theFormed.life

Christ Community Church - KC
  • 5.0 (8)
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Conversations to inspire habits of whole-life discipleship that equip you to more thoughtfully and consistently be formed by God’s word and God’s ways with God’s people. The Formed Life is a resource brought to you by Christ Community Church in Kansas City. This podcast also contains audio readings of our written blogs that can be found on our website at cckc.church/blog.

  1. POD 065 | Launching God’s Work Podcast with Tom Nelson

    4D AGO

    POD 065 | Launching God’s Work Podcast with Tom Nelson

    Hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman sit down with the ever-insightful Tom Nelson, to explore an inspiring question: What does hope look like on Easter Monday, when the celebrations fade and we step back into our everyday routines? Nelson shares candid reflections about his new season in life, including his transition from Lead Senior Pastor to Lead Pastor Coach and his ongoing work with Made to Flourish. The discussion dives into Made to Flourish’s incredible impact over the past decade—connecting thousands of pastors and helping churches bridge the gap between faith, work, and everyday life. There is exciting news about a new global podcast from Tom Nelson in partnership with Premier Plus, designed to bring “Weekly Wisdom for Your Workplace” right to your Monday morning commute. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired this project, the heart behind it, and how listeners can stay connected to this work. 3 Main Takeaways: Tom’s New Season and Transition:Tom Nelson reflected on his transition from lead senior pastor at Christ Community to his current role as Lead Pastoral Coach, where he is focusing on coaching, support, and being a cheerleader for the team. He spoke about feeling lighter, more buoyant, and grateful for the team and the opportunity to support without bearing the weight of primary leadership.Growth and Impact of Made to Flourish:The conversation highlighted the national influence and growth of Made to Flourish, a sister organization to Christ Community. Tom Nelson shared impressive updates about their mission to empower pastors and integrate faith, work, and economic wisdom for community flourishing, all springing from Christ Community’s DNA. Global Launch of the “God’s Work” Podcast:Nelson now has a partnership with Premier Plus in the UK, launching a new podcast called "God’s Work: Weekly Wisdom for Your Workplace." This podcast aims to help congregants connect Sunday faith to Monday work, releasing short, weekly episodes starting on Easter Monday. It’s geared for both UK and US audiences, and represents a dynamic new way Tom Nelson is sharing wisdom, story, and encouragement about integrating faith and the rhythms of everyday work.Resources: Made to Flourish: https://www.madetoflourish.org/Common Good Magazine: https://commongoodmag.com/God's Work: Weekly Wisdom for Your Workplace (Podcast): https://www.premier.plus/podcastsTimestamps: 00:00 "Tom Nelson's New Season" 05:16 "Empowering Pastors for Community Flourishing" 07:49 "Giving Through the Local Church" 10:03 "Partnership Established with Made to Flourish" 13:37 "Family, Friendship, and Quiet Joy"

    16 min
  2. POD 064 | Why the Resurrection Changes Everything with Dr. Darrell Bock

