Zootown Church

Is God yelling at you like HULK HOLGAN or does he simply wish you would believe that he is good? Pastor Bryce speaks about faith, anxiety, dinner time and looking to our Father for provisions in times of uncertainty.

Is God yelling at you like HULK HOLGAN or does he simply wish you would believe that he is good? Pastor Bryce speaks about faith, anxiety, dinner time and looking to our Father for provisions in times of uncertainty.

Lent is a season of reflection, re-centering, and refocusing on hope. It's also a time we examine our lives and move forward in our journey of sanctification. This week we start the Lenten season with a look at the finished work of Jesus Christ which was directly correlated with the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. Each station of the tabernacle represented a finished work Jesus did on the Cross. The Old Testament was a shadow of the one to come and Jesus fulfilled every requirement of God. Now we walk in his footsteps and prepare our hearts as we enter the Holy of Holies -- our souls.

Lent is a season of reflection, re-centering, and refocusing on hope. It's also a time we examine our lives and move forward in our journey of sanctification. This week we start the Lenten season with a look at the finished work of Jesus Christ which was directly correlated with the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. Each station of the tabernacle represented a finished work Jesus did on the Cross. The Old Testament was a shadow of the one to come and Jesus fulfilled every requirement of God. Now we walk in his footsteps and prepare our hearts as we enter the Holy of Holies -- our souls.

In this two-week series called “Participation” we look at what Kingdom living now looks like. Due to end times theology, Christians often are waiting for the destruction of the world instead of waiting for restoration. Jesus talked about a narrow gate that leads to life and a wide way that leads to destruction. What is the narrow way? Is it about Heaven and the afterlife? Is the wide road simply a highway to hell? Or is it about much more? Spoiler alert. There's a lot more going on. 

In this two-week series called “Participation” we look at what Kingdom living now looks like. Due to end times theology, Christians often are waiting for the destruction of the world instead of waiting for restoration. Jesus talked about a narrow gate that leads to life and a wide way that leads to destruction. What is the narrow way? Is it about Heaven and the afterlife? Is the wide road simply a highway to hell? Or is it about much more? Spoiler alert. There's a lot more going on. 

In this two-week series called “Participation” we look at what Kingdom living now looks like. Due to end times theology, Christians often are waiting for the destruction instead of waiting for restoration. What has Jesus called us to do? It is clear that Christ is in the process of restoring all things to its original creation. What a glorious day that will be! However, this is a process, ages of time, and he has called us to be partners with him in this. There are simple things Jesus has asked us to do, but these simple things will have a profound impact if we unite.

In this two-week series called “Participation” we look at what Kingdom living now looks like. Due to end times theology, Christians often are waiting for the destruction instead of waiting for restoration. What has Jesus called us to do? It is clear that Christ is in the process of restoring all things to its original creation. What a glorious day that will be! However, this is a process, ages of time, and he has called us to be partners with him in this. There are simple things Jesus has asked us to do, but these simple things will have a profound impact if we unite.

In the final message of “Where Our Tree Got Bent” we look at the future while looking to the past. We have shown that the Protestant Reformation wasn't exactly how we've been told, and there have been major consequences to this movement. So what do we do with that? This week we look to the Early Church Fathers and what they were given by the Apostles as the foundation of Church. We look to them for guidance in theology, truth, and church practice. We do our best to incorporate the sacred worship that was ordained by God for our benefit.

In the final message of “Where Our Tree Got Bent” we look at the future while looking to the past. We have shown that the Protestant Reformation wasn't exactly how we've been told, and there have been major consequences to this movement. So what do we do with that? This week we look to the Early Church Fathers and what they were given by the Apostles as the foundation of Church. We look to them for guidance in theology, truth, and church practice. We do our best to incorporate the sacred worship that was ordained by God for our benefit.

In week two of “Where Our Tree Got Bent” we look at the effects of the fruit of the Protestant Reformation. We believe God used this reformation, but not because it was holy, but because it was what he had. Jesus never lets our mistakes get in the way of his growing Kingdom, but that doesn't mean it's right. All you have to do is look at the Old Testament to see that often it took hundreds of years for God to correct them. The reformation of Luther is only 500 years old and we believe it is being corrected as we speak. We looked to the past, now we look to the present to see where the tree got bent and what kind of fruit it's produced.

