A Family in Black and White with Dr. Spenser Simrill Jr.
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What happens when you discover your family tree has branches on both sides of America's racial divide? Dr. Spenser Simrill Jr.'s journey began with simple curiosity about his family name and evolved into a profound story of reconciliation that's now the subject of a CNN documentary.
In this episode Bishop Wright has a conversation with Dr. Spenser Simrill Jr. and his discovery while teaching family history at the University of Georgia. Spenser found an alternate spelling of his surname that unlocked an unexpected connection – in 1871, a Black woman named Harriet Simrill testified against the Ku Klux Klan in a federal Reconstruction trial. Given the distinctive nature of his family name, Spenser realized there must be a connection through enslavement. This suspicion was confirmed when he found a Facebook suggestion for a Black man his age from his father's hometown with the original spelling of their shared surname.
Eleven years later, the two families reunite annually, have produced an Audible podcast called "Once Removed: An American Family Reunion," and are featured in CNN's "A Family in Black and White." Their story challenges the notion that denial is the only way to handle difficult historical truths. Instead, Spenser demonstrates how confronting these realities leads to healing and wholeness. Spenser's work reminds us that we are one human family despite our painful history. By choosing to be storytellers who look unflinchingly at reality, we become "peace warriors" committed to recognizing our fundamental interconnectedness. Listen in for the full conversation.
Dr. Spenser Simrill Jr, is the creator of the Once Removed podcast and a TEDx speaker on racial healing. His research has informed reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland, Liberia, and across the American South—culminating in the first historical marker in South Carolina to mention the Ku Klux Klan.
His work has appeared on CNN’s The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, Audible Originals, The New York Times, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and TEDx Asheville.
His students have won multiple international competitions, including two wins and an honorable mention in The New York Times Best Student Podcast Contest. Spenser lives with his family in Arden, North Carolina, and teaches at Christ School.
#4 We Believe!
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What does it really mean to be a sinner? When stripped to its Greek roots, sin simply means "missing the mark."
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about sin and what Jesus' approach. The religious elite's biggest complaint against Jesus? That he dined with and welcomed those who missed the mark. "Now that's my kind of God," Bishop Wright reflects. This divine comfort with imperfect people creates a powerful invitation for all of us to bring our whole selves to faith.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
#3 We Believe
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
True freedom emerges not from the world's prescription of unbridled self-indulgence, but through faithful obedience."Truth in advertising" is how Bishop Wright describes Jesus' approach to discipleship. Unlike our romantic relationships, where we rarely calculate what love will cost us before diving in, Jesus takes a refreshingly honest approach. He stands at the threshold and asks us to pause, reflect, and genuinely count the cost before committing to follow him.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that explores this radical invitation found in Luke 14, where Jesus uses hyperbolic language about "hating" family members not as a literal command, but to emphasize a hierarchy of commitments. When we prioritize pleasing others above following God's path, we become trapped in what Bishop Wright calls "the quicksand of people-pleasing," which ultimately diminishes our capacity for authentic discipleship. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
#2 We Believe
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What happens when our religious rules collide with human suffering? In Luke 13, Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath despite religious opposition. Jesus' act models the need to push beyond the status quo.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that invites us to examine how our own spiritual boundaries might be limiting our capacity for compassion. "Why don't God's children have housing? Why isn't there equal access to medicine? Why don't God's children have a living wage in a wealthy country?" Bishop Wright's own questions challenge us to move beyond vertical adoration of God toward horizontal service to others. In a world overwhelmed by division and breaking news alerts, he offers a remedy: remembering who we are and whose we are. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
#1 We Believe
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
"When we say that we believe, we are saying that we are in the response position." In our latest series, Bishop Wright invites us to consider the profound implications of the declaration "We Believe" that unites Christians across time, denomination, and geography.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about what it truly means to believe. Far more than intellectual agreement, belief positions us in relationship to a God who exists whether we acknowledge it or not. When we stand and recite ancient creeds, we join a timeless community of faith—standing "spiritually shoulder to shoulder with generations who have gone before and generations yet to come." This connection reminds us that faith is both deeply personal and inherently communal. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Treasure
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
How do we respond when the winds of division, uncertainty and despair threaten to blow us off our center? We go deep into what we believe! This episode introduces the new series "We Believe!". Bishop Wright chose this series title because belief defines us, consoles us and guides us no matter the seasons of life.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that shifts the understanding of belief itself - moving beyond intellectual agreement to embrace trust as the foundation of faith. "When we say we believe," Bishop Wright explains, "that word is actually better rendered 'trust.' We are the people who say we trust God." This distinction transforms how we approach our spiritual journey, especially in times of division and anxiety. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Exploring Dignity with Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
The concept of dignity—the unwavering worth within each human being—lies at the heart of our religious traditions, political systems, and human interactions. But what does it mean to respect someone's dignity, especially when society has trained us to look away?
In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with Dr. Beth Sarah Wright, author of "DIGNITY: Seven Strategies for Creating Authentic Community", centered on James 3:18. They discuss human dignity and how genuine community emerges when we honor each person's inherent value.
"Dignity isn't a moral imperative, nor is it a political imperative—it really is a human imperative," Dr. Wright explains. She unpacks how respect etymologically means "to look again," challenging us to see beyond our initial judgments to recognize the full humanity in others. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright is an Atlanta-based author, dynamic speaker, and strategic thought partner who inspires and drives transformation in communities, institutions, and individual lives—all while centering human dignity.
As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Thrive With Dignity, LLC, Dr. Wright partners with organizations to build authentic, thriving communities. She works with a wide range of institutions—schools and universities, corporations, nonprofits, and faith communities—using her signature DIGNITY Lens©. This powerful framework, grounded in seven strategic pillars, helps organizations interrogate their practices, align with their core values, and embed human dignity into the very structures that shape daily life. More than a framework, the DIGNITY Lens© is both a leadership tool and an integrity compass—empowering communities to increase capacity, make meaningful progress, and change outcomes in sustainable ways.
She is the author of seven influential books, covering topics from organizational integrity and adaptive leadership to depression, healing, and spiritual growth. Her book DIGNITY: Seven Strategies for Creating Authentic Community (2020), selected as the 2023 featured book of the year by the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), along with its companion The DIGNITY Lens Workbook, offers a practical and transformative approach to leadership, strategic decision-making, and creative problem-solving. These resources have been used across sectors to conduct integrity audits and enhance alignment with mission and purpose.
Prayer with The Rev. Canon Salmoon Bashir
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
When Jesus' disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray," they recognized how Jesus connected with the Divine. The prayer the disciples asked for wasn’t about polished words. It was about relationship.
In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with The Rev. Canon Salmoon Bashir about prayer and its power to transform our spiritual lives. Salmoon shares the story of how his mother instilled prayer as a non-negotiable daily practice in their family life. The conversation reveals how early formation in prayer creates patterns that sustain us through life's complexities.
Prayer emerges not as a performance or obligation but as relationship-building with the divine. "The focus of prayer is to be like Jesus, love like Jesus, pray like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, welcome strangers like Jesus," Salmoon explains. This relational approach dismantles the anxiety many feel about "praying correctly," affirming that from ancient liturgical traditions to simple heartfelt words, there's no wrong way to pray. As Salmoon prepares to pass these prayer traditions to his four-month-old son by reading Psalms at bedtime, we're reminded that prayer forms not just our spiritual lives but the generations that follow. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
The Rev. Canon Salmoon Bashir serves as the Canon for Liturgy and Ecumenism at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Originally from Pakistan, Salmoon brings over a decade of experience in offering compassionate and thoughtful leadership across multicultural, multi-faith contexts in the United States, Pakistan, Iraq, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Georgia.
Before ordained ministry, Salmoon worked as a Project Engineer in the oil and gas industry in the Middle East. Responding to a vocational call, he joined the Community of St. Anselm at Lambeth Palace in London, serving alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury. He later moved to the Republic of Georgia, where he served as Assistant Pastor in a vibrant, multiethnic, and multidenominational church.
Salmoon's call to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church led him to Atlanta, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree with a Certificate in Episcopal-Anglican Studies and a Chaplaincy concentration from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. In addition to his ministry, Salmoon serves on several academic, religious, and nonprofit boards. He is married to Mari, a fellow graduate of Candler School of Theology, who works with a faith-based nonprofit organization.
Relationship with Justin Strickland
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Have you ever considered the difference between being a tourist and being a pilgrim? Justin Strickland discovered this distinction firsthand during his transformative journey to Ghana and the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast, the companion diocese of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. His story reveals how true pilgrimage reshapes our understanding of presence, relationship, and spiritual growth.
In this episode, Melissa and Justin have a conversation about Justin's recent pilgrimage and how it mirrors the tension of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 - the challenge of balancing doing with being. While Martha is busy attending to the practical needs of preparing for Jesus, Mary chooses to sit at his feet, listening to his teachings. Through visits to slave trade sites and immersion in Cape Coast's vibrant Anglican worship, Justin discovered the power of stepping away from constant activity to truly listen and connect.
The journey began as historical exploration but blossomed into something far more meaningful - genuine relationships that continue to flourish across oceans. "We're such a doing people that we get so caught up in the doing that we forget when those holy moments to stop doing are," he reflects. His story challenges us all to recognize when we need to be Martha (doing) and when we need to be Mary (being) - finding those sacred moments where stopping to listen transforms not just our experience but our very selves. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Justin Strickland is a lifelong Christian who was raised in the Pentecostal tradition but found his spiritual home in The Episcopal Church. He is an active member of the Cathedral of St. Philip and a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the life of the church. Recently, Justin deepened his faith journey by participating in a pilgrimage to Ghana. His life reflects a commitment to justice, community, and faithful witness.
Receiving with The Rev. Tricia Templeton
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Over the next four weeks, For People will feature special guests from the Diocese of Atlanta: The Rev. Tricia Templeton, Justin Strickland, The Rev. Canon Salmoon Bashir, and Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright. Each guest will write that week's For Faith weekly devotional and join For People host Melissa Rau to dive deeper into their reflections. Join us each week as they share their stories and insights.
In the first guest episode, Melissa has a conversation with The Rev. Tricia Templeton centered on the parable of the Good Samaritan. During Tricia's time serving in the Peace Corps in the early 1980s, she experienced a frightening situation when thieves broke into her Malaysian hotel room while she slept, stealing everything except her passport. Stranded with no money and limited options, she encountered unexpected compassion from a Thai woman prostitute. This stranger provided meals, packed lunch for Tricia's journey, and gave her emergency money—going far beyond basic assistance. The parallels to Jesus' radical parable are striking: help often comes from those we least expect. As Tricia wisely observes, "The most unlikely person might be just the person who has what you need at that moment." Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
The Rev. Tricia Templeton has been rector of St. Dunstan’s for 21 years. She previously served churches in Knoxville and Chattanooga. Before going to seminary she was a newspaper reporter and editor and a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand.
Vengeance
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
When we've been hurt or rejected, vengeance may be something we desire. Christian maturity helps us build capacities to defer and fend off the need for vengeance.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about vengeance. Using Luke 9:51-62, they unpack Jesus' response when his disciples wanted to "rain fire and brimstone" on a Samaritan village that rejected them. Jesus rebukes their desire for vengeance suggesting that vengeance distracts those who have decided to pursue the kingdom of God. Whether we're discussing global conflicts or personal relationships, the space between being triggered and responding represents our opportunity for growth. "Whatever triggers you is trying to set you free," Bishop Wright notes, suggesting our reactions point to places where healing is needed. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Jesus of Nazareth with Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr.