    APR 2

    POD 064 | Why the Resurrection Changes Everything with Dr. Darrell Bock

    Campus pastors Jacob Nannie and Bill Gorman are joined by Darrell Bock, a New Testament scholar and Senior Research Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. The interaction centers on the historicity of the resurrection, exploring why it's not just a symbolic or spiritual event, but a pivotal moment in history that underpins the Christian faith. Some of the toughest objections to the gospel accounts are tackled during this conversation, considering whether the writers are simply too biased, or if the resurrection is just a legend or myth that developed over time. Bock focuses on the reliability of the gospel narratives, surprising details that make them stand out from other ancient texts, and the unexpected role of women. Also addressed are alternative explanations for the disciples’ transformation, from wish fulfillment to hallucinations. The discussion concludes that the reality of the resurrection isn't just ancient history—it radically shapes how we live, infusing hope, courage, and purpose into the Christian life. If you're wrestling with doubts or seeking a deeper understanding of why the resurrection matters, this episode brings both scholarly insight and practical application to one of Christianity’s central claims. 3 Main Takeaways: The Resurrection as a Historical EventThe episode emphasizes that the resurrection of Jesus is a real, historical event. Dr. Darrell Bock explains why treating the resurrection as history is crucial to the Christian faith: grounded in eyewitness testimony that led to rapid changes in belief among Jesus' followers.Transformation of the Disciples and Early WitnessesA radical transformation was experienced by the disciples and other early witnesses who were not predisposed to believe in the resurrection. Rather, they were skeptical, in mourning, and afraid. The episode addresses alternative explanations and considers the best explanation.The Importance and Impact of Resurrection TodayThe resurrection is described as a "game changer" for personal faith and daily life, shaping hope, perseverance, work, and confidence for Christians today, anchoring the meaning and purpose of life and work. Timestamps: 00:00:00 — Dr. Darrell Bock describes the resurrection as a "game changer on steroids," setting the tone for the episode's significance.00:03:21 — Dr. Darrell Bock explains the profound transformation of the disciples from despair to conviction, emphasizing the historical impact of the resurrection. 00:04:05 — Dr. Darrell Bock addresses the issue of bias in the Gospel accounts, focusing on how the witnesses were not inclined to believe in the resurrection initially. 00:07:10 — Dr. Darrell Bock clarifies the genre of the Gospels as ancient biography (bios), distinguishing it from myth and highlighting its historical reliability. 00:08:17 — Dr. Darrell Bock discusses how the first witnesses of the resurrection were women, a detail culturally unexpected and compelling for the historicity argument. 00:10:23 — Dr. Darrell Bock recounts how the leaders dismissed the women's report of the resurrection as a fable, revealing the skepticism among early believers. 00:12:01 — Dr. Darrell Bock wishes he had a recording of Jesus revealing the Scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, showing the deep impact of that encounter. 00:14:03 — Jacob Nanney highlights transformation as a unifying theme in the resurrection accounts, from fear to bold witness. 00:16:42 — Dr. Darrell Bock explains the "mutation" in Jewish belief regarding the timing of resurrection, emphasizing the historical anomaly and its implications. 00:21:14 — Dr. Darrell Bock shares how the resurrection gives hope beyond suffering and endurance in life, touching on its personal and transformative significance.

    26 min
  3. POD 063 | The Golgotha Experience with Poor Bishop Hooper

    MAR 26

    POD 063 | The Golgotha Experience with Poor Bishop Hooper

    In this episode, Jesse and Leah Roberts, the creative duo behind Poor Bishop Hooper, share with Pastor Paul Brandes their journey as artists, songwriters, and founders of a nonprofit ministry dedicated to Scripture-based music. They candidly discuss their calling, how their ministry evolved step-by-step, and give insights into their projects like Golgotha and Every Psalm. 3 Main Takeaways: Faithfulness in Small Steps Leads to Impactful Ministry: Jesse and Leah emphasize that their journey as musicians and ministry leaders was not the result of a grand, predetermined plan, but rather a series of faithful steps. By being obedient to God’s leading one step at a time, their work grew organically—from local church worship to founding a nonprofit, creating widely-used resources like Golgotha, and serving diverse communities, including prisons. Truth and Beauty Powerfully Transcend Contexts: The experience of bringing the Golgotha project into prisons was transformative, both for the artists and the inmates. Leah shared how presenting something rooted in both truth and beauty had a profound gospel impact in places marked by pain and deprivation, proving that spiritual art remains powerful regardless of environment—whether in a cathedral or a maximum security prison. Christ Meets Us in Our Suffering and Darkness: Drawing from their time immersed in the story of Christ’s suffering (through Golgotha) and their own personal hardships, Jesse and Leah encourage listeners that Jesus deeply understands our darkest, “Holy Saturday” seasons. The incarnation and crucifixion mean that Christ has entered into human suffering, providing comfort and solidarity for anyone experiencing pain, uncertainty, or waiting. Resources: Poor Bishop Hooper (Band/Ministry): https://www.poorbishophooper.com  Golgotha Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/golgotha  Every Psalm Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/everypsalm  Author William Quayle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Alfred_Quayle Timestamps: 00:18  – Bill Gorman introduces the theme of following God in seasons of darkness and grief, previewing the depth of the episode. 02:49 – Paul Brandes asks Leah and Jesse to share how their calling as artists and creators developed, setting the stage for their story. 03:32 – Leah describes seeking God’s guidance after college, revealing her sense of vocation and trust in God’s provision. 06:13 – The origin story of Golgotha: how a pastor’s request and a 3-day retreat turned into writing all 14 songs for a Stations of the Cross musical experience. 08:18 – Jesse      describes how Golgotha began spreading to different churches and communities, moving beyond its initial setting. 11:04 – Leah shares the pivotal moment when they decided to formalize their ministry as a nonprofit, focusing on underserved and unreached communities. 14:01 – Discussion about the heavy, contemplative nature of Golgotha and its focus on the “minor key” of Jesus’s suffering during Holy Week. 18:00 – The first time Golgotha was brought into a maximum-security prison, describing a powerful and unexpected response from inmates. 22:06 – Leah recounts how inmates donated to their ministry, powerfully illustrating the unity and generosity within the body of Christ. 27:26 – The hosts discuss being with God in “Holy Saturday” moments—suffering, waiting, and not yet seeing resurrection—and Leah shares a personal journey through family suffering and the presence of Christ in it.

