolyn Lacey, author of "Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary People: Seven Ways to Welcome Like Jesus," joins the discussion to explore the true meaning of Christian hospitality. Carolyn shares insights from her book, discussing how we often misunderstand hospitality as simply entertaining or hosting. Instead, she reveals the deeper, Christ-centered nature of hospitality—grounded in generosity, compassion, and humility, modeled after God's own welcoming heart. She challenges us to rethink what it means to practice hospitality in our everyday lives, encouraging us to extend welcome not only through grand gestures but also in small, meaningful ways that reflect God’s gene...2024-10-2934 minPlaced For A PurposeBefore You Share Your Faith with Matt SmethurstAre you hesitant to share your faith with your neighbors? Matt Smethurst, lead pastor at River City Baptist Church and author of "Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready," joins us to discuss the challenges and importance of evangelism. Matt shares his personal experiences and insights on how to be better prepared to share the gospel, offering practical advice for those who may feel hesitant or out of practice. He touches on the fears and spiritual battles that often keep us silent, while also emphasizing the joy and privilege of speaking about Christ. With a...2024-10-2239 minPlaced For A PurposeAvoiding Next-Door Political OutrageAre political conversations with neighbors just too divisive to touch? Today, we’re joined by Ken Sande, founder of two conflict resolution organizations and author of The Peacemaker, to talk about how to approach these tricky discussions with emotional intelligence. Ken shares insights on how to manage your emotions—and those of others—while navigating sensitive political topics, especially in today’s polarized climate. Drawing from decades of conflict resolution experience, Ken offers practical tools to engage in respectful and meaningful dialogue with your neighbors, even on sensitive political issues.Ken Sande's WebsiteThe Peac...2024-10-1547 minPlaced For A PurposeParenting Without Panic in LGBT+ Friendly NeighborhoodsRachel Gilson, author of "Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT Affirming World," joins us to talk about how we can love our LGBT+ neighbors and how Christian parents can navigate complex conversations with their children about faith, gender, and sexuality. The discussion touches on Rachel's personal journey to faith, the importance of teaching kids God’s positive vision for the body and relationships, and the need to address contemporary cultural challenges with both truth and grace. By offering practical applications and emphasizing love across differences, Rachel encourages parents to foster open, biblical conversations with their children while modeling Christ's lo...2024-10-0846 minPlaced For A PurposeThe Halloween House with Jimmy & Kelly NeedhamAfter moving into their new neighborhood—ironically named Sleepy Hollow—Jimmy and Kelly Needham were surprised to learn their home had a big reputation. Upon learning their house was famous for being one of the spookiest Haunted Houses in Dallas, the Needhams had a decision to make. Listen as they share about transforming their home's reputation as "The Haunted House" to "The Generous House" through a night of gospel-driven outreach, complete with king-size candy bars, hot chocolate, and a prayer station. The Needhams share stories of how offering extravagant generosity has opened doors to prayer, gospel conversations, and long-term rela...2024-10-0141 minPlaced For A PurposeGuided Neighborhood Prayer Walk: The Lord's PrayerWhile the concept of moving your body while talking to God might seem intuitive to some, many of us could use a "prayer walk tutorial." We have this idea that heartfelt prayers should be spontaneous, but many of us struggle with scattered senses, short attention spans, and feel we’re lacking in the language of prayer. The challenge feels high. Perhaps the disciples felt some of the same when one turned to Jesus saying, “Lord, teach us to pray." Seeing the challenge, Jesus offered us the Lord’s Prayer. Step-by-Step Instructions1. Begin with Praise...2024-09-2421 minPlaced For A PurposeYou Should (Could) Pray For Your NeighborsHas guilt been a good long-term motivator in your life when it comes to prayer??? We didn't think so. Today, we're making the move from "should" to "could" in hopes that God will move in our hearts and ignite a deep desire for prayer. As we follow Jesus' example in this, we're asking the Father this question: "What is it I want him to do right now in my life? In my family? In my work? In my neighborhood?" If you could ask the Lord right now to do anything in your corner (and you can!), what would you...2024-09-1728 minPlaced For A PurposeThe Vanishing Neighbor with Marc DunkelmanIn this episode, we're joined by Marc Dunkelman, author of The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community. Marc explores how American neighborhoods have evolved, focusing on the growing disconnect between neighbors and the impact suburbanization and smartphones have had on neighborly relationships. We discuss the importance and decline of "middle ring relationships", the Chinatown Bus Effect, and how both motive and opportunity influence the way we engage with our neighbors.Buy Dunkelman's book, The Vanishing NeighborCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU...2024-09-1041 minPlaced For A PurposeBuilding Bonds in Downtown Chicago with Malissa MackeyIn this episode, we’re joined