Change the Conversation
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratingsThe Change the Conversation podcast is a platform for honest conversation focused on building community, bringing people together, and spreading hope. Our mission is to love, serve, and encourage one another in Christ.
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Episodes
2.15 - Living with the Questions - Are We Going to Get Bored?
March 14, 2020 04:07 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBLast week, we talked about Hell, and this week we're headed in the other direction. What does the Bible actually say about Heaven? What can we know about it, and what can we say about it? There's not much we can say with certainty, but a few things we can say with confidence.
2.14 - Living with the Questions - Go to Church or the Devil Will Get You
March 06, 2020 21:20 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBWhat were you taught about Hell as a child? Did it involve pitch forks, lakes of fire, eternal conscious torment? In this episode, we dive into the weird, murky, and generally scary theology of Hell.
2.13 - Living with the Questions - Respecting the Limits
February 14, 2020 21:09 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBContinuing the "Living with the Questions" series, this week we're responding to questions on the theme of Religion vs. Science: - Must we accept only certain contributions from the scientific community or can both or all have some parts of the truth at once? - Why do we defend our faith against science? - How strong is our faith if we constantly feel the need to defend it? - Doesn’t science also require faith? - Are we hypocrites when we embrace and celebrate scientific innovations as God-g...
2.12 - Living with the Questions
January 31, 2020 17:48 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBHow have so many Christians become convinced that the life of faith should be full of certainty and free from questions? This week we explore some of the faith questions from our formative years, and discuss the role of doubt in the Christian life.
2.11 - Multiple Bottom Lines
January 06, 2020 22:41 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBNew year, renewed commitment to changing the conversation. Why is this important? Is it naive to talk about hope in the face of evil and tragedy in the world? Don't people need to be told when they're wrong? Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks
2.10 - No Feats of Strength, Only a Few Grievances
December 25, 2019 00:16 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBA little bit of stream-of-consciousness talk on Christmas and the new year, along with thoughts on why "changing the conversation" proves so challenging. Jordan Lawson, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks
2.09 - In the Beginning - One Language, Few Words
November 25, 2019 22:14 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBWe finish our "In the Beginning" series this week with a look at Genesis chapter 11 and the story of the "Tower of Babel."
2.08 - In the Beginning - A Children's Story(?)
November 19, 2019 22:18 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBThis week we discuss the story of the Flood and Noah's Ark. Did God do something evil? Was this all part of the plan? We dive into the story of a hero who wasn't very heroic, a happy ending that maybe isn't so comforting, and a children's story with some very grown-up themes. Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks
2.07 - In the Beginning - My Brother's Keeper
November 04, 2019 22:36 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBWhat does it mean to live "East of Eden"? What does it mean to be our brother's keeper? Why does God ask questions he already knows the answer to? All this an more as we continue our "In the Beginning" series exploring the first stories of the Bible with a look at Cain and Abel. Melinda Sparks, Sam Hawkins, Robby White, Jordan Lawson
2.06 - In the Beginning - You Had One Job
October 23, 2019 17:59 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBThis week we dive into the story of the Garden of Eden, and try to arrive at a more complete and more powerful understanding of this ancient text. How would have been read by the audiences it was first written for? What do we lose with a literal interpretation? What does this story have to tell us today? Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks
2.05 - In the Beginning - If God Created It, It's Good
October 09, 2019 19:00 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBWeek one of our series exploring the stories that open the book of Genesis, and why they matter to us today. "In the beginning, God created." This may be the most powerful statement in the Bible, but can be easy to overlook. Many of us carry baggage around the creation story, having been taught it as a literal, narrow, and anti-scientific account of the first seven days. Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks.
