Brian From is joined by Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church to talk about his call to ministry and what he loves most about being a pastor. Derek shares why “ordinary” churches—rooted in preaching, sacraments, and everyday faithfulness—are often where deep discipleship and quiet, life-changing ministry happens. The conversation also touches on church planting, blue-collar faith, and Derek’s surprising side passion: performing Shakespearean improv comedy.

Brian From is joined by Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church to talk about his call to ministry and what he loves most about being a pastor. Derek shares why &ldquo;ordinary&rdquo; churches&mdash;rooted in preaching, sacraments, and everyday faithfulness&mdash;are often where deep discipleship and quiet, life-changing ministry happens. The conversation also touches on church planting, blue-collar faith, and Derek&rsquo;s surprising side passion: performing Shakespearean improv comedy.

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

The Power of Ordinary Churches and an Extraordinary God with Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church

Brian From sits down with Todd Busteed of Gap Digital to explore the careful craft behind audio Bibles and audio drama. Todd shares how accuracy, humility, and even reverence guide the process of recording Scripture, from pronunciation choices to music and dramatic elements. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how God’s Word is thoughtfully translated into sound—and how creative media can serve the church and inspire the next generation of Christian storytellers.

Brian From sits down with Todd Busteed of Gap Digital to explore the careful craft behind audio Bibles and audio drama. Todd shares how accuracy, humility, and even reverence guide the process of recording Scripture, from pronunciation choices to music and dramatic elements. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how God&rsquo;s Word is thoughtfully translated into sound&mdash;and how creative media can serve the church and inspire the next generation of Christian storytellers.

Bringing Scripture to Life Through Sound: Inside the Audio Bible with Todd Busteed

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Brian From reflects on service, legacy, and the call to respond to conflict with wisdom and compassion in an increasingly polarized culture. The episode wrestles with a disturbing church disruption in Minneapolis, the limits of online outrage within Christian circles, and the tension between conviction and grace when faith collides with deeply personal family decisions.

most famous MLK quotes

Digital natives embrace analog tools like letters and typewriters | AP News 

The Story of Iran’s Church in Two Sentences 

John Piper on X: "ChatGPT estimates the number of birds alive in the world at 50 billion. Jesus said God feeds them all. This meticulous providence does not tax or distract him. It proves his attentiveness and care as a Father to us his children. “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow" / X 

Ed Stetzer on X: "Praying for @jonathanparnell and @citieschurch, as their worship service was disrupted by protesters today. Parnell is right when he says, "This is unacceptable. It's shameful. It's shameful to to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship." Don Lemon (bizarrely) https://t.co/UOU3PwdIBU" / X 

Protestia on X: "Is This Hypocrisy? SBC Pastor Joe Thorn Attends Same-Sex Wedding" / X 

Why We Can Confidently Persevere in Prayer | Tim Challies 

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Brian From reflects on service, legacy, and the call to respond to conflict with wisdom and compassion in an increasingly polarized culture. The episode wrestles with a disturbing church disruption in Minneapolis, the limits of online outrage within Christian circles, and the tension between conviction and grace when faith collides with deeply personal family decisions.
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=most+famous+MLK+quotes&amp;sca_esv=c03ec876592c9bde&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n6jKZySlqfM_defBI2kcMy47CPZhQ%3A1768792674987&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=YqJtaZfxOeG2qtsPqPm-kQE&amp;iflsig=AFdpzrgAAAAAaW2wcgG4xzJYhC00Pm8e9eF7LjvcOhnT&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiXqsmY0paSAxVhm2oFHai8LxIQ4dUDCCE&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=most+famous+MLK+quotes&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhZtb3N0IGZhbW91cyBNTEsgcXVvdGVzMgUQABiABDIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGIAEGKIESPQYUABYgBhwAHgAkAEBmAHLAaABkRCqAQYxNy40LjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAhWgAokPwgIHECMY8AUYJ8ICChAjGIAEGCcYigXCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIEECMYJ8ICCBAuGIAEGLEDwgIOEC4YgAQYxwEYjgUYrwHCAg4QABiABBixAxiDARiKBcICBBAAGAPCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICCxAuGIAEGMcBGK8BmAMAkgcEMTQuN6AHjqYBsgcEMTQuN7gHiQ_CBwYwLjE4LjPIBy6ACAA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz">most famous MLK quotes</a>
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/letter-writing-unplug-communication-devices-hobbies-41bd526e43d02e047eea8d926bca03f5?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email">Digital natives embrace analog tools like letters and typewriters | AP News</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-story-of-the-irans-church-in-two-sentences/">The Story of Iran&rsquo;s Church in Two Sentences</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/JohnPiper/status/2012298884035272889">John Piper on X: "ChatGPT estimates the number of birds alive in the world at 50 billion. Jesus said God feeds them all. This meticulous providence does not tax or distract him. It proves his attentiveness and care as a Father to us his children. &ldquo;Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow" / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/edstetzer/status/2013052431454896427">Ed Stetzer on X: "Praying for @jonathanparnell and @citieschurch, as their worship service was disrupted by protesters today. Parnell is right when he says, "This is unacceptable. It's shameful. It's shameful to to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship." Don Lemon (bizarrely) https://t.co/UOU3PwdIBU" / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/Protestia/status/2012142836372619438">Protestia on X: "Is This Hypocrisy? SBC Pastor Joe Thorn Attends Same-Sex Wedding" / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.challies.com/articles/why-we-can-persevere-in-prayer/">Why We Can Confidently Persevere in Prayer | Tim Challies</a>&nbsp;

Sacred Spaces, Hard Questions, and Persevering in Faith

Brian From is joined by Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about the theatrical re-release of The Lord of the Rings extended editions and why the films still resonate 25 years later. They also dive into Plugged In’s new 2026 technology guide for parents, offering practical wisdom on screens, mental health, and digital boundaries for families. Adam closes with a simple, realistic first step for anyone looking to reset their relationship with phones and technology in the new year.

Brian From is joined by Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about the theatrical re-release of The Lord of the Rings extended editions and why the films still resonate 25 years later. They also dive into Plugged In&rsquo;s new 2026 technology guide for parents, offering practical wisdom on screens, mental health, and digital boundaries for families. Adam closes with a simple, realistic first step for anyone looking to reset their relationship with phones and technology in the new year.

The Power of Ordinary Churches and an Extraordinary God with Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church

In 1 playlist(s)

The Common Good

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips