Church is Messy

Technical note: Due to multiple technical difficulties, the video version of this week's episode is unavailable. We expect the video podcast to premiere with next week's episode. The audio version is available as usual.In this episode, Rick and Svea launch the new Expedition Ready series by introducing a framework for the spiritual journey. The goal is not to create a formula, ladder, or grading system for faith, but to offer a map that helps people understand how growth with Jesus often unfolds over time. The journey moves through stages of discovering, learning, doing, contemplating, becoming, and loving, with “the wall” marking a significant season of deeper wrestling and growth.They talk about the “ghost rules” people can absorb in church culture—like feeling pressure to fake maturity or appear more put together than they really are—and why authentic spiritual formation requires honesty. Growth is not about managing a Christian image; it is about becoming more like Jesus in ways that reach beneath behavior and into the deeper parts of who we are.Rick and Svea also spend time on “the wall,” the season when old answers may no longer feel sufficient, God may seem distant, or doubt and disillusionment surface. Rather than seeing that as failure, they describe it as a normal and potentially important part of the journey—an invitation into deeper emotional and spiritual maturity.From there, the conversation explores what happens on the other side of the wall: allowing Jesus to bring healing to the inner life, gradually becoming the kind of person who reflects His character more naturally, and ultimately growing toward a life increasingly shaped by love for God and others.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Introducing video podcasting & the "Expedition Ready" fall series launch01:30 The goal of becoming like Jesus — and why it can't be reduced to a formula of "right beliefs, right behaviors"03:04 The overlanding metaphor: preparation, maps, and not traveling alone as parallels to the spiritual journey04:32 The six stages as a map, not a scorecard — not levels, not a ladder, but seasons of movement toward maturity06:35 "Ghost rules" in church culture — the pressure to fake it till you make it, and the call to authenticity11:10 Stages 1–3 walkthrough: Discovering (excitement), Learning (being a sponge), and Doing (serving with rocket-fuel growth)14:00 The Wall: burnout, doubt, disillusionment, and the liberating truth that "it's not a you problem, it's an us thing"18:45 Stages 4–5: Contemplating (gospel healing of hurts, coping patterns, and family-of-origin wounds) and Becoming (reflexive Christlikeness vs. effortful behavior)23:55 AI as a metaphor: the danger of "all product, no process" — shortcuts bypass the growth the spiritual journey requires25:41 Stage 6: Loving — the final stage of true sanctification where love motivates everything, and a call to join small groups for the 8-week series

How does a church honor its history without becoming trapped by it?Following Vision Sunday, Rick and Svea reflect on Autumn Ridge's nearly 170-year history and the generations of people who have carried the church's mission forward. While locations, leaders, programs, and methods have changed, one thing has remained at the center: a desire for people to know Jesus.But a long history brings both gifts and challenges. Rick describes the past as something that can become either a foundation or a landlord. Churches can fall into the ditch of nostalgia, allowing cherished experiences and preferences to dictate the future, or the ditch of amnesia, forgetting the wisdom and faithfulness of those who came before. The goal is to cherish the past without trying to recreate it—and to keep asking whether our methods are still serving our purpose.Rick and Svea also talk about the courage required to change, experiment, and even fail. A healthy church can let go of methods that once worked, try something new, learn when it doesn't work, and keep moving forward. That requires knowing clearly who we are, who we're becoming, and why we exist.Ultimately, every generation is simply running its leg of the race. The work we do today should honor those who came before us while laying a strong foundation for those who will come next—a church centered on Jesus, committed to spiritual formation, welcoming to people who are curious or skeptical, and prepared to hand the baton forward well.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro01:10 Announcing the Video Podcast Launch02:30 Vision Sunday: Annual Reminder of Church Identity04:51 Church History & Founding Pastor Reverend Westcott (1857)08:00 Age Dynamics in Churches (a new concept)13:47 Nostalgia vs. Amnesia: The Two Ditches of Church Longevity19:24 Svea's Marriage Analogy: Different Chapters, Different Beauty25:20 The Grass Valley Group: Locking in on "How" Instead of "Why"35:28 Legacy: What to Leave Behind for the Next Pastor

What if heaven is not somewhere we escape to, but the place where God finally makes all things new?In the final conversation of The End? series, Rick and Svea unpack the biblical picture of heaven as a renewed creation—heaven coming to earth when Jesus returns. They talk about what happens when a follower of Jesus dies, why Scripture points toward resurrection and restoration rather than an eternal disembodied existence, and how that changes the way we imagine eternity.They also explore why so many Christians have inherited a picture of heaven that feels disconnected from the physical world, and why a more complete biblical vision gives greater meaning to the ordinary things we do now. Relationships, work, creativity, beauty, justice, care for creation, and service all matter because God cares about His creation and intends to restore it.Rick and Svea close by asking what this hope means for life today. We can grieve honestly without grieving hopelessly. We can trust that the work we do matters. And we can take eternity seriously—not by trying to predict when Jesus will return, but by trusting Him, following Him, and living now as citizens of the kingdom He promises to fully restore.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:36 What happens when we die before Jesus returns — different views on the intermediate state ("soul sleep" vs. being with Christ immediately)05:25 Heaven isn't clouds and harps — debunking childhood misconceptions about eternity as endless choir practice07:01 The earth will be renewed, not discarded — the biblical case that heaven comes here, restoring the best of creation11:05 Four views of eschatology — Rick recaps historic premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism, and dispensationalism14:22 Historical roots of a distorted view — how chattel slavery, Gnosticism, and the dispensationalist emphasis on destruction shaped the American church's "just go off to heaven" mindset18:21 What will we actually do in heaven? — feasting, work, creativity, building cities, gardening, and even hunting (plus whether we'll look like ourselves)22:25 Living now as citizens of heaven — why restoring creation matters now, not because we can bring heaven to earth, but because the love of Christ compels us24:58 The "now and not yet" — Rick's sports car analogy for why God prioritizes restoring people first, then creation28:55 Three practical takeaways — grieve honestly but not hopelessly, what you do matters, and take eternity seriously (choose Jesus)

What are we really looking forward to when we think about heaven?Rick and Svea continue the conversation around The End? by focusing on heaven—not as an escape from this life, but as the fulfillment of our deepest longing to be with Jesus. They talk about why even the best things in this life eventually come to an end, why heaven is ultimately about who is there more than what the place is like, and how growing in our relationship with Jesus now can deepen our capacity to enjoy Him forever.The conversation also turns toward suffering and hope. The gospel doesn't ask us to minimize pain, tidy up grief, or pretend difficult circumstances aren't real. Instead, it allows us to face suffering honestly while remembering that suffering is not the final chapter. Sometimes Christian community means sitting with someone in the mess—and helping them see the shore when the fog is too thick for them to see it themselves.Rick and Svea close by exploring how we grow our delight in Jesus through knowing Him more deeply, practicing His presence, and living in meaningful relationships with others. In the process, they discover that the conversation naturally lands on Autumn Ridge's framework for spiritual formation: knowledge, practices, and relationships.Topics discussed in this episode:01:40 — Book recommendation: Revelation for the Rest of Us by Scott McKnight02:45 — What are you looking forward to? (Rick & Svea share personal answers)04:21 — Vacation grief and the weight of hope in temporary things06:36 — Sabbath rest, Joel Lawrence, and the rest we were made for07:41 — Jesus is the answer, not the place (heaven as being with Him)12:00 — Imagining a day with Jesus physically present13:57 — Will heaven be boring? Meaningful responsibility without toil17:07 — Suffering, escapism, and the gospel's honest approach to pain27:05 — How to grow your capacity for enjoying Jesus (spiritual practices, community, and the formation framework)

