171 The Church Is a Number 20

What does a sketchy neighborhood, a roadside barbecue joint, and the Catholic Church have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of Story Drām, Chris shares the story of discovering an unforgettable Kansas City barbecue restaurant—and realizing that sometimes the best things are worth driving through a few rough neighborhoods to find. That experience becomes a surprisingly powerful image for the Church: no parish is perfect, and every community has its weaknesses, but the Church as a whole contains the fullness of what we need in Christ. From smoked meats to the saints, from the Transfiguration to the Eucharist, this conversation explores what it means to recognize Jesus at the heart of the Church even when everything around Him feels imperfect. We also wrestle honestly with the reality that people sometimes find different pieces of their Catholic faith in different parishes—and why that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you've ever been frustrated by your parish, wondered whether you're in the "right" church, or struggled to see Jesus through the imperfections of the people around you, this episode is for you. Sometimes, after all the twists, turns, railroad tracks, and questionable directions, you finally arrive and realize: this is going to be good.