- 11
- Episodes
- 26
- Ratings
- 2024
- First episode
About Dear Church
Every day, young adults are deciding whether or not to leave the Church. Rather than simply asking, "Why?" we wanted to ask another question: "Can you tell us your story?" Dear Church is a ten-part series that narratively tells the stories of young adults in the Seventh-day Adventist community. Each episode concludes with the guest sharing a personal letter they’ve written to the SDA Church.
- Publisher
- SECC Youth
- Category
- religion & spirituality
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 24 Jun 2024
- Latest episode
- 12 Sept 2024
Latest episodes
11 episodes in the feed.
12 Sept 2024
Episode 10: Finale
After listening to the stories of eight young adults, Pastor Aren concludes the Dear Church series by turning his microphone towards new voices. He also reflects on the journey, and asks, "What's next?" To hear every episode and read official transcripts, visit our show's page (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch). We will also be releasing discussion guides for each episode this fall. If you would be so kind, please leave a rating and review on your podcast platform. Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to all who have made this project possible, including Adam Washington, Taji Saleem, SECC Administration, SECC Youth, LLUC Media, many pastors, and each of our guests. We look forward to what's next. seccyouth.com/dearchurch (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch)
2 Sept 2024
Episode 9: Abel
In middle school, Abel discovered his passion. Then he learned how his Church felt about it. Listen as our youngest, and final, young adult guest shares his story of navigating life, calling, and faith as a member of the Gen Z generation. Read the new article on Dear Church (https://issuu.com/pacificunionrecorder/docs/0924recorder/50) from the Pacific Union Recorder. Full episode transcripts are available on our show's page (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch). Please leave a rating and review of our show on your podcast platform. Watch a video recap (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmNz6bySzJk&pp=ygUKc2VjYyB5b3V0aA%3D%3D) of this year's One Life event referenced at the end of today's episode. Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and Taji Saleem for design and website support. Our music is from Blue Dot Sessions (https://www.sessions.blue). To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch (seccyouth.com/dearchurch).
21 Aug 2024
Episode 8: Pedro
From a young age, Pedro demonstrated special gifts that his family could clearly see--gifts that eventually led him to becoming a successful physician. What they couldn't see, however, was what Pedro was truly experiencing. For a full episode transcript, visit our show's page (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch). This episode makes mention of 3ABN (https://3abn.org) and GYC (https://gycweb.org). Learn more about Children's Hospital Los Angeles (https://www.chla.org/about-childrens-hospital-los-angeles). This episode makes brief mention of suicidal ideation. If you are in need of resources, we have compiled a library of mental health resources (https://seccyouth.com/mental-health/). If you are having thoughts of suicide, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Hotline (https://988lifeline.org). Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and Taji Saleem for design and website support. Our music is from Blue Dot Sessions (https://www.sessions.blue). To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch).
12 Aug 2024
Episode 7: Jenn
When Jenn was in college, a professor unexpectedly told her something that altered the course of her life. Now, after years of living out of the result, she is realizing just how great that impact is--as she faces a challenge she never saw coming. If you help lead a ministry like Jenn, see if our Leadership Convention (www.seccyouth.com/leadership) in September is right for you. For a full episode transcript, visit our show's page (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch). If you're enjoying Dear Church, please leave a rating and review on your podcast platform. Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and LLUC Media for their recording space. Taji Saleem designed our cover art and Blue Dot Sessions provides our music. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch).
5 Aug 2024
Episode 6: Anthony
Marriage and family have always been firm pillars of the Church. So what happens when an Adventist love story falls apart? This week, one young adult shares about the reality of divorce for young adults by detailing his own journey of loss, grief, and eventually discovering the darkness is only temporary. If you're enjoying Dear Church, please subscribe to the show and rate and review on your podcast platform. Listen to Anthony's podcast Seeking What They Sought (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seeking-what-they-sought/id1445621771&ved=2ahUKEwj94OaSrdmHAxX0LUQIHVS5HfEQFnoECAgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1f74LhY_NgDxqkBsIFdV6a). For a full episode transcript, visit our show's page (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch). Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and to Taji Saleem for our cover art. Music is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/DearChurch (seccyouth.com/DearChurch).
