The Word Made Fresh

Episoade

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  How Does Our Garden Grow? 04.06.2026 33min

  What does it mean for a church—or a life—to grow? In this episode of The Word Made Fresh, we kick off a new series: “How Our Garden Grows.” Using the metaphor of gardening, we explore what it looks like to plant seeds, tend the soil, and cultivate something meaningful—not just for now, but for generations we may never see. This isn’t strategic planning as usual. It’s something more alive. More flexible. More human. We talk about:Why rigid plans don’t work in a changing worldHow gardening and parenting teach us adaptabilityWhat it means to “use what you’ve got”The role of play, creativity, and curiosity in church lifeWhy the soil—our spiritual grounding—matters more than we thinkThis series is rooted in real questions facing real communities:How do we grow something lasting in uncertain times?What are we planting now—and who is it for? Whether you’re part of a church or just trying to make sense of your own growth, this conversation is for you.
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  Just As I Am: What Pride Month Means for Everyone (ft. Rev. Brandan Robertson) 28.05.2026 15min

  This week, Riverside Church welcomes Rev. Brandan Robertson — author, activist, and theologian — for a special Pride Eve conversation ahead of his May 31st sermon, "Just As I Am."In this preview, Brandan shares what to expect from his message rooted in Isaiah 56, where the prophet envisions a world where eunuchs — the sexual and gender minorities of the ancient world — are not just welcomed but given "a monument and a name better than sons and daughters." It's a text that reframes Pride Month not just as a celebration for LGBTQ+ people, but as an invitation for everyone to step out of their closets of fear and conformity.We talk about:• Why conformity is antithetical to the Gospel• The surprising connection between Isaiah 56 and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts• What it means to show up fully and authentically as a spiritual practice• How Brandan writes sermons (spoiler: stream of consciousness)• Why Pride Month is for straight and cisgender people tooRev. Brandan Robertson is the author of multiple books on faith, sexuality, and justice, and a leading voice in progressive Christianity.Join us Sunday, May 31st — Worship at 11AM ET (in-person & online), followed by a conversation on Queer & Christian at 1:30PM ET.- - -Join Virtual Coffee Hour after Sunday morning worship: http://www.trcnyc.org/vchVisit http://www.trcnyc.org for more digital ministry resources to fuel your work for love and justice.Download a bulletin: http://www.trcnyc.org/bulletinsWatch The Word Made Fresh: http://www.trcnyc.org/TheWordMadeFreshWatch Bible in a Minute: http://www.trcnyc.org/BibleInAMinuteMake a donation: http://www.trcnyc.org/donateFollow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/RiversideNYCFollow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RiversideNYFollow us on TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@riversidenyc
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  The Spirit Doesn’t Ask Permission (Acts 2) 21.05.2026 22min

  Pentecost isn’t quiet. It’s not calm. And it’s definitely not controlled. In Acts 2, the Spirit shows up like fire and wind—loud, disruptive, and impossible to ignore. But what if that’s the point? This week, we explore what it means to be gathered together in all our differences, to be pushed beyond comfort, and to remember that the Spirit doesn’t belong to us—we’re invited to move with it.
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  Learning to Move Like Jesus // The Word Made Fresh (Philippians 2) 13.05.2026 16min

  What does it look like to practice faith the way a dancer practices technique? In this week's conversation, Rev. Jim Keat sits down with Rev. Adriene Thorne to explore Philippians 2 — home of the ancient Christ Hymn — and discover that Paul isn't asking us to believe the right things. He's asking us to move the right way.With dancers in worship, a community annual meeting on the horizon, and the wisdom of the studio floor, Rev. Adriene helps us see that imitating Christ is less about doctrine and more about the daily, embodied practice of showing up with humility, forgiveness, and love — until it becomes as natural as breathing.
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  Imperfect Faith, Real Community // The Word Made Fresh (Philippians 1) 06.05.2026 16min

  What does it mean to be the church when nobody is doing it perfectly? This week on The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Jim Keat sits down with Dr. Jillian Langford to explore Philippians 1—a deeply personal letter from Paul written while in prison… and yet filled with joy, gratitude, and a surprising claim: “What does it matter? Just that Christ is proclaimed.” But does it really not matter how Christ is proclaimed? Together, Jim and Jillian wrestle with:What koinonia (community/partnership) really meansHow the early church embraced imperfectionWhether harmful theologies can still produce good fruitThe tension between discernment and judgmentWhat it looks like to be formed by a faith you’ve outgrownThis is an honest, nuanced conversation about faith, formation, and the messy beauty of community. 👉 Join us for worship, open Bible study, and virtual coffee hour to keep the conversation going. #Philippians #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithDeconstruction #ChurchCommunity #BibleStudy
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  What If Faith Started with Curiosity Instead of Certainty? // The Word Made Fresh (Acts 17:16-31) 28.04.2026 23min

