Brian From talks with Pastors Warren Schilf and Donald Antor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine. Warren shares how he grew up in the church and its school, spent 20 years in business, and then answered a call to ministry. He returned as associate pastor before becoming senior pastor. He describes the joy of baptizing and marrying the children of families he’s known all his life, along with the challenge of leading people who still see him as “good old Warren.” Donald, who has served there for over a decade, describes a congregation founded in 1869 that is now baptizing a fifth or sixth generation of one family, and its outreach through community meals, a youth baseball and softball camp, and outdoor summer worship. Both pastors share their hope that members will make disciples naturally in everyday life. They also highlight the church’s volunteer-run Good Samaritan Ministry, which offers crisis financial help, a food and clothing pantry, and guidance to neighbors who are struggling.

Brian From talks with Pastors Warren Schilf and Donald Antor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine. Warren shares how he grew up in the church and its school, spent 20 years in business, and then answered a call to ministry. He returned as associate pastor before becoming senior pastor. He describes the joy of baptizing and marrying the children of families he&rsquo;s known all his life, along with the challenge of leading people who still see him as &ldquo;good old Warren.&rdquo; Donald, who has served there for over a decade, describes a congregation founded in 1869 that is now baptizing a fifth or sixth generation of one family, and its outreach through community meals, a youth baseball and softball camp, and outdoor summer worship. Both pastors share their hope that members will make disciples naturally in everyday life. They also highlight the church&rsquo;s volunteer-run Good Samaritan Ministry, which offers crisis financial help, a food and clothing pantry, and guidance to neighbors who are struggling.

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

A 157-Year-Old Palatine Church Is Still Reaching Its Community, One Family at a Time

Brian From comes off a beautiful homecoming weekend reflecting on his church’s Bible reading class, where the cycle of judgment and hope in Isaiah pointed him to the grace of Ephesians 2 and a God who doesn’t give up on us. He encourages married couples never to stop dating each other. He discusses a Christianity Today review of the PBS documentary Christianity at the Crossroads, including a projection that nearly 100,000 U.S. churches may close in the next decade, and argues that churches’ greatest need is a laser focus on preaching the gospel. He shares Randy Alcorn’s reflection that how we handle criticism is a test of our humility, then considers the complicated history behind Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In the second hour, Brian walks through Philippians 1: Paul’s prayer for the church and his conviction that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He shares Alan Noble’s thoughts on what the good life means for a Christian, and closes with a Charles Stanley devotional on how gratitude refocuses our attention, relieves anxiety, and strengthens our faith.

Brian From comes off a beautiful homecoming weekend reflecting on his church&rsquo;s Bible reading class, where the cycle of judgment and hope in Isaiah pointed him to the grace of Ephesians 2 and a God who doesn&rsquo;t give up on us. He encourages married couples never to stop dating each other. He discusses a Christianity Today review of the PBS documentary Christianity at the Crossroads, including a projection that nearly 100,000 U.S. churches may close in the next decade, and argues that churches&rsquo; greatest need is a laser focus on preaching the gospel. He shares Randy Alcorn&rsquo;s reflection that how we handle criticism is a test of our humility, then considers the complicated history behind Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples&rsquo; Day. In the second hour, Brian walks through Philippians 1: Paul&rsquo;s prayer for the church and his conviction that &ldquo;to live is Christ and to die is gain.&rdquo; He shares Alan Noble&rsquo;s thoughts on what the good life means for a Christian, and closes with a Charles Stanley devotional on how gratitude refocuses our attention, relieves anxiety, and strengthens our faith.

Nearly 100,000 Churches Could Close in the Next Decade, the Answer Is the Gospel.

Brian From kicks off the weekend with a report that Halloween candy prices have jumped 71 percent in five years, along with near-$5 gas, and reminds listeners that contentment is found in Christ, not a bank account. He shares a study finding that sleeping with a dog doesn’t disrupt owners’ sleep, and Canada’s decision to exclude mental illness from its Medical Assistance in Dying program, which he sees as a good step within a troubling system. He discusses a Gospel Coalition piece arguing that greed, not just lust, drove former worship leader Caleb Flynn to murder his wife. He challenges listeners to “reject apathy” in their faith, marriages, and work, and looks at American Bible Society data showing most Americans still believe in God and the supernatural even as church attendance falls. Brian also responds to the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the firing-squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, sharing Erick Erickson’s argument that public executions twist the soul. He closes with Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 and a call to expect God to do more than we can ask or imagine.

Brian From kicks off the weekend with a report that Halloween candy prices have jumped 71 percent in five years, along with near-$5 gas, and reminds listeners that contentment is found in Christ, not a bank account. He shares a study finding that sleeping with a dog doesn&rsquo;t disrupt owners&rsquo; sleep, and Canada&rsquo;s decision to exclude mental illness from its Medical Assistance in Dying program, which he sees as a good step within a troubling system. He discusses a Gospel Coalition piece arguing that greed, not just lust, drove former worship leader Caleb Flynn to murder his wife. He challenges listeners to &ldquo;reject apathy&rdquo; in their faith, marriages, and work, and looks at American Bible Society data showing most Americans still believe in God and the supernatural even as church attendance falls. Brian also responds to the Pentagon&rsquo;s plan to livestream the firing-squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, sharing Erick Erickson&rsquo;s argument that public executions twist the soul. He closes with Paul&rsquo;s prayer in Ephesians 3 and a call to expect God to do more than we can ask or imagine.

Halloween Candy Is the Latest Thing Priced Out of Reach, and Greed Is About More Than Money

Brian From talks with Tre Moore, who became senior pastor of Lakeland Church in Gurney, Illinois, a few months ago after years as a member and elder there. Tre tells how his predecessor asked him three times to consider succeeding him before he felt God’s call into ministry. He describes the best part of the job, a front-row seat to God changing lives, which he records on note cards to reread on hard days. He also describes the emotional whiplash of rejoicing and weeping with people in back-to-back meetings. Tre explains Lakeland’s mission to treasure Christ, value all people, and join God’s mission, and its focus on getting everyone into small groups and serving. About 70 percent of attenders are in a small group, and nearly a third began serving for the first time this year. He invites listeners to the church’s Fall Fest, and closes with encouragement from Jesus’ compassion for the grieving widow of Nain in Luke 7.

Brian From talks with Tre Moore, who became senior pastor of Lakeland Church in Gurney, Illinois, a few months ago after years as a member and elder there. Tre tells how his predecessor asked him three times to consider succeeding him before he felt God&rsquo;s call into ministry. He describes the best part of the job, a front-row seat to God changing lives, which he records on note cards to reread on hard days. He also describes the emotional whiplash of rejoicing and weeping with people in back-to-back meetings. Tre explains Lakeland&rsquo;s mission to treasure Christ, value all people, and join God&rsquo;s mission, and its focus on getting everyone into small groups and serving. About 70 percent of attenders are in a small group, and nearly a third began serving for the first time this year. He invites listeners to the church&rsquo;s Fall Fest, and closes with encouragement from Jesus&rsquo; compassion for the grieving widow of Nain in Luke 7.

A 157-Year-Old Palatine Church Is Still Reaching Its Community, One Family at a Time

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