TogetherPDX Podcast: Recent Episodes
Elise Galis
TogetherPDX exists to see our community flourish by uniting, connecting, strengthening, and serving local churches, pastors, and leaders of the Portland/Vancouver Metro Area. Faithful is a TogetherPDX mini-series sharing stories of faithful work happening in our region and ways you can get involved. Learn more at TogetherPDX.org/podcast.
Living in Polarizing Times: Hope in the Midst of Complexity (3/3) Russell Moore and Cherie Harder joined pastors and leaders in the northwest in April 2024 to help us lean in and navigate the challenging conversations that await our congregations and communities amidst what can often be polarizing times. This conversation, facilitated by longtime local pastor Rick McKinley, provided tangible ways for pastors and leaders to shepherd their congregations through this year and beyond as we place our hope in the Gospel.
Living in Polarizing Times: Hope in the Midst of Complexity (2/3) Russell Moore and Cherie Harder joined pastors and leaders in the northwest in April 2024 to help us lean in and navigate the challenging conversations that await our congregations and communities amidst what can often be polarizing times. This conversation, facilitated by longtime local pastor Rick McKinley, provided tangible ways for pastors and leaders to shepherd their congregations through this year and beyond as we place our hope in the Gospel.
Living in Polarizing Times: Hope in the Midst of Complexity (1/3) Russell Moore and Cherie Harder joined pastors and leaders in the northwest in April 2024 to help us lean in and navigate the challenging conversations that await our congregations and communities amidst what can often be polarizing times. This conversation, facilitated by longtime local pastor Rick McKinley, provided tangible ways for pastors and leaders to shepherd their congregations through this year and beyond as we place our hope in the Gospel.
Simon Ponsonby joined leaders from the Portland Metro area in January 2024 to speak on the Majesty of God. This is part 3 of 3, "The Power of the Holy Spirit."
Simon Ponsonby joined leaders from the Portland Metro area in January 2024 to speak on the Majesty of God. This is part 2 of 3, "The Love of Christ Jesus."
Simon Ponsonby joined leaders from the Portland Metro area in January 2024 to speak on the Majesty of God. This is part 1 of 3, "The Fear of the Lord."
Dr. Esau McCaulley joined over 300 pastors and leaders in Portland in November of 2023 for two talks. This is the second talk, titled, "How Are We as the Church Trying to Shape the Christian Imagination?"
Esau McCaulley is an associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in IL, and theologian in residence at Progressive Baptist Church, a historically black congregation in Chicago. He has written many books, including “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope,” which won numerous awards including Christianity Today’s book of the year. He is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. His writings have also appeared in places such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, and Christianity Today.
Dr. Esau McCaulley joined over 300 pastors and leaders in Portland in November of 2023 for two talks. This is the first talk, titled, "How to Tell a Story That Will Set Us Free: Finding God in the Midst of Racism, Poverty, and Family Trauma."
Esau McCaulley is an associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in IL, and theologian in residence at Progressive Baptist Church, a historically black congregation in Chicago. He has written many books, including “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope,” which won numerous awards including Christianity Today’s book of the year. He is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. His writings have also appeared in places such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, and Christianity Today.
Bonus Content: Q&A time with Dr. Song from the pastors and leaders in the audience during the September 2023 Gospel Gathering.
Dr. Felicia Wu Song is a cultural sociologist who studies the place of digital technologies in contemporary life. Her research is oriented around the rapidly evolving digital technology industry and how the adoption of social media and digital devices fundamentally alters the landscapes of family, community, and organizational life.
Dr. Felicia Wu Song is a cultural sociologist who studies the place of digital technologies in contemporary life. Her research is oriented around the rapidly evolving digital technology industry and how the adoption of social media and digital devices fundamentally alters the landscapes of family, community, and organizational life. This talk, given live to Pastors and Leaders of the Portland Metro Area in September of 2023, is titled "Discipleship in a Digital Age."
In Part 2, Dr. Song discusses the danger of hyper-tasking, explains the difference between time management and time stewardship, and explores the counter-story the Church has to offer.
