Committing Faith in Public: Recent Episodes
Gary Peluso-Verdend
The Committing Faith in Public podcast is for people who want to be inspired by individuals and communities of faith doing good work in public. Our guests tell stories of their work to weave a more just, kind, and diversity-inclusive society.
The podcast, hosted by the Rev. Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend, is produced by the Phillips Seminary Center for Religion in Public Life. Gary is the executive director of the Center and president emeritus of Phillips.
Email Gary to let him know about someone in the community you've seen committing faith in public.
Before his retirement from Phillips, Gary Peluso-Verdend met with several faith leaders for a series of interfaith conversations. On this episode, Gary talks with the Rev. Barbara Prose, who until recently served at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s All Souls Unitarian Church.
Email Kurt Gwartney with your questions, comments, or possible guests for this podcast.
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What drives a person to seminary? What makes one choose a life of service and ministry in an everchanging world. Committing Faith in Public host Kurt Gwartney interviews Phillips Theological Seminary Student Services members to get their perspectives on why they chose their journey. This episode, Kurt will interview Cortney Lemke, the Director of Admissions.
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It has become cliché to note that America is highly polarized. Polarization has become something like the weather: something to complain about rather than act on. Braver Angels is an organization dedicated to depolarize America and to revive the spirit of our democracy.
One cannot imagine a more important contribution to reviving civic faith of America and in America than helping citizens of opposing views to know each other. Here in Oklahoma, we have a Braver Angels alliance. In this episode of Committing Faith in Public, senior vice president at Oklahoma State University (Tulsa) Chris Benge and All Souls Unitarian Church pastor Barbara Prose talk about the alliance to which they give leadership.
Mr. Benge has given decades of service to Oklahomans and is a Republican. The Rev. Prose pastors a progressive congregation, is a social justice advocate, and identifies as a Democrat. How many places can you hear a civil and honest conversation between persons who identify with different parts of the political spectrum? Join host Gary Peluso-Verdend and listen in to this special episode of the podcast. To learn more about Braver Angels in Oklahoma, email bprose@allsoulschurch.org or chris.benge@okstate.edu.
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What does one do with the master of divinity degree these days? The answer is not necessarily simple! In this episode of committing faith in public, the Rev. Loren Richmond (MDiv 2013) talks about his journey after seminary. He has been a church pastor, a church planter, a hospital chaplain, and a student in an MBA program specializing in nonprofit management.
In this very challenging era for the institutional church, Loren is trying to equip himself and, through his podcast, prepare others to face challenges with knowledge, courage, and humility. Loren relates lessons learned through experience and often as a result of things not going as expected. Before the end of the podcast, Loren is joined by his young son. Thus, we the audience experience one of the other challenges of post-seminary, bi-vocational ministry: parenting.
Marcia McFee, PhD, is one of the speakers and is worship designer for this year’s Remind and Renew, January 25-27, at Phillips Seminary and online. She is a visiting professor at Redlands University where San Francisco Theological Seminary finds its home.
With a PhD in Liturgical Studies and Ethics, and related work in cultural anthropology, she brings a rich perspective on the intersection of liturgy, ethics, culture, and both ecclesial and public life. About halfway through the interview, podcast host Gary Peluso-Verdend set aside the script and spent the remainder of the time talking with Dr. McFee about the rituals and public displays on January 6 this year.
The Rev. Dr. Chelsea Yarborough is one of the speakers this year at Phillips’ Remind and Renew event, January 25-27, in Tulsa and online. She is assistant professor of liturgical studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.
Dr. Yarborough recently completed her PhD at Vanderbilt Divinity School. She is a professor and minister known for exploring liturgy in the context of black theology and preaching outside the pulpit. In her wide-ranging conversation with Committing Faith in Public host Gary Peluso-Verdend, she talks about ritual as protest, social reimagining as distinct from social repair, and coupling repentance with penance as genuinely difficult work.
Victoria Loorz, MDiv, is one of the speakers at this year’s Remind & Renew Conference at Phillips and online, January 25-27. Rev. Loorz is a "wild church pastor," an "eco-spiritual director" and co-founder of several transformation-focused organizations focused on the integration of nature and spirituality.
