Forefront Podcast
500 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsThe latest messages, interviews, and updates from Forefront Church based in Brooklyn, NY, but accessible from anywhere. Learn more at www.forefrontnyc.com.
Forefront Church is a fully inclusive, affirming-of-everyone-community based on the deeds of Christ not the religion and bureaucracy that followed. Our vision is to build a just and generous expression of the Christian faith. We are more interested in good questions than good answers.
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Episodes
Forefront Conversations with Chelsea Horvath-Black
April 29, 2022 05:00 - 54 minutes - 100 MBIt's easy to be cynical about how to approach an increasing population of homeless and unhoused citizens when many political figures express concern and care, but approach the problem by ignoring the problem at worst or forcing people into unsafe and overtaxed shelters at best. Chelsea Horvath-Black and the workers at City Relief recognize that this demographic -- the "least of these" as Christ said -- have been perpetually overlooked and ignored by political administrations and seek to meet ...
A GenderFULL God | God as He
April 24, 2022 15:15 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MBIn this opening week of the series we are invited to see God beyond cultural or biblical views of masculinity that change and differ over time; but instead to see God with a broader lens that draws from Scripture, tradition, reason and experiences. God is not and was not limited to Christ’s body. God manifests Gods self in both Christ's body while also doing so through the spirit, through creation, and through us humans who reflect the diversity and expansiveness of the imago dei... image of ...
Easter | The Birthplace of Joy
April 17, 2022 17:00 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBWatch Rev. Josh Lee preach on Easter Sunday 2022. Easter is a weird day because it’s filled with both grief and joy. Grief as a consequence of unnecessary government-sanctioned violence and joy, that death and violence won't have the last word. It’s because Mary stayed at the tomb with her grief… and wasn’t quick to rush home with the others that Mary is the first to see the risen Christ and experiences her sadness turned to joy.
Through The Wilderness | Peace Not Warfare
April 10, 2022 15:45 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBJesus Christ has come and provided access to the Kingdom of God to all! Palm Sunday sermon with Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins.
Through The Wilderness | In and Through Grief
April 03, 2022 15:15 - 26 minutes - 36.6 MBMental health has been at the center of conversation for the past two years. So many people have experienced loss and host of unexpected feelings and emotions over the past two years. It is important that we express ourselves, and not suppress our feelings which will help release the pain. Preacher: Rev. Vendida Rodman Jenkins
Through The Wilderness | Jesus, did you just spit on me?
March 27, 2022 16:00 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBJesus encounters one man who’s born blind and gives him sight by spitting in the dirt and rubbing mud in his eyes. Jesus was operating at a time when being disabled meant being poor, unemployed, and excluded from mainstream society. What if Jesus didn’t pity this mans differently abled status, but he pitied the way society excluded and looked down upon him? Unfortunately, even after this man is given sight his neighbors, the religious leaders and even his parents don’t see what miracle God ...
Forefront Conversations with Alex Vitale
March 23, 2022 17:02 - 56 minutes - 103 MBSince the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, there's been a lot of talk around the phrase "Defund the Police" and all that it entails. Shedding light on the conversation is Alex Vitale's book "The End of Policing," an in-depth look at the history of policing, its shortcomings in crime prevention, and an honest evaluation of how any and all contemporary attempts at "reform" will always fall short if police are continuously looked to as the first, last, and best method of dealing with homeles...
Through The Wilderness | Never Alone
March 20, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MBThe notion of "you’re never alone when you have Jesus in your heart" can feel dismissive of the real life pain and loneliness that comes with being in the wilderness. We have to endure Lent before Easter comes. What complex discoveries can we find when we acknowledge the nuance along the way? Watch Makenzie Gomez, Executive Producer speak about never being alone.
Through The Wilderness | Born Again 2.0
March 13, 2022 15:30 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MBIt's time to reframe Scripture that has been used to serve as the foundation for a belief system that would cause us to be accepted or rejected by God. We're advocating for a more inclusive Gospel and this is truly Good News. Watch Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins speak about Scriptural Interpretation, in "Born Again 2.0".