  What if faith wasn’t about proving you’re right—but staying curious?This week on The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim explore Acts 17, where Paul finds himself in Athens surrounded by unfamiliar beliefs, practices, and altars—including one to an “unknown god.”Instead of condemning or correcting, Paul does something unexpected:He affirms.He connects.He gets curious.In a world shaped by division, certainty, and the need to win, this conversation imagines a different way of engaging across difference—one rooted in humility, openness, and mutual transformation.They also wrestle with:• What it means to embody faith (not just think it)• How other traditions can deepen—not threaten—our own• Whether the real “conversion” in this story might be Paul himselfAnd maybe most importantly: What kind of God are we proclaiming if that God fits neatly inside our own box?
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  Paul, the Slave Girl, and the Cost of “Freedom” // The Word Made Fresh (Acts 16:16-34) 23.04.2026 19min

  A few weeks after Easter, we return to the pulpit with a challenging and deeply honest conversation about Acts 16—the story of Paul, Silas, and a slave girl.But what if we’ve been reading this story wrong?Instead of focusing on Paul and Silas, Rev. Adriene Thorne invites us to center the unnamed enslaved girl—her exploitation, her “liberation,” and the unsettling question: what actually happened to her next?This episode wrestles with:• When “doing good” can still cause harm• The cost of liberation without long-term care• How power, gender, and class shape whose stories matter• Why the church struggles with suffering, lament, and complexity• The danger of turning every hardship into a neat redemption storyThis is not a feel-good sermon preview. It’s an invitation to sit in the tension, ask harder questions, and develop a deeper, more honest faith.Because sometimes suffering isn’t redemptive.Sometimes it’s just suffering.And maybe the work of the church is learning how to stay present in it—together.
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  Ecological Conversion: Is the Church Missing the Point? // The Word Made Fresh (Acts 2) 15.04.2026 18min

  What does Acts 2 have to do with Earth Day?In this episode of The Word Made Fresh Rev. Jim sits down with Rev. Derrick Weston—pastor, author, and leader with Creation Justice Ministries—to explore a bold and timely sermon: “Recruiting Terrorists.”This conversation dives into the idea of ecological conversion—a transformation of faith that moves beyond belief into action. Why has the church often stayed silent on environmental justice? What happens when faith challenges systems of power, profit, and exploitation? And how do we expand our understanding of “neighbor” to include not just people, but the planet itself?From Pentecost and mass transformation in Acts 2 to modern climate crisis realities, this episode challenges Christians to rethink what it means to follow Jesus in a world facing environmental collapse.You’ll explore:• Why environmental justice is a core faith issue• The danger of “comfortable” justice that doesn’t disrupt systems• How climate change is already impacting everyday life• The theological roots of ecological responsibility• What true conversion looks like todayIf you’ve ever wondered how faith connects to climate, justice, and real-world action—this conversation is for you.
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  We’re Still Here: Finding Hope After Easter // The Word Made Fresh (John 20:19-31) 09.04.2026 21min

  What happens after Easter?In this episode of The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Jim Keat sits down with Rev. Mira Sawlani-Joyner to explore John 20:19–31, where the disciples are hiding behind locked doors, afraid of what comes next—even after the resurrection.Sound familiar?In a world filled with fear, uncertainty, political tension, and exhaustion, this conversation wrestles honestly with what it means to believe in resurrection when everything still feels fragile. From the disciples’ fear to Thomas’ doubt, from Mary’s witness to modern-day survival, this episode invites us to consider:• What do we do when fear makes us shut the door?• Why is doubt part of faith—not the opposite of it?• What does it mean to say “we’re still here” in a world that feels overwhelming?• How can we step back and see the bigger picture of our shared humanity?This is not a polished, easy Easter message. It’s real, grounded, and deeply hopeful.Because resurrection isn’t just something that happened—it’s something we’re still living into.👉 Join us as we reflect on faith, fear, survival, and the courage to keep showing up.
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  Easter Isn’t the Finish Line. It’s a New Beginning. // The Word Made Fresh (John 20) 31.03.2026 23min

  Easter is almost here—but what if resurrection isn’t just something that happened… or something we celebrate once a year?In this episode of The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Adriene Thorne and Jim Keat explore what it means to reimagine resurrection—not as a distant miracle, but as a lived, embodied reality. From Holy Week practices like foot washing and Tenebrae, to the power of imagination, forgiveness, and joy, this conversation invites you to see Easter in a whole new way.What if resurrection is about more than the empty tomb?What if it’s about how we live, what we imagine, and how we love—every single day?✨ Topics include:Why Easter isn’t just the “finish line” of LentThe role of the body in faith and worshipReimagining resurrection in everyday lifeHow imagination shapes forgiveness and possibilityCreating meaningful, embodied worship experiencesWhether you’re a lifelong Christian, a curious skeptic, or just looking for hope in a heavy world—this conversation is for you.👉 Join us for Holy Week and Easter at Riverside Church (in person or online)👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on the lectionary and lived faith#Easter #Resurrection #HolyWeek #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithInPractice #TheWordMadeFresh
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  Love Made Public: Finding God in Suffering // The Word Made Fresh: John 19 26.03.2026 17min