Dr. Felicia Wu Song is a cultural sociologist who studies the place of digital technologies in contemporary life. Her research is oriented around the rapidly evolving digital technology industry and how the adoption of social media and digital devices fundamentally alters the landscapes of family, community, and organizational life. This talk, given live to Pastors and Leaders of the Portland Metro Area in September of 2023, is titled "Discipleship in a Digital Age."
In Part 1, she discusses her research and explores how the digital story doesn’t always align with the Gospel story. Dr. Song considers the challenges that come with Permanent Connectivity, and challenges us to see our digital practice as Liturgy.
Gospel Gathering Webinar with Scot McKnight on the topic of Restoring a Goodness Culture within the church. Scot shares with us two sessions of teaching along with panel questions from Pastor Mark Strong from LifeChange Church and Pastor Rick McKinley of Imago Dei Community. This is Part Two.
Scot McKnight (PhD, University of Nottingham) is a world-renowned speaker, writer, professor, and equipper of the Church. He is a recognized authority on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and the New Testament. His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Portuguese. He is the author of The Jesus Creed, The Blue Parakeet, The King Jesus Gospel, Revelation for the Rest of Us, numerous commentaries, and is now writing a sixteen-volume series of reflections called The Everyday Bible Study.
Gospel Gathering Webinar with Scot McKnight on the topic of Restoring a Goodness Culture within the church. Scot shares with us two sessions of teaching along with panel questions from Pastor Mark Strong from LifeChange Church and Pastor Rick McKinley of Imago Dei Community. This is Part One.
Scot McKnight (PhD, University of Nottingham) is a world-renowned speaker, writer, professor, and equipper of the Church. He is a recognized authority on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and the New Testament. His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Portuguese. He is the author of The Jesus Creed, The Blue Parakeet, The King Jesus Gospel, Revelation for the Rest of Us, numerous commentaries, and is now writing a sixteen-volume series of reflections called The Everyday Bible Study.
The world is increasingly fractured because we have difficulty looking beneath the surface of our lives. Instead of being a calm presence, our lives and leadership are often marked by reactivity and anxiety. during this talk, we will learn some ways to lead calmly, courageously, and with compassion––in the way of Jesus.
This is a recording of Rich Villodas' June 6th, 2023 talk on Calming Leadership: How we as leaders can be a nonanxious presence in the world that is fractured by anxiety. Villodas spoke to more than 300 pastors and leaders from all around the Portland Metro Area. This is part two.
Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens.Rich holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related matters, and the art of preaching. He's been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two beautiful children, Karis and Nathan. He has written two books, The Deeply Formed Life and Good and Beautiful and Kind.
The world is increasingly fractured because we have difficulty looking beneath the surface of our lives. Instead of being a calm presence, our lives and leadership are often marked by reactivity and anxiety. during this talk, we will learn some ways to lead calmly, courageously, and with compassion––in the way of Jesus.
This is a recording of Rich Villodas' June 6th, 2023 talk on Calming Leadership: How we as leaders can be a nonanxious presence in the world that is fractured by anxiety. Villodas spoke to more than 300 pastors and leaders from all around the Portland Metro Area. This is part one.
Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens.Rich holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related matters, and the art of preaching. He's been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two beautiful children, Karis and Nathan. He has written two books, The Deeply Formed Life and Good and Beautiful and Kind.
A group of Pacific Northwest leaders asked N.T. Wright to share with them his thoughts throughout the Gospel of John, on the theme of broken signposts. Tom argues that every worldview must explain seven indicators inherent to humanity: Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, Beauty, Freedom, Truth, and Power.
A group of Pacific Northwest leaders asked N.T. Wright to share with them his thoughts throughout the Gospel of John, on the theme of broken signposts. Tom argues that every worldview must explain seven indicators inherent to humanity: Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, Beauty, Freedom, Truth, and Power.A group of Pacific Northwest leaders asked N.T. Wright to share with them his thoughts throughout the Gospel of John, on the theme of broken signposts. Tom argues that every worldview must explain seven indicators inherent to humanity: Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, Beauty, Freedom, Truth, and Power.