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What happens when we strip away centuries of religious interpretation and confront the actual teachings of Jesus of Nazareth? This Jesus isn't the gentle, apolitical figure often presented in modern Christianity, but rather "a holistically spiritual freedom fighter" deeply concerned with poverty, exploitation, and injustice.
In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr., research scholar at Columbia University and former professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. Their conversation reminds us that Jesus as a radical social reformer whose message has been systematically diluted. Dr. Hendricks draws on St. Paul's emphasis on individual spiritual experiences to convey his message. "Paul transformed Jesus' concern for collective social, economic and political deliverance into an obsession with personal piety," Hendricks explains, suggesting that many Christians today understand Jesus primarily through St. Paul's interpretation, which fundamentally altered the trajectory of Jesus' radical message. Listen in for the full conversation.
A lifelong social activist, Obery Hendricks is one of the foremost commentators on the intersection of religion and political economy in America. He is the most widely read and perhaps the most influential African American biblical scholar writing today. Cornel West calls him “one of the last few grand prophetic intellectuals.”
A widely sought lecturer and media spokesperson, Dr. Hendricks’ appearances include CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Fox News, Fox Business News, the Discovery Channel, PBS, BBC, NHK Japan Television and the Bloomberg Network. He has provided running event commentary for National Public Radio, MSNBC, and the al-Jazeera and Aspire international television networks.
Learn more about Dr. Obery Hendricks and subscribe to his substack.
Truth
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What happens when we encounter truth we aren't ready for? Jesus' words about the Spirit of Truth were a guide to his disciples who couldn't yet bear everything their teacher had to share. Jesus' teachings on the Spirit of Truth remain a guide for us today too!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about truth and the weigh it carries in our lives. Most of us resist truth because we don't want our failures and frailties exposed. Yet spiritual maturity manifests in precisely this capacity: can we hear unflattering truths about ourselves without crumbling? Can we embrace both our status as sinners and saints? The liberating truth Jesus offers is that we don't need to earn our worth—we're already infinitely valued in God's eyes! Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Diversity
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
"Diversity belongs to God's imagination." With this bold statement, Bishop Rob Wright cuts through the political noise surrounding conversations about human difference. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore how the ancient biblical story of Pentecost offers a divine endorsement of human diversity that transcends modern political debates.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Pentecost centered around Acts 2:1-21 where the Holy Spirit descends on a linguistically and ethnically diverse gathering, creating understanding without erasing distinctiveness. This divine affirmation of difference provides a powerful counterpoint to modern anxieties about diversity. As Bishop Wright observes, "We can't see all of God until we see all of us," reminding listeners that our differences reflect God's creative abundance rather than problems to be solved. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Release
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Prison takes many shapes and forms. The size of an individuals home or investment portfolio pales in comparison to true spiritual release - a freedom of purpose, clarity, and belonging that transcends physical limitations. This God given release is true freedom!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright delve into Acts 16, reflecting on the story of Paul and Silas. Imprisoned yet singing joyfully after freeing a slave girl from demonic possession, their experience serves as a powerful metaphor. The conversation explores themes of oppression and freedom, highlighting a recurring pattern in human history: the tendency to define freedom as "keeping a foot on someone else's neck."