2.04 - Behind the Curtain - Ministry in the Real Wold
August 26, 2019 17:45 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBPart Two of our "Behind the Curtain" series exploring behind-the-scenes aspects of ministry. This week we're talking about the life of a minister. Are we living in the "real world"? How do you balance the needs of a congregation with the importance of authenticity? How do you deal with the inevitable Imposter Syndrome? How do you find ways to stay spiritually "fed" so that you can help to feed others? Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Melinda Sparks
2.03 - Behind the Curtain - Inspiration Doesn't Happen Only in the Pulpit
August 19, 2019 22:00 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBPart One of our "Behind the Curtain" series exploring behind-the-scenes aspects of ministry. This week we're talking about preaching--balancing inspiration and preparation, letting the text be the guide, learning how to say what the congregation needs to hear, and various challenges that arise along the way. Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Melinda Sparks, Sam Hawkins
2.02 - If I'm Right, You Must Be Wrong
August 16, 2019 00:12 - 33 minutes - 31 MBIf the Church ought to be the place where we can come together and embrace diversity, why does it seem that Christians are so willing to divide over every disagreement? We offer our perspectives, as a group of denominational misfits, on what causes the problem and how to begin to fix it. Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Melinda Sparks
2.01 - Renewal and Inspiration
August 08, 2019 04:05 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBWe begin a new season of the Change the Conversation Podcast with a discussion of the need for renewal in all things, as well as a look at some things that inspire us. Jordan Lawson, Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks
Episode 26 - Hope for the Future
June 26, 2019 21:18 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBWe are joined this week by Locust Grove's summer interns for the youth and children's departments, Ally and Maggie. We talk about the experience of the "Gen Z" Christian, the way the Church adapts over the course of history, and what the future holds. Robby White, Melinda Sparks, Sam Hawkins, Ally Williams, Maggie Broyles
Episode 25 - The Enneagram: Kryptonite Types, Pet Peeves, and Constant Revelations
June 19, 2019 21:53 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBThis week we talk more about the Enneagram. Why talk about it in church? How does it help us navigate everyday life, relationships, and personal growth? Jordan Lawson, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks
Episode 24 - The Enneagram, as Seen from the Dyad of Social Awkwardness
June 14, 2019 21:28 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBThis week we take a look at the Enneagram, specifically our section of it. We talk a little about the gifts and challenges of Fours and Fives, and how the Enneagram provides opportunities for growth. Sam Hawkins (4w5), Melinda Sparks (4w3), and Jordan Lawson (5w4)
Episode 23 - If You Aim at Nothing You Will Hit It Every Time
June 05, 2019 17:17 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBWhat does it mean to live with direction? How do we find "true north"? Is the First Commandment talking to us when it talks about not worshiping idols? This week we're talking about finding your purpose and living wisely. Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Sam Hawkins
Episode 22 - Don't Fritter, Maybe Fast from Twitter
May 31, 2019 14:58 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBWe continue our discussion of the challenges of living with intention in the modern world. In particular, we discuss technology addiction and ways to make better use of our time spent with screens. Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Sam Hawkins
Episode 21 - How We Use Our Minutes
May 22, 2019 22:34 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBThere are countless opportunities for distraction in the modern world, which can make it hard to live intentionally. This week we talk about our own struggles with technology addiction, the realization that we can't "do it all", and what it means to live with intention. Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Sam Hawkins
Episode 20 - The Worst Sermon You've Ever Heard
May 16, 2019 20:48 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBThis week we talk about what makes a bad sermon, what bad preaching can do to a congregation, and what we can do to make it better. We also share a few of the worst things we've heard from the pulpit. Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Melinda Sparks, Sam Hawkins
Episode 19 - Unless I See (Recorded During Worship 4-28-2019)
May 02, 2019 16:29 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBJohn 20:24-29 (NRSV) 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace...