The Wander Years | Restructuring Our Faith
March 06, 2022 16:15 - 24 minutes - 33.6 MBWe aren’t the first generation to deconstruct or recover from church trauma… this has been apart of our human life cycle forever! In this sermon, Rev. Josh Lee focuses specifically on the wilderness season that Peter and the disciples found themselves in after Jesus death… full of questions, doubt, regret, uncertainty, perhaps certain of what they didn’t believe but unsure of what they do believe. Sunday we will glean from our ancestors on how they navigated reconstructing their faith after i...
Through The Wilderness | Restructuring Our Faith
March 06, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes - 33.6 MBWe aren’t the first generation to deconstruct or recover from church trauma… this has been apart of our human life cycle forever! In this sermon, Rev. Josh Lee focuses specifically on the wilderness season that Peter and the disciples found themselves in after Jesus death… full of questions, doubt, regret, uncertainty, perhaps certain of what they didn’t believe but unsure of what they do believe. Sunday we will glean from our ancestors on how they navigated reconstructing their faith after i...
Humility Through Diversity
February 27, 2022 16:30 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBOur different perspectives and backgrounds allow us to practice cultural humility where we are able to self reflect, value each other's culture, and develop mutually beneficial relationships all through the love of Christ. Listen to Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins in this final sermon in our series "The Wander Years".
The Wander Years | Thirst & Extravagance
February 20, 2022 15:45 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MBRev. Josh Lee speaks on the passage of Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). This passage reminds us that God is present where the wine has run out, waiting to be revealed in extravagant abundance where we too have run out of energy and patience and found ourselves wandering looking for renewal!
The Wander Years | A Season of Preparation
February 13, 2022 17:15 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBA Season of Preparation. Jesus experienced hunger and temptation during his time in the wilderness. Our wilderness experiences can be times of testing and preparation as the Holy Spirit leads us through various seasons of our lives. It's important to be patient through the process. Watch Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins speak about the positive sides of being in the wilderness for a while.
The Wander Years | Release Doubt
February 06, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 39.8 MBOn Jesus' twelfth birthday, he is finally allowed in the temple, but the problem was he didn’t exactly want to leave once he got there. When his parents realized he pulled a Home Alone stunt and found him amongst the religious leaders they doubted if he belonged there. How many of us have been told our culture is too different, we are too young, too old, too fat, too differently abled, too divorced, too single, too queer, too feminine to participate in the full life of the church. Well, Jesu...
Forever Forward | Planting A Tree
January 30, 2022 15:00 - 29 minutes - 40 MBWe welcome Joel Field this week as Guest Preacher. Joel is a long time Forefronter, preacher and financial advisor and strategist. Joel reminds us that Jesus showed us that it’s not about what we do as much as it is about where our heart is when we’re doing it.
Forever Forward | Kindness and Hospitality
January 23, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MBHospitality is the act of showing generosity and kindness and can be an extension of our worship. In our Forever Forward series, Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins talks about how important it is to look beyond ourselves, and consider how we can reimagine hospitality as an extension of our worship. Reimagine inviting people (guests, visitors, strangers) into our church, spaces, lives, stories, worlds.
Forever Forward | Steward Our Time & Treasure
January 16, 2022 16:15 - 33 minutes - 45.8 MBRev. Josh Lee draws from modern tips, personal experiences and wisdom literature in the book of Proverbs to discover some tips on how to steward our time and treasures (money) well. Where do we spend our money and our time? Do they align with our values? Long term goals? How might we realign and reassess as we enter a new year and find our way out of this pandemic?
Forever Forward | Follow The Light
January 09, 2022 17:00 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBFollow The Light | Sermon | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins The season of Epiphany can help ground us in the light and love of Jesus even during unprecedented times. Watch Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins preach as she opens our new Sermon Series, Forever Forward.
Hidden Figures of Advent: Angels and the Eternal Message
December 19, 2021 14:45 - 28 minutes - 38.7 MBAt our Christmas Celebration service, Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins unpacks the hidden meaning behind Angels, hidden figures of Advent and Worship Pastor Angela Lockett leads the band in a powerful and inspiring 2021 finale!