by Malissa Mackey, who lives and works in downtown Chicago. As the Director of Faith and Work Chicago and a resident of Wicker Park—one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods—Malissa discusses the call to live in intentional missional communities. She sheds light on the unique challenges of urban living and shares how her church, Holy Trinity, encourages its members to be deeply rooted in their neighborhoods. Malissa highlights the importance of being present, building relationships, and creating spaces for connection, all while navigating challenges such as "noise frustration," "crowded isolation," and the...2024-09-0332 minPlaced For A PurposeYou Gotta Ask with Jon and Pam StrainAsking good questions can be a powerful way to love our neighbors. Jon and Pam Strain, co-founders of You Gotta Ask and co-authors of the book You Gotta Ask, share their expertise on how to ask meaningful questions that foster deeper spiritual conversations. Drawing from years of ministry experience, they emphasize the importance of creating relational environments where people feel valued and heard. The Strains highlight the power of good questions in drawing out others' stories and exploring their beliefs, while also offering practical advice on engaging in these conversations without the pressure of having all the answers. They e...2024-08-2732 minPlaced For A PurposeKnock-Knock: How Humor Breaks the Ice with Phil CallawayPhil Callaway, an award-winning author, speaker, and humorist known for his best-selling book, "Laugh Like a Kid Again," joins us for a conversation about the profound power of laughter and how it can break down barriers, open hearts, and bring light to even the darkest situations. Phil shares personal stories, including how humor helped him navigate the challenges of his wife’s battle with Huntington’s disease within her family. Phil emphasizes the importance of humility, vulnerability, and realness in our relationships, particularly with our neighbors, and how these qualities, combined with a sense of humor, can create meaningful conn...2024-08-2043 min
The Problem With PerfectAre You The Neighbor God Calls You To Be With Special Guests Chris and Elizabeth McKinney"Who are the people in your neighborhood?"Those of a certain age will remember Mr. Rogers singing that ditty. Once upon a time, we celebrated with our neighbors, borrowed a cup of sugar from the folks next door, and probably worshiped with some of them every Sunday. Busy schedules, a desire for privacy, or the simple fact that decks on the back of the house have replaced sitting on the front porch, have significantly impacted how we interact with those who live nearby.In today’s world, although loneliness has been deemed an epidemic, knowing ou...2024-08-1355 minPlaced For A PurposeFinding Common Ground with Amberly NeeseAmberly Neese is a speaker, comedian, and author of several books, including Common Ground: Loving Others Despite Our Differences. In this conversation, Amberly shares her insights on finding common ground with our neighbors to help us all drop our defense mechanisms. We also discuss practical approaches to navigating jealousy and conflict in relationships.Order: Common GroundVisit: Amberly Neese's WebsiteCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your th...2024-08-1334 minPlaced For A PurposeLoving Our Doubting and Deconstructing Neighbors with Zack EswineZack Eswine, pastor of Riverside Church in St. Louis and author of Spurgeon's Sorrows and Imperfect Pastor, joins us to discuss loving our doubting and deconstructing neighbors. He and his wife Jessica recently co-founded Sage Christianity, a ministry providing resources and opportunities for people to explore doubts and questions about faith through the wisdom of Jesus. Our discussion centers on supporting neighbors who are experiencing doubt or deconstructing their faith. Zack emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for honest conversations, understanding the difference between doubt and deconstruction, and showing mercy to those questioning their beliefs. He shares per...2024-08-0647 minPlaced For A PurposeAvoiding Neighboring Burnout with Alan BriggsWe are excited to welcome back Alan Briggs, a leadership coach, consultant, and author of the new book "Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World." Together, we discuss the complex nature of burnout, exploring various definitions and how it is perceived across different cultures. Alan emphasizes that burnout often results from the voluntary overextension of oneself. He offers practical advice on recognizing the signs of burnout, setting boundaries in our lives, and taking actionable steps to create sustainable rhythms, highlighting the importance of margin and creativity.Order Anti-Burnout2024-07-3036 minPlaced For A PurposeGlad You're Here with Craig CooperWe’re thrilled to welcome USA Today bestselling author and keynote speaker Craig Cooper, co-author of "Glad You're Here." Craig shares the inspiring story of his unexpected friendship with neighbor and Grammy-nominated country singer Walker Hayes. Once an atheist and struggling musician, Walker’s journey to faith in Christ reminds us that God uses neighborly love in ways we could never predict or imagine. Craig recounts how their friendship, built on mutual brokenness and shared dreams, led to transformative moments, including the gift of a van that inspired Walker’s heartfelt song “Craig.” The conversation also explores Craig's new devotional...2024-07-2340 minPlaced For A PurposeGuided Neighborhood Prayer Walk: BeatitudesThe