Trying to figure out exactly when Jesus will return can be fascinating—but it can also distract us from the kind of people Jesus is calling us to become right now.In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea continue the conversation from Autumn Ridge's series on the end times. They reflect on church cultures that emphasized decoding prophecy, predicting the rapture, and connecting current events to biblical timelines—and contrast that approach with a simpler question: What does it look like to live faithfully if we really believe Jesus is coming back?Rick and Svea discuss why people are drawn to certainty and secret knowledge, the recurring biblical pattern of self-rule, power, and control, and the danger of combining faith with pursuits of military, economic, cultural, national, or ethnic dominance.Instead, followers of Jesus are called to a very different way of life: motivated by the love of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and lived out within the local church.They also explore how Christian community helps us face fear, suffering, and uncertainty. When life becomes difficult—or even when our worst-case scenario happens—we need people who can remind us what is true, encourage us, and sometimes even “loan” us their courage and faith.Ultimately, the church most prepared for Jesus' return isn't the church that has the timeline figured out. It's the church that looks most like Jesus before he returns.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro and personal updates (Svea recording with strep throat)01:00 — Growing up in end-times prediction culture and family members trying to predict the rapture02:03 — Rick's youth group experiences: "rapture practice" and decoding Revelation as Apache helicopters03:25 — The human desire to predict the end: Gnosticism, secret knowledge, and conspiracy theories05:00 — Don't fight about end times — land wherever you land, but the result should be faithfulness, love, and encouragement08:25 — The wisdom of not knowing when Jesus returns (the "just-in-time husband" analogy with his wife's trip)10:52 — Recognizing patterns: the "golden circle" of self-rule, power/control, and military/economic/cultural might — with religion, nationalism, and ethnicity as superchargers15:11 — The church's golden circle: Christ's love (why), Spirit-filled life (how), local church community (what)18:32 — Perfect love casting out fear: how community diffuses fear, shame, and dread around end-times topics25:50 — "What if the worst happens?" — trusting Jesus remains King, and borrowing courage from church community

Church Is Messy is back for a new season! Rick and Svea begin with a few summer updates before turning to Autumn Ridge's new message series, The End?—and why conversations about the return of Jesus should lead to preparation, not prediction.They explore several Christian perspectives on the end times, why fear and speculation have shaped so much modern thinking about the subject, and what Scripture actually calls followers of Jesus to do while we wait. Rather than obsessing over charts, dates, and decoding current events, Paul points Christians toward character, community, faith, love, encouragement, and readiness.Rick and Svea also discuss what genuine Christian community looks like when we move beyond convenience and programmed relationships. If our bonds as brothers and sisters in Christ are eternal, how might that change the way we invest in one another now? And what does it mean to “loan our strength” to someone who is weak simply by showing up and reminding them they aren't alone?Ultimately, thinking seriously about the return of Jesus should help us become more like Jesus today.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro03:11 — Introduction to "The End?" series on end times and the church's approach04:10 — People's anxiety about end times teaching and the ominous series graphic05:15 — John Steer's quote: the return of Christ is for application, not speculation06:01 — Why Rick focused on community and character instead of predictions and charts07:11 — Paul's pastoral approach to the Thessalonians' fear of being left behind08:02 — "Nobody flies standby with Jesus" — living awake, clear-minded, and faithful15:16 — Community and convenience: how churches default to programming for the easiest demographics16:34 — The calorie-counting analogy: individuals and churches both battle the gravitational pull of convenience17:35 — Church bonds as more enduring than family bonds: brothers and sisters in Christ is forever19:50 — The story of a gay friend trying to follow Jesus and the lack of a vision for better community21:58 — What community looks like for singles, widows, and people in the pit — beyond scheduled programs23:18 — Practical steps: turning down convenience and turning up commitment to build each other up25:24 — The armor of faith and love: Paul's twist on military imagery in 1 Thessalonians 528:00 — Your biggest enemy is you: being at war with your own temptations and moral fragility29:20 — Rick's personal story of a fractured friendship and failing to put the other person's needs first31:32 — The lion that is a slain lamb: God flipping our expectations upside down32:24 — Flipping the church upside down: adults investing in kids week after week34:09 — Warning the idle, encouraging the disheartened, helping the weak — giving each person what they need35:32 — Closing vision: fostering beautiful, godly community that lasts for eternity

In this season finale of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea reflect on the close of both the podcast season and Autumn Ridge's long journey through 1 Corinthians. The conversation centers on 1 Corinthians 16 and Rick's message about how churches relate to leaders—not as a grievance or self-serving topic, but as a willingness to talk honestly about what the text actually says. Rick revisits four unhealthy mindsets that can shape how people respond to leaders: strongman Christianity, scoreboard Christianity, pep rally Christianity, and consumerism Christianity. He explains how these mindsets often grow out of fear, insecurity, tribalism, comparison, or the subtle desire to place ourselves at the center.A significant part of the episode focuses on the difference between looking to strong leaders for certainty and learning to trust Jesus with our circumstances. Rick and Svea also spend time unpacking consumerism in the church, especially how easy it is to recognize in others and how difficult it can be to see in ourselves.The conversation then turns toward practical ways to return to a grounded identity in Christ: being honest with ourselves, naming what is true out loud, bringing it to Jesus in prayer, and walking honestly with trusted people who love us and love Jesus.Rick and Svea also touch on submission, leadership, and trust—especially what it means to follow leaders in a broken world while keeping our ultimate allegiance to Jesus.The episode closes with a look ahead. Church Is Messy will take a short summer break and return in August alongside a new series called The End?, which will explore end times questions, where history is headed from a biblical perspective, and what Christians can expect about heaven.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro01:37 — Why Rick Chose to Preach on 1 Corinthians 1607:50 — The Four Dysfunctional Mindsets (Recap) 10:01 — Which Mindsets Are Most Dangerous Today15:58 — Deep Dive: Consumerism Christianity21:41 — Consumerism in Marriage & Relationships23:28 — The Antidotes: Grounding Identity in Christ27:37 — Submission to Leaders (Healthy & Unhealthy34:36 — Upcoming Break & Preview of Next Series

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea reflect on Svea's recent message from Psalm 58—one of the imprecatory psalms, where God's people cry out for divine justice against evil and oppression.They talk about why passages like this can feel uncomfortable, violent, or hard to reconcile with Jesus' command to love our enemies. Svea shares how studying Psalm 58 helped her recover a deeper appreciation for parts of Scripture many people tend to skip over. Rather than seeing these psalms as permission to seek revenge, Rick and Svea explore how they teach us to bring even our darkest, most honest thoughts and emotions to God.The conversation also touches on the difference between honesty and endorsement. The psalms give language for pain, anger, fear, and longing for justice—not so we can nurture revenge, but so we can surrender those desires to God. Rick and Svea discuss how Jesus fulfills these psalms through the cross, where mercy and justice meet, and how followers of Jesus are called to pursue what is right without taking vengeance into their own hands.Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to read difficult parts of the Bible with curiosity, humility, and trust—looking for Jesus even in passages that feel prickly, dark, or unsettling. Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro01:58 — Backstory: How Svea Chose This Psalm05:29 — How to Read Difficult / "Prickly" Passages of Scripture13:49 — Honesty With God & the Value of Dark Psalms23:19 — Listener Question: How Are Imprecatory Psalms Fulfilled in Jesus?27:02 — Peter's Story Arc as a Picture of Transformation

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea continue the 1 Corinthians series by unpacking Paul's teaching on idolatry, allegiance, wisdom, and life with people who do not share our faith.The conversation begins with a look at how modern idolatry often shows up less through statues and temples and more through the things we rely on for security, significance, and satisfaction. Rick and Svea discuss what it means to give Jesus our full allegiance—not as an accessory we reach for when life gets hard, but as Lord over every part of life.They also explore Paul's practical instructions about eating food sacrificed to idols and what those instructions teach us today. Rather than living in fear of guilt by association, followers of Jesus are called to love people well, remain clear about their allegiance to Christ, and pursue wisdom in messy relational situations.Along the way, Rick and Svea talk about learning from the lives of others, the importance of wise counsel, the difference between avoiding compromise and avoiding people, and how Jesus was never afraid to be present with people others misunderstood or rejected.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro01:37 — Overview of the sermon's two parts04:07 — Learning from others' experiences (Paul's use of Israel's stories)08:01 — "Imitate me as I imitate Christ"09:57 — Total allegiance to Jesus vs. treating Him as an accessory11:43 — Modern idolatry: security, significance, and satisfaction14:32 — Meat sacrificed to idols — navigating the flowchart17:34 — Relational application: being with people in messy situations19:18 — "Avoid the appearance of evil" — does it apply here?22:39 — Guilt by association — Jesus as the model25:06 — A real-world question about what to do when a friend of another faith prays before a meal

