Go Be the Church

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Go Be the Church

First Christian Church

14 episodes

5 days ago

In this unfiltered Season 1 finale of the Go Be the Church Podcast, Eric and Stephen tackle the questions you actually wanted answered. From Jesus’ model of ministry to Revelation’s real meaning, from dating advice to Dodgers fandom, nothing is off-limits. Expect hot takes, honest answers, and a few laughs along the way as we wrestle with what it really means to follow Jesus in everyday life. Whether you’re sorting through faith, leadership, or relationships, this episode offers real talk, bi...

Christianity

Religion & Spirituality

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Christianity

Religion & Spirituality

Episodes (14/14)

Go Be the Church

13. How to Hear God, What to Look for in a Godly Man, What Bothers Us About Church | Q&A Finale

6 days ago

51 minutes

Go Be the Church

12. Faith: Personal but Never Private.

Hosts: Eric Friedmann and Stephen Albi, with special guest: Blake Porter God doesn’t call us to be perfect messengers—just willing ones. In this episode, we’ll help you find the courage and clarity to share your faith with the people who need it most. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobethechurchpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoBeTheChurchPodcast Web: https://www.fcc-online.org/gbtcpod Copyright 2025 First Christian Church, Champaign, IL.

2 weeks ago

55 minutes

Go Be the Church

11. Modern Idols: Hidden in Plain Sight

Hosts: Eric Friedmann, Jared Prince, and first-time guest: Michelle Jacob! We no longer bow to statues, but we still bow to the things we chase for security or identity. What’s the hardest idol for you to let go of? Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram (@gobethechurchpodcast) or email (podcast@fcc-online.org). Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobethechurchpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoBeTheChurchPodcast Web: https://www.fcc-online.org/gbtcpod Copyrig...

1 month ago

1 hour 4 minutes

Go Be the Church

10. Scripture That Sticks: God’s Word for Real Life

Hosts from left to right: Stephen Albi, Jared Prince, Samuel Green, and Eric Friedmann. If there’s one book that has shaped history, families, and faith more than any other, it’s the Bible. But let’s be honest—most of us struggle to read it consistently, let alone let it sink into our everyday lives. In this episode, we’re discussing why we truly need the Bible, not just as a Sunday accessory, but as God’s living Word for our Monday mornings, our challenging seasons, and our everyday decision...

1 month ago

1 hour 15 minutes

Go Be the Church

9. Marriage Unfiltered: Navigating the Highs, Lows, and God's Design for your Home

Featuring: Eric and Diana Friedmann, and Katlyn and Ben Morin. Voiceover: Lauren Hopper Marriage is often called the ultimate team sport—but even the best teams face challenges. In this episode, we have an honest and helpful conversation about navigating the ups, downs, and arounds of marriage. Specifically, we aim to debunk common misconceptions about marriage and explore practical tools, discussing order and headship in the home as God’s design—and what that should truly look like from...

2 months ago

1 hour 17 minutes

Go Be the Church

8: Raising Godly Kids

Stephen Albi, Elaine Stone, and guests Grant and Jackie Risley. Raising kids today can feel like walking a tightrope—balancing school, screen time, and social pressures—all while trying to raise them in the fear and love of God. In this episode, we’re sitting down with two teachers and parents who are navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons of integrating faith into everyday life. From the dinner table to the classroom to the Sunday School room, we’ll explore practical ways to dis...

2 months ago

59 minutes

Go Be the Church

7: Marketplace to Ministry: Stepping out in Faith

Today, we’re talking about a calling that changes everything — when God invites you to leave the marketplace and step into ministry. We’re sitting down with two guests and newer staff members at First Christian Church, Katlyn Morin and Jordan Dunahee, who’ve walked that road — trading business plans for kingdom work — and they’re sharing the honest truth about what that transition was really like: the joys, the fears, the surprises, and how God showed up along the way. If you’ve ever wonder...

3 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

Go Be the Church

6. Prayer: Growing From Awkward to Authentic

Today, we're diving into a topic that’s as simple as talking — and as deep as the heart of God: prayer. Samuel Green, Stephen Albi, and a special guest, Mackenzie Green (Samuel's wife) share about their honest journeys with prayer — the highs, the struggles, the breakthroughs — because let's be honest, prayer isn’t always easy. And we won’t stop at stories. We’ll share practical tools, habits, and biblical wisdom to help you not just pray more, but pray with purpose and confidence. Whether pr...

3 months ago

1 hour 14 minutes

Go Be the Church

5. Relentlessly Praising Jesus: The Story Behind First's Debut Worship Song

Today's episode is a special one. We're celebrating the release of the official studio recording of All That You Have Grown: a powerful and deeply personal worship song written by First Christian Church's Creative Arts Pastor, Jared Prince. With your host, Eric Friedman, dive into the story behind the song and get a peek into the creative process that brought it to life. It's a journey of reflection, surrender, and the quiet, faithful work of God growing beauty out of brokenness. F...

3 months ago

46 minutes

Go Be the Church

4. Abiding with Christ: Performance Driven or Presence Seeking?

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most vital aspects of the Christian life — abiding in Jesus. What does it truly mean to remain connected to the True Vine? How do we stay spiritually rooted in a world full of distractions, stress, and spiritual dryness? Today, we’re not only going to unpack what Jesus meant in John 15 when He said, 'Abide in me, and I in you', but we’ll also share practical tools and rhythms that can help you cultivate a life of daily connection with Christ....

4 months ago

48 minutes

Go Be the Church

3: Black History is Gospel History: The Chicken & the Pig

Juneteenth — a day of freedom, resilience, and remembrance. But what does it mean for the Church? What does it look like to truly pursue racial reconciliation in a way that reflects the heart of Jesus? Today, we’re not pulling punches. We’re exploring the legacy of slavery, the Church’s silence — and sometimes complicity — and how we, as followers of Christ, can be part of God's redemptive work in our generation. This isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a call to action, to empathy, to justice,...

4 months ago

1 hour 7 minutes

Go Be the Church

2: Holy Spirit or Hype? Making Sense of His Power, Presence, and Purpose.

Today we’re talking about the Holy Spirit—how different Christians understand Him, and more importantly, how we can actually live with the Spirit day to day. Whether you’ve grown up in a charismatic church or barely heard much about the Holy Spirit at all, this episode is for you. We’re not here to debate—we’re here to explore the beauty and mystery of the Spirit, and to invite Him into our everyday lives. So whether you’re driving, folding laundry, or on a walk, let’s lean in together and ma...

5 months ago

1 hour 14 minutes

Go Be the Church

1: Christian Life Outside of Church: What It Really Looks Like.

Go Be the Church. It's not just the name of our podcast, it's the benediction we give every week at First Christian Church in Champaign, Illinois. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, "What does that even mean? What does it actually look like to be the Church once we walk out those doors?" Join us as we talk about that in Episode One and give you some practical tools to be the church where you live, work, and play. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/@GoBeTheChurchPodcast You...

5 months ago

46 minutes

Go Be the Church

Episode 0. The Why Behind the Go Be the Church Podcast.

In this introductory episode, you'll meet some of our hosts and get to learn the why behind this podcast. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/@GoBeTheChurchPodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoBeTheChurchPodcast Copyright 2025 First Christian Church, Champaign, IL.

6 months ago

19 minutes