Beatitudes not only invite us into the way of Jesus, but they also provide us with a template for prayer. In this Guided Prayer Walk, we pray through each Beatitude, asking Jesus to shape us into neighbors who receive and offer His alternative way of flourishing for our neighborhoods.Order your copy of Neighborhoods Reimagined10ofThoseFamilyLife Today PodcastWeekend to Remember Marriage Conferences2024-07-1628 minPlaced For A PurposeBeatitude RecapLet's recap with a Cliffsnotes episode! You’ll be relieved to know there’s no test coming at the end of this podcast, but a little recap will help us remember all that we've discussed about Jesus’ upside-down (but beautiful) beatitude vision for our communities. This review sesh will hopefully move this meekness and mercy content into our hearts, our longterm memories, and out into our neighborhoods.Order your copy of Neighborhoods Reimagined!10ofThoseFamilyLife Today PodcastCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram 2024-07-0940 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: PersecutionIn the final episode of our “Neighborhoods Reimagined” series on the Beatitudes, we explore the eighth beatitude: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Joined by Patrick Miller, pastor at The Crossing and co-author of Truth Over Tribe, we delve into what it means to count the cost of following Jesus by facing persecution. Patrick shares personal stories of subtle and severe forms of rejection, the emotional impact of being an outsider, and emphasizes the importance of responding with grace and joy. Together, we discuss how to pre...2024-07-0237 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: PeacemakingIn this episode of our Neighborhoods Reimagined series, we look deeper into the seventh Beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God," with Keith Simon, co-lead teaching pastor at The Crossing and co-host of the Truth Over Tribe podcast. Keith shares insights on the importance of peacemaking, especially in today's divisive climate, and discusses how peacemaking involves bringing people together despite differences. Drawing from his experiences as a pastor and author, Keith emphasizes that true peacemaking means building bridges and fostering unity even amid disagreements. He also touches on the transformative power of engaging...2024-06-2535 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: Pure in HeartWhat does it mean when Jesus invites us to be pure in heart? He states, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Today, we are joined by our sister-in-law, licensed therapist Kelli McKinney (MA, LPC, NCC, PMH-C), who specializes in developmental trauma and perinatal mental health. In this episode, we explore Jesus's call to holiness through wholeness, emphasizing the importance of becoming fully integrated individuals whose insides match their outsides. Kelli shares her insights on the impact of hiding parts of ourselves versus living authentically with our neighbors. Through her professional and personal experiences, Kelli...2024-06-1835 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: MercyToday explore the fifth Beatitude, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy," with Kim Marshall, a therapist from the Global Counseling Network. Drawing on over 25 years of experience, Kim shares her journey into therapy and the importance of mercy and forgiveness in relationships. She explains her process of creating a safe space for reconciliation and highlights the transformative power of mercy in healing and restoring relationships. Kim emphasizes that while showing mercy requires vulnerability, it leads to deeper, more connected relationships, breaking cycles of blame and fostering personal and relational growth.Need...2024-06-1132 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: RighteousnessIn today's episode of Place for a Purpose, we continue our Beatitude series with the fourth Beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." Our guest is Jennifer Prophete, Program Director for the Hopeful Neighborhood Project, an initiative dedicated to improving neighborhood well-being globally by encouraging neighbors to use their gifts for the common good. Jennifer shares her passion for community engagement, rooted in her upbringing in rural Nebraska, and discusses the vital role of collective action in fostering neighborhood well-being. She highlights the biblical foundation for seeking the welfare of our...2024-06-0439 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: MeeknessDr. Mike Austin, a professor of philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University and a Bonhoeffer Senior Fellow at Hebrew College's Miller Center for Inter-religious Learning and Leadership joins us for a conversation on humility and meekness. Dr. Austin discusses his new book, "Humility: Rediscovering the Way of Love and Life in Christ," exploring the deep connections between humility, character, and the common good. In this conversation we dive into the third Beatitude, "blessed are the meek," and its overlap with humility, emphasizing the importance of humility in Christian life and community. Dr. Austin also addresses the fears of being perceived...2024-05-2833 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: MourningIn today's episode, we are joined by Shelly Mayer, who oversees the care ministry at our church, The Crossing. The care ministry encompasses over 15 teams and programs like Grief Share, Divorce Care, and support for those with chronic health issues. Shelly helps us think through how we can be there for our neighbors who are hurting and discusses the vital role of community in dealing with grief and how it helps combat the feelings of isolation and abandonment that often accompany significant loss. She also helps us make the connection between mourning over the broken places in our neighborhood...2024-05-2144 min