Rick and Svea reflect on Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9 about running “in such a way as to get the prize,” exploring what it means to live with courage, focus, and love. They talk about how sharing faith doesn't have to be driven by pressure, guilt, or argument, but can flow naturally from love for people and a desire to share what Jesus has done in our lives.Through stories about hunting, cross-cultural mission, ordinary acts of kindness, and the impact of kids ministry, they reframe “witness” as something deeply relational: noticing people, honoring them, moving at their pace, and sharing what we've experienced. They also offer a practical path forward: pray for someone by name, prepare by growing in confidence and skill, and participate with your church family in ways that help others see the love of God. Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 – Intro03:17 – Self-awareness, introspection, and knowing your mission04:21 – Developing habits of courage and dealing with fatigue06:51 – Harvard study on love and human flourishing08:52 – Evangelism through invitation & relationship (1 Corinthians 9)13:13 – Overcoming anxiety and guilt around evangelism16:00 – What it means to be a "witness"18:14 – Story of Pastor Matthew Matai22:22 – Practical everyday evangelism — "there you are" vs. "here I am"24:17 – Pray, Prepare, Participate framework28:42 – Serving in kids ministry as a form of witness30:17 – Closing — "God's love often has human fingerprints"

Rick and Svea talk about modern-day idolatry—not necessarily bowing before statues, but looking to accomplishments, relationships, finances, status, or other good things to tell us we are enough. They reflect on the freedom that comes from knowing our deepest identity and security are found in Christ, not in what we achieve or what others think of us.The episode also explores Paul's words that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Knowledge matters, but Christian maturity is not measured by how much we know. It is measured by how we love—how we love Jesus and how we love others in the way we have been loved by him.Rick and Svea then discuss what it means to lay aside our rights for the good of someone else. That kind of self-limiting love is not people-pleasing, manipulation, or being a doormat. It is a voluntary choice to seek another person's good, especially when someone is vulnerable or newer in their faith. As Rick puts it, the goal is not to live to please people, but to live to love them.The conversation closes by returning to the foundation underneath it all: when the Lord is our shepherd, we lack nothing. Because our worth and security come from Christ, we are free to love others from a place of abundance rather than fear.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:04 Visiting Another Church03:57 Sermon Recap: Food Sacrificed to Idols (1 Corinthians 8)04:52 Modern Idolatry09:29 The Lord Is My Shepherd / I Lack Nothing (Psalm 23)11:42 Knowledge vs. Love16:39 Setting Aside Rights for Others20:00 Alcohol as a Case Study22:34 People-Pleasing vs. Truly Loving People27:16 Wrapping Up: Loving from Abundance

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Svea sits down with Pastor Caleb Smith to unpack a challenging passage from 1 Corinthians dealing with slavery, singleness, marriage, and what it means to find true security in Christ. Caleb reflects on the importance of reading Scripture in its original context, helping listeners understand the complexities of first-century slavery and Paul's deeper message about resisting the temptation to build our identity and security on status, relationships, or life circumstances instead of Jesus. The conversation also becomes deeply personal as Caleb shares about the ongoing health challenges he's been navigating over the past several months and how those struggles have forced him to wrestle with what it looks like to trust Jesus when life feels uncertain. Together, Caleb and Svea explore how following Jesus doesn't mean using faith as an excuse for impulsive life changes, but learning to remain grounded in Christ's presence and faithfulness no matter what season of life we're walking through.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro02:00 — Update on Caleb's health 05:18 — Approaching the passage (1 Corinthians 7) — slavery and singleness07:25 — First-century slavery vs. American slavery11:34 — How some have used Jesus/marriage/family as an institution of bias or oppression13:00 — The church's neglect of single people14:37 — Paul's core point: don't use Jesus as an excuse to change your circumstances 19:12 — Don't seek security in human institutions21:30 — Svea's personal story — her first husband's cancer death23:39 — Paul's authority and approach in 1 Corinthians 7:25–4025:00 — Caleb's personal application — finding security in Jesus through health challenges

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea continue their walk through 1 Corinthians by tackling a topic that's often misunderstood: sexuality in marriage.They name two common extremes: treating sex as a tool for control or treating it as something spiritually suspect. Instead, they point to a better vision, seeing it as a good gift meant to be expressed within a marriage marked by trust, humility, and covenant love.The conversation keeps coming back to this idea: marriage isn't about getting what you want, it's about seeking the good of the other. That kind of love doesn't come naturally; it takes intentional trust, owning your part when things are off, and choosing humility even when it's hard.They also get practical, offering wisdom for real-life marriages—especially when things feel strained. From setting healthy communication rhythms to pursuing counseling without shame, the goal isn't perfection, but movement toward healing and wholeness.Ultimately, this episode reframes love in a powerful way: we don't pursue this kind of relationship because it always “works,” but because it's good and because it reflects the kind of people we're becoming in Christ.RESOURCES:Message manuscript and outline: https://autumnridge.church/message-notes-church-in-the-wild-wk16-married-life/Message video: https://autumnridge.church/video/church-in-the-wild-wk-16-married-life/Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro03:24 Weaponizing vs. Spiritualizing Sexuality in Marriage05:23 Covenant vs. Conquest: A Vision for Marriage10:38 Trust, Humility & Owning Your "Piece of the Pie"15:19 The Importance of Professional Counseling16:48 Practical Advice for Marriages in Difficulty19:15 Shared Mission, Adventure & Fun in Marriage20:59 Healing from Trauma & Abuse22:22 "We Don't Do This Because It Works — We Do It Because It's Good"25:30 Spiritual Headship & Ephesians 5

Episode Summary:In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea return to 1 Corinthians—specifically chapter 6—to tackle the complex and often uncomfortable topic of sexuality. They explore how the Corinthian church was shaped by its culture, where distorted views of the body and sex were normalized, and connect that to how modern culture similarly “disciples” us today.The conversation highlights a biblical vision of sexuality as something good, sacred, and deeply connected to our spiritual lives—not separate from them. Rick and Svea clarify that while the Bible may not function like a rulebook, it consistently points to God's design: faithful, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman in the covenant of marriage, while honestly portraying the brokenness that deviates from it.They also emphasize that people's views of sexuality are often shaped by early experiences they didn't choose, but through Jesus, there is always an opportunity to move forward without shame and pursue a better way. The episode underscores that our bodies matter—that we are “temples of the Holy Spirit”—and that how we live physically reflects our faith.Ultimately, the discussion calls listeners to be aware of the cultural “algorithms” shaping them, to take formation seriously, and to embrace a higher, more holistic vision of sexuality and the body—one rooted in grace, intentionality, and following Jesus. Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 - Intro01:17 - Easter Sunday reading of 1 Corinthians 1502:26 - Sexuality in the Corinthian church / prostitution as cultural norm04:32 - Greek philosophy: the body as disposable06:19 - How the Bible addresses sexuality (descriptive vs. prescriptive)07:49 - Polygamy in the Old Testament09:14 - God's original design for sexuality (Genesis ideal)10:53 - God's positive view of sex (Proverbs 5, Song of Solomon)14:08 - How we're introduced to sex shapes how we define it14:47 - Sexuality class icebreaker story (doctorate program)17:49 - Sexual "algorithm" — cultural formation & overcoming shame19:03 - Church's stance on cohabitation / following Jesus in sexuality20:57 - The body as temple of the Holy Spirit25:24 - Sexual habits in singleness and their impact on marriage27:09 - Honoring God with all physical habits (drink, rest, Sabbath)29:29 - Wrap-up & preview of next week (marriage)

Rick and Svea unpack a challenging (“rugged”) passage from 1 Corinthians 14, focusing on orderly worship, spiritual gifts (like speaking in tongues), and a difficult line about women in the church. Rather than avoiding tension, they model how to engage it—encouraging listeners to interpret unclear passages through what's clear, use context, and patiently wrestle toward understanding. The conversation moves beyond the text into formation: following Jesus means honesty, not performance. They challenge “performative spirituality”—using religious language or practices to impress rather than connect—and call the church to authenticity, humility, and clarity, especially for the sake of those still exploring faith.Ultimately, the episode centers on being a church that is clear, welcoming, and distraction-free in its worship—where everything we do helps people see Jesus, not us.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 - Intro01:25 - 1 Corinthians 14: Orderly Worship & Speaking in Tongues 02:29 - How to Interpret Difficult Passages06:10 - Emotional Honesty When Reading the Bible07:25 - Rick's Personal Bible Study Method10:09 - Vulnerability & Authenticity in Church Community13:47 - Performative Spirituality17:47 - Personal Experiences with Charismatic Worship19:47 - Order vs. Freedom in Worship23:03 - Sermon Prep: Manuscript vs. Extemporaneous Preaching25:02 - Clarity, Jesus, and the Purpose of Scripture30:38 - Being a Good Ambassador at Easter