Gospel Gathering Webinar with Fr. Ron Rolheiser on the topic of Ministry and Self-Care in an Anxious Time – Sustaining Ourselves for the Long Haul. Joined by John Mark Comer, former pastor at Bridgetown, and Renjy Abraham from Multnomah University.
Rev. Ron Rolheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is a theologian, professor, award-winning author, and serves as president of the Oblate School of Theology. He holds Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Ottawa and Newman Theological College Edmonton and Master’s degrees from the University of San Francisco and University of Louvain, Belgium along with a PhD/STD from the University of Louvain. Apart from his academic knowledge in systematic theology and philosophy, he has become a popular speaker in contemporary spirituality and religion and the secular world. He writes a weekly column that is carried in over 70 newspapers around the world.
Gospel Gathering Webinar with Fr. Ron Rolheiser on the topic of Ministry and Self-Care in an Anxious Time – Sustaining Ourselves for the Long Haul. Joined by John Mark Comer, former pastor at Bridgetown, and Renjy Abraham from Multnomah University.
Rev. Ron Rolheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is a theologian, professor, award-winning author, and serves as president of the Oblate School of Theology. He holds Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Ottawa and Newman Theological College Edmonton and Master’s degrees from the University of San Francisco and University of Louvain, Belgium along with a PhD/STD from the University of Louvain. Apart from his academic knowledge in systematic theology and philosophy, he has become a popular speaker in contemporary spirituality and religion and the secular world. He writes a weekly column that is carried in over 70 newspapers around the world.
Join Dr. Matthew Sleeth, author of 24/6, on this webinar dedicated to helping encourage leaders to embrace the practice of Sabbath in this challenging year. Joined by pastor Mary Ann Noack from Riverwest Church and author and professor A.J. Swoboda.
Join Dr. Matthew Sleeth, author of 24/6, on this webinar dedicated to helping encourage leaders to embrace the practice of Sabbath in this challenging year. Joined by pastor Mary Ann Noack from Riverwest Church and author and professor A.J. Swoboda.
Gospel Gathering Webinar from 2020 with NT Wright, joined by for discussion by Pacific Northwest pastors Rick McKinley, Renjy Abraham and Mary Ann Noack. This is Part 2 with NT Wright, followed by some Q&A.
Gospel Gathering Webinar from 2020 with NT Wright, joined by for discussion by Pacific Northwest pastors Rick McKinley, Renjy Abraham and Mary Ann Noack. In this part one episode, Wright will be diving into John 20 and talking about how this scripture connects to the pandemic we were in during this talk. Episode 2 is available now.
Gospel Gathering Webinar from 2020 with Dr. Henry Cloud. Cloud shares about Healing and Health for Pastors Amidst Crisis, and while the setting of this talk is the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the talk is no less relevant today. This is part two of Cloud's talk.
Gospel Gathering Webinar from 2020 with Dr. Henry Cloud. Cloud shares about Healing and Health for Pastors Amidst Crisis, and while the setting of this talk is the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the talk is no less relevant today. This is part one, but part two is available now.
Esau McCaulley and N.T. Wright come together for a time of teaching and discussion on race and the Bible and it's impact on the Church. Both scholars have times of teaching which are followed by Q&A discussions that are facilitated by Tim Mackie. This presentation was co-hosted by Portland Seminary, Seattle Pacific Seminary and Regent College. This episode is Part 1, but Part 2 of this talk is also available now.
Esau McCaulley and N.T. Wright come together for a time of teaching and discussion on race and the Bible and it's impact on the Church. Both scholars have times of teaching which are followed by Q&A discussions that are facilitated by Tim Mackie. This presentation was co-hosted by Portland Seminary, Seattle Pacific Seminary and Regent College. This episode is Part 2 of the talk.
In Keener's March 2023 visit, leaders asked him to speak about his experience at Asbury during what many people called a great revival. During this bonus episode, hear Dr. Keener's description and takeaways.
Craig Keener is the F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Seminary. Dr. Keener did his Ph.D. work in New Testament and Christian Origins at Duke University and is known for his work as a New Testament scholar on Bible background (commentaries on the New Testament in its early Jewish and Greco-Roman settings). Well over a million of his thirty-plus books are in circulation and have won thirteen national and international awards. His award-winning, popular-level IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (now in its second edition [2014], and available in a number of languages) has sold over half a million copies.
