In this special broadcast, Brian partners with Michael Woolworth of Bible League International for the ministry's annual fall fundraising drive, aiming to provide 2,000 Bibles to believers around the world who lack Scripture in their own language. Michael shares powerful stories from across the globe: a former radical Muslim in Albania whose conversion sparked 500 others to faith; new believers in Malawi's overcrowded Zaleka refugee camp; underground house churches surviving persecution in Communist China; a rickshaw driver in India secretly evangelizing despite anti-conversion laws; and a genocide survivor in Rwanda who found the grace to forgive after receiving her first Bible, sparking a third of her village to faith. Michael explains that a $5 gift provides one Bible, doubled through a matching campaign, and each Bible is estimated to reach a dozen people, inviting listeners to support the effort by phone or online.

In this special broadcast, Brian partners with Michael Woolworth of Bible League International for the ministry's annual fall fundraising drive, aiming to provide 2,000 Bibles to believers around the world who lack Scripture in their own language. Michael shares powerful stories from across the globe: a former radical Muslim in Albania whose conversion sparked 500 others to faith; new believers in Malawi's overcrowded Zaleka refugee camp; underground house churches surviving persecution in Communist China; a rickshaw driver in India secretly evangelizing despite anti-conversion laws; and a genocide survivor in Rwanda who found the grace to forgive after receiving her first Bible, sparking a third of her village to faith. Michael explains that a $5 gift provides one Bible, doubled through a matching campaign, and each Bible is estimated to reach a dozen people, inviting listeners to support the effort by phone or online.

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

Bible League International: Providing Scripture to the Bibleless

Brian reflects on the recently resurfaced story of Max Lucado secretly battling alcohol at the height of his ministry success, drawing out lessons on the danger of hidden shame and the healing power of confession within real community. He processes the tragic deaths of three people, including a well-known reporter, in a Los Angeles news helicopter crash, using it as a reminder of life's brevity and the need to live with eternal urgency. Brian discusses a Gospel Coalition piece on reaching people who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious," offering practical ways the church can meet them in their isolation, and shares Ligon Duncan's case for the pastoral value of expository preaching working through hard topics organically rather than topically singling people out. He warns against emotionally "cold" and silent marriages using a marriage counselor's clip about a man who stopped pursuing intimacy with his wife for eight months without either partner addressing it, and closes with Tim Challies's thoughtful framework for deciding whether to keep reading books by pastors who have been morally disqualified from ministry.

Brian reflects on the recently resurfaced story of Max Lucado secretly battling alcohol at the height of his ministry success, drawing out lessons on the danger of hidden shame and the healing power of confession within real community. He processes the tragic deaths of three people, including a well-known reporter, in a Los Angeles news helicopter crash, using it as a reminder of life's brevity and the need to live with eternal urgency. Brian discusses a Gospel Coalition piece on reaching people who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious," offering practical ways the church can meet them in their isolation, and shares Ligon Duncan's case for the pastoral value of expository preaching working through hard topics organically rather than topically singling people out. He warns against emotionally "cold" and silent marriages using a marriage counselor's clip about a man who stopped pursuing intimacy with his wife for eight months without either partner addressing it, and closes with Tim Challies's thoughtful framework for deciding whether to keep reading books by pastors who have been morally disqualified from ministry.

When 'America's Pastor' Hid His Struggle, and Why Marriages Go Cold

Brian talks with Blair Korschun, CEO of Adelphi Christian Banking, about his article "Radical Generosity Doesn't Need to Be Extreme." Blair makes the case that generosity isn't about giving everything away or waiting until you make more money — it's a daily mindset of giving whatever you have now, whether that's a few dollars, time, or a particular skill, to help a neighbor or support the church. He shares that his own growth in generosity has taught him that real joy comes not from possessions but from giving, especially when it's difficult. Blair closes by describing Adelphi Christian Banking's mission as the largest Christian-based banking institution in the country, dedicating more than half of its lending to Christian churches, schools, and ministries, and building giving into its everyday financial products.

Brian talks with Blair Korschun, CEO of Adelphi Christian Banking, about his article "Radical Generosity Doesn't Need to Be Extreme." Blair makes the case that generosity isn't about giving everything away or waiting until you make more money &mdash; it's a daily mindset of giving whatever you have now, whether that's a few dollars, time, or a particular skill, to help a neighbor or support the church. He shares that his own growth in generosity has taught him that real joy comes not from possessions but from giving, especially when it's difficult. Blair closes by describing Adelphi Christian Banking's mission as the largest Christian-based banking institution in the country, dedicating more than half of its lending to Christian churches, schools, and ministries, and building giving into its everyday financial products.

Radical Generosity Doesn't Need to Be Extreme

Brian talks with Pastor Andrew Fetzer of Alpha Baptist Church in Livonia, Michigan, about his path from conversion at 18 through four years in the United States Marine Corps before entering pastoral ministry, training under faithful churches in the Detroit area and continuing his education at Moody Theological Seminary. Andrew reflects on how the Marine Corps' emphasis on stripping away personal identity for the sake of a larger mission became unexpected preparation for a life of gospel service. He describes the DNA of his congregation — marked by hospitality, humble service, and a hunger for God's Word — and walks through the church's ministries, including expository preaching through the Gospel of Mark, new small fellowship groups replacing traditional midweek Bible study, an engaged young adult ministry, and the Alpha Family and Foster Closet, which serves foster and families in need throughout western Wayne County.

Brian talks with Pastor Andrew Fetzer of Alpha Baptist Church in Livonia, Michigan, about his path from conversion at 18 through four years in the United States Marine Corps before entering pastoral ministry, training under faithful churches in the Detroit area and continuing his education at Moody Theological Seminary. Andrew reflects on how the Marine Corps' emphasis on stripping away personal identity for the sake of a larger mission became unexpected preparation for a life of gospel service. He describes the DNA of his congregation &mdash; marked by hospitality, humble service, and a hunger for God's Word &mdash; and walks through the church's ministries, including expository preaching through the Gospel of Mark, new small fellowship groups replacing traditional midweek Bible study, an engaged young adult ministry, and the Alpha Family and Foster Closet, which serves foster and families in need throughout western Wayne County.

Bible League International: Providing Scripture to the Bibleless

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