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea revisit 1 Corinthians 13 following Svea's weekend sermon—looking beyond its reputation as a wedding passage to what Paul was actually addressing in a deeply dysfunctional church. What emerges is a clear picture of spiritual maturity shaped by love.Svea shares how her understanding of the passage grew as she studied it, alongside a six-stage framework of spiritual growth—discovering, learning, doing, contemplating, becoming, and loving—and the experience many encounter as “the wall,” where faith can feel uncertain or stalled. Rather than signaling failure, this season may be an invitation to deeper, more lasting transformation.The conversation also names a tension many feel: much of church culture emphasizes learning and doing, while the deeper, more inward work of formation often goes unexplored. Through practical examples like patience, Rick and Svea show the movement from something we try to practice to something that becomes part of who we are as we follow Jesus. Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro01:07 — Introducing the sermon on 1 Corinthians 13.01:14 — Svea's initial reaction to preaching the Love Chapter.02:36 — The true context of 1 Cor. 13: love as a recipe for a dysfunctional church, not a wedding poem.06:11 — What was left on the cutting room floor (tongues, knowledge ceasing, preview of Rick's next sermon).08:10 — Paul's character: the tension between his perceived harshness and writing the most beautiful words about love.10:41 — The opening sermon illustration: love that is imperfect but genuine vs. flawless but loveless.12:53 — Introduction to the Spiritual Growth Framework.12:57 — Stages 1–3: Discovering, Learning, and Doing.17:41 — The Wall: what it is, what causes it, and why it's not a punishment.23:41 — Stage 4: Contemplating (and why the church has an allergy to it).25:16 — Stage 5: Becoming (motivation shifting from obligation to identity).27:30 — Stage 6: Loving (virtue becoming instinctive, not intentional).29:56 — Practical walkthrough of all six stages using patience as the example.

This episode of "Church Is Messy" unpacks the sermon Rick preached on 1 Corinthians 12 and the topic of spiritual gifts. Rick opened that message with a reflection on mortality — the "dash" between a person's birth and death date — prompting a lively discussion about whether they'd want to know their end date in advance (both say yes, though they acknowledge they're in the minority). This leads into the central theme: how an awareness of limited time should motivate intentional use of the gifts God has given each person.Rick and Svea explore several facets of spiritual gifting: how to discover your gifts (through prayer, availability, and asking others for feedback), the pitfalls of spiritual gift surveys (which can cause people to feel exempt from responsibilities they score low in, like hospitality or evangelism), and the importance of leaning into strengths rather than fixating on weaknesses. Rick shares his own conviction that teaching God's word is his irreplaceable calling, while also emphasizing that all spiritual gifts — from encouragement to listening to generosity — can be exercised anywhere, not just in formal ministry roles.The episode closes on a devotional note, with both hosts reflecting that a life oriented outward toward others — living as a "there you are" person rather than a "here I am" person — is not only God's design but also the source of the deepest joy. Svea teases the upcoming weekend's message (her turn to preach), which will continue into 1 Corinthians 13 on love as the ultimate motivation for using one's gifts.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 — Intro03:44 — Recap of the Sermon on 1 Corinthians 12 / Spiritual Gifts04:41 — Would You Want to Know Your End Date?09:10 — Rick's Personal Calling and Use of His Gifts11:04 — Every Believer Is Gifted14:04 — Barriers to Using Your Gifts18:03 — The Downside of Spiritual Gift Surveys26:38 — Living Out Your Dash with Intentionality31:24 — Preview of the Upcoming Weekend

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea explore the second half of 1 Corinthians 11, where Paul sharply rebukes the Corinthian church for their divisive behavior during communion. Paul's warning reveals how seriously God takes unity within the church.Rick explains that unity is not just a goal for Christians—it reflects God's very nature as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The problem in Corinth wasn't personal sin before communion, but pretending to be unified while practicing division, as wealthier believers feasted while the poor went hungry.Rick and Svea discuss what true unity looks like in practice: moving beyond tolerance to actively honoring and welcoming people across differences in age, background, culture, and life stage. They remind listeners that biblical unity in diversity is not a cultural trend but an ancient foundation of the church.The episode closes with a picture of this unity in action through multigenerational faith communities learning from one another around the same table.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 - Intro02:32 - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 11 Passage03:39 - God's Discipline and Importance of Unity04:37 - The Trinity and Unity07:01 - A Thought Experiment08:40 - Divine Discipline vs. Condemnation09:42 - Better Not to Meet - A Church Out of Whack10:20 - Taking Communion in an Unworthy Manner12:33 - Communion as a Meal in Small Groups13:32 - Clarifying Unity in Christ vs. Loving All People15:42 - The Tolerate, Celebrate, Elevate Progression16:30 - Philippians 2 - The Mind of Christ18:11 - Practical Application in Church Life20:32 - Idealized Small Group Expectations21:07 - Loneliness Epidemic22:51 - Cultural Shift on Unity and Diversity26:54 - Christian Foundation for Unity28:12 - Beauty and Goodness of Unity30:38 - Preview of Next Week

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea tackle one of the most notoriously difficult passages in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 11, which discusses head coverings and gender roles. The conversation centers on how people tend to retreat into fundamentalism—grasping at simplistic, dogmatic answers—when facing uncertainty or complex biblical texts. Rick explains that this impulse appears across the theological spectrum, from those who dismiss difficult passages entirely to those who impose rigid, literalistic interpretations without acknowledging the real complexities involved.The heart of their discussion explores why 1 Corinthians 11 is so challenging to interpret. Even top scholars disagree on fundamental questions: What does "head of" mean when Paul says God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman? Does it signify authority, source, unity, or preeminence? Rick presents Lucy Peppiatt's scholarly theory as one reasonable explanation while acknowledging it cannot be definitively proven. He emphasizes that any valid interpretation must account for all the facts without contradicting itself or the rest of scripture. Svea shares her personal experience of feeling stress and anxiety when hearing this passage read, even in the healthy environment of Autumn Ridge, reflecting the real impact these texts have on women in ministry.Ultimately, Rick and Svea encourage listeners to approach difficult scripture with confidence, curiosity, and courage rather than contempt or cynicism. They stress that it's spiritually mature to say "I don't know yet" and to trust in God's character while continuing to study and wrestle with hard passages. The main point Paul makes is clear despite all the complexity: men and women are interdependent, and all are fully dependent on God. Sometimes the most important lesson from a difficult passage isn't what it definitively says, but learning how to approach it with humility, rigorous study, and unwavering trust in God.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:55 - Connecting Fundamentalism to the Difficult Passage05:56 - Fundamentalism as a Response to Uncertainty07:00 - Svea's Personal Experience as a Woman08:45 - The Umbrella Imagery10:35 - What Does "Head Of" Mean?11:47 - John Chrysostom's Fourth Century Perspective13:30 - Long Unbound Hair & Cultural Context14:22 - Rick's Full Interpretation of "Headship"17:02 - Jesus' Functional Subordination19:27 - The Mystery of Angels in the Passage19:54 - Spiritual Maturity in Uncertainty21:29 - God Beyond Full Comprehension22:35 - Approaching Difficult Scripture as Worship23:18 - Lucy Peppiatt's Theory23:56 - Evaluating Competing Interpretations26:00 - Paul's Main Point: Interdependence26:25 - Dealing with Personal Bias28:46 - What to Remember a Year from Now30:54 - Preston Sprinkle's 20-Year Wrestling31:21 - Learning How to Approach Scripture33:02 - Impact Story: Red Letters Only Christian33:35 - Closing & Moving Forward

Rick and Svea continue their challenging journey through First Corinthians, tackling Chapter 6 which addresses conflict within the church. They explore Paul's confronting question: "Why not rather be wronged?" and discuss how the Corinthian believers were taking each other to court instead of resolving disputes within the community.They examine three key perspectives: theological (understanding our eschatological identity in Christ), ecclesiological (recognizing we're one body and conflict hurts us all), and leadership (accepting that being misunderstood comes with the territory). They share personal vulnerabilities about their own "insecurity cards"—Rick's struggle with being misunderstood and Svea's feelings of inadequacy—and discuss how the cruciform lifestyle (self-sacrificing love modeled by Jesus on the cross) should shape how Christians handle conflict.The conversation emphasizes that while conflict is inevitable, we're called to seek security and satisfaction in Christ alone rather than demanding affirmation from others. They explore practical applications for church life, leadership, and personal relationships, highlighting how choosing to "rather be wronged" isn't about tolerating abuse but about prioritizing others' needs and protecting confidentiality—even when it means taking the hit yourself.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Introduction01:45 Nine Sacred Pathways & Spiritual Connection04:45 Conflict in the Corinthian Church06:35 Insecurity Cards Discussion09:10 Self-Awareness & Growth12:10 Jesus & Paul Were Misunderstood13:10 Taking an Eschatological Perspective15:25 Cruciform Way of Life18:15 Three Lenses: Theological Perspective21:25 "Why Not Rather Be Wronged?"22:43 Three lenses: Ecclesiological Perspective - Body of Christ 25:20 Not Demanding Affirmation from Others27:50 Woman at the Well - John 429:10 Representing Jesus Well30:25 Three lenses: Leadership Perspective - Being Misunderstood 31:52 Leadership & Confidentiality34:35 Practical Leadership Example37:00 Decision Tree - When to Take the Hit38:15 Closing Remarks