This is Part 2 of Dr. Craig Keener’s March 2023 talk, “The Historical Reliability of the Gospels.” Keener shares with pastors and faith leaders in Portland, Oregon about the genre of Christobiography and why understanding the biographical genre of the time is important to understanding the credibility of the Gospels.
Craig Keener is the F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Seminary. Dr. Keener did his Ph.D. work in New Testament and Christian Origins at Duke University and is known for his work as a New Testament scholar on Bible background (commentaries on the New Testament in its early Jewish and Greco-Roman settings). Well over a million of his thirty-plus books are in circulation and have won thirteen national and international awards. His award-winning, popular-level IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (now in its second edition [2014], and available in a number of languages) has sold over half a million copies.
Today we’re sharing the most recent Gospel Gathering that just happened last month, in March 2023. In this talk, Dr. Craig Keener of Asbury shares about “The Historical Reliability of the Gospels.” Keener shares with pastors and faith leaders in Portland, Oregon about the genre of Christobiography and why understanding the biographical genre of the time is important to understanding the credibility of the Gospels. This episode is Part 1, but Part 2 of this talk is also available now.
Craig Keener is the F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Seminary. Dr. Keener did his Ph.D. work in New Testament and Christian Origins at Duke University and is known for his work as a New Testament scholar on Bible background (commentaries on the New Testament in its early Jewish and Greco-Roman settings). Well over a million of his thirty-plus books are in circulation and have won thirteen national and international awards. His award-winning, popular-level IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (now in its second edition [2014], and available in a number of languages) has sold over half a million copies.
This is Part 2 of the March 2022 Gospel Gathering with Dr. Lucy Peppiatt on “Reading the Epistles in Our Current Culture.” In spring of 2022 as we were cautiously emerging from the pandemic, Lucy joined pastors and leaders in Portland, Oregon to speak as both a pastor and a theologian on building resilient churches in pressured times. Lucy taught on how we relate to the Epistles as foundational documents for the church today and explore the resources they offer pastors in the contemporary world.
Lucy Peppiatt is the Principal of Westminster Theological Centre where she lectures in Christian Doctrine and in Spiritual Formation. She writes on discipleship, Christology, trinitarian doctrine, 1 Corinthians, and Paul and women. She oversees an Anglican network of small community churches in Bristol and London that are led by men and women in their 20s and 30s. Lucy is married to Nick Crawley and they have four married sons.
Today’s episode shares a recording of the March 2022 Gospel Gathering with Dr. Lucy Peppiatt on “Reading the Epistles in Our Current Culture.” That spring as we were cautiously emerging from the pandemic, Lucy joined pastors and leaders in Portland, Oregon to speak as both a pastor and a theologian on building resilient churches in pressured times. Lucy taught on how we relate to the Epistles as foundational documents for the church today and explore the resources they offer pastors in the contemporary world. This episode is Part 1, but Part 2 of this talk is also available now.
Lucy Peppiatt is the Principal of Westminster Theological Centre where she lectures in Christian Doctrine and in Spiritual Formation. She writes on discipleship, Christology, trinitarian doctrine, 1 Corinthians, and Paul and women. She oversees an Anglican network of small community churches in Bristol and London that are led by men and women in their 20s and 30s. Lucy is married to Nick Crawley and they have four married sons.
Today we get to share with you the recording of the October 2022 Gospel Gathering with James K.A. Smith on “How to Inhabit Time.” Smith shares with pastors and faith leaders in Portland, Oregon the importance of understanding the answer to the question: when are we? Many of us within the church have become ill-attuned to time, history, and temporality. We are those unique creatures who are shaped by history, even as we are the creatures who shape history. Throughout these two talks, Jamie explores the impact of understanding time both culturally, as well as personally. This episode is Part 1, but Part 2 of this talk is also available now.
James K. A. Smith is professor of philosophy at Calvin University and serves as editor in chief of Image journal, a quarterly devoted to "art, mystery, and faith." Trained as a philosopher with a focus on contemporary French thought, Smith has expanded on that scholarly platform to become an engaged public intellectual and cultural critic. An award-winning author and widely traveled speaker, he has emerged as a thought leader with a unique gift of translation, building bridges between the academy, society, and the Church.