  What if we didn’t skip straight to Easter?This week on The Word Made Fresh, Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat explore a surprising approach to Palm Sunday—one that turns toward the crucifixion instead of away from it. Drawing from John 19, this conversation invites us to slow down and sit with the hardest part of the story: suffering, grief, and the cross.In a world filled with pain, injustice, and uncertainty, this episode asks:Where is God in the midst of suffering?What does it mean for love to be “made public” on the cross?Why do we rush past Good Friday—and what happens when we don’t?Together, we reflect on how the crucifixion reveals a deeper, more powerful vision of grace—one that doesn’t ignore pain but meets us within it.If you’ve ever felt like faith focuses too much on the “happy ending,” this conversation offers a more honest and healing way through Holy Week.👉 Whether you’re preparing for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or simply navigating your own “Good Friday moment,” this episode is for you.📖 Scripture: John 19:16b–22👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonates with you.
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  Pride Sunday! (Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-31) 23.06.2025 23min

  This Sunday is Pride Sunday! Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk about this Sunday's text (Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-31) and what it's like to preach the same text six months later!Also, this is the Season Finale for The Word Made Fresh. But don't worry, we'll be back in September!
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  Get Out of the Boat with Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams (Matthew 14:22-33) 16.06.2025 17min

  Get out of the boat! What does it mean to step away from fear and step into who God is calling you to be? Listen in as Rev. Jim Keat talks with this Sundays guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams, about the sermon she will be preaching from Matthew 14:22-33 as well as how she goes about writing a sermon and why you should be looking forward to experiencing this one!Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams is a Pastoral Counselor and internationally known speaker on gender equity and religious tolerance.  She lives in Lyons, Colorado, where she serves as Mayor Pro Tem.Paula has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, PBS, NBC, CNN,and many other media outlets.  Her TED talks have had over ten million views.  Paula’s memoir, As A Woman, What I Learned About Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy After I Transitioned, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2021.
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  Immigration & Apocalypse ft. Dr. Yii-Jan Lin (Revelation 21:22-27) 11.06.2025 12min

  Science fiction uses language and ideas from the future to talk about the present. And in many ways, apocalyptic literature does the same!Join Rev. Jim Keat as he reflects on the book of Revelation, this particular passage from chapter 21, and invites us all to learn more about Dr. Yii-Jan Lin, the guest preacher at The Riverside Church this Sunday.Be sure to join us for Open Bible Study at 9:30 am (onsite and online) as we talk with Dr. Lin about this text and her work: http://www.trcnyc.org/OpenBibleStudyAnd check out the full podcast with Dr. Lin over at Data Over Dogma : https://youtu.be/HIgF6uy4H3U?si=ggVDqFUpaeZysH3a
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  Are You In Step With the Spirit? (Galatians 4:1-7, 5:16-26) 03.06.2025 17min

  Are you in step with the Spirit?Sit down with Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim as they dive in to the of the letter to the Galatians, exploring the Work of the Flesh, the Fruit of the Spirit, and what it means to be in step with and guided by the Spirit.Bonus: you'll also hear Rev. Jim talk about his marathon strategy and some excellent podcasts that Rev. Adriene recommends.
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  A Theological Deep Dive (Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21) 27.05.2025 19min

  You foolish Galatians!Dive in to Galatians 3 with Rev. Jim and Rev. Jabe as they explore how it is coming to life in the sermon Rev. Jabe will be preaching this Sunday. Consider this conversation a mini seminary class -- buckle up and get ready to wade into the theological deep end!Join us on Sunday as we talk more about this text: http://www.trcnyc.org/SundayMorningWorship
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  The Solution for Church Conflict (Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21) 19.05.2025 14min

  Galatians! A new book but a familiar story -- what is the solution for church conflict? Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk about this Sunday's text (Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21). And bonus conversation -- what exactly does it mean to be "crucified with Christ?" Listen in to find out!
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  How to Preach a Sermon (Acts 15:1-18 ) 13.05.2025 32min

  Listen in as Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat reflect on a text that neither of them are preaching. But you're in luck, because this Sunday's preacher is one that we will all be eager to hear -- Rev. Dr. Andrea White!And be sure to keep listening to this extra-long and extra-special episode as Rev. Adriene tells Rev. Jim all about the why and how of her approach to preaching. If you ever wanted to learn how to preach a sermon Rev. Adriene style, this is the episode for you!
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  It's All About Trust (Acts 8:26-39) 08.05.2025 13min

  It's all about trust.Listen in as Rev. Jim talks with Rev. Adriene about the sermon she will be preaching this Sunday at The Riverside Church. Put on your running shes as we follow Phillip sprinting down the wilderness road to talk with the Ethiopian Eunuch.
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  What Can We Learn From Older Adults? (Acts 11:19-30) 28.04.2025 12min

  What can we learn from older adults?That is one question we will have answered this Sunday at The Riverside Church. Rev. Tim Dalton will step into the pulpit as we celebrate Older Adults Month for a sermon filled with the voices and stories of older adults from our Riverside community.Join Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim as they sit down with Rev. Tim to talk about this coming Sunday and the story of the first Christians at Antioch. What does it mean to find our way in the midst of fear and uncertainty? Who is this "Saul" character and why isn't he called Paul yet? What happens when three pastors are all in the same room to talk about this Sunday at Riverside? Listen to this episode of The Word Made Fresh to find out!