Bishop Wright contrasts this with the radically different model offered by Jesus—liberation that lifts others rather than subjugates them. He emphasizes that before we can transform societal systems, we must first confront the "prisons" within ourselves: the grudges we cling to, the biases we perpetuate, and the wealth we hoard while others are deprived of life's basic needs. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Speech
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Words create worlds. From Genesis where God speaks creation into being, to Jesus asking a paralyzed man, "Do you want to be made well?", speech carries the power to transform reality. But what happens when certain topics become unspeakable?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that explores how modern society increasingly avoids difficult conversations. Using Jesus' healing story, Bishop Wright reveals how bringing things into speech opens pathways to healing and resurrection. They also discuss more recent examples including the evolution of Malcolm X's speech as his heart expanded, the way Muhammad Ali voiced what many thought but dared not say about Vietnam, and how Pope Francis's humble question "Who am I to judge?" transformed Catholic discourse. At its core lies a powerful truth: authentic speech flows from the heart's abundance. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Creative
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
God does some of God's best work in the darkness! These painful periods hold unexpected creative potential—a perspective shared by both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech and Jesus in his final hours with his disciples. Dr. King spoke during a time of profound national division. Yet he saw beyond immediate chaos to "a genuine civilization struggling to be born." Similarly, Jesus, facing betrayal and death, used that moment to wash his disciples' feet and establish a new commandment of love that would define his followers for centuries.
Drawing comparisons between Dr. King's words from and Jesus' commandment in John 13, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation on how turmoil itself can become the raw material for transformation. What current turmoil in your life might contain creative possibility? Listen in fo the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Suspense
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Being in relationship with God is accompanied by suspense. Even in the bible, John 10: 22-30, Jesus is asked "Are you the Messiah? How long will you keep us in suspense?" Faith in God meets in the tensions of certainty and the suspense of the unknown.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the suspense that accompanies faith. Bishop Wright offers a perspective that transforms how we view life's uncertainties. "The suspense is not if there's God, the suspense is how will God choose to be God and on what timeline." This distinction invites us to shift from demanding answers to embracing relationship. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
We have developed a survey to better understand how Bishop Wright's For People Podcast can continue to inspire, engage, and serve our listeners. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey here.
More
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What do we do with our wounds? When betrayal cuts deep, when painful experiences leave scars, we have control of how we move forward - with God's help. Jesus' post-resurrection appearances challenge our conventional responses to hurt. Jesus, freshly risen from death after being betrayed by his closest followers, doesn't seek distance or retribution. Instead, he passes through locked doors to reconnect with the very people who abandoned him. This radical choice reveals what authentic power looks like: not domination or revenge, but the capacity to remain engaged despite deep wounds.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about that first post-resurrection gathering. Bishop Wright unpacks what he calls "God's perpetual Easter pattern" of unlocking, transforming, and redeeming. This divine process takes our wounds seriously without allowing them to become our primary identity. Just as Jesus acknowledged his wounds without making them the focal point, we too can validate our pain while asking the essential question: "Now what?" The answer lies in allowing God to recycle even our most painful experiences into bridges of connection with others. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
250th Special
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
This week we celebrate 250 episodes of our Podcast, For People! From its inception until now our purpose has been singular, to talk about God, God’s goodness and how we might respond to this good God made known to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus far, we have listeners in 142 countries. An immense thank you goes to Easton Davis, our producer, and Melissa Rau, my conversation partner, most weeks. Incredibly affirming and instructive for us in this work is that we have heard from so many telling us about the ways For People has been a blessing, companion and inspiration for them in their life with Christ. Please know that we understand it to be a privilege to make this offering. Psalm 118 helps me say how I really feel about this milestone, "You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good….” -Bishop Rob Wright
In the 250th episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright take listeners on a journey through some of the most profound moments from past conversations on For People. The four soundbites from podcasts guests include The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin, Archbishop Hosam Elias Naom, Texas State Representative James Talarico, and Bishop Mariann Budde. These soundbites represent critical intersections of faith and life emphasizing the importance of moral leadership in our world today. Listen in for the full conversation.
In celebrating 250 episodes, we have developed a survey to better understand how Bishop Wright's For People Podcast can continue to inspire, engage, and serve our listeners. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve the content, format, and overall experience of the podcast. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey here.