Going There in Conversations with Christian WomenYour Address Isn't an Accident with Chris and Elizabeth McKinneyHow well do you know your next door neighbors? Do you define being a good neighbor by keeping to yourself? Join us as we talk with our friends and second-time authors, Chris and Elizabeth McKinney. In this conversation they will challenge and encourage us to go against culture and give us practical tips of how we love our neighbors.Craving more from Going There the Podcast? Come be our friend! Make sure you’re following along on Instagram @goingtherethepodcast and subscribe to our podcast so that you never miss a new episode!2024-05-1539 minGoing There in Conversations with Christian WomenYour Address Isn't an Accident with Chris and Elizabeth McKinneyHow well do you know your next door neighbors? Do you define being a good neighbor by keeping to yourself? Join us as we talk with our friends and second-time authors, Chris and Elizabeth McKinney. In this conversation they will challenge and encourage us to go against culture and give us practical tips of how we love our neighbors.Craving more from Going There the Podcast? Come be our friend! Make sure you’re following along on Instagram @goingtherethepodcast and subscribe to our podcast so that you never miss a new episode!2024-05-1539 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: Poor in SpiritToday we're joined by the legendary Jane Armstrong, who has dedicated nearly five decades to guiding college students in their faith at Miami of Ohio. Known for her one-on-one discipleship meetings over Cokes at Bob Evans, Jane has profoundly impacted many, including Elizabeth, who was discipled by her for six years. Jane shares her insights on the Beatitude principle of dependence and being "poor in spirit," exploring how true maturity involves acknowledging our need for God in every aspect of life. From touching personal stories to practical advice on living a life of faith and dependence, you don't want...2024-05-1449 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighborhoods Reimagined: How The Beatitudes and Neighboring Go TogetherToday we're going behind the scenes for our new book, Neighborhoods Reimagined: How the Beatitudes Inspire Our Call To Be Good Neighbors. We're talking about why we wrote the book in the first place and—SPOILER ALERT—we conclude that the way we live matters. Imagine if Jesus reset our neighboring default settings... what would change in our neighborhoods? What if, as believers, we offered pardons instead of posturing? What if, rather than numbing out with more me-time, we were satisfied by good works prepared for us at home? Through the Beatitudes, Jesus gives us the vision and pathway for...2024-05-0724 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Neighbor As a FamilyCan kids engage in the mission of God? Today we've brought on four experts (OUR KIDS!!) to help us see how small acts of kindness (that even a child can do!) can be used by God to bring his kingdom to our neighborhoods. Annie (9), June (10), Pearl (12), and Ginger (14) share about their experiences in serving, praying, loving neighbors from different backgrounds and worldviews, and even engaging in spiritual conversations. It's not perfect—it's messy—but God is at work in our kids' lives and it's exciting to see them catch a vision for how God can use them in the place the...2024-04-3052 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Practice HospitalitySince hospitality is both a posture and a practice, we’ve invited the founders of Hospitality Matters—Dave and Jennifer Collie—to help us flesh out what this important discipline looks like with our next-door neighbors. They encourage us in the “doing” of hospitality by challenging us to reflect more on our neighborly interactions and consider how God might want to replace our loneliness with connection. CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on tod...2024-04-2331 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Neighbor From ScratchNo sidewalks? No streetlights? No problem! Tune in as we chat with Ben and Amy, our neighboring ride-or-dies, who've overcome numerous obstacles in their efforts to get to know their neighbors. They share how they saw a group of next-door strangers become a tight-knit community, highlighting the significance of consistent touchpoints in relationship-building, the realities of neighboring fatigue, and how their neighbors rallied around them during their house fire. Be inspired by their ingenious strategy (business cards!) and their grace-based approach as they’re making adjustments based on their life stage and bandwidth.CONNECT ON...2024-04-1634 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Start A Neighborhood Bible StudyOne way we can engage in God’s mission in our neighborhoods is to start a neighborhood Bible Study. So, today we have Jesslyn Adam with Neighbor Bible Study—NBS2GO—a ministry of Cru whose neighborhood Bible Studies have been translated into 50 languages. Jesslyn addresses our potential fears and hesitations by giving us practical How To’s and user-friendly plans which have been used by over 200,000 people on the YouVersion Bible app. Tune in and consider taking this step to help your neighbors read the