Episode 18 - Recognizing the Risen Christ
April 26, 2019 15:16 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBWe close our Holy Week series with a discussion of the empty tomb and the risen Christ. What does it mean that none of the disciples recognized him at first? Why does Jesus' risen body still have scars? If the Resurrection occurred, should it inform every part of our lives? Does it? Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Melinda Sparks, Sam Hawkins
Episode 17 - This Is a Love Story
April 12, 2019 14:09 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBIn the modern world, it's easy to see the cross and forget the violence it represents. How did Jesus take a symbol of oppression and turn it into a symbol of God's love for the world? This week we talk about the cross: what it represented then and what it means to us now. Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks, Jordan Lawson
Episode 16 - Two Parades Into the City
April 06, 2019 00:20 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBWe discuss the entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Why that time and place? Why that method? What would the people present on that day have thought was coming? Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks, Jordan Lawson
Episode 15 - Finding Your Place at the Table
March 07, 2019 20:57 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBFamilies gather at the table, where connection is found and we see each other's humanity. When the prodigal son returned home, his father gathered everyone around the table to celebrate, but the older son would rather wait outside. This week we talk about finding yourself and finding your place at the table. Robby White, Melinda Sparks, Jordan Lawson #changetheconversation
Episode 14 - Defining Moments: Disorientation
February 28, 2019 00:05 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBWe explore the idea of life's journey being defined by points of "orientation" and "disorientation," and discuss those moments in our life where we felt that shift. We also talk about the importance of being open to change, new information, and opposing views. Robby White, Melinda Sparks, Katie Haggard, Jordan Lawson
Episode 13 - Reading Is Fundamental
February 20, 2019 21:06 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBWhat are the books that have changed your life, rocked your world, or generally had a big impact on your outlook? This week we're talking about the books that have influenced us. Robby White, Melinda Sparks, Jordan Lawson, Katie Haggard
Episode 12 - Things I Never Thought I'd Share on the Podcast
February 07, 2019 20:34 - 36 minutes - 33 MBThis week we're talking about Defining Moments--those places in our life where one event or one decision became crucial in making us who we are today. Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Melinda Sparks, Katie Haggard, Sam Hawkins
Episode 11 - The Church I Couldn't Quit
February 04, 2019 16:34 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBMelinda had sworn off of Baptist churches. Sam never got taken off the rolls. Katie tried to quit four times. Robby is Jordan's mom's favorite Baptist preacher. We describe the varied paths that led us to a baptist (with a lowercase 'b') church in New Market, Alabama, and talk a little about why we feel this place is special and what we hope it can be in the future. Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks, Katie Haggard, Jordan Lawson
Episode 10 - Claiming the Name
January 28, 2019 16:06 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBWhat makes someone a Christian? What if someone follows a different "formula" for joining the church? What does it mean to call yourself "Christian" in a time when that title carries significant baggage? Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Jordan Lawson, Katie Haggard
Episode 9 - Jesus in Three Dimensions
January 25, 2019 16:46 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBWhat is your image of Jesus? How does that influence your understanding of God, and how does it affect the way you live? Robby White, Jordan Lawson, and Sam Hawkins
Episode 8 - God Talk
January 16, 2019 23:51 - 32 minutes - 30 MBEpisode 8 - God Talk by Locust Grove Baptist Church
Episode 7 - Good News of Great Joy
December 21, 2018 03:04 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBLuke 2:8-18 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrappe...
Episode 6 - Encourage One Another
December 15, 2018 02:55 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBIn this episode, we do a round of introductions of the Change the Conversation team, then discuss encouragement. Who needs it? Why do we need it? How can we get better at it? Change the Conversation is Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Melinda Sparks, Katie Haggard, and Sam Hawkins.
Episode 5 - A Cross Between the Chairs
December 06, 2018 04:02 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBHow do we balance the strength of our convictions with an openness to dialogue with those who disagree? What is the value of diversity in the church? Change the Conversation is Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Melinda Sparks, Katie Haggard, and Sam Hawkins.
Episode 4 - 'Tis the Season to Love One Another
November 29, 2018 16:41 - 32 minutes - 30 MBWhat does it mean to "love one another"? How do we love the ones we find it hard to like? We explore these questions, talk about how "love one another" is harder than it seems, and look ahead to the season of Advent as an opportunity to practice Christian love. Change the Conversation is Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Katie Haggard, Melinda Sparks, and Sam Hawkins
Episode 3 - Serve One Another (from November 25th Worship Service)
November 27, 2018 00:30 - 24 minutes - 22 MBWhat does it mean to "have the mind of Christ"? What is the source of authentic Christian service? Recorded during worship at Locust Grove Baptist Church, this conversation explores what it means to "serve one another" Featuring Robby White, Jordan Lawson, Katie Haggard, Sam Hawkins, and Melinda Sparks
Episode 2 - Be at Peace with Each Other
November 16, 2018 00:26 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBIn this second episode of the Change the Conversation podcast, we explore the idea of being "at peace with each other". What does it mean to be at peace with each other? How can we learn to disagree more peacefully, and even argue more effectively? Featuring Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks, and Katie Haggard. #changetheconversation
Episode 1 - Why Change the Conversation?
November 07, 2018 21:25 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBIn a time of division, hateful rhetoric, and general unpleasantness, the ministry team from Locust Grove discusses why we need to change the conversation. Featuring Robby White, Sam Hawkins, Melinda Sparks, Katie Haggard, and Jordan Lawson.