Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity

Dale McConkey, Host
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A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity! Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety of Christian traditions. Guests are friends and colleagues who are also experts in the fields of sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, divinity, and more.

  1. FEB 4

    What’s a Person? Humans, Animals, Aliens, AI, and Corporations

    Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to be a person, and who gets to decide? This episode dives headfirst into one of the most deceptively simple—and quietly explosive—questions in ethics, theology, and science. Is personhood limited to humans, or does it extend to animals, artificial intelligence, corporations, or even extraterrestrial life? Along the way, we wrestle with why defining personhood by intelligence or capability quickly collapses under pressure, how beginning-of-life and end-of-life questions complicate any clean boundary, and why our answers carry real moral weight—whether we’re talking about dolphins, embryos, or AI that can talk back. The conversation unfolds around the potluck table with a rich mix of voices. Physicist Todd Timberlake launches the discussion from his work teaching about extraterrestrial life and our moral obligations to the unknown. Biologist Caitlin Conn brings evolutionary clarity and caution, reminding us that life exists on a continuum that resists neat categories. Philosopher Michael Papazian adds historical and theological depth, showing how “person” and “human” have never been identical concepts. And former Pastor Dale tries to keep things moving—occasionally with humor, occasionally with a game-show twist—as we explore where Christian tradition helps, where it hesitates, and why this question refuses to stay theoretical. The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    1h 14m

  2. JAN 30

    Protesting in God’s Name: Faith, Immigration, and Public Witness

    Send us Fan Mail This week’s Church Potluck is a powerful crossover episode with American Angst. Dale McConkey is joined by fellow United Methodist pastors Rev. Ash McEuen and Rev. Karen Kagiyama, along with political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey, for a wide-ranging conversation about immigration, protest, and what it means to follow Jesus in public life. The discussion begins with the real-world impact of current immigration policies. Ash McEuen, whose ministry is deeply rooted in immigrant and Latino communities, describes the daily fear many families face—detention uncertainty, deportation confusion, and the emotional toll of accompaniment. Karen Kagiyama offers theological grounding, framing clergy protest not as partisan politics but as Christian witness, solidarity, and lament, shaped by prayer and Jesus’ own challenge to injustice. Michael Bailey brings historical and political insight, exploring when protest actually works and why nonviolent movements have often driven lasting change. Dale McConkey guides the table through key faith questions, including Romans 13, Jesus turning over the tables, and the United Methodist baptismal vow to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” Blending seriousness with warmth and humor, the conversation provides an honest, pastoral conversation that insists immigration is not abstract, protest is not simple, and Christian discipleship is inseparable from how we treat the most vulnerable among us. The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    1h 11m

  3. JAN 25

    Christians and Political Power: Sovereignty, Stewardship, or Servanthood? (Thoughts on Christian Nationalism)

    Send us Fan Mail This week’s Church Potluck looks a little different than usual. With guests postponed and a winter storm rolling across the country, Dale flies solo—no roundtable conversation, no lively banter, just a thoughtful monologue shaped like a Bible study. The focus, however, could not be more timely. Few topics divide Christians today more deeply than the question of power—Christian nationalism, political power, national identity, moral authority, and how Christian faith should shape public life. Drawing from Scripture and history, Dale explores three broad Christian approaches to power: sovereignty, stewardship, and servanthood. Along the way, he reflects on Israel’s demand for a king, the Bible’s growing caution toward human authority, Jesus’ repeated rejection of domination, and Paul’s vision of Christ’s self-emptying love in Philippians 2. The episode does not pretend that all viewpoints are equally convincing—but it seeks to approach disagreement with humility, theological clarity, and genuine grace toward those who see these questions differently. The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    23 min

  4. JAN 20

    Chaplains: Ministering Unto Others Beyond the Church

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Church Potluck, Dale McConkey welcomes a bundle of chaplains for a thoughtful, funny, and deeply moving conversation about what chaplains do—and how their ministry differs from that of congregational pastors. Special guest Rev. James Henderson—a priest in the Anglican Church of North America who serves as both a hospital chaplain and an Air Force chaplain—joins returning guests Rev. Chris Barbieri (hospital chaplain) and Rev. Dr. Jonathan Huggins (college chaplain). Together with Dale (former college chaplain), they explore chaplaincy as ministry in pluralistic spaces where people may hold different beliefs, carry church wounds, or find themselves in moments of profound vulnerability. Through powerful stories from hospitals, college campuses, and the military, the conversation highlights the heart of chaplaincy: presence over preaching, compassion over correction, and trust over outcomes. The guests reflect on grief, doubt, interfaith care, confidentiality, staff support, and the challenge of offering hope without agenda—sometimes through words, and sometimes simply by standing with someone on the worst day of their life. If you’ve ever wondered how faith shows up when there is no pulpit, no congregation, and no easy answers, this episode offers an honest, moving, and deeply human glimpse into ministry beyond the church walls. The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    1h 2m
  5. ADVENT DAY 27: Luke 2 - Emmanuel, God with Us!