Bible, maybe for the first time.Explore Neighbor Bible St...2024-04-0937 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Throw A Block PartyThrowing a Block Party is a fantastic way to meet your neighbors or get to know them better. Whatever your context, you can intentionally gather neighbors to celebrate and connect. In one of our most practical episodes yet, we’ll help you think through timing, food, getting the word out, lawn games, trash, music... and best of all, how parties point people to Jesus.Listen to Doug Fields: "It's Time to Party" on YouTubeUse our Block Party Playlist on SpotifyDownload our Block Party ChecklistCONN...2024-04-0228 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Deal With Difficult NeighborsLet's dive into our "How To" series, beginning with the topic of dealing with difficult neighbors. Today, we're joined by our friend and counselor, Austin Conner (MDiv, PLPC). We explore the different types of conflicts that can arise with neighbors, strategies for responding rather than reacting, techniques for managing our trigger reactions, when and how to forgive, and practical tips for de-escalating tense situations.Listen to With You in the Weeds Podcast: A Podcast to Help You Grow (While Managing the Weeds of Life) Ep. 13: The Roots of ConflictRecommended reading: Bold Love by...2024-03-2645 minPlaced For A PurposeTending Your Neighborhood: Community GardensIn today's episode, we wrap up our series on what it looks like to love God and our neighbors by loving and tending his creation around us. We've talked trees and bees... so today we're talking gardens! And we could think of no better experts on the subject than our very own neighbors, Kevin and Molly Heinz. Theirs isn’t a community garden in the typical sense but it has become a beautiful and integral piece of our neighborhood community, that's for sure. Your love for God and gardening will grow as you hear about our neighborhood junior botanical societ...2024-03-1936 minPlaced For A PurposeTending Your Neighborhood: Bees with Dr. Preston PouteauxBeekeeper, pastor, and neighborhood enthusiast, Dr. Preston Pouteaux, shows us the parallels between beekeeping and neighboring: both are slow, messy, sweaty, painful and sticky… but also delightful. Listen along as we discuss his book, The Bees of Rainbow Falls: Finding Faith, Imagination, and Delight in Your Neighborhood. Trust us, his joy is contagious. You will find yourself wanting to truly know and love your neighbors… and possibly keep bees, too. Go buy: The Bees of Rainbow Falls: Finding Faith, Imagination, and Delight in Your NeighborhoodCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram 2024-03-1239 minPlaced For A PurposeTending Your Neighborhood: Trees with Dr. Matthew SleethOur next few episodes, we’re talking trees, bees, and community gardens… beginning with trees. Prepare to have your mind blown by Dr. Matthew Sleeth, author of Reforesting Faith, as he geeks out over how much God loves trees and how they helped lead him to Christ. You’ll see why Newsweek recognized him as one of the nation’s most influential Christian leaders and how caring for the natural world is an important part of loving God and being a good neighbor.Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love fo...2024-03-0541 minPlaced For A PurposeGuided Neighborhood Prayer Walk: Repentance and FaithThe rhythm of “repentance and faith” is one in which our love for God and neighbor is renewed. Just as we exhale carbon dioxide and inhale oxygen, we breathe spiritually when we exhale (confess, acknowledge our sin, and embrace repentance) and inhale (experience God’s kindness and love, and receive the Spirit's help for change). Walk with us for 20 minutes as we use this rhythm to guide our prayers for renewal both in our hearts and the hearts of our neighbors. Breath Prayer: It is your kindness, Lord (inhale), that leads us to repentance (exhale).2024-02-2719 minPlaced For A PurposeFinding Your Place in Small Towns with Ronnie MartinYou’re gonna love this episode because today, we slow down and embrace a small-town mindset. Imagine yourself sitting shotgun in an old truck with author Ronnie Martin as we cruise down rural roads littered with milk cows and John Deere tractors, or sitting on a front porch, drinking iced tea. We chat about the importance of forgiveness, developing a non-anxious presence, and Ronnie tells us whether or not Gilmore Girls paints an actual picture of small towns. Regardless of where you live, you will be encouraged to endure when you can’t see God’s work around you and ha...2024-02-2039 minPlaced For A PurposeFinding Your Place in the Suburbs with Ashley Hales“Places form our loves.” Today, Ashley Hales, author of Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much, reveals some of the skeletons in our suburban closests. She shows us how our good hungers can become idols which corrupt us, idols like consumerism, individualism, busyness, and safety. But for each of these, she offers hope by providing counterlitergies (new practices) to reshape our love for God and neighbor.Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too MuchThe Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for t...2024-02-1338 minPlaced For A PurposeFinding Your Place in Apartments with Josh JackawayToday we begin a new series on what it looks like to find our place, whether in urban, suburban or rural contexts. We’re joining by Josh Jackaway, Director of Growth for Apartment life, an organization focused on helping the church serve and engage local residents of apartment communities. We discuss some of the challenges of apartment living—especially loneliness–and what it looks like to bring value to transient places with “sticky community.”Apartment Life MinistryHappy Hour: Etiquette and Advice on Holy MerrimentCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram 2024-02-0640 minPlaced For A PurposeJust Moved: Unpacking the Boxes with Susan MillerIf you’ve just moved, are thinking about a move—or if you’re up for putting yourself in your new neighbors' shoes—in this episode, we’re joined by Susan Miller, known as “America’s moving coach,” President of “Just Moved” Ministry, and Author of “After the Boxes are Unpacked: Moving on after Moving In.” Having moved 13 times, she helps us understand ‘MSM’ (aka: Moving Stress Meltdown), guides us through what it’s like to leave behind family and friends, and deal with the loneliness and unknowns of a move. Meanwhile, she also helps us empathize with the stress that our new next-door ne...2024-01-3031 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighboring As An Introvert with Brandon ClementsMany cultures tend to categorize “neighboring” and “hospitality” as extroverted and even feminine practices. Brandon Clements debunks these myths and shares how God changed his mind, leading him to co-author the book The Simplest Way To Change The World: Biblical Hospitality As A Way Of Life. In today’s episode, we talk about setting boundaries, making space for quiet in neighborly conversations, and the overall unique contributions introverts can make in neighboring spaces.See also: Christine Pohl’s book on hospitality: Making Room, 25th anniversary edition: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition...2024-01-2327 minPlaced For A PurposeA Very Real Dare with Tim SoerensSometimes loving our neighbor can feel abstract. Tim Soerens, author of Everywhere You Look: Discovery The Church Right Where You Live joins us to help us understand how connecting to the places we live, our parishes, takes neighboring out of the abstract to a very real dare. As we become more curious about our neighbors, begin noticing where God is at work, and ask him to align our desires for our neighborhood with his...we become part of a movement of ordinary Christians seeking to live out their faith right where they live.Everywhere You...2024-01-1638 minPlaced For A PurposeReimagining Gospel Conversations with Dr. Cas MonacoToday, we’re joined by Cas Monaco, who shares insights from her forthcoming book Gospel Conversations Reimagined (Summer 2024). She serves as the VP of Missiology & Gospel Engagement for Cru's FamilyLife® and is passionate about helping believers engage in meaningful Christ-centered conversations. She explains shifts in mission throughout the years, the influence of secularization on today’s culture, the three core longings of every person (peace, prosperity and purpose) and what it looks like to engage neighbors with a narrative approach of the “true story of the whole world.”FamilyLife Ministry Learn More about Cas2024-01-0938 minPlaced For A PurposeGuided Neighborhood Prayer Walk: New BeginingsWith it being the start of a new year, we decided to take this opportunity to provide a Guided Neighborhood Prayer Walk with a focus on new beginnings. Walk with us for 10 minutes through your neighborhood, asking God to lead and guide you into new habits and actions that will help you love your neighbors. You’ll pause to pray for your neighbors, that the Lord would meet them right where they are at and that they would experience him in new ways in this year.Breath Prayer: Your mercies are new (inhale), Great is your...2024-01-0217 minPlaced For A PurposePeter Lovenheim’s Unconventional Neighboring Strategy: SleepoversSleepovers? Yes, sleepovers. Today we invite author and journalist Peter Lovenheim to share the story behind his beautiful book, In the Neighborhood: The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time. Though his neighboring journey in Rochester, NY, was birthed out of tragedy, it’s a story of redemption. Join us in learning from him about the art of observation, the importance of fostering connection amongst neighbors, and what it looks like to seek the welfare of our neighborhoods. Together, we'll explore how this effort can, at times unexpectedly, unfold as the very crucial support we...2023-12-2636 minPlaced For A PurposeOn Disagreeing Well with Dr. Tim MuelhoffToday we’re talking about how to disagree well with our neighbors. Tim Muelhoff, Professor of Communication at Biola University, has given his life’s work to this topic of what he calls Winsome Conviction (also the title of his book we discuss). Through storytelling from his own life and current events, Tim uses practical and Biblical wisdom to help us learn how to dialogue with our neighbors. We talk about having convictions like steak, being chimps vs. rhinos, categorizing and characterizing people, inviting feedback, and the risks of being civil.SHOW NOTES:Cont...2023-12-1951 minPlaced For A PurposeThe Power of StayingShould I stay, or should I go? In our highly mobile culture, it can be challenging to stay in one place and put down deep roots. In today’s episode we’re joined by Alan Briggs, author of Staying Is The New Going. We discuss the benefits of longevity, faithful presence, the glory of the mundane, and the risks of being rooted. Briggs explains “incarnational ministry” and what it can look like to have “front porch” mentalities. He provides vision and stories for the impact of the “slow burn” of staying engaged in our neighborhoods for the long haul.St...2023-12-1235 