After 20 years as a pastor of indoor churches, she launched the first Church of the Wild, in Ojai CA and began to meet others with the same sense of call to leave building and expand the Beloved Community beyond our own species. She then co-founded the ecumenical Wild Church Network and Seminary of the Wild.
The Rev. Loorz and Committing Faith in Public Life host Gary Peluso-Verdend talk about her extraordinary work around ritual and communities seeking connection with God, among themselves, and with the particular places in creation, e.g., marking Ash Wednesday in the ashes of a California wildfire. She also muses about ritual work toward social repair and species repair. (And GPV apologies for mispronouncing Ojai, California).
On this special edition of Committing Faith in Public, Gary Peluso-Verdend walks and talks with Woody Guthrie Centerexecutive director Deana McCloud through the exhibit, “Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom.”
This traveling exhibit debuted in Tulsa and is at the WGC through October 11. Listen as Gary interviews Deana regarding select items from the collection that sweeps from the Revolutionary War to the murder of George Floyd and the commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Their tour ranges from Frank Sinatra to Mickey Guyton, from liberation jazz to John Lennon, from Bob Dylan to Shemekiah Copeland.
The podcast includes song clips from various artists. Phillips’ senior director of communications Kurt Gwartney accompanied Deana and Gary (he took the photos). Enjoy and learn!
In September 2020, Center for Religion in Public Life director Gary Peluso-Verdend interviewed Dr. Lockhart-Gilroy, Assistant Professor of Christian Education and Practical Theology. Besides introducing her work generally, Dr. Lockhart-Gilroy talked about the book which she co-edited and to which she contributed: From Lament to Advocacy: Black Religious Education and Public Ministry. She is also the author of a more recent publication, Nurturing the Sanctified Imagination of Urban Youth.She joined the Phillips faculty in 2018 and is a newer voice in the work of taking theology into the public realm.
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One of the most unfortunate pieces of data from graduate seminary graduating student interviews is which courses graduands wish they had fewer of: history. In this pivotal era of the churches’, the nation’s, and the planet’s lives, there is a great deal of re-imagining and re-telling history happening; and that work directly feeds our current sense of what is necessary today for faithful living.
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Barnett, Assistant Professor of American Religious History at Phillips Theological Seminary, knows the critical importance of knowing history: learning what we did not learn in public schools, re-learning to correct the fictions that served the interests of the ruling classes in another time, and mining history for models of resistance and ally-ship.
Dr. Barnett sat down with Center for Religion in Public Life director, Gary Peluso-Verdend, on a tropical summer day in Tulsa to talk about her background, her love of history, her call, her teaching, and answering the persistent question, “So what?”
“What were the challenges of doing and being church during a pandemic? How prepared was your congregation? What were the learning curves you embraced? What did you learn about church that you might not have known or that became more or less important? What did you start that you will continue doing?” These are some of the questions host Gary Peluso-Verdend (executive director, Center for Religion in Public Life) asked the Rev. Dr. Charisa Hunter-Crump. Charisa is the pastor of Cairn Christian Church in Lafayette, CO, a small but growing theologically progressive congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
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In October 2020, Center for Religion in Public Life director Gary Peluso-Verdend interviewed Dr. Lisa Davison, the Johnnie Eargle Cadieux Professor of Hebrew Bible and Director of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Denominational Formation. Dr. Davison joined the Phillips faculty in 2010. Since coming to Tulsa, she has continued her work of teaching in many settings—academy, church, training programs, civic organizations. Her work on the Bible and sexuality, sexual expression, and gender roles, as well as speaking against the many tentacles of supersessionism (that Christianity eclipsed and replaced Judaism), are among her public theological contributions. She is also the author of numerous articles and book chapters.
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Many listeners and readers will know the Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar as the senior pastor of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Marlin is well-known in Tulsa and, in UU circles far beyond Tulsa, for his preaching, leadership, and for his community work in matters of race and of race and policing. But Marlin is also an amateur cartoonist.
His topics range from the religion to the political and social—just the kind of material we love to feature on “Committing Faith in Public.” Gary Peluso-Verdend, executive director of the Center for Religion in Public Life at Phillips Theological Seminary, interviewed Tulsa on April 9, 2021. An album of Marlin's work is available on Instagram.