Authority
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Authority comes in many forms, but as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, he modeled an understanding that may transform how we view our empowerment. While crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" one day and "Crucify him!" shortly after, Jesus remained steadfast. Neither public praise nor rejection sways him from his purpose. This spiritual maturity stands as both a challenge and an invitation to us – can we remain faithful to our calling regardless of external forces?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Jesus' authority using his return to Jerusalem as the backdrop. Bishop Wright distinguishes holding positions of leadership and living into God-given authority. "Jesus never said 'come and sit in a building and hear words wash over you,'" he reminds us. Rather, being authorized by Jesus means joining him in active ministry – what Bishop Wright calls Jesus' "never-ending, ever-unfolding neighborly campaign." This reframing challenges each baptized Christian to recognize they've already been empowered to serve, rather than waiting for ordained leadership to act. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Growing Up in Christ! | Loss
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Loss hits hardest when we love deeply. How do we face it without denial or paralysis? In John 12, at a dinner for Jesus after Lazarus' resurrection, his friends respond to impending loss differently—Lazarus with nostalgia, Martha with busyness, and Judas with business. But Mary offers a different way: acknowledging a loss that draws her closer to Jesus.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about loss. They use the dinner party to unpack how people respond to loss. Bishop Wright reminds us that Jesus is equipped to guide us through loss because he understands betrayal, rejecting, and unjust suffering. Jesus' loss offers wisdom for navigating not just death, but all forms of loss—including the losses that accompany change. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 5 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Growing Up in Christ! | Empathy
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Empathy is not just about intellect. Empathy is about putting flesh on Christian ideals. It's about compassion enough for everyone. The story of The Prodigal Son is one of Jesus' parables thats reaches beyond the Christian faith. In the story, Jesus stretches empathy wide for everyone involved.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about empathy, focusing on the story of The Prodigal Son. Using the story as inspiration, they discuss how God calls us to make community from the very things that cause divide. In the words of Bishop Wright, this is perhaps the best story Jesus ever told. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 4 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Growing Up in Christ! | Curiosity
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
When Moses noticed a burning bush and decided to investigate rather than ignore it, he unwittingly set in motion events that would liberate an entire people from slavery. What might happen if we approached our faith with similar holy curiosity?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about remaining curious with our faith matters. They discuss how curiosity serves as the gateway to authentic worship and meaningful action. Our willingness to approach the unusual, to ask questions rather than settle for easy answers, often precedes our most profound encounters with God. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 3 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Growing Up in Christ! | Maladjusted
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
To grow up in Christ will make you maladjusted to the world. St. Paul was a Roman citizen - the platinum standard for the age. Yet, in Paul's letter to the Philippians, he reminds us that we are citizens of heaven living on earth. What are the costs of this heavenly citizenship? As we grow up in Jesus, we get a glimpse of how we have adjusted ourselves to a world in open opposition to truth, peace, love and justice.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about becoming maladjusted to the world as it is. To become maladjusted, Bishop Wright outlines three essential movements in spiritual formation: the upward reach to God, the inward alignment with God's will, and the outward push toward the world God loves. When we neglect any of these dimensions, our relationship with God becomes deficient. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 2 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
A Family in Black and White with Dr. Spenser Simrill Jr.
28:57
#4 We Believe!
14:20
#3 We Believe
14:41
#2 We Believe
22:53
#1 We Believe
25:32
Treasure
18:36
Exploring Dignity with Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright
25:20
Prayer with The Rev. Canon Salmoon Bashir
19:07
Relationship with Justin Strickland
16:02
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Receiving with The Rev. Tricia Templeton
13:59
Vengeance
20:12
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Jesus of Nazareth with Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr.
28:52
Truth
20:27
Diversity
19:51
Release
23:39
Speech
19:42
Creative
22:56
Suspense
20:08
More
20:45
250th Special
30:17
Authority
23:37
Growing Up in Christ! | Loss
18:09
Growing Up in Christ! | Empathy
21:23
Growing Up in Christ! | Curiosity
22:39
Growing Up in Christ! | Maladjusted
20:43