28 Jul 2024
Episode 5: Ezrica
From the ages of 17 to 26, Ezrica served as a missionary all across America. Now she's faced with the question: does she regret it? Listen as Ezrica shares boldly about her experience as an immigrant, a missionary, and a black woman in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. If you're enjoying Dear Church, please subscribe to the show and rate and review on your podcast platform. Check out Ezrica's e-course for churches, "Engaging Young Adults" (https://ebennett.thinkific.com/courses/engagingyoungadults). Read some of Ezrica's reporting (https://spectrummagazine.org/author/ezrica-bennett/) for Spectrum Magazine. For a full episode transcript, click here (https://seccyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ezrica-Bennett-Episode-Transcript.pdf) or visit our show's page (https://seccyouth.com/dearchurch/). Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and to LLUC Media (https://www.lluc.org/media-ministry-temp) for providing their recording space. Cover art by Taji Saleem. Music from Blue Dot Sessions. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/DearChurch (https://seccyouth.com/dearchurch/).
22 Jul 2024
Episode 4: Carla
Carla became a record setting athlete in both academy and college, and continued to excel as an adult. Then one tragic accident seemed to change everything. Today, the story of one of Adventism's greatest competitors, who discovered how strong she and her community truly are. Warning: Today's episode includes description of a violent act, starting at the 11:07 mark. More details below.* Read more (https://www.puc.edu/news/archives/2022/a-new-sense-of-identity) about Carla and Daniel's journey. For a full episode transcript, click here (https://seccyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Carla-Monnier-Episode-Transcript.pdf) or visit our show's page (https://seccyouth.com/dearchurch/). Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Envato Elements. Cover art by Taji Saleem. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch (www.seccyouth.com/dearchurch). *At the 11:07 mark, Carla describes the moment she was the victim of a drive-by shooting. She shares about seeing the flashing of a gun, hearing gunshots, and being hit in her chest before spending six days in the hospital. Take caution in deciding whether to listen.
15 Jul 2024
Episode 3: Sebastian
When Pastor Aren attended a vespers for Pacific Islander churches, he expected to hear great music and enjoy a good meal. What he didn't expect was to discover one of the most profound testimonies he'd ever heard. Today, the story of the Adventist young adult who shared it. Learn more about The Two Percent Ministry (https://www.thetwopercentpi.com) Today's episode references the Adventist Church's Pathfinder ministry (https://www.clubministries.org/pathfinders/) For mental health resources, visit seccyouth.com/mental-health (https://seccyouth.com/mental-health/) Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Cover art by Taji Saleem. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/DearChurch (https://seccyouth.com/dearchurch/).
8 Jul 2024
Episode 2: Kelly
Ten years ago, Kelly considered a career path in ministry. Then she watched as the Church gave her what felt like a resounding rejection. Now, Kelly shares her journey with the Church that goes much deeper, and in more directions, than Aren could have imagined. Today's episode references the Church's 2015 vote on women's ordination (https://adventist.news/news/delegates-vote-no-on-issue-of-womens-ordination) For a full episode transcript, visit our show's homepage (https://seccyouth.com/dearchurch/) Check out the music library at Blue Dot Sessions (https://www.sessions.blue) Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Cover art by Taji Saleem. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch (https://seccyouth.com/dearchurch/).
1 Jul 2024
Episode 1: Introduction
"If you could say anything to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, what would you say?" This is the question Pastor Aren Rennacker had for young adults in the SDA community. The answers he began to receive led him to a deeper journey than he expected. In our first episode of ten, listen as Pastor Aren speaks with various young adults, as well as one of the leading voices for young adult involvement in the SDA Church. Thank you for listening and for subscribing. New episodes posted each Sunday evening. To learn more, visit our website (https://seccyouth.com/dearchurch/) Read the preliminary Valuegenesis 4 (https://faithinstitution.org/overview/) report Learn more about the Young Adult LIFE Initiative (https://growingyoungadventists.com/) Buy the Barna Adventist Millennial Study (https://www.adventsource.org/store/young-adults/new-leaders/adventist-millennial-study-pdf-38998) for free
24 Jun 2024
Dear Church Trailer
Young adults are deciding every day whether or not to leave the Church. Rather than asking why, we wanted to ask another question: "Can you tell us your story?" Dear Church is a new limited podcast series by SECC Youth that shares the stories and voices of Adventist young adults. Episode 1 is available on all major podcasting platforms starting July 1. www.seccyouth.com/DearChurch (www.seccyouth.com/DearChurch)
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- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 26 ratings
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