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea tackle one of the most uncomfortable passages in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5. They discuss a shocking situation in the Corinthian church where a man was sleeping with his stepmother, and the congregation was doing nothing about it.Rick and Svea explore the tension between creating a church where people feel safe in struggling with sin while still maintaining biblical standards. They unpack what it means to address sin within the church versus judging those outside it, and why Paul's instruction to "hand this man over to Satan" was actually an act of love aimed at restoration.The conversation covers challenging questions like: How do we balance grace and accountability? What's the difference between being judgmental and exercising discernment? And how should Christians engage with cultural issues without becoming the "morality police"?Whether you're wrestling with how to approach sin in your own life or wondering how the church should respond to difficult situations, this episode offers a thoughtful, grace-filled perspective on navigating one of Scripture's messiest passages.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 - Introduction & Overview of 1 Corinthians 5 01:14 - The Situation in Corinth 03:23 - Relevance to Modern Church Life 04:28 - Pastoral Heart & Balancing Grace with Truth 07:26 - "Lowered the Bar, Raised the Standard" 08:50 - Struggling vs. Stubbornly Entrenched in Sin 10:34 - "Who Rules" vs. "What Are the Rules" 12:55 - Addressing Sin Within vs. Outside the Church 14:25 - Wanting Good for Non-Believers Without Being Judgmental 17:03 - Judgment vs. Discernment 19:01 - Christians, Politics & Voting 20:00 - Roe v. Wade & Pro-Life Position 26:36 - Early Church Example: Infant Exposure in Rome 28:12 - Addressing Sin Among Believers 28:53 - "Hand This Man Over to Satan" 30:26 - Letting People Experience Consequences 31:04 - Wisdom Cannot Be Reduced to Rules 33:58 - "Don't Even Eat With Such People" 37:12 - The Agape Feast & Lord's Supper 40:02 - Creating a Safe Church for Struggling Believers 42:55 - How Church Discipline Works in Practice 46:53 - Preview of Next Episode

In this episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea dive into Paul's letter to the Corinthians, exploring how the early church struggled with the same tribal divisions we see today. Using a clever Jelly Roll analogy, Rick illustrates how easily Christians can align themselves with personalities and influencers rather than keeping Jesus as their foundation.The conversation tackles the tension between theological knowledge and spiritual maturity, the danger of evaluating Jesus through the lens of our preferred tribe rather than the other way around, and what it means to truly be the temple of God. Rick and Svea discuss the importance of knowing not just what we believe, but why we believe it, and how immaturity and pride can lead us to seek certainty in the wrong places.Throughout the episode, they emphasize that while we're called to contribute to God's work, it's ultimately His presence and power that produces growth—not our performance. The discussion offers both challenge and comfort: we're all vulnerable to these patterns, but we have a solid foundation in Christ that can't be shaken.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:10 Jelly Roll Parable and Church Polarization04:45 Teaching How to Think, Not What to Think06:30 Historical Perspective on Division10:00 Evaluating Jesus Through Our Tribe14:45 Theologically Rich but Spiritually Poor19:30 Immaturity and the Craving for Certainty23:00 Building on the Foundation of Christ26:00 Contributing vs. Producing28:15 We Are the Temple32:20 What a Healthy Church Looks Like37:00 Closing & Preview of Next Week

In this episode of Church is Messy, Rick and Svea discuss navigating faith and action during turbulent times. They explore how to respond to current immigration and ICE issues in Minnesota with both courage and love, examining the difference between principled protest and reactive behavior. Drawing from the Civil Rights Movement and biblical wisdom, They address how to process strong emotions, engage with law enforcement wisely, and maintain unity across diverse perspectives. They also discuss what it means to be a praying church that empowers its members to serve, and offer encouragement to those in our community who are Americans by choice.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro01:17 Ghana Ministry Trip02:11 Minnesota Immigration Crisis04:22 Weekend Message Decision06:21 Navigating Big Emotions09:57 Protest vs. Tantrum17:47 Foolish vs. Wise Danger (Proverbs 22:3)24:37 Addressing ICE Actions28:49 Unity in Diversity32:26 Americans by Choice35:05 Empowerment to Serve36:26 Being a Praying Church37:00 Closing Prayer

In this episode of Church is Messy Pastor Caleb Smith (who gave this week's message) and Svea discuss Paul's teaching from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 about the paradox of the cross - how God's "foolishness" is wiser than human wisdom and his "weakness" is stronger than human strength. Their conversation explores how this ancient message applies to modern Christians facing intellectual persecution and cultural rejection, emphasizing four key responses from Luke 18: reliance on God, humility, trust, and obedience as a framework for engaging with contemporary challenges while standing firm in faith and leading with love.At about the 24 minute mark Caleb talks about a statement Transform MN (of which Autumn Ridge is a part) put out about praying during the events unfolding in Minnesota. The link to that document is https://transformmn.org/portfolio/this-is-why-we-pray/Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:46 Different approaches to the passage.03:27 Oxymorons and paradoxes.07:32 The foolishness of the cross.09:04 The scandalous nature of the cross.11:27 Modern application - being called a moron.12:34 Encouragement to persecuted followers of Jesus.16:01 Responding with empathy.17:11 The power (dunamis) of God.19:54 Connection to the garden and original sin.22:12 Application to contemporary culture.26:08 Four principles from Luke 18: reliance on God, humility before God, trust in God, obedience to God.28:48 Living out the four principles.30:25 Series overview and looking ahead.

Rick and Svea discuss 1 Corinthians 1, focusing on how the human desire for acceptance creates division in the church through “fences” (in-groups and out-groups) and “ladders” (status and hierarchy). They show how the Corinthian church split around admired leaders like Paul, Apollos, and Peter, driven more by Roman culture's obsession with prestige than by real theological differences. The episode draws connections to modern Christian identity, emphasizes unity and equality in Christ, and encourages humility, community, and finding true acceptance in God's love.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro01:11 Diving in to 1 Corinthians chapter 1.02:01 Fences (acceptance) and ladders (approval).04:52 There are no fences in Christ. The only fence is our sin. The only gate is Jesus.08:40 1 Corinthians 1:12 - I follow Paul, I follow Apollos... Attaching to human figures, not Jesus. Stupid games lead to stupid prizes. Their prize of petty competitiveness and fractured relationships.11:57 We do this too. We can't define ourselves by what people or groups we agree with or disagree with.13:36 Thinking of spiritual formation, how do we avoid falling into the trap of attaching ourselves to and aligning with a singular spiritual leader with whom you agree and saying, "I'm a so-and-so Christian?" Be in community with other believers.19:21 We tend to apply our need for acceptance and approval in dysfunctional ways. What's the God-given underlying foundation for wanting acceptance and approval?23:30 Advice for those who are ready to live without fences and ladders, but you see fences and ladders all around you.

This episode kicks-off a 20-week series on 1 Corinthians. Today Rick and Svea dig into the series thesis and then look at "knowing your why."Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro04:47 1 Corinthians Series overview06:19 Understanding Paul and looking at our own assumptions and what the original authors were trying to communicate.08:33 Interesting parallels between Corinth and Rochester.11:12 Delving into our 1 Corinthians series thesis and key verse.13:34 Stand firm.19:40 Be fearless.23:32 Let love lead.27:46 At the end of 16 chapters and 20 weeks, what's the goal for the church to say, "We've grown in these ways?"32:53 Being in tune with our "why." The results of not knowing your why.37:13 Hand-holds to help see your why.