When the Nazi regime essentially nationalized the Christian churches in Germany, making them one of the legitimizing arms of their evil program, some church leaders capitulated and embraced their roles. Others resisted. One of the most famous expressions of that resistance was the Barmen Declaration. The threat of Christian nationalism in the U.S. today has brought renewed attention to the Declaration.
In this podcast, Center director Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend interviews the Rev. Dr. Vic Hunter. Dr. Hunter reflects on Barmen and its relevance to the situation of Christian churches in the U.S. today, especially the threat of churches idolizing any political regime.
Dr. Hunter is a retired Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pastor who was born in Kansas, raised Church of Christ, and educated at Union Theological Seminary (MDiv) and later at Phillips (DMin).He served as a missions publication editor, as the leader of a mission in London, and in Disciples congregations in Colorado and West Virginia. He is the author of several books with his brother, Dr. Lanny Hunter, including What Your Doctor and Your Pastor What You to Know About Depression, Living Free in an Anxious World and Stories of Desire and Narratives of Faith.
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Dr. Russell Cobb, currently Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Latin American Studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, is a longtime Tulsa who wrote many essays for This Land Press. Some of those essay and other writings are the basis of The Great Oklahoma Swindle, an eye-popping read for anyone interested in what makes Oklahoma the unique and often weird place that it is.
Russ’s story ranges from the Black towns to the first Jewish community in Oklahoma in Ardmore, from the immoral and often violent swindling of Native lands and mineral rights by white men to the Tulsa Race Massacre, from the mix of greed-oil-Christianity that is denominated “petro-Christians” to the philanthropy and politics that created The Gathering Place, and more!
For this podcast, Russ and Center Executive Director Gary Peluso-Verdend talk about Russ’s deep connections to his hometown and especially the intertwined stories of religion, oil, greed, and culture.
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Chaplains can be found in all kinds of institutional roles these days, from Tyson Foods to the military and hospitals. The Rev. Dr. Jacob George is the director of pastoral care at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. After years in hospice work, he moved into the hospital setting.
He is a Clinical Pastoral Education supervisor at the highest level, directs a very religiously-diverse program at Hillcrest, and also directs the congregationally-based CPE program at Phillips Theological Seminary. Jacob talked with Center for Religion in Public Life director Gary Peluso-Verdend by phone about his work at Hillcrest in normal times and during the extraordinary time of a global health crisis.
Committing Faith in Public with Toby Jenkins, Oklahomans for EqualityOklahomans for Equality is a state-wide 40-year old organization that seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
It is led by Toby Jenkins. On this edition of Committing Faith in Public, Toby talks about his richly-textured background in conservative circles (despite being raised by progressive parents) and his movement from that world into the caring and advocacy work of OkEq. While he is no longer a Free Will Baptist minister, Toby does a great deal of ministry-like work every day, especially in such times as these.
Committing Faith in Public: Talking Reconciliation is Not Enough with the Rev. Robert Turner and the Rev. David WiggsIn this special collaborative edition of the Boston Avenue United Methodist Churchpodcast ASCENDS, its hosts are joined by co-host, Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend from the Committing Faith in Public podcast. The guests are the Rev. Robert Turner and the Rev. David Wiggs to discuss the relationship between Historic Vernon AME and Boston Avenue UMC and why talking reconciliation is not enough.
Committing Faith in Public Podcast with Jesse UlrichWhat was it like growing up Jewish in Tulsa, attending a nearly all African-American elementary school where one was a dual minority, then having the experience of living in a large Jewish community in Boston before returning to Tulsa?
Jesse Ulrich talks about these and other formational experiences that have helped him navigate the boundaries between cultures and develop skills that have been helpful to the places where he was employed and now in his new role. After a stint at the Jewish Federation in Tulsa, Jesse established Rant9Productions, a business to help organizations–especially non-profits who are passionate about their work but often don’t know how to tell their stories to others–get better at telling their stories in podcasts, marketing, and other digital media.
His podcast is Pod 4 Good. Jesse and host Gary Peluso-Verdend worked together for several years on the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Trialogue Committee. Gary interviewed Jesse at Jesse’s home before Christmas, using Jesse’s first rate equipment. And, after Gary interviewed Jesse, Jesse and his podcast partner Chris returned the favor and interviewed Gary for Jesse’s podcast.