    12/25/2025

    ADVENT DAY 27: Luke 2 - Emmanuel, God with Us!

    Send us Fan Mail On this final day of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar, we pause at the heart of Christmas itself. In this short, reflective episode, Dale returns to a cherished family ritual: reading Luke’s nativity story and pondering what it truly means that God enters God’s own creation—“puncturing time and space” in the most humble and human way imaginable. From the machinery of empire to the stillness of a manger, from fearful shepherds to Mary’s quiet pondering, this episode invites listeners to reflect on four simple but profound themes: God’s humility, human emotion, ordinary faithfulness, and the power of shared witness. It’s a gentle, joyful closing to Advent—and a reminder that the good news moves forward not by force, but by telling the story. Emmanuel. God is with us. Merry Christmas! The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    8 min
  6. ADVENT DAY 26: Midnight Mass

    12/24/2025

    ADVENT DAY 26: Midnight Mass

    Send us Fan Mail As Christmas draws near, this episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar turns to one of the most beloved and awe-filled traditions of the season: Midnight Mass. Dale is joined by Dr. Christy Snyder, our resident Catholic expert, to explore why this service holds such deep meaning—not only for Catholics, but across many liturgical Christian traditions. Dr. Snyder describes Midnight Mass as the turning point from Advent anticipation to Christmas celebration, when darkness gives way to light and the story of Christ’s birth is proclaimed in its fullest form. From darkened sanctuaries and candlelight to the procession of the Christ child, incense, and carefully chosen Scripture readings, Midnight Mass embodies the proclamation that “the light shines in the darkness.” The conversation reflects on childhood memories, family rituals, and the quiet power of worship at the threshold of Christmas, inviting listeners to rediscover Midnight Mass as a moment where reverence, beauty, and hope come together to mark the birth of Emmanuel—God with us.  The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    9 min
  7. ADVENT DAY 25: Armenian Christmas+ (Theophany)

    12/23/2025

    ADVENT DAY 25: Armenian Christmas+ (Theophany)

    Send us Fan Mail As the Church Potluck Advent Calendar draws near its conclusion, Dale is joined once again by Dr. Michael Papazian for a fascinating exploration of a tradition deeply rooted in his own faith: the Armenian Blessing of the Water, celebrated on January 6 as part of Theophany. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, Christmas, the baptism of Jesus, and the visit of the Magi are woven together into a single, profound celebration of God’s self-revelation to the world. Dr. Papazian explains how this ancient service centers on the blessing of water with a cross and holy oil—oil believed to carry a living continuity stretching back through the apostles, to Christ, and even to Moses himself. Parishioners take this blessed water home as a sign of shared faith, communal identity, and sacred continuity across centuries. This conversation offers listeners a fresh way to think about Epiphany—not as a single moment, but as an ongoing series of divine revelations—inviting Christians of every tradition to see Christ’s presence woven throughout time, ritual, and daily life. The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    14 min
  8. ADVENT DAY 24: Blessing of the Animals

    12/22/2025

    ADVENT DAY 24: Blessing of the Animals

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar, Dale is joined once again by Rev. Dr. Valerie Loner, pastor of Rome First United Methodist Church, for a joyful and surprisingly theological conversation about the Blessing of the Animals. Often associated with St. Francis of Assisi and typically celebrated in October, this beloved ritual takes on fresh meaning when viewed through the lens of Advent and Christmas. Dr. Loner reflects on the delight, holy chaos, and deep gratitude that surround these blessings—from dogs and cats to goats and goldfish—and explains how they remind us that God’s covenant extends not just to humanity, but to all living creatures. Connecting the practice to the nativity itself—where animals were present at Christ’s birth—this episode invites listeners to rediscover Christmas as a celebration of God’s love for all creation, and a reminder of our responsibility to care for it with joy and reverence.  The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

    8 min
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A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity! Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety of Christian traditions. Guests are friends and colleagues who are also experts in the fields of sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, divinity, and more.

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