    39 min
  4. POD 062 | Classical Education and Parenting Insights with Jeremy Mann

    MAR 19

    POD 062 | Classical Education and Parenting Insights with Jeremy Mann

    Hosts Bill Gorman and Paul Brandes are joined by special guest Jeremy Mann, founder and head of The Field School, a diverse classical Christian school on the west side of Chicago. Together, they dive into what it means to cultivate wisdom and virtue in the next generation—not just through academics, but by shaping the whole person. Jeremy Mann shares his journey from public school teacher to leader of a unique educational community that reserves half its seats for low-income families, embracing a mission shaped by faith and holistic classical learning. Drawing inspiration from Scripture—especially the Shema from Deuteronomy 6—the conversation explores how families, educators, and communities can weave meaningful spiritual practices into daily routines, both at school and at home. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or simply passionate about passing on virtue to the future, this inspiring episode offers practical ideas, ancient wisdom, and encouragement for anyone seeking to nurture children in today’s world. Get ready for a dialogue about education, faith, and intentional living—right here on theFormed.life. 3 Main Takeaways: Classical Education Is About Forming Wisdom and Virtue, Not Just Knowledge.Jeremy Mann explains that the mission of the Field School is to cultivate wisdom and virtue in every child. This goes beyond just academic achievement or standardized test scores. Classical education is about developing the whole person, focusing on character, critical thinking, mastery of the fundamentals, and an enduring love of learning and curiosity.Educational Models Are Important, But Parents Remain the Primary Disciplers.The conversation made it clear that, regardless of whether kids are in public, private, classical, or homeschool settings, parents have a unique and irreplaceable role in shaping their children’s hearts and minds. Spiritual formation and character development happen best at home in daily rhythms, not just through institutional programs; when families are intentional about weaving biblical truth and spiritual practices into everyday life.The Biblical Vision of Education Is Holistic and Community-Oriented.Grounded in Deuteronomy 6, the discussion revolves around the idea of loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and passing that faith on to the next generation. Jeremy Mann shares practical examples from both the Field School and his own family: daily Scripture reading, memorization, prayer, music, and habits that create a shared, spiritual culture. The episode encourages listeners to build similar rhythms, with kids or in their own lives, and to see education as a community endeavor, not just the work of schools.Resources: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: https://a.co/d/07KUyIQLA Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason: https://www.livingbookpress.com/product/a-philosophy-of-education/?srsltid=AfmBOoqx0zOQAB0bsGErnc8GhtQkqOeUuCKj0ZcNKXQLfQCbqxoHhmGtNew City Catechism – Timothy Keller: https://a.co/d/09C5NmGvApostles’ Creed – Historic Christian CreedAthanasian Creed – Historic Christian CreedA Student’s Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas: https://mycatholicprayers.com/prayers/a-students-prayer-by-st-thomas-aquinas/Timestamps: 00:00 Classical Education for All 04:14 "High Expectations, High Support" 07:59 "Classical Education: Old School Revival" 13:29 "Parent-Led Education and Choices" 15:59 Cultivating Wisdom Through Scripture 20:19 Holistic Faith in School Life 23:02 "Faith Lived Through Rhythms" 27:54 Faith through Community and Music 30:41 Family Bonding Over Simple Meals 33:08 Cabin Dreams & Entrepreneurial Passion 35:03 "Field School Insights Shared"