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Committing Faith in Public Talking Theology and Impeachment
Sit down with two Phillips faculty to talk about theology and impeachment and what do you get? A half hour of insight, perspective, and something to chew on. Dr. Joe Bessler, the Robert Travis Peake Professor of Theology and acting dean, and Dr. Sarah Morice Brubaker, Associate Professor of Theology, are the guests on this episode of Committing Faith in Public. With host Gary Peluso-Verdend, they provide a stark contrast to Christian Right perspectives as they explore accountability, truth, sin, and hope.
Committing Faith in Public Podcast with State Senator George Young, Sr.
The Rev. Dr. George Young, Sr., is well known to Phillips’ audiences as a double alumnus (master’s and doctoral degrees), adjunct instructor, and former trustee. In addition, we know him as a long-time pastor who cultivated links between the congregations he served and the civic community.
When Dr. Young retired from pastoral work, he took up another form of service. He was elected to the Oklahoma State House and then to the Oklahoma Senate. In this podcast, George talks with Gary Peluso-Verdend about his career, the transition from pastorate to legislature, and what it is like to represent his constituents at this time in the state’s life and in troubling times for the causes of equality, justice, and a healthy democratic society.
State Sen. George Young
Committing Faith in Public Podcast with Aliye Shimi
Aliye Shimi is the executive director of Tulsa’s oldest ecumenical/interfaith organization, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry. In that role, and in the MANY volunteer hours Aliye gives, Aliye is among the fiercest and kindest advocates for justice, dignity, compassion, and basic human decency in Tulsa and everywhere. She lives her Muslim faith, in public, for the sake of a better Tulsa, a better Oklahoma, a better nation, and a better world. In this interview with Gary Peluso-Verdend, Aliye tells of the difficult national and personal events that propelled her into public life. Listen as she constantly takes a negative experience and uses it to fuel positive change.
Committing Faith in Public Podcast with the Rev. Clark Frailey, Public Education AdvocateThere are not many organizations these days that are able to create coalitions that cross partisan divides. But the Rev. Clark Frailey, pastor of Coffee Creek Church(Southern Baptist) in Edmond, OK, has found a way to do that on the issue of public education in Oklahoma. The Rev. Frailey is one of the founders of Pastors for Oklahoma Kids, which has done excellent work in a short time to keep faith leaders informed about legislative matters that affect ALL our public school children and families in Oklahoma, and to advocate with legislators for public education. Pastors for OK Kids participants run the theological gamut. Gary Peluso-Verdend interviewed Frailey.
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Committing Faith in Public Podcast with the Revs. Marlin Lavanhar and Carlton Pearson
When folks from around the country think of religion in Tulsa, they are likely to think about Oral Roberts University, Victory Christian, or Rhema Bible. But many don’t know about All Souls, the largest Church in the Unitarian Universalist Association and a potent progressive spiritual force in public life in Northeast OK. A recent documentary movie, called “American Heretics: The Politics of the Gospel,” featured All Souls as an exemplar of liberal religion in the Heartland. In this podcast, Gary Peluso-Verdend talks with two pastors of All Souls about the church and about their experience with the movie.
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Committing Faith in Public Podcast with the Rev. Chris MooreA trip to the Southern Border. A nativity display on the church lawn. A chain-link fence. An act of contrition that is misunderstood. A signboard message connecting the words “Jesus” and “Migrant.” How it all became a national story during Advent and Christmas 2018. The Rev. Chris Moore, pastor of Fellowship Congregational Church in Tulsa (United Church of Christ) tells about the church’s public liturgical art display and responses to it.
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What leads a congregation to start what became Oklahoma’s first public partnership school, and what has been their experience with the venture? The Rev. Dr. Ray Owens, senior pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Tulsa, addresses these and other matters related to the Greenwood Leadership Academy.
Links mentioned in the podcast: The Metcares Foundation, Greenwood Leadership Academy, Metropolitan Baptist Church.
This is the podcast for people who want to be inspired by individuals and communities of faith doing good work in public. Our guests tell stories of their work to weave a more just, kind, and diversity-inclusive society.
Our first guest is the Rev. Shannon Fleck, executive director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches.