Category Archives: Podcast Episodes

Our short series on “The Redemption of Scrooge” concludes with an exploration of how our miserable miser of a character rediscovers joy. May we do so and keep Christmas all year round! Download the episode.

As we continue with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Present teaches our lead character three important aspects of love: Showing love by being part of a community, showing love by showing mercy to others, and showing love in true, genuine relationships with those closest to us. Download the episode.

Our advent series focused on redemption continues, as does our exploration of the classic story “A Christmas Carol.” In this episode, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, and the miser starts to recognize that his life doesn’t have to be as lonely and miserable as it has become. Scrooge is startingContinue reading “Advent 2021: The Redemption of Scrooge — Peace”

Advent is all about the anticipation of the arrival of the Christ child. But why did Jesus come to live among humans in the first place? To provide an opportunity for redemption for all of us. In this four-episode series, we explore our redemption by following the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge from the classic tale,Continue reading “Advent 2021: The Redemption of Scrooge — Hope”

Todd concludes a special three-part series on showing gratitude to God during the week of Thanksgiving 2021 with a study of how Jesus gave thanks. Unlike many of us, Jesus didn’t just give thanks for what already had happened, but He also thanked God prior to performing miracles and before willingly dying for humankind —Continue reading “Gratitude part 3 — Thanks … In Jesus’ Name”

Our special three-part series on giving thanks to God continues with an examination of how King David showed his gratitude toward God: Looking back at what God already had done for him and the Israelite people. Praising the traits and truths of God. Understanding God listens to our prayers. Having faith that God will answer.Continue reading “Gratitude part 2 — King David’s Guide to Giving Thanks: the Psalms”

In a special three-part series the week of Thanksgiving 2021, Todd studies how to show gratitude to God. The series starts with lessons from the prophet Daniel, who showed that we should give thanks to God when things are going really well for us, but also when times are tough. Download the episode.

Todd continues his series on certified lay ministry with an interview with the Rev. Dr. Carl Ellis. Besides being a retired elder serving two rural churches in southeast Kansas, Carl is the founder and leader of The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries. In this episode, Carl shares his views on lay ministry and providesContinue reading “CLMs Part 3 — The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries”

We continue a short series on certified lay ministries and certified lay servants with a look at how one CLM, Bryan Hankins, serves two churches in the Omaha area as an associate pastor. Learn about his passion for teaching, how he works with the appointed pastor, and about an exciting multi-language effort for the LayContinue reading “CLMs Part 2: Teaching & Preaching”

We start a short series of episodes examining certified lay ministers (CLMs) and the role they play in the local church, how they are trained, and why more people may want to prayerfully consider exploring becoming a CLM. In this episode, host Todd Seifert talks with Jada Hodgson, a CLM serving as pastor at PlumContinue reading “CLMs Part 1: Leading the Local Church”