    36 min
  5. POD 061 | Exploring the Art of Better Questions with J.R. Briggs

    FEB 19

    POD 061 | Exploring the Art of Better Questions with J.R. Briggs

    Hosts Bill Gorman and Paul Brandes are joined by author, coach, and consultant J.R. Briggs for a thought-provoking conversation on the art of crafting questions. Drawing from his new book and years of research, Briggs helps us explore the life-giving power of questions—not just as a way to learn, but as a path to deeper connection with God, greater self-understanding, and more authentic relationships with others. Briggs shares personal stories of his father modeling curiosity and the impact it had on his own spiritual journey, and considers the hundreds of questions Jesus asked as relayed in the gospels. The author invites us to see questioning as central to faith, including a fascinating Jewish tradition in which questions about Scripture take precedence over finding answers. Whether you're a church leader, a parent, or simply someone seeking to better love your neighbor, this episode will encourage you to embrace curiosity and thoughtful inquiry as a vital spiritual practice. Stay tuned for practical tips on building your own “back pocket” questions, and insights into the possibility that better questions can foster genuine hospitality and relational connection in today’s world. 3 Main Takeaways: The Transformative Power of QuestionsAsking good questions—of God, ourselves, and others—has a profound impact on the quality of our lives. Briggs suggests that questions are not just tools for gathering information, but actually transformative, helping us to reflect, connect, and grow. He traces the influence of his father’s question-asking, and points to Jesus as a continual question-asker.Questions Foster Relationships and HospitalityEspecially when asked with the right motive and at the right time, questions can be an act of hospitality and love.They create space for relational intimacy, make people feel seen and valued, and can be healing in a world marked by loneliness and division. Briggs underscores that questions are often a greater gift than answers, and essential for loving our neighbors well.We Learn Best in Community and Through Wrestling with ScriptureThe Jewish practice of “havruta” (studying Scripture through questions in a communal setting) is introduced, showing how generating questions together deepens engagement and learning. Wrestling with passages through curiosity rather than rushing to answers can unlock new perspectives and foster spiritual growth.Resources: The Art of Better Questions - J.R. Briggs: https://a.co/d/0bcUwPQQTogether - Vivek Murthy: https://a.co/d/0dhyHKheEmotionally Healthy Spirituality - Peter Scazzero: https://a.co/d/02A89zeEHavruta (Jewish Practice of Communal Question Asking)The Sabbath - Abraham Joshua Heschel: https://a.co/d/0iAPfIXyGod in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism - Abraham Joshua Heschel: https://a.co/d/07VTnR3JTimestamps: 00:00 "The Power of Better Questions" 03:23 "The Gift of Asking Questions" 07:47 "God: The Ultimate Question Asker" 11:02 "Havruta: Learning Through Questions" 13:47 "Fascinating Questions on Isaac" 18:16 "Who Do You Say I Am?" 20:36 "Equipping for Monday Mission" 23:01 "The Power of Good Questions" 27:10 Spiritual and Emotional Maturity Journey 32:28 "Questions That Spark Deep Insight 33:35 "Deep Questions for Connection" 36:57 "Window Washing"

    39 min

  6. FEB 16

    TFL BLOG | Meditation – What is it?

    theFormed.life

    4 min

  7. FEB 9

    TFL BLOG | The Bible is Wisdom Literature

    theFormed.life

    6 min
  8. POD 060 | Created to Create: Your Work with David Greusel

    FEB 5

    POD 060 | Created to Create: Your Work with David Greusel

    On this episode of theFormed.life, hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman sit down with renowned architect David Greusel, founder of Convergence Design, for a conversation that redefines what it means to be creative, no matter your profession. With over 40 years of experience, from humble beginnings detailing grease factories to designing iconic baseball stadiums like PNC Park in Pittsburgh, David Greusel shares how every act of work—whether sketching with ink or crafting a spreadsheet—mirrors the creative nature of our Creator. Together, they explore how spiritual formation, the biblical mandate to make something more of God’s good world, and the joy of meaningful work can shine through in grand architectural projects and the everyday tasks we tend to overlook. Whether you're crunching numbers, parenting, or shaping city skylines, this episode offers fresh insight into how we can all embrace our role as creators, designed to bring beauty, order, and flourishing to the spaces and places we touch. Get ready to see your own work in a whole new light! 3 Main Takeaways:1. Everyone Is Creative and Called to CreateDavid Greusel firmly rejects the idea that only certain people are creative. He points out that creativity is inherent to everyone, whether it's expressed by designing a building, crafting a memo, or putting together a spreadsheet. As humans made in the image of the Creator, we all participate in creativity, regardless of our vocation. 2. Our Work is a Spiritual Discipline and Fulfillment of the Cultural MandateThe episode explores how any work or vocation is both a means of spiritual formation and a way to participate in God's ongoing creation. David Greusel discusses how the iterations, frustrations, and disciplines of his profession shape his character, just as spiritual disciplines do. The conversation connects this directly back to the “cultural mandate” from Genesis, highlighting our shared calling to take the world’s raw materials and shape them into something meaningful. 3. Design and Place Matter: Loving Our Neighbor Through Our WorkThrough stories from his career (notably designing PNC Park in Pittsburgh), David Greusel illustrates how thoughtful design can help people love their cities and neighbors better. Paying attention to the particularities of place and the needs of others can become a way to serve family and community and reflect God's love in the world. Resources:- The Art of The Spreadsheet: https://comment.org/the-art-of-the-spreadsheet/- Sidewalks in the Kingdom - Eric Jacobsen: https://a.co/d/7YboNIp- From the Garden to the City: The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of - Technology - John Dyer: https://a.co/d/49FkNU7- Grand River Center (Convention Center, Dubuque, Iowa) - David Greusel (Architectural Project): https://www.grandrivercenter.com/- PNC Park (Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - David Greusel (Architectural Project): https://www.mlb.com/pirates/ballpark- Daikin Park [Formerly MinuteMaid Park, (Stadium, Houston, Texas)] - David Greusel (Architectural Project): https://www.mlb.com/astros/ballpark Timestamps:00:00 Faith and Architecture Journey05:40 "Architecture and Spiritual Disciplines"07:07 "Frustrations Shape Architectural Growth"10:13 "Design: Transforming Earth's Resources"14:35 "Bezalel and Oholiab's Calling"19:06 PNC Park: Privacy Meets Beauty23:14 "Buildings That Reflect Their Place"24:41 "Designing Dubuque's Grand River Center"28:06 "Creativity in Everyday Tasks"31:20 Marriage, Comedy, and Career Dreams ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~WEB: https://cckc.church/CONNECT: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1304/responses/newIG: https://www.instagram.com/christcommunitykc/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/christcommunitykc

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Conversations to inspire habits of whole-life discipleship that equip you to more thoughtfully and consistently be formed by God’s word and God’s ways with God’s people. The Formed Life is a resource brought to you by Christ Community Church in Kansas City. This podcast also contains audio readings of our written blogs that can be found on our website at cckc.church/blog.

Information

  • Creator
    Christ Community Church - KC
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    272
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2023 Christ Community Church - KC
  • Show Website
    theFormed.life

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