minPlaced For A Purpose4 Steps for Loving Our Neighbors During the Holidays🎶Surprise, Surprise 🎶 Whether you’re ready or not, December is here. That means the Christmas season is upon us. With full schedules and high expectations for the holidays, loving our neighbors can feel like an add-on. Listen for some holiday perspective on being present and 4 steps for how we can love our neighbors this advent season. As we show up at home, prayerfully we’ll hit January feeling closer to Jesus and our neighbors, rather than soul-starved.CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your...2023-12-0526 minPlaced For A PurposeThe Moment I Realized I Wasn't A Good NeighborIn this episode, David Burton, who serves as a Community Development Specialist for the University of Missouri, joins us to talk about becoming an engaged neighbor in our neighborhoods. He also shares his neighboring journey about how went from thinking he was a good neighbor—and realizing he wasn't—to actually becoming an engaged neighbor.SHOW NOTES:Engaged Neighbor PledgeAsset Based Community Development101 Acts of NeighboringCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to...2023-11-2838 minPlaced For A PurposeGuided Neighborhood Prayer Walk: GratitudeWith it being Thanksgiving week, we decided to take this opportunity to provide a Guided Neighborhood Prayer Walk with a focus on gratitude. Walk with us for 10 minutes through your neighborhood, thanking God for the beauty of your surroundings—whether the natural creation or man made buildings. You’ll pause to thank God for your home and your neighbors, praying that you would be blessed to be a blessing to those around you. Join with us in giving thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever (Ps. 118:1)....2023-11-2115 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighboring & The Great DechurchingIn today's episode, we talk with Michael Graham, program director for The Tim Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics and co-author of the book, The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? We talk about the 40 million Americans who've dechurched (attended church at least once/month and now attend less than once/year) and the surprising #1 reason why they stopped. Toward the end, Michael gives us hope and the most simple, practical steps to love our dechurching neighbors.SHOW NOTES:The Great Dech...2023-11-1441 minPlaced For A PurposeThe Godfather of NeighboringToday we welcome Dave Runyon, or as we like to call him, "the Godfather of Neighboring." We discuss what it's like to experience tension with our neighbors, forgiveness, and what it means to be our real, authentic selves. Dave also talks about the deeper conversations that have come from sharing his "top ten" list of parenting values with neighbors.Buy his book Art of Neighboring if you haven't already. RUNYON PARENTING TOP 10 LISTDon’t ever be afraid to stand alone.We often ask our kids if th...2023-11-0734 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighboring Within Our LimitsSUMMARY: In today's episode Kelly Kapic joins us to talk about his book, You Are Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News and how we can live within our limits as human beings and also find the time and space to show and share the love of Jesus with our next-door neighbors.SHOW NOTES:You Are Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good NewsCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU T...2023-10-3138 minPlaced For A PurposeBuilding Trust With Our NeighborsRyan Guinee, Family Insight analyst for FamilyLife, joins us to talk about why there has been such a breakdown of trust between neighbors and what we can do to rebuild the trust that has been lost.SHOW NOTES:Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life BetterThe Hopeful Neighborhood: What Happens When Christians Pursue the Common Good CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this lin...2023-10-2458 minPlaced For A PurposeHow To Have Great Conversations With Your NeighborsIn today’s episode we welcome Dr. Heather Holleman to the podcast to talk about her book, The Six Conversations: Pathways to Connecting in an Age of Isolation and Incivility. SHOW NOTES:The Six Conversations: Pathways to Connecting in an Age of Isolation and IncivilityThis Seat’s SavedCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.2023-10-1736 minPlaced For A PurposeTreat or RetreatIn today’s episode we talk about how Halloween offers us an incredible opportunity to connect with our neighbors and some practical ways to do that. We also address some common sticking points that followers of Jesus might have when they think about engaging with Halloween. SHOW NOTES:Boo your neighbors CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.2023-10-1030 minPlaced For A PurposeFive Things Non-Religious People Want From You in Spiritual ConversationsIn 2016, the ministry of Cru hired an outside secular firm to survey people from all different age and race demographics across varying parts of the United States and their findings were fascinating. Eighty-two percent of non-religious people said they would be willing to have a conversation with a Christian believer about their faith if they could do these five things—though they didn’t believe they could....SHOW NOTES:Order your copy of Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door NeighborRead TGC article Ask an...2023-10-0320 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighboring is so... OrdinaryIn today's episode, we discuss what it looks like to embrace the ordinariness of neighboring. Recounting Tim Downs' "Parable of the Soil" in his book Finding Common Ground, we explore the difference between only caring about seeing "results" with what it looks like to value the ordinary acts of love in our neighborhoods. This flows into a conversation about the difference between having ultimate versus ulterior motives with our neighbors.SHOW NOTES:Order your copy of Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door NeighborBuy...2023-09-2622 minPlaced For A PurposeWhat the Parable of the Mustard Seed Has to Teach Us About NeighboringJesus often used agricultural metaphors when talking about matters of the heart and spiritual realities. He often spoke in terms of weeds, good soil, bad soil, and scattered seeds. Some took root and others did not. For Jesus’ original audience these agriculturally focused parables would have more easily understood because of their agrarian economy, but for those of us who don’t have much experience with farming or gardening, it's easy to miss what Jesus is saying...Today, we discuss what the parable of the mustard seed has to teach us about neighboring. Specifically, we discuss the importance of small s...2023-09-1918 minPlaced For A PurposeHospitality: Our Countercultural CallingSUMMARY:In this episode, we discuss how our understanding of the word 'hospitality' has shifted away from the Biblical definition as expressed in the Old Testament and in early Christendom. In the words of Inigo Montoya, "I do not think it means what you think it means."SHOW NOTES:Order the book, Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door NeighborRead The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life by Brandon Clements and Dustin WillisG...2023-09-1219 minPlaced For A PurposeJesus Had Neighbors...?SUMMARY:In this episode, we begin by discussing the legacy of one of the most iconic neighbors of all time, Fred Rogers. Referencing the 2018 documentary, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" we explore how Mr. Rogers made children feel seen and liked. From there, we further explore the power of neighbors being seen by Jesus himself as demonstrated in Matthew 9.SHOW NOTES:Buy the McKinney's book, Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door NeighborWatch the Netflix documentary on the life of Fred R...2023-09-0525 minPlaced For A PurposeHow The Story of the Good Samaritan Flips the ScriptSUMMARY:In this episode, we explore the parable of the Good Samaritan, what it means to be a "non-neighbor," and Jesus' response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?"SHOW NOTES:Get your copy of Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door NeighborSee Article on Stoneman Douglas School OfficerCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram I FacebookTELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoug...2023-08-2922 minPlaced For A PurposeNeighboring in God's StoryIn this first episode, we discuss cultural obstacles to neighboring that make us want to leave our neighbors alone. We explore what it means to be a neighbor in God's Story and how this framework helps us move toward our neighbors the way Jesus moved toward us.SHOW NOTES:Order your copy of Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door NeighborBuy Marc J Dunkleman's Book, Vanishing NeighborSee Pew Research on declining trust among neighborsCONNECT ON SO...2023-08-2224 minPlaced For A PurposeTrailerWelcome to the Placed for a Purpose Podcast. In this trailer, we'll share a little about us, how we got into neighboring, some of what we've seen God do in our own neighborhood, barriers and opportunities related to neighboring, and overall where we're going with this podcast. We hope you'll join us on this journey together.SHOW NOTES:Order your copy of Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door NeighborCONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram I FacebookTELL US WHAT YOU...2023-08-1108 min
Coffee and Bible Time PodcastSeason 3 Ep. 28 - Live missionally right where God has placed you! w/ guests Chris and Elizabeth McKinneyNow that things are opening up after the pandemic, it's time to hit the re-start button on living missionally right where God has placed us. Guests Chris and Elizabeth McKinney share a simple and sustainable vision for loving your next-door neighbors.Click here to send us your email for our newsletter OR to send a message to the show! We have no way of responding unless you leave your email.Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and s...2021-06-2443 min
My Yes Is on the TableLove Your Neighbor with Chris and Elizabeth McKinneyJenn is happy to welcome Chris and Elizabeth McKinney to the show today. Placed for a Purpose by Elizabeth and Chris McKinney Connect with Chris and Elizabeth: Website Instagram Facebook Connect with Jenn: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Website DONATE to Coming Alive Ministries 2021-05-1730 min
Kirk Day School"Placed for a Purpose" - Interview with Chris and Elizabeth McKinneyIn today's world, most of us don’t know our neighbors. And even if we do know them, we may not know how to talk to them about our faith or grow in our relationship with them.
In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey have a conversation with Chris and Elizabeth McKinney, Co-Authors of a new book titled, "Placed for a Purpose," and staff members at The Crossing Church in Columbia, MO. The McKinney's talk about their mission and work to provide Christians with the proper framework to be good neighbors who "live missionally where Go...2020-10-2040 min