She Said What!?: Recent Episodes
Downtown Disciples
Sermons from a progressive feminist preacher. Debbie Griffin is the Pastor of Downtown Disciples, an LGBTQ + Affirming, Black Lives Matter proclaiming Progressive Christian Community and Urban Ministry in Downtown Des Moines.
Pastor Debbie brings us the Good News that there is room for everyone, and we don't have to wait for God to come to us in this Christmas Eve episode of She Said What.
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin continues her "Close To Home" Advent sermon series, reminding us that our house is house of mercy, our God is a God of mercy, and love without mercy fails.
Pastor Debbie Griffin begins a new "Close To Home" Advent sermon series in this episode of She Said What. Are you homesick? God wants us to come home. And though the home is here, the home needs some repairs.
In week 3 of her "Unraveled" series, Pastor Debbie Griffin relates the story of the Israelites exile into Babylon to our current "pandemic exile" in this episode of She Said What.
Pastor Debbie Griffin continues her "Unraveled" series in this episode of She Said What with the troubling story of Rizpah: who she is & why she matters.
Pastor Debbie Griffin begins a new "Unraveled" sermon series in this episode of She Said What. What happens when our tightly knit plans unravel? Might God be unraveling our plans, world, and us into something new? Pastor Debbie will preach unraveling sermons on stories from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), and this episode focuses on the story of Abraham & Sarah.
Pastor Debbie Griffin shares a personal story of the power of prayer and a passage from Luke that reminds us that prayer can shake us up in this episode of She Said What.
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin reminds us that empires have been trying to silence the power of the people for centuries.
Pastor Debbie Griffin brings home a message of "Flesh, Sex, Sin & Spirit" from Paul's letter to the Galatians in this episode of She Said What.
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin asks us "What is our freedom in Christ FOR?" Not FROM but what are we free FOR?
Pastor Debbie Griffin muses on what Downtown Disciples could look like 25 years from now and explains what is most important when interpreting "the law" in this episode of She Said What.
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin reminds us of the power of the Spirit of God: to challenge us, to empower us, to bring understanding in your life - to understand yourself, others, and God and to be understood.
Pastor Debbie Griffin asks if these "dry bones" can live again in this episode of She Said What from our Birthday Pentecost worship service.
Pastor Debbie Griffin uses the story of Jesus feeding the disciples to remind us that we all need nourishment in this episode of She Said What.
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin uses the story of the apostle Thomas to show it's ok to reveal our wounds and scars in order to be healed.
What do you fear? Pastor Debbie describes the full power of fear - both healthy fears and fears that block our lives in today's episode of She Said What.
Today's episode of She Said What is from our 2021 Easter Sunday Drive-In Church! Pastor Debbie brings the Easter story to life by asking what we've died to and how we've experienced resurrection in our own lives.
Pastor Debbie relates the important differences in the Gospel writer John's telling of the parade into Jerusalem and the call to testify in today's episode of She Said What.
God is inviting you to "Come Out" from an inauthentic life! Pastor Debbie relays this liberating, communal call from our God in this episode of She Said What.
Today's episode of She Said What finds Pastor Debbie asking the age-old question, "Why doesn't God do something about the suffering in the world?" and sharing with us the peace she's found after wrestling with that herself.
Pastor Debbie asks, "Why are things so broken?", echoes Martha's "if only" wish, and speaks of the power of showing up in this second installment of the Unbound: Lazarus love story sermon series for today's She Said What.
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie begins a new series on the raising of Lazarus. There’s so much in this story: Is it a story about grief? A story of liberation? A story of resurrection, and what kind of resurrection? Or is this a coming out story?
Today's episode of She Said What asks if 2020 is "the end of the world as we know it". Pastor Debbie reminds us that God is with us in our nightmare and lamenting, and in our hoping and dreaming of a new day. "Be woke!" says Jesus.
Pastor Debbie relates "an old, old story" of using a woman to trap Jesus to modern examples of vulnerable people being used and objectified for political purposes in this episode of She Said What.
We welcome back guest preacher John Noble as he asks, "Are we willing to have our understanding of Biblical texts shaken to their core?" in this challenging episode of She Said What.
In today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie asks, "What would it be like for us to constantly be seeking the will of God in every moment?"
Pastor Debbie reminds us at All Saints Drive-In Church of the many ways that God is still being glorified in today's episode of She Said What.
In today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie asks, "What have you experienced with Jesus?" How has that changed, challenged, called you?
Pastor Debbie reminds us that we can become whatever we consume in this episode of She Said What. What are you feasting on? What do you want to become?
We have a guest speaker in today's episode of She Said What. Recent Seminary Grad and former DD intern John Noble asks: aren't we waiting for God's transformative love and redemptive power?
Celebrating St. Francis, blessing our pets and wondering about leaders of justice in today's episode of She Said What with Pastor Debbie Griffin.
Today's episode of She Said What, finds Pastor Debbie asking if we make Jesus into who we want him to be regardless of who he was called to be. Has anyone ever tried to make you into something you're not?
In this virtual pandemic world, how do we still offer hospitality? Pastor Debbie preaches a new perspective on a nourishing story from John 6 in this episode of She Said What, bringing to light a focus on hospitality and anticipating others' needs.
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie brings a healing love that runs deep and flows freely as Jesus asks us in chapter 5 of John's gospel, "Do you want to be made well?"
On today’s episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin continues with our sermon series on the stories of Jesus according to John, featuring the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well.
On today’s episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin continues with our sermon series on the stories of Jesus according to John, featuring Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus about experiencing the fullness of life.
On today’s episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin continues with our sermon series on the stories of Jesus according to John!
On today’s episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie begins a sermon series on the stories of Jesus according to John.
Today we bring you our Pride episode 2020 as Pastor Debbie Griffin brings unique prospective on Paul's Letter to the Galatians.
Today's episode features our third edition of our Biblical Agitators, Advocates, and Allies series featuring Pastor Debbie Griffin speaking with a new depth about Biblical Agitator, Susanna!
On today's episode, Pastor Debbie Griffin brings to life the story of The Canaanite Woman as a Biblical Agitator like you've never heard before!
Pastor Debbie Griffin wonders about the challenges of these times, how to be faithful, and kicks off a new sermon series about Biblical Agitators, Advocates, and Allies featuring none other than the greatest biblical agitator of all times - Jesus!
On today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie wraps up our series on Esther - you won't want to miss this one!
On today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin continues with part three of four, of our sermon series on Esther!
Don't miss today's episode of She Said What in Part 2 of Pastor Debbie's Esther Series.
On today's She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin brings us together to start a new series on Esther that you won't want to miss!
On today’s special Palm Sunday episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin brings us a powerful message about immigration, remembering, and loving others during this time in the world.
We've wrapped up Luke and today Pastor Debbie Griffin talks about sabbatical using Mark 7 to usher in a new theme, you won't want to miss this one!
On today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin tackles Luke 18, diving deeper into what a relationships looks like according to the ways of Jesus.
You’ve never heard divorce discussed in church like this before. Today, Pastor Debbie Griffin takes on this hard topic through the lens of the red letters of Jesus, highlighting his heart for the hurting. You aren’t going to want to miss this one!
Make sure to check out today's powerful episode as Pastor Debbie Griffin brings a whole new level of empathy to the story of the Prodigal Son.
We are honored to present today’s inspiring episode of She Said What with our amazing guest preacher, Dr. Jennifer Harvey, as she shares her coming out story and encourages us to "do the next right thing" when facing overwhelmingly difficult times in life.
Dr. Harvey is a writer, speaker, and professor of religion at Drake University. Her work focuses on racial justice and white anti-racism. Dr. Harvey's most recent books include Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in Racially Unjust America and Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation. Dr. Harvey has also contributed to CNN, NPR, The New York Times, and the Huff Post, and is ordained in the American Baptist Churches.
You definitely don’t want to miss this one!
Don't miss this powerful episode of She Said What? as Pastor Debbie brings us through Luke 9:49-62!
He said what!? When Jesus said he came not to bring peace but division, what the heck was he talking about? On today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin examines some of the hard things Jesus said may feel like they conflict with the peaceful, loving Jesus we know.
You won't want to miss today's episode as Pastor Debbie takes us through Luke 12:13-34 and get's us thinking about where our heart might really be.
We all know the story of Jesus calling out an anxious Martha, but what was the real deal with Martha? On today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin gives us a reality check with a fresh and empowering perspective as she dives deeper into Luke 10:38-42.
What can we do to see the kingdom today? Pastor Debbie Griffin brings Luke 9:28-43 to life, illustrating the reasons she finds this story troubling and beautiful.
This week’s She Said What features a guest preacher, Mariah Himes. Mariah has been an active member and leader in our Downtown Disciple Progressive Faith community for three years and is a graduate of One Iowa’s Inaugural Leadership Institute. Mariah studied political science and global studies at UNC Chapel Hill and was part of Americorp Vista for two years and is the statewide volunteer coordinator for Lutheran Services of Iowa. Downtown Disciples are pleased and proud to share Mariah’s engaging and compelling sermon on Jeremiah 2:4-13.
It’s about more than bread! In this sermon, Pastor Debbie preaches a well known story in a new way. Is this story about more than charitable food ministries and sharing our resources? What if it’s about a lot more than that!
Bound by Evil: Luke 8: 26-39. Can our world be set free from the evils of racism, sexism, xenophobia, transphobia, homophobia, and oppression? In today’s She Said What podcast, Pastor Debbie Griffin preaches about God’s liberating power over evil.
How do we wake up the God within us?
In today's episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin explores the story of Jesus calming the storm.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is often told as a parable of judgement against the LGBTQ+ community. But a closer reading of the text reveals that it is more concerned with the denial of love than the sharing of it. What’s the Sodom and Gomorrah story really about?
From prison John the Baptist wonders about the identity of Jesus. “Are you the one?” When we look around our world and see the violence, injustice, poverty, and division, we too question. “If Jesus was the Christ, why is the world such a mess?”
In this sermon, Pastor Debbie invites us to question our own identity, the identity of Jesus and the nature of God.
Luke 7:18-35
Music by Mary Beth Mardis-Lecroy
#faithfulquestioning #SheSaidWhat
Why would Jesus help the oppressor? Must we be worthy in order to experience the grace of God? How is God calling you to be a liberator?
Pastor Debbie Griffin explores the stories of Jesus’ healing the Centurion’s slave and raising a widow woman’s son from death to life.
Luke 7:1-17
#liberation # compassion #SheSaidWhat
What did Jesus mean when he said “Do not judge?” Aren’t we called to judge somethings as unjust or even evil?
Pastor Debbie invites us to look closely at Jesus' teaching, and challenges us to think about what it means to follow Jesus.
Luke 6: 36-49
Music interlude by Dang Felton.
Jesus’ teaching to love the enemy and turn the other cheek have historically been misinterpreted and misused in ways that oppress and victimize.
Pastor Debbie Griffin’s sermon and interpretation of Luke 6:27-36 empowers us to creatively resist bullying, physical abuse, oppression and systemic injustice.
#Resist
The word “blessed” can conjure up a lot of spiritual baggage! In this week’s podcast, Pastor Debbie Griffin interprets Jesus’ well known, but often misunderstood beatitudes. Was Jesus merely offering comfort to the afflicted, or is there something more subversive going on?
Luke 6:17-26
What does it mean to be a progressive Christian, trying to follow Jesus way of justice in today’s divisive political and religious climate? In this sermon, Pastor Debbie wrestles with Jesus parable on new and old wine and confesses the times she’s been embarrassed to identify as a Christian. Luke 5:27-39
Alleluia! Christ has risen!
Raise your spirit, remember and embody the Good News!
Are you finding life by remembering?
True to his mission and ministry Jesus proclaimed before his death the Good News, God comes in Peace and Love.
Love is more powerful than hate, even from the cross.
Life is more powerful than death.
Forgive and remember, we will rise.
What does a progressive Pastor believe about evil and temptation?
Are you ever tempted to deny your identity?
In this episode of She Said What, Pastor Debbie Griffin enters the wilderness with Jesus to wrestle with these questions and more.
Luke 4: 1-13
Luke 3 vs 15-22
Many thought John the Baptist might be the Christ and waited expectantly. John, with many words, preaches the Good News.
What have you waited for? What have you prayed for to come?
How do you embody the spirit of God and spread the Good News?
John the Baptist is known for his fiery preaching, and often his call to repentance is used to burden people with guilt. But what if repentance is precisely the opposite, a way to move from guilt into fullness of life?
downtowndisciples.org
@DTdisciplesDSM
Though it can be difficult, middle school is also a pivotal time of identity formation, curious inquiry, and deep pondering about who we are and where we belong in the world. In this brief story of Jesus' twelfth year, we are able to relate to His experience of that tricky time in a way that queers the idea of family and belonging.
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@DTdisciplesDSM
We tend to think of salvation as an individual, other-worldly endeavor. But what if it was communal? What if it was something that affected the life you have today?
downtowndisciples.org
The Magi's visit to the Holy Family reminds us that change comes from the margins, that we all have gifts we bring to others, and that creation is worth responding to in wonder.
