Open to Change

Open to Change

Author: Dr. Roger Ray February 19, 2023 Duration: 20:23

For many of us, society is not a safe place to exist, and we lack the supports and resources we need to thrive as human beings. Yet even when we enter into movements and spaces dedicated to working for social justice, activism fatigue and burnout take their toll. Can we practice in such a way that kindness leads to confidence, compassion and wisdom create safety, and a trustworthy community helps us remain open to change?


Each week, Progressive Faith Sermons-Dr. Roger Ray offers a thoughtful exploration of modern spirituality and ethics, rooted in the inclusive community of the Community Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. Hosted by Dr. Roger Ray, this podcast presents recorded sermons that bridge traditional Christian faith with urgent contemporary questions. The discussions move beyond doctrine to engage deeply with philosophy, culture, and the practical work of social justice, reflecting a commitment to accepting all people without judgment. Listeners will hear a unique blend of theological insight, cultural commentary, and ethical challenge, all aimed at fostering a more compassionate and equitable society. This isn't about simple answers; it's about wrestling with complex ideas on how to live a meaningful, faithful life in a complicated world. Tune in for a perspective that is both intellectually rigorous and grounded in a tangible desire for community and change. You can find this podcast wherever you listen, inviting you into a ongoing conversation about what it means to believe, belong, and act justly today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 350

Progressive Faith Sermons - Dr. Roger Ray
Podcast Episodes
Fear is the Root of Anger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:25
Men and sometimes women confuse anger with a show of strength, or of being courageous when, in most cases, anger is simply a product of being afraid. As we try to understand the dangerous divisions within our American po…
God Doesn't Write Books [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
For many congregations, the Bible is still the church's book but not many progressives find scripture to be either authoritative or even relevant in their lives. We have lost an anchor in our lives when we give up on sac…
What Your Teacher Didn't Tell You (and probably didn't know) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:41
The prophetic church has always advocated for human rights, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and has opposed the forces that create poverty, war, illness, and racism. As fascist language keeps rising in our c…
Time Does Not Exist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:02
Time is not a material thing. Our units of time actually measure movement, i.e. if there was no movement the concept of time would be meaningless. Talk about going back in time is not merely science fiction, it is, in fa…
Finding Balance in a World that Demands Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:40
Americans have fewer annual vacation days than any other western government and more than that, we tend to tie retirement and healthcare to our employment. So, out of fear and anxiety, we work more than almost any other…
No One Hears the Sound of a Wooden Bell​ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:22
The United States has perpetuated compromises in our constitution which were originally written to give slave holding states assurances that the institution of slavery would not be immediately wiped out by larger and mor…
Is Justice Blind Or Just Crazy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:22
The familiar image of Lady Justice, blindfolded, holding up balanced scales in one hand and a sword in the other (a little frightening if she can't see) suggests our desire that we will be a nation of laws and that there…
Israel and Palestine (Migration, Immigration, Colonizing, Occupation) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:12
Most of us have given an uncommon amount of time and energy to the news in the past weeks as Israel mounts a military response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks launched by Hamas. Just as the USA did after 9-11, it is only…
Why Support Ukraine's War with Russia? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
Does our support for Ukraine in their defensive war against Russia's invasion qualify as a "just war?" Thomas Aquinas insisted that for a war to be just it must be conducted by a sovereign government, and the war must be…