Shows / Dear Church

Dear Church
Tune in, week-to-week, as Chris McCurley explores some of the deeper questions about being a Christian, and the church as a whole.
Episodes
Dear ChurchEp. #318 "Hudson's Story"
In this heartfelt episode, Catherine Jones joins Chris McCurley to share the powerful story of her son Hudson and the faith that has carried their family…
Dear ChurchEp. #317 "Faith Begins with Questions"
Dr. Garrett Best, Chair of the Bible Department at York University, joins the podcast to discuss some of the biggest questions people—both Christian and…
Dear ChurchEp. #316 "Preaching Through Adversity"
In this powerful episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Drew Kizer, preaching minister at Ashville Road Church of Christ, to discuss the…
Dear ChurchEp. #315 "Prepping to Preach Pt. 6"
In the final episode of the Prepping to Preach series, the host becomes the guest. Chris McCurley, preaching minister at Walnut Street Church of Christ, is…
Dear ChurchEp. #314 "Prepping to Preach Pt. 5"
In Part 5 of the Prepping to Preach series, Chris McCurley talks with David Duncan, preaching minister at Memorial Church of Christ in Houston, TX. With…
Dear ChurchEp. #313 "Prepping to Preach Pt. 4"
In this fourth installment of the Prepping to Preach series, Chris McCurley is joined by Richard Sutton, who has served in ministry since 1975 and currently…
Dear ChurchEp. #312 "Prepping to Preach Pt. 3"
In Part 3 of our Prepping to Preach series, Chris McCurley sits down with Kirt Hughett, preacher at Ethridge Church of Christ in Ethridge, TN. Kirt shares…
Dear ChurchEp. #311 "Prepping to Preach Pt. 2"
In this second installment of our Prepping to Preach series, Chris McCurley sits down with Dan Winkler — a seasoned preacher and beloved Bible teacher who has…
Dear ChurchEp. #310 "Prepping to Preach"
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Itson, preaching minister at Madison Church of Christ in Madison, Alabama, shares practical advice on sermon preparation, preaching…
Dear ChurchEp. #309 "Freedom In Christ"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley talks with Melvin Otey, a preacher, lawyer, and professor at Faulkner University. Melvin shares his powerful…
Dear ChurchEp. #308 "Is God Racist?"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Jovan Payes to tackle a challenging and important question: Is God racist? Together, they address…
Dear ChurchEp. #307 "Overcoming the Blues"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Dr. Ryan Fraser—professor, counselor, and author of Overcoming the Blues. They explore the…
Dear ChurchEp. #306 "What Now? Life After Baptism"
In this episode, Chris McCurley sits down with Joseph Horton, the preaching minister at Winchester Church of Christ in Winchester, TN. They discuss what…
Dear ChurchEp. #305 "Holding Onto Faith in Hard Times"
In this heartfelt episode, Chris McCurley sits down with Judy Hinson, a fellow member at Walnut Street Church of Christ, to discuss faith in the face of…
Dear ChurchEp. #304 "The Marathon of Faith"
In this episode, Chris sits down with Eric Hickerson, a coach at Dickson County High School, to discuss the marathon of faith. They explore the challenges of…
Dear ChurchEp. #303 "Churches Supporting Churches"
In this episode, Chris McCurley sits down with Thomas Southerland, preacher at Water Street Church of Christ in Charlotte, TN, to discuss the importance of…
Dear ChurchEp. #302 "Faith & Fairways: A Conversation with Bob Wolcott"
In this episode, Bob Wolcott, a former professional golfer, sits down to discuss the intersection of faith and golf. He shares his journey from the…
Dear ChurchEp. #301 "A Preacher's Search for a Church"
In this episode, Jason Thompson, Executive Minister at Harpeth Hills in Brentwood, TN, joins the conversation to discuss what preachers should look for when…
Dear ChurchEp. #300 "Creating a Welcoming Church"
In this milestone 300th episode, TJ Kirk joins Chris McCurley to discuss how churches can be more inviting and create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. They…
Dear ChurchEp. #299 "Parenting & Technology with Joe Wells"
In this episode, Joe Wells joins Chris McCurley to discuss his new book, Connected: Parenting Faithfully in the Digital Age. They explore the impact of…
Dear ChurchEp. #298 "Educational Leadership with Dr. Candice McQueen"
Dr. Candice McQueen, president of Lipscomb University and former Tennessee Commissioner of Education, joins Chris McCurley to discuss the intersection of faith…
Dear ChurchEp. #297 "Bruised Faith: Healing the Wounded"
Dan Owen, a seasoned preacher of the gospel for over 39 years, joins this episode to discuss bruised faith—how to address spiritual wounds and help those who…
Dear ChurchEp. #296 "Exploring Creation with David Rives"
In Dear Church Ep. 296, we're joined by David Rives, founder of David Rives Ministries and The Wonders Center & Science Museum, a unique destination that…
Dear ChurchEp. #295 "Christian Education: Crowley's Ridge College"
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Richard Johnson, President of Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould, AR. Since 2020, Dr. Johnson has led this remarkable…
Dear ChurchEp. #294 "The Challenges of Hiring a Preacher"
In Episode 294 of Dear Church, Carlus Gupton, director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Lipscomb University, shares his wealth of experience in church…
Dear ChurchEp. #293 "Digital Tools for The Church"
In Dear Church Ep. 293, Brandon Edwards explores how the church can effectively engage with technology. Exploring everything from digital platforms to outreach…
Dear ChurchEp. #292 "Is Christmas Pagan?"
In Dear Church Ep. 292, Stephen Scaggs joins the discussion on how Christians should view and treat Christmas. Is it a pagan holiday, or can it be celebrated…
Dear ChurchEp. #291 "Young Disciples"
In Dear Church Ep. 291, Blake Donaho joins the conversation to discuss the vital role of young disciples in the church. They explore how the church perceives…
Dear ChurchEp. #290 "Transitioning to the Pulpit"
In Dear Church Ep. 290, Dustin Perkins, the preacher at Savannah Church of Christ in Savannah, TN, shares his inspiring journey from youth minister to…
Dear ChurchEp. #289 "The Burial of Jesus"
In Dear Church Ep. 289, Chris McCurley sits down with Adam Faughn, preacher at Central Church of Christ in Paducah, KY, to explore the often-overlooked burial…
Dear ChurchEp. #288 "How To Hire A Preacher"
In Dear Church Episode 288, Chris McCurley sits down with Matthew Kincade and Chris Hedge, members of the preacher search committee at Walnut Street Church of…
Dear ChurchEp. #287 "The Fruit of the Spirit: A Unified Christian Life
In Dear Church Ep. 287, Chris McCurley sits down with Trey Morgan, lead minister at Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas, to explore the transformative…
Dear ChurchEp. #286 "Jonah's Struggle with God's Grace"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley welcomes Josh Kingcade, Senior Minister at Preston Road Church of Christ, to discuss the story of Jonah—a story…
Dear ChurchEp. #285 "Faith, Laughter, and Comedy with Brian Bates"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Brian Bates, comedian and host of the Nateland Podcastwith Nate Bargatze, to talk about his…
Dear ChurchEp. #284 "Godly Self-Worth: Seeing Yourself as God Does"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley welcomes Aaron Loney, preaching minister at Weatherford Church of Christ and a marriage and family therapist, to…
Dear ChurchEp. #283 "God and Government"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Tim Wooldridge, a former Arkansas State Representative, to discuss the complex relationship…
Dear ChurchEp. #282 "Systematic Theology"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley welcomes Dr. Donnie DeBord for an enlightening discussion on systematic theology. Dr. DeBord, a seasoned…
Dear ChurchEp. #281 "Ministering to the Minister: How to Support a Hurting Minister"
In this heartfelt episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley speaks with Mark Ray about a deeply personal and challenging time in his life — the sudden and…
Dear ChurchEp. #280 "Why Church History Matters: A Conversation with Dr. Rick Brumback"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Dr. Rick Brumback, Professor of Bible and Historical Theology at Freed-Hardeman University, to…
Dear ChurchEp. #279 "Faith, Duty, and Leadership: Col. Mike Hagar of Arkansas State Police"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley welcomes Col. Mike Hagar, Secretary of Public Safety and Director of Arkansas State Police, for a compelling…
Dear ChurchEp. #278 "The "Controversial" Gift of the Holy Spirit?"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley welcomes guest Mike Hisaw, the preaching minister at Meadow View Church of Christ, for a deep dive into one of…
Dear ChurchEp. #277 "Stand-Up Comedian and Preacher Jacob Parnell Talks Faith and Comedy"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley sits down with Jacob Parnell, a unique blend of preacher and stand-up comic from Tri-Valley Church of Christ in…
Dear ChurchEp. #276 "The Truth About Grace: Can We Go Too Far?"
In this episode of Dear Church, host Chris McCurley sits down with Jeremy Marshall, Family Discipleship Minister at Brooks Avenue Church of Christ, to tackle…
Dear ChurchEp. #275 "Herald of Truth's New Leadership: Chase Turner on Hispanic Evangelism"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley interviews Chase Turner, the new President and CEO of Herald of Truth Ministries. Chase shares his passion for…
Dear ChurchEp. #274 "Zone Leadership"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley and Bob Turner discuss "zone leadership." Have a question? Email Chris at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com. Find…
Dear ChurchEp. #273 "Christianity vs. Politics: Can They Coexist?"
In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley and Wes McAdams tackle the pressing questions: "Christianity vs. Politics: Can They Coexist?" They delve into…
Dear ChurchEp. #272 "Embracing Joy & Positivity"
In this Episode, Chris McCurley & Alex Mills discuss "Embracing Joy & Positivity." Have Question? Email me at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com. Ripple of Light…
Dear ChurchEp. #271 "Preacher Compensation"
In this Episode, Chris McCurley & Jerrie Barber discuss "Preacher Compensation." Have Question? Email me at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com. Ripple of Light…
Dear ChurchEp. #270 "1 Corinthians 14:33-35"
In this Episode, Chris McCurley & Jesse Nelsen discuss "1 Corinthians 14:33-35." Have Question? Email me at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com. Ripple of Light…
Dear ChurchEp. #269 "Faith On The Job"
In this Episode, Chris McCurley & Chad Fussell talks about "Faith On The Job." Have Question? Email me at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com. Ripple of Light…
Dear ChurchEp. #268 "The Magnolia Foundation"
In this Episode, Chris McCurley & Matt Collins tells the story of why he and his wife started "The Magnolia Foundation." The pain of child loss is ever…
Dear ChurchEp. #267 "The Kerusso Experience"
In this Episode, Chris McCurley & Devin Swindle discuss his preacher training camp called "The Kerusso Experience." Kerusso is a week-long preacher training…
Dear ChurchEp. #266 "Disciple Making Church"
In this Episode, Chris McCurley & Marcus Stenson discuss what it take to have a "Disciple Making Church." Have Question? Email me at…