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@DTdisciplesDSM
Mary visited Elizabeth as a vulnerable young girl in a precarious position. What she brought to the encounter was the powerful presence of the spirit inside her, and what she found was deep affirmation and encouragement.
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@DTdisciplesDSM
Thinking about the birth of Jesus as told by Luke as a parable gives a spectrum of subversive insights, such as the affirmation of women, queer families, and those on the economic margins.
A Group of starving, desperate people cry to their God for help. And that God provides them with all they need to sustain themselves.
Joseph the Dreamer rose to one of the most powerful positions in Egypt, but not until after being sold into slavery by his brothers, being sexually assaulted by his boss' wife, and serving time in prison. Part two of Joseph’s story is one of powerful and surprising.
Noah and the flood is a story of a culture wrestling to understnd why disaster happens and who God is in the middle of them. Pastor Debbie offers her insights into these questions.
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@dtdisciplesdsm
Joseph never quite fit in with his surroundings. Beautiful, flamboyantly dressed, and full of dreams, his uniqueness singled him out for trouble.
Jacob and Esau has a troubled relationship, due in no small part to Jacob's habitual trickery. As young men they parted in strife, but many years later they were able to embrace in love. What lessons does this have for us today?
Jesus gives us a difficult promise and a challenging command, but thankfully he also provides us with an example.
Abraham and Sarah are the parents of three faiths - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. But another Mother is also part of the story: Hagar, the mother of Ishmael.
This is the second half of the 'Sodom and Gomorrah' story, where Lot flees to the hills with his daughters and Lot's wife turns to salt in the road. It's a difficult story of destruction, rape, and violence, but even in the ugly narrative it is possible to find evidence of God's compassion.
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is a beautiful story, but one whose tropes and interpretations have become riddled with misinformation through the centuries. This sermon clears up a few translation errors, and invites us to understand this story as one of grace rather than of condemnation.
The loves of God have been on display throughout the story of Ruth. In the final chapter, it is romantic and redemptive love that take center stage.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is often told as a parable of judgement against the LGBTQ+ community. But a closer reading of the text reveals that it is more concerned with the denial of love than the sharing of it.
fb: Sodom and Gomorrah have oft been used to wield judgement on LGBTQ+ people. But what if that message is missing the point entirely?
The third chapter of Ruth bears testament to the ways poverty, power, and gender overlap in noxious ways. But it also gives us a story of subversive, willful choice that displays the complicated and varied forms that love and family can take.
"Religious law" can be perceived or used as a tool of oppression. But reality is more complicated than that. The second chapter of Ruth gives us an example of religious law that legislates compassion.
downtownisciples.org
@DTdisciplesDSM
Love takes many forms. The story of Ruth shows demonstrates a special kind of love that risks everything and lets nothing, not economic security, nationality, gender, or expectation, stand in its way.
downtowndisciples.org
@DtdisciplesDSM
The Apostle Paul prayed for his community. How can his words inspire us to do the same?
Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch shows us that there are no barriers of background, identity, class, race, or gender between us and God. Not only that, but this story empowers those on the margins of modern society to claim leadership in shaping the future of the church. downtowndisciples.org @DTdisciplesDSM
Sometimes the vitriol of another person or group can feel insurmountable and immutable. But the ancient story of Paul on the road to Damascus, as well as more recent stories of radical change, remind us that there is always hope and possibility.
Palm Sunday. Jesus’ subversive, joyful ride in to Jerusalem is another instance in the story of God’s rescuing people from oppression and fear and empowering humans to do the same.
When people hear the story of Jesus’ writing in the sand, they tend to get preoccupied trying to figure out what he was writing. But the story is about so much more. Pastor Debbie shows us how this is a story that both acknowledges sin and displays abounding grace.
The story of Tamar is, unfortunately, often overlooked. In today's sermon, Pastor Debbie shows us how the woman Tamar is a bold example of initiative and subversive power.
When Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, he does more than restore life to one man (as extraordinary as that is in itself); he calls all people to come out from whatever tombs they experience into new and deeper life.
Music by Chad Elliot
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When Jesus encounters a woman at a well in Samaria, his disciples are scandalized by the situation. But this vivacious woman has much to teach them, and us, about what is means to engage with the Christ.
Music in this episode by Ryne Doughty
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"Jesus Saves" is a phrase that can hold a lot of baggage for some people. But in the gospel reading for today, we find bold acts of friendship and faith that help reframe the phrase as something worth reclaiming.