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address in future episodes? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:40 Five questions for today's episode: 1) (04:37) God is all-knowing. He knew the fall was going to happen, why didn't he prevent it? 2) (13:21) Creation, the fossil record and the biblical timeline. 3) (23:46) Why doesn't Jesus save everyone, in reference to Matthew 22:14 - many are called but few are chosen. 4) (37:28) Jesus serving Judas at the last supper knowing his betrayal was imminent. 5) (45:29) When do we receive our resurrection body? What happens when we die?04:37 QUESTION 1: God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. God knew his two masterpiece creations in His own image would rebel in self-reliance in the Garden. He knew Eve would be deceived and Adam would fail to lead his wife. God, throughout the Bible intervenes and rescues. Why not intervene and rescue at the beginning and prevent the Fall as the all-knowing, all-present, and all-powerful God?07:07 A biblically informed speculation: God knew all the possible outcomes to all the possible scenarios and this is the path he chose.09:23 Getting practical. Why do we choose to have kids knowing they're not going to be perfect and there will be some heartache along the way?13:21 QUESTION 2: How do we reconcile the fossil record and Biblical timeframe?16:17 Our interpretation - Genesis 1 & 2 doesn't give a rigid timeframe. It gives an account of creation. It's not saying how and how long it stating who created and why he created.21:58 Apply Romans 14: If there is disagreement on the understanding of Genesis 1 & 2, be convinced in your own mind and show grace to the other point of view.23:46 QUESTION 3: Can you address Matthew 22:14, where Jesus says many are called but few are chosen? This is one of the most heartbreaking verses of the Bible for me. I desperately want to believe that God has made a way for many to be chosen. I know and believe that salvation comes only through Jesus, and I am hopeful that there are ways people accept Jesus that perhaps we cannot see from the outside, so it is not few that are chosen. Is it possible that I am misunderstanding this verse?25:14 A framework for reading about parables.27:52 Parables are made up stories intended to communicate truth - usually one truth. The truth of this parable is respond to the invitation appropriately.29:55 What's the deal with the man dressed inappropriately for the wedding?33:10 What does it mean many are invited but few are chosen?37:28 QUESTION 4: Can you speak on the significance of when Jesus first instituted communion at the last supper and Judas received? He shared that with Jesus and then led him to the cross and Jesus knew that was going to happen.38:40 Fencing the table.39:54 This was a Passover meal instituted in the Old Testament book of Exodus.45:29 QUESTION 5: When do we receive our new bodies? Is it when Jesus comes again and the rapture happens? Do we go to heaven and come back when Jesus comes back, get our new bodies and return to heaven? Do those in heaven stay there? What does revelation or other parts of the Bible reveal about this?48:41 What happens to someone who dies now?

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:15 QUESTION 1: The discussion on not being able to lose one's salvation was new to me and in the end I still didn't understand.03:58 John 3:16-18 It's indispensable to see Jesus as the King, the Authority, the One who is rightly holding us accountable.05:41 The moment of salvation and receiving forgiveness of sin from God (justification) and living with growing into sinning less often and becoming more like Jesus (sanctification) are similar to a marriage. You are married when you say "I do" but you have the daily process of choosing your spouse.08:02 QUESTION 2: What drew us to a non-denominational church such as Autumn Ridge?11:45 Some of the benefits of being a non-denominational church.14:04 Potential drawbacks to being a non-denominational church.16:07 QUESTION 3: How do we address the fraud happening in MN as a church family?17:41 All ethnicities and cultures are batting 1.000 when it comes to crime.21:43 Let's remember that ALL people are made in the image of God and ALL people are flawed.23:46 QUESTION 4: Mary wasn't given a choice was she? Gabriel just tells her, "You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will call him Jesus."26:25 Where and when does God need permission to do something in your life?29:39 Mary's response shows not only was she willing, but she was honored to be chosen.32:20 QUESTION 5: Can you explain the Trinity?34:39 There are a number of verses that talk about the Trinity, but the term "Trinity" never appears in Scripture. God is one being that exists in three persons. "Person" and "Being" are not synonyms. 40:08 QUESTION 5B: How do you know which person of the Trinity to pray to?

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro01:55 Send your questions for the podcast to podcast@autumnridge.church03:18 QUESTION 1: What advice or insight would you give on silencing or at least quieting the questions of "Is God real?" or "Did Jesus really die for us?"06:10 An unexpected answer: lean in to those doubts and questions. Jude 22: Be merciful to those who doubt.09:52 It's not my responsibility to convince you. It's my responsibility to share with you what convinced me.11:55 Hold on to profound moments and experiences with Jesus - they can be powerful motivational tools to keep on keeping on.13:04 Resources: Podcasts - Undeceptions with John Dixon; Theology in the Raw with Preston Sprinkle; books on topics like the resurrection by N.T. Wright.14:59 QUESTION 2: How do we reconcile once saved always saved and losing salvation? Individuals use scripture for both approaches.15:33 Those two positions can't be reconciles. They are mutually exclusive. Looking at the whole of Scripture, what Jesus said, and the Epistles point to security.17:50 If we could lose our salvation, we would.18:05 Two passages people look at about losing salvation: Galatians 5 and Hebrews 6.23:24 Passages that convinced Rick about security in Christ: John 10, Romans 8, Ephesians 1.27:44 QUESTIONS 3: Can you comment on spiritual circumcision? Is this a requirement and specifically who does the circumcising of the heart?29:17 Used as a symbol like a wedding ring or baptism. It's a profound symbol of something that has been done.36:48 It is a synergy. We can't circumcise our hearts on our own and God won't circumcise our heart on his own even though he could; he wants a relationship.38:05 QUESTION 4: How do we reconcile that we are all made in the image of God and yet we live outside of God's design?40:39 Good news - we are made in the image of God. Bad news - we've all fallen short. Good news - Jesus stepped into the world to be with us and make it possible to be united with him through his life, death, and resurrection.42:22 Being made in God's image we should expect that people from all walks of life will exhibit things that reflect the goodness of God.48:53 The assumption that Christians "should be" more of all these good things than non-Christians. That assumption implies we're Christians because of our behavior not our Savior. We should see a trajectory of personal growth, but we shouldn't assume that Christians are the "good guys" and the non-Christians aren't. As Jesus followers, we need to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as he did.

On this Love Is The Agenda weekend, Rick and Svea talk about our guest speaker, Dr. Walter Kim, and the message he had on living out the gospel.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:49 CIM is taking the 2025 Thanksgiving week off. During December we're going to answer your questions on ANY topic. Send questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.04:07 Starting with one of Dr. Kim's questions: What am I saved for? What's the purpose of my life?09:03 Live out the gospel in compelling ways.11:58 The demonstration of the gospel makes the proclamation of the gospel compelling.13:18 We don't always have to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel at exactly the same time. It's okay to do one at a time, but it's never okay to do only one of the two.19:07 The message of the gospel. What is the gospel?24:48 Thinking out loud about the gospel.28:06 Living out the gospel: a couple of examples.

Rick and Svea close out the series on Acts of Leadership by looking at a powerful act of leadership: telling your story about your relationship with Jesus. No one knows your story better than you. No one will know your story unless you tell it.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:28 This passage resonated with a lot of people. It helps to take the fear out of evangelism - just tell your story.05:39 Paul's genius in how he told his story: bring light.08:22 Paul begins telling his story by honoring those to whom he is speaking - even though those people were of questionable character. 1) recognize dignity and 2) express respect.16:35 Honoring someone may require a high degree of self-control so you don't speak what first comes to mind about that person. 17:43 Adopt an approach toward people that comes out of who we are becoming in Christ.24:00 No one knows your story better than you. No one will know your story unless you tell it.27:23 What was life like before Jesus? What initially drew me toward him? What has my life been like since Jesus?29:32 We are responsible for what we contribute and we should take that seriously. We're not responsible for the result; God is.33:34 Taking it from an individual level to a corporate level. The why behind some of Autumn Ridge's outreach practices.42:50 Wrapping up the series on Acts of Leadership with this bow: telling your story is a powerful act of leadership that doesn't require the position of being a leader.