Forefront Conversations with Wil Gafney
December 16, 2021 00:08 - 30 minutes - 55.3 MBIf you've followed this podcast for a while, then you've already heard the name of Rev. Wil Gafney when we spoke with Char Adams, who had written a thesis on Womanist Theology and in this episode, we get to speak directly to the Right Rev. herself! A leading voice and intimidating intellect in the study of Womanism, Rev. Gafney speaks to Forefront about many topics including why the phrase "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" neglects the importance of biblical women figures and is indicati...
Hidden Figures of Advent: The Unseen Donkey
December 12, 2021 16:00 - 29 minutes - 40.8 MBRev. Josh Lee takes the stage and explores the hidden message behind the Advent figure: the Donkey. Have you every felt left out or unappreciated? Have you ever been the ass in a Christmas pageant? If you have, you probably weren’t very excited about it, few people want to be the donkey. The donkey is totally hidden and only a part of our sanctified imagination in the Christmas story. It’s only oral tradition, not written tradition that even has the donkey in the story. What can we learn fro...
Hidden Figures of Advent, Shepherds and The Good News
December 05, 2021 15:00 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBRev. Venida Rodman Jenkins reflects on the Shepherds and The Great Joy of Good News in our series: "Hidden Figures of Advent". The shepherds in ancient times were deemed to be unreliable witnesses, and these hidden figures received and shared the good news of the birth of the Christ child. There are things in our life which we may deem to be insignificant yet can bring great joy to someone else's life.
Hidden Figures of Advent, Herod and The Three Wise Men
November 28, 2021 15:30 - 23 minutes - 32.6 MBThis Sunday we began a new series: "Hidden Figures of Advent". Community Pastor Rev. Josh Lee took inspiration from the story of the three wise men and how the coming light of a star led the men to find hope and relief in a newborn baby. Are you in need of hope and relief? What burdens do you carry?
Forefront Conversations with Josh Lee
November 26, 2021 19:05 - 51 minutes - 95 MBLet's be honest, y'all - there's been a lot of transitions at Forefront recently and many of you have certainly been wondering what the future of our church is going to look like. Thankfully, with the commissioning of new Community Pastor, Josh Lee, we're all celebrating knowing what the next steps are going to look like as we work towards ushering in the next 500 years of Christianity! Deacon Jim is joined by Teaching Pastor, Venida Jenkins, and Executive Producer, Makenzie Gomez, to chat wi...
Keepin It Real, Creating Space for Forgiveness
November 21, 2021 15:15 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBDuring those times that we wrestle with pain and challenging situations where we find it difficult to forgive, God can help us release the burden of un-forgiveness and live with peace and freedom. Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins explores forgiveness in this service. This sermon marks the end of our "Keepin' It Real" series. Watch the entire series here: t.ly/4B4s.
Keepin It Real, Walking Through Shame
November 14, 2021 05:00 - 26 minutes - 35.2 MBWe're excited to welcome our new Community Pastor at Forefront, Rev. Josh Lee to the stage today as he tackles shame and how we might overcome it in our own lives.
Keepin It Real, The Politics of Fear
November 07, 2021 05:00 - 24 minutes - 32.6 MBIn our "Keepin' it real" sermon series, Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins presents a powerful message about fear. "It seems at times action from fear is easier than action from hope - how can we change that?".
Building a Radically Inclusive and Diverse Church
October 24, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 24.9 MBBuilding a radically inclusive and diverse Church requires understanding the difference between our written and our lived theology. In this sermon Guest Preacher Mark Charles challenges us to explore where we believe we are included into the Gospel story. And the answer might not be where we think. Systemic racism, white Christian Nationalism and implicit racial bias are continuing to dominate the national news and headlines. And unfortunately, the Church is not a place of refuge from the iss...
This Far By Faith, Forefront As A Stable Grounding Force
October 17, 2021 05:00 - 20 minutes - 20.1 MBMak Gomez takes to the stage and speak about the disciples and community. In the midst of loss, change or fear, where do we turn for stability, for reassurance? In this sermon, Mak reminds us of the love that surrounds us all as being part of a community. We aren't meant to go it alone.
Forefront Conversations with Mark Charles
October 11, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 138 MBYá’ át’ ééh. Mark Charles yinishyé. Tsin bikee dine’é nishłí. Dóó tó’aheedlíinii bá shíshchíín. Tsin bikee’ dine’é dashicheii. Dóó tódích’ íi’ nii dashinálí. In the Navajo culture, that is how Mark Charles - pastor, author, 2020 Presidential candidate - would introduce himself to you. Mark grew up believing the same narrative that we all believed: that America and the Church stood for justice and equality. But after moving his family from Denver, CO to a Navajo reservation and learning more...