This is Part 2 of the December 2022 Gospel Gathering with Dr. Curt Thompson on “The Soul of the Pastor.” Dr. Thompson (author of The Soul of Desire, The Soul of Shame, and Anatomy of the Soul) joins pastors and faith leaders in the Pacific Northwest to ask the question: Who sees you? In our journey of being seen, soothed, secure and safe: who is walking with you in this way? Who are the people who have answered the call to help care for you as a leader?
Dr. Curt Thompson is a Christian psychiatrist who weaves together an understanding of interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) and a Christian view of what it means to be human. Through his workshops, speaking engagements, books, organizational consulting, private clinical practice and other platforms, he helps people process their longings, grief, identity, purpose, perspective of God and perspective of humanity, inviting them to engage more authentically with their own stories and their relationships. Curt and his wife, Phyllis, live outside of Washington DC and have two adult children.
Today’s episode shares a recording of the December 2022 Gospel Gathering with Dr. Curt Thompson on “The Soul of the Pastor.” In the first of his teaching sessions, Dr. Thompson (author of The Soul of Desire, The Soul of Shame, and Anatomy of the Soul) joins pastors and faith leaders in the Pacific Northwest to ask the questions: Who sees you? In our journey of being seen, soothed, secure and safe: who is walking with you in this way? Who are the people who have answered the call to help care for you as a leader?
Part 2 of this talk is available now.
Dr. Curt Thompson is a Christian psychiatrist who weaves together an understanding of interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) and a Christian view of what it means to be human. Through his workshops, speaking engagements, books, organizational consulting, private clinical practice and other platforms, he helps people process their longings, grief, identity, purpose, perspective of God and perspective of humanity, inviting them to engage more authentically with their own stories and their relationships. Curt and his wife, Phyllis, live outside of Washington DC and have two adult children.
On this final episode of the Faithful series, we talk with Oliver Brune of the new YWAM base here in Portland. Oliver describes the desire to equip people, especially young people, to live missional lives. See show notes here.
On today's episode we talk with Kirk Petersen, the Northwest Regional Director of Alpha USA. Kirk describes Alpha's unique approach of letting people explore faith in Jesus in a small group environment where everyone is welcome to bring their full selves, honest questions and all.
This episode features Jason Christensen, the Executive Director of Union Gospel Mission. Jason shares an invitation to identify with Jesus by identifying with the poor and the marginalized.
On this week's episode we talk with Chris Overstreet, founder of Compassion to Action which is based in Vancouver, WA. Chris tells his own story of overcoming fear of talking about Jesus, and how that has ignited a passion to see other believers equipped to share with confidence.
This episode features Elise Petrovich of Compassion Connect, a local organization that unites churches to serve their neighborhoods through free community health clinics and anti-trafficking work. Elise describes how unexpected acts like donating a wedding dress can be a part of a person’s discipleship journey through giving them ways to live like Jesus.
On today’s episode of Faithful, we sit down with 24-7 Prayer Regional Director for the Western States, Renee Boucher. Renee paints a beautiful picture of prayer that starts personal but never stops there–leading to mission, hospitality, and justice.
On this week’s episode of Faithful we talk with Justin Vanier, a pastor at Southwest Bible Church who is involved with a group of local youth pastors who facilitate Unite Youth gatherings all around the metro area. Justin shares why a vision of youth groups coming together to worship Jesus and share the Gospel is such an important one for middle and high school students.
On the first episode of our Faithful series, we sit down with Eunice Makinde who serves as the Director of Every Child PDX. Eunice describes the great need for foster families in the Portland Metro area and ways that local churches and community members are surrounding these families with love and support.
TogetherPDX exists to see our community flourish by uniting, connecting, strengthening, and serving local churches, pastors, and leaders of the Portland/Vancouver Metro Area. Faithful is a TogetherPDX mini-series sharing stories of faithful work happening in our region and ways you can get involved, in just ten minute episodes. Listen in every Thursday in January and February 2023. Learn more at TogetherPDX.org/podcast.