Rick and Svea spend much of the episode discussing Paul's warning to the church leaders in Ephesus as found in Acts 20:17-38: watch out for the wolves among you.A warning from Rick about this episode: It may contain meandering conversation with points of lucidity in a forest of discontinuity and convoluted word salads, but it has been fun.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro03:21 Serving is leading and leadership.06:35 The genius of Scripture: the same passage allowed Rick to pivot the emphasis in response to immediate needs without bending it to fit the new topic. This message's focus: Be on guard - have the back of those whom you lead.10:57 Wolves prowling around as a threat to the flock: Paul's admonition then and still true today.12:02 Three ways to spot a wolf: 1) they try to raise your level of fear; 2) they try to lower your level of empathy; and 3) they try to distract you from being an ambassador for Jesus and his kingdom.12:21 Looking at each wolf tactic: Watch out for those using fear as a manipulator.17:07 Watch out for those downplaying empathy or even calling it a sin. 25:33 Watch out for those trying to distract us from the primacy of Jesus.29:14 How do you overcome the wolves? In every arena of your life, live as though Jesus were living your life: be with Jesus, become more like Jesus, and do as Jesus did. Who we are becoming is more important than what we do.31:52 The big difference between a true representative of Jesus and a wolf: A true representative will say follow me as I follow Jesus. A wolf will try to get you to join their endeavor and impose aspects of Christianity on others so they can get more control.34:31 The way of Jesus is always going to be different than any expression of the world's way.35:17 Playing the movie forward.

This week the Acts of Leadership series takes us to Acts 15. Rick and Svea look at circumcision and the old covenant, the new covenant, and James' declaration in Acts 15:19, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:41 We will always have to wrestle with issues that would seek to divide us.05:00 Circumcision: the sign of the old covenant.11:41 Baptism: the sign of the new covenant. Comparing circumcision with baptism.13:52 The new covenant is superior to the old covenant. The old covenant started outwardly and hoped it would become inward. The new covenant starts inwardly and expresses itself outwardly.20:25 If salvation is by faith alone, why did James add four "conditions" on the church in Acts 15?24:07 James isn't adding conditions to faith in Jesus, he's showing other practices that, if practiced, will pull their hearts away from Jesus and toward other gods.36:51 The thinking process of looking at Scripture in regard to temporary, cultural application vs permanent.39:21 If Paul, Peter, and James were addressing the American Church what practices might they suggest that would be helpful in following Jesus?

This week Rick and Svea look at Acts 10 and the story of Cornelius.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro06:11 Three questions about leadership: whom am I looking to for leadership, how am I leading myself, who looks to me for leadership.07:31 Cornelius in Acts 10. He was a complex character, we're all complex characters.10:12 We're never correct to reduce any person to one defining thing; it tends to bring out one of four bad responses. We're all multifaceted.13:08 In this passage we get to see how God saw Cornelius.15:52 A thought experiment.20:12 Good isn't bad; good is good. It's just not good enough to close the gap between us and God.23:16 The gap Cornelius had and his angelic visitors. God's methods are intentionally messy and inefficient.28:14 In this chapter we've seen Cornelius as a leader of people, show self-leadership, and now he looks to Peter for leadership.34:11 We need to trust Jesus enough to deconstruct our self-imposed rules so that he can rule. It's all about heart orientation.

Pastor Caleb Smith joins Rick and Svea to dig into the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro and Rick's Boundary Waters adventures.03:50 Week three of Acts of Leadership: what jumped out of this week's passage?07:43 Caleb's process in seeing discipleship in this passage.14:16 Who you are is a greater contribution than what you do.17:42 The Quadrants: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, unconscious competence.24:53 Jesus followers should be the most curious people around.31:11 Applying to whom do we look for leadership, self leadership, and others looking to us for leadership in this passage.

Today Rick and Svea talk about the challenges to developing authentic deep community and provide some ideas for developing this community.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro00:48 This week's focus is on community and the requirement for leadership decisions to shepherd each other.02:15 We live in a culture that is driven by individualism and isolation.05:11 Authentic, biblical Christian community isn't easy; it requires bravery, intentional vulnerability, messiness, awkwardness, and sometimes pain.09:01 A framework for community: intimates, kin, village, tribe.11:53 Church gatherings at Autumn Ridge are a gathering of a tribe. Community can be experienced and enjoyed, but it is not developed in the tribe. It's developed in the up-close relationships.13:06 Challenges to developing deep community.18:37 The fear of rejection.21:23 Ideas for developing community.23:45 How fast can this happen? Is there a microwave setting for developing community?

In today's episode Rick and Svea open discussion on our new series - a survey of the book of Acts: Acts of Leadership.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:22 Exciting news about Autumn Ridge and Practicing the Way.05:18 Acts of Leadership message series: leadership is a destination of discipleship.07:15 "I'm not really a natural leader" or, "I don't really want to be in a position of leadership."08:13 Three questions about leadership.13:33 The disciples question for Jesus and his unexpected answer. He's in the driver's seat; we're not.20:43 The importance of community. We need to be in relationship with people who are not exactly like we are.28:51 What does self-leadership look like when we thought we were following a course of action and expectations but God makes it clear the path is different than we thought?33:33 Recap: The tension of loving God and doing as you please.

In today's episode Rick and Svea have a discussion about loving our enemies and hating our enemies.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro - A Sunday afternoon gone wrong.04:05 An illustration from Rick's Sunday experience.06:11 Two visions: Love your enemy or hate your enemy.08:23 What does it look like to love your enemy?09:55 Paying a price for loving our enemy is a testing point. Not engaging in hero worship when someone says they forgive their enemy.14:42 The pressure to define "who is my brother" and "who is my enemy" devolves into who is human and who is subhuman and often taints our behaviors toward "others." It's not good for anybody.18:24 Looking to history to examine crimes against humanity or a particular group of people always begins with using dehumanizing language.19:07 Svea describes an incident she had from the previous week.27:09 Jesus gave us a simple (not always easy) handhold: pray for your enemies.

We begin a new season of Church Is Messy on a very serious note: A response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro - welcome back after Rick's sabbatical.01:46 A renewed sense of identity as a part of sabbatical.08:05 The assassination of Charlie Kirk.10:09 An email we received.12:22 We're a church that values questions - from everybody.14:40 Something Rick would do differently if he could.15:36 Rick's intent in the weekend services.16:40 At least three broad categories of people regarding Charlie Kirk among those who attend Autumn Ridge Church.19:55 Sunday morning is not a time to say what can be said, it's a time to say what must be said. What must be said is we are grieving and we need to turn and look to Jesus.26:04 "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." -Tertullian30:16 The view that this is a wakeup call for Christians to rise up.31:46 A question that hasn't been asked yet.35:05 We owe it to ourselves to slow down and get really honest with ourselves about our demands, wants, and responses.35:54 It's tragic that empathy has been downplayed, disparaged, and kicked to the curb. Too many Christians see empathy as a negative.37:11 This is a time to engage in empathy. Empathy is necessary for understanding.41:04 Who do I trust? Beware of false prophets.

In the final episode on our series on the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea discuss values seven and eight: 7) take your next step and 8) trust the process.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:37 Values 7 and 8: 7) Take your next step, and 8) Trust the process.07:28 Direction over speed.08:17 There is a logical progression, but there is no checklist in next steps.10:36 Some logical and some intangible next steps.18:30 Trust the process.20:41 Is the process internal or external?22:49 What does it look like to trust God when we're not seeing results?24:32 How can we discern the difference between being patient and passivity when it comes to spiritual formation?25:47 How are these two values in harmony and in tension with each other?32:25 Each of the values is a faithful summary statement of some aspect of the gospel.

In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values five and six: 5) move toward the messes and 6) make generosity normal.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro01:48 Our mission, vision, and values (mvv) are guardrails that keep us from straying into unhealthy practices.03:42 Move toward the messes.05:23 How did Jesus model moving toward the messes?08:25 What's a common thread Jesus exhibited to work through the messes he encountered?09:42 How do we follow Jesus in moving toward the messes in a healthy and edifying way?11:00 Moving toward the messes doesn't mean we're the person who always fixes the mess.12:19 Avoiding the ditches.14:57 This value brings out the necessity of authenticity.16:37 Make generosity normal. It's not just about money.21:39 This value reminds us to slow down, see the people around us, and make ourselves approachable.25:01 These two values force us to examine ourselves and see how we're engaging with others.28:19 What would you say to those who don't feel equipped to move toward the messes or feel like they don't have enough (of whatever) to be generous?31:51 These values are an expression of following the way of Jesus.35:18 What will it look like for our church to live out these values?

In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values three and four: 3) Honor guests enthusiastically and 4) belong before you believe.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro03:20 Coming to church can be difficult. Knowing people are coming in feeling anxious, what do we want them to experience?05:32 Hospitality in the church.07:09 Honor guests enthusiastically: we care more about your experience than our own.10:16 What are some practical ways we try to honor guests enthusiastically?13:54 What does it "cost" us to pursue honoring guests?17:07 Belong before you believe. Probably our most misunderstood value.22:23 Is there an expiration date on how long someone can belong before they believe?24:01 You don't have to change anything about you to be around us.27:16 The dispositions, attitudes and mindsets that help live out this value well.29:19 Simple steps to take.30:41 Answering a different question: The fear of compromising the gospel to be a welcoming church.

In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values one and two: Take truth seriously and give grace relentlessly.Topics discussed in this episode:00:00 Intro02:10 Eight values at Autumn Ridge Church. Why do we have them?05:14 Values one and two: 1) take truth seriously and 2) give grace relentlessly.06:45 We happily place ourselves underneath the authority of Scripture - even if it means we're out-of-step with culture.08:28 Is it possible our understanding of truth could change?11:39 What does it look like for followers of Jesus to follow the truth?13:42 What does "Speak the truth in love" mean?16:00 Truth at the expense of grace and grace at the expense of truth: both are damaging.19:31 Giving grace relentlessly.21:02 What is grace?23:14 How do we want to be experienced?25:13 How do grace and truth intersect with each other?31:03 Two actions step to take truth seriously and give grace relentlessly.

Rick and Svea kick-off a five-part series on the Mission, Vision, and Values of Autumn Ridge Church.Topics discussed in this Episode:0:00 Intro02:47 Why does Autumn Ridge have a mission statement? Knowing why we say "Yes" and "No" to various opportunities.04:02 Most of life's hurts happen when we live in contradiction to our purpose.07:10 Our vision: communicating the kind of church we desire to be.09:15 Why is it important we have a vision statement?12:18 Digging in: Every single word in our MVV has been labored over and is important.12:23 Our Mission - Disciple vs follower of Jesus...16:06 Fully devoted...17:35 Three aspects: authority, identity, activity.20:00 Our Vision - We want to be a church...20:42 Of all cultures...24:15 Where Curious people...25:32 Where Skeptical people...26:43 And where Hurting people...29:30 Love to attend.30:19 Why is it important for our congregation to know and understand our mission and vision?

Rick and Svea discuss the three major goals of the summer's Holy Lit series.Topics Discussed in this Episode:00:00 Intro02:46 Holy Lit - three goals03:05 Goal one: Uncomplicate our relationship with the Bible.09:59 If you have a simplistic understanding of the Bible you're going to have a more complicated relationship with it.12:01 Goal two: Energize our engagement with the Bible.15:33 Goal three: Expand our ability to understand the Bible.16:48 Series thesis: This is a backstory to the story of the Bible.19:36 Why is this important? Aligning with truth.24:46 The Bible is overwhelming, I don't even know where to start.28:11 What's coming up in the Podcast.

Pastor Caleb Smith joins Rick and Svea to close the Loaded Questions series. They discuss success and failure and how society's framework for success is at odds with the Gospel's framework for success.Topics Discussed in this Episode:00:00 Intro00:57 Reflecting on the Loaded Questions series.04:42 What was it like preparing to speak on failure?06:20 Svea to Caleb: Did your definitions of success and failure change or grow as a part preparing for this message?09:46 Embracing the tension of the gospel's framework of success and the inescapable realities of life.17:17 The rich, young ruler: a case study in questioning the framework of success.24:39 What does it look like if everything is stripped away and we're satisfied with only Jesus?30:20 How do we develop into being satisfied with having nothing but Jesus?36:39 Micah 6:8 - act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

Rick and Svea have a robust conversation about doubt. They talk about the connection with doubt, faith, and belief. Are there unsafe questions to ask? They also discuss the role of community in removing doubt.Resources:A. J. Swoboda's book, After DoubtTopics Discussed in this Episode:00:00 Intro02:31 Summary of what Svea learned about herself, doubt, and Jesus in preparing for this message.09:58 1 Corinthians 4: 20 - The kingdom of God isn't a matter of talk but of power.12:38 What is doubt?18:00 What do we mean when we talk about faith or belief?23:40 Is it possible to experience doubt because we're putting expectations on Jesus he never promised?29:53 How do I know if a question is a safe question to ask? There are no unsafe questions, there are unsafe people.33:14 Recurring question after the services: how do I know I am saved? How can I have confidence in my salvation?40:37 You HAVE to invite other people in. Don't struggle by yourself.45:03 For those who struggle with intellectual doubts.

In this episode Svea is joined by pastors Otis Hall and Jodi Quinn as they look at faith and mental health.Resources:Jodi Quinn's email: care@autumnridge.church Topics Discussed in this Episode:00:00 Intro01:21 The number of Americans dealing with mental health issues is staggering.02:03 We seem to be afraid to talk about mental health.04:37 Being real about mental health issues. Otis' struggles.06:42 Prayer and following Jesus doesn't mean all our mental health issues will go away.08:42 Svea to Otis: how have you felt Jesus support you in your own life.10:38 Shouldn't I expect that if I believe Jesus I won't have to struggle with mental health?12:48 The age-old question: why do bad things happen to good people?14:10 What resources we have available for people who are struggling.16:56 What would you say to someone who doesn't know Jesus or feels like Jesus has let them down?18:58 Walking with Jesus isn't an instant cure, but he is a way through.22:28 Breath prayer.25:48 Some helpful application points from 1 Peter 5: be humble, cast your anxiety, be courageous.34:42 Closing prayer.

This we we certainly live up to "church is messy." If time allows, we would encourage you to watch the sermon before listening to this podcast. We're also providing a number of resources on the topic of sexuality.Resources:Sermon Video URL: https://youtu.be/DidFo1xj9owCenter for Faith, Sexuality and Gender (https://www.centerforfaith.com)Greg ColesPreston SprinkleRebecca McLaughlinChristopher YuanSam AllberryJackie Hill PerryMark YarhouseThree sermons by Jon Tyson:The Controversial Jesus | Jesus and the Gay Community – Jon Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqF0MwqjuBU&t=37sThe Controversial Jesus | Jesus, Gender, and the Trans Community – Jon Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS2oIkfYNwcThe Controversial Jesus | Sexual Formation – Jon Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTGrYxeEZ9U&list=PL8vSjHOSaE12d8ZPujJfxFzcyNlYBActf&index=3Topics Discussed in this Episode:00:00 Intro01:26 Watch the sermon, and avail yourself of the resources we suggest.06:33 Helpful points from the message08:53 How can we be welcoming without being affirming?10:57 It's not the job of a Christian to call out non-Christians. If you have a relationship with a fellow believer then ask "what does it mean to follow Jesus in this area of your life" and have a conversation based on truth and grace.15:34 How do I love someone well, communicate with my children, and be an ambassador for Christ regarding this topic?18:31 Pronouns, names, wedding attendance.22:13 What's wrong with a same-sex relationship that's filled with love? Practicing discernment, truth, and grace.27:23 Series Thesis: Faith doesn't hide from questions, fear does. What fears are associated with this topic?31:10 How do we live with courage and engage with people or at work without posturing?39:23 Why did Rick skip over the topic of incest in 1 Corinthians 5 but address some other issues?

Rick and Svea answer your questions about truth.Topics Discussed in this Episode:00:00 Intro01:58 Loaded Questions takes on a different format from other messages06:38 Why does truth matter?10:51 Is it possible for Christianity to be true and other religions to be true?15:05 How can we know Scripture is true?19:06 In Scripture is it possible the authors were biased?22:48 What do I need God for?24:43 How can you discern if what you're hearing is from God or the devil?26:48 Do you obtain knowledge at all? How do the disciples know they saw Jesus?31:49 How do we know what denominations are teaching truth when they have different beliefs but are still using the Bible as the source of that belief?35:41 The Apocrypha: Is it true and how is it distinguished from Scripture?37:23 Jesus' mother, Mary.39:38 I'm not a Christian for the perks, I'm a Christian because I'm convinced it's true.

Rick and Svea finish off the series on Galatians mostly focusing on burdens, loads, and pride.Topics Discussed in this Episode:00:00 Intro03:26 A LOT of diverse topics to cover is Galatians 6.04:44 What resonated with Svea that she wasn't able to cover in this passage?05:41 Carrying our own load and bearing each other's burdens.11:40 God isn't calling you to fix the people who sinned against you.17:21 I'm responsible for what I contribute, now necessarily how other people respond.20:01 How do you tell the difference between someone caught in sin and someone doing something you don't like?22:00 Presenting pride in the affirmative vs being the root of all sin (the pride Jesus died to forgive vs the pride commended in this passage).29:14 Swinging on the pendulum of feelings of inferiority and superiority.34:49 As Christians how do we engage with people and ideas that offer insight into human nature but are deeply hostile to the gospel?