This Far By Faith, Love and Dignify Your Neighbor
October 10, 2021 05:00 - 20 minutes - 23.8 MBLove and dignify your neighbor. Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins inspires us to consider how we can embrace others, regardless of differences, and how scripture speaks to this through the passage of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). Happy National Coming Out Day!
This Far By Faith, Finding Contentment and Freedom
September 26, 2021 05:00 - 30 minutes - 34.9 MBOur discontent with the challenges of life can be channeled into productive actions which can help us find contentment and freedom. Watch Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins in this third sermon in our "This Far, By Faith" series.
This Far By Faith, A New Dawn Rising
September 19, 2021 05:00 - 27 minutes - 27.8 MBGuest Preacher, Emmy Brett talks about change, about a new dawn rising. Emmy takes the recent changes at Forefront as inspiration for the continued journey to usher in the next 500 years of Christianity. We remain the change, and forge ahead. Though the church may not always have welcomed change, Jesus was a catalyst for change. How do we respond to his example and how do we adapt to the changes we see in our church and in our lives? In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, an entire globe has ...
Forefront Conversations with David Swanson
September 17, 2021 17:30 - 54 minutes - 99.4 MB“There is no such thing as a woke white person. That is a specimen of human that doesn’t exist. We will always be waking up.” These might be hard words for white allies to hear, but as the white pastor of a multiracial congregation on the South Side of Chicago, David Swanson knows a thing or two about it. In this episode, David talks about his history in the problematic worlds of mission work and church planting and how that informed his approach of servitude and equity when he was asked to b...
This Far By Faith, Is Church Still Relevant?
September 12, 2021 05:00 - 29 minutes - 34.4 MBWhy do you attend church? In our new series, "This Far, By Faith", we explore the underpinnings of faith. Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins starts us off with the basic question, "why church?" The church can be a beacon of hope promoting equity and working to end all forms of oppression. We've been through quite some change at Forefront these past months, but some things never change, especially when it comes to the Spirit.
WHAT IN THE...?? Spiritual Refugees
September 05, 2021 05:00 - 31 minutes - 31.1 MBThis past Sunday Guest Preacher, Pastor Josh Lee (he/him/his), shined his bright light on the Forefront congregation! Thank you, Josh! In this sermon, Josh Lee speaks about community. Many of us feel like spiritual refugees, fleeing, or being chased out of our communities of faith because we weren’t in a safe place anymore, or left because of oppressive doctrine. Our community at Forefront is made up of spiritual refugees and we can be an example of a community that doesn’t require uniformity...
What in the?!, Using Our Privilege for Justice
August 29, 2021 05:00 - 27 minutes - 29.2 MBWe're excited to welcome Forefront's Deacon Jim Rohner to deliver the message. Jim explores the story of Job. It's not a story that can be broken down into simplistic, easily conveyed morals. Instead, it's a complicated and nuanced look at a culture trying to find meaning amongst uncertainty, which in turn gives us permission to question the easy lessons that have been told we should believe. In fact, the story of Job has great relevance to what we're facing today with so many crises at our d...
WHAT IN THE...Story of Job
August 22, 2021 15:15 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBWe're excited to welcome Forefront's Deacon Jim Rohner to deliver the message. Jim explores the story of Job. It's not a story that can be broken down into simplistic, easily conveyed morals. Instead, it's a complicated and nuanced look at a culture trying to find meaning amongst uncertainty, which in turn gives us permission to question the easy lessons that have been told we should believe. In fact, the story of Job has great relevance to what we're facing today with so many crises at our ...
WHAT IN THE...”Just” Storytelling
August 15, 2021 15:15 - 24 minutes - 33.2 MBLanguage is life. Storytellers have great influence. Who gets to tell or interpret stories has a lot to do with privilege and power. Often times we find storytellers may not tell the most truthful or Just version. They may contort a story to fit their beliefs, or worse. This sermon touches on how storytelling through the lens of oppressive systems shape our lives and how we need to take control of the narrative. The sermon, broadly speaking, touches on poverty, immigration, and the myriad o...
WHAT IN THE...Imagination and Miracles
August 08, 2021 15:15 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MBA full house at the Roulette for this powerful, emotional and uplifting experience. We celebrate change and disruption, we reaffirm Vision and Mission, we give thanks and gratitude for the William's family for nurturing Forefront Church to a strong, solid community; for setting the foundation for a new Christianity. We continue the work to usher in the next 500 years of Christianity. In Jonathan Williams' final Sermon for Forefront, the Church he co-founded a decade ago, he talks about mirac...
WHAT IN THE...Women
August 01, 2021 15:15 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBIn this joint sermon with outgoing co-founder of Forefront Church, Jonathan Williams, and new Teaching Pastor, Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins, Jonathan inspires us with the Vision and Mission of Forefront and Venida speaks women in the Church. Why are people so opposed to women leading in ministry when the first preacher of the Gospel was Mary? Read our announcement about Jonathan and welcoming of Venida at: www.forefrontnyc.com/blog
Forefront Conversations with Venida C. Rodman Jenkins
July 31, 2021 23:55 - 53 minutes - 97.6 MBWe did it again, y'all - another pastor who never had any intentions of being a pastor has been hired at Forefront! Venida has been recently hired as Forefront's Teaching Pastor, filling the role left vacant with the recent announcement of the stepping down of longtime pastor and church co-founder, Jonathan Williams. This is a disruptive and transitionary period for the church for sure, but we're excited to have Venida on board to help us usher in the next 500 years of Christianity and we wan...
WHAT IN THE...Disruption
July 25, 2021 15:15 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBIn this sermon, Jonathan Williams explores how disruption is a place where God is perhaps most present. Disruptions mess with our lives and what we know. They take away our comfort. And worst of all, they make us grow. We hate growing. But these are the times when the divine is really up to something. On theme, Jonathan used this sermon to announce that he is leaving Forefront to pursue new challenges. He is choosing disruption in order to grow and learn. Read our announcement about Jonatha...
WHAT IN THE... The End
July 18, 2021 15:30 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBIn this second sermon of our “What in the…?” series, Joel Field, a “graduate” of our Preaching Bootcamp, tackles one of the strangest scriptures and uncovers how Jesus shows his love through the miracle involving a fish.
Forefront Conversations with Chris Dudley
July 15, 2021 06:16 - 55 minutes - 102 MBIt's one thing to be a Christian in a public space, but it's quite another thing to bear the mantle of being a "Christian band" when you're in your early 20s and playing music for millions of people around the world. Chris Dudley is a devout Christian and his band, Underoath, started out with the label of being a "Christian band" releasing their two most popular albums under the Tooth & Nail record label. But what does it mean to be a "Christian band?" What are the expectations thrust upon yo...
WHAT IN THE...Sodom and Gomorrah
July 11, 2021 14:45 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBWe welcome our second Forefront Guest Speaker, Emmy Brett. Emmy takes us on a fascinating journey into the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah isn't just about fire and brimstone, but about choosing holy resistance against evil and refusing to be a voyeur to systems of oppression.
WHAT IN THE...Our Bodies
July 04, 2021 15:15 - 15 minutes - 21.9 MBVenida Rodman Jenkins joins us again as Guest Preacher and closes our "Sex Positive" series. Many of us have been taught that our "flesh is a mess" which can lead to body shaming. Let's unpack this message and more as we seek to reclaim our bodies.
WHAT IN THE...Forgiveness
June 27, 2021 15:15 - 28 minutes - 38.5 MBWe're excited to welcome the first Guest Speaker from our "Forefront Preaching Bootcamp". Frank M. Espinal, a long time Forefronter, took to the stage and opened our new series "What in the...??" Frank explores the difference between forgiveness and redemption.
SEX POSITIVITY: ”Pro-Life”
June 20, 2021 15:00 - 26 minutes - 36.5 MBCan you be Pro-Choice and still be a Christian? Jonathan Williams tackles the church and their role in politicizing women's bodies. We're talking about abortion, which has become a Christian rallying point in the past 30 years. Our Pro-Life theology is actually way more political than Godly.