In week two of “Where Our Tree Got Bent” we look at the effects of the fruit of the Protestant Reformation. We believe God used this reformation, but not because it was holy, but because it was what he had. Jesus never lets our mistakes get in the way of his growing Kingdom, but that doesn't mean it's right. All you have to do is look at the Old Testament to see that often it took hundreds of years for God to correct them. The reformation of Luther is only 500 years old and we believe it is being corrected as we speak. We looked to the past, now we look to the present to see where the tree got bent and what kind of fruit it's produced.

In episode one of this important series, we take a look at how the Protestant Reformation was started, and the lens in which it was created. We will take a look at Martin Luther and John Calvin, the founders of Protestantism, and what their motives were behind the movement. It's incredibly important to know where something went off course because you can't correct something if you don't know where it's been broken. I entitled this series “Where Our Tree Got Bent” because through years of study and observation of where the Protestant movement started and where it's at, it's safe to say something has gone awry.

In episode one of this important series, we take a look at how the Protestant Reformation was started, and the lens in which it was created. We will take a look at Martin Luther and John Calvin, the founders of Protestantism, and what their motives were behind the movement. It's incredibly important to know where something went off course because you can't correct something if you don't know where it's been broken. I entitled this series “Where Our Tree Got Bent” because through years of study and observation of where the Protestant movement started and where it's at, it's safe to say something has gone awry.

In this one-off series, Pastor Scott takes a sports approach to our lives. Every sport has a Hall of Fame of its best and most accomplished athletes in their field. Every one of them is different, and they all found what worked best for them but also what they weren't good at. We also have a Hall of Fame in the book of Hebrews of those who went before us. The key is that they weren't perfect people -- in fact many were totally screwed up. Yet that never stopped them from having faith and that is what God is looking for. Out of all the New Year's resolutions that come and go, the disciplines that produce faith last eternally. God is not looking for perfect people, he is looking for faithful people.

In this one-off series, Pastor Scott takes a sports approach to our lives. Every sport has a Hall of Fame of its best and most accomplished athletes in their field. Every one of them is different, and they all found what worked best for them but also what they weren't good at. We also have a Hall of Fame in the book of Hebrews of those who went before us. The key is that they weren't perfect people -- in fact many were totally screwed up. Yet that never stopped them from having faith and that is what God is looking for. Out of all the New Year's resolutions that come and go, the disciplines that produce faith last eternally. God is not looking for perfect people, he is looking for faithful people.

This year is a special year because the 4th week of Advent lands on Christmas Eve. So if you're listening to this, you are actually listening to our Christmas Eve Service. Amazingly enough, it lands on the most important subject we can possibly seek after…God is love. This is what the incarnation is about: Love. That he loved us enough to become us. That he loved us enough to take on all of humanity and release us from our false views of God. Pagan gods demand sacrifice to be loved, pagan gods demand words to be loved, pagan gods need appeased to be loved. Not Christ. He is the true God, and he showed us what true love is.

This year is a special year because the 4th week of Advent lands on Christmas Eve. So if you're listening to this, you are actually listening to our Christmas Eve Service. Amazingly enough, it lands on the most important subject we can possibly seek after…God is love. This is what the incarnation is about: Love. That he loved us enough to become us. That he loved us enough to take on all of humanity and release us from our false views of God. Pagan gods demand sacrifice to be loved, pagan gods demand words to be loved, pagan gods need appeased to be loved. Not Christ. He is the true God, and he showed us what true love is.

In week 3 of Advent we look at something CS Lewis said was “A Christian's greatest weapon.” Why do we buy things? Why do we long for things? Why are experiences so important to us? We are longing for and created for joy! If you ask anyone on the street if they want joy they will say yes, but ask them how, you'll get a million different answers. Yet joy is something Jesus said he gives us! However, do we feel it? One of the reasons why is because we want Jesus without his way, but his way is the way of joy. This week we look at what that way is and how we can fully participate in the joy of the Lord.

In week 3 of Advent we look at something CS Lewis said was “A Christian's greatest weapon.” Why do we buy things? Why do we long for things? Why are experiences so important to us? We are longing for and created for joy! If you ask anyone on the street if they want joy they will say yes, but ask them how, you'll get a million different answers. Yet joy is something Jesus said he gives us! However, do we feel it? One of the reasons why is because we want Jesus without his way, but his way is the way of joy. This week we look at what that way is and how we can fully participate in the joy of the Lord.

In Week 2 of this Advent season, we look at something the world so desperately needs…Peace. In the prophecy of Isaiah, it says the Messiah would be the Prince of Peace. That's who he is, that's what he desires, and that is what he will accomplish. The issue is so many of us are waiting for the other person to make peace, but we can't control other people. There really is nothing we can do to change world history or the chaos that ensues, but we can have peace in the middle of the carnage. Advent is a time to recalculate where we need to change in our peacemaking abilities.

In Week 2 of this Advent season, we look at something the world so desperately needs…Peace. In the prophecy of Isaiah, it says the Messiah would be the Prince of Peace. That's who he is, that's what he desires, and that is what he will accomplish. The issue is so many of us are waiting for the other person to make peace, but we can't control other people. There really is nothing we can do to change world history or the chaos that ensues, but we can have peace in the middle of the carnage. Advent is a time to recalculate where we need to change in our peacemaking abilities.

The Advent season has arrived, and in Week 1, we look at "Hope". Hope is something essential for life; without hope there is no moving forward. But what are we hoping in? Some think a new president will bring hope, some not. Some think a better economy brings hope, but for some, that doesn't matter. During this season, we look at the passage where it says “We have seen a great light” and that will be our theme. But how does light bring hope? We break this down this week and all through this season.

The Advent season has arrived, and in Week 1, we look at "Hope". Hope is something essential for life; without hope there is no moving forward. But what are we hoping in? Some think a new president will bring hope, some not. Some think a better economy brings hope, but for some, that doesn't matter. During this season, we look at the passage where it says “We have seen a great light” and that will be our theme. But how does light bring hope? We break this down this week and all through this season.

In this last sermon of the series, we look at a subject that all of us agree on but find it so hard to remember…gratitude. Don't we all appreciate it when people recognize what we do? If we serve someone, doesn't a "thank you" feel good? Now imagine being Jesus and all the blessings and mercy he shows humanity even in our sins...yet how many say “Thanks, Jesus.” We look at an interesting passage today where Jesus bucks the Old Testament system of blessings and curses. What's fascinating is it proves there's one dividing line to Christ, those who see their need for mercy and those who don't.

In this last sermon of the series, we look at a subject that all of us agree on but find it so hard to remember…gratitude. Don't we all appreciate it when people recognize what we do? If we serve someone, doesn't a "thank you" feel good? Now imagine being Jesus and all the blessings and mercy he shows humanity even in our sins...yet how many say “Thanks, Jesus.” We look at an interesting passage today where Jesus bucks the Old Testament system of blessings and curses. What's fascinating is it proves there's one dividing line to Christ, those who see their need for mercy and those who don't.

As we continue in the series "The Real Miracle", we look at an intense moment between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus was about mercy; the Pharisees were about justice. The issue here is justice never fixes anything, it doesn't change the situation, it doesn't redeem the two parties. We see this example this week with a man with a withered hand who was in the temple. They knew he was in the temple and the Pharisees used him as a prop, which means they didn't care about him or his healing; they cared about looking pious. Jesus comes along and breaks all their manmade rules because he is about healing, even on their sacred sabbath. 

As we continue in the series "The Real Miracle", we look at an intense moment between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus was about mercy; the Pharisees were about justice. The issue here is justice never fixes anything, it doesn't change the situation, it doesn't redeem the two parties. We see this example this week with a man with a withered hand who was in the temple. They knew he was in the temple and the Pharisees used him as a prop, which means they didn't care about him or his healing; they cared about looking pious. Jesus comes along and breaks all their manmade rules because he is about healing, even on their sacred sabbath. 

In week three of “The Real Miracle” we look at a touchy subject -- demonic possession. In our age of scientific reasoning, many have thrown out the spiritual world as nonsense. What they don't know is they are in the minority! Most cultures believe in the supernatural realm and look to it for guidance and also to be aware of its dangers. Jesus himself talked a lot about Satan and the demonic world, but he wasn't afraid of it. This week we look at a man who was mute because of a demon, but what was the purpose of God loosening his and our tongues?

In week three of “The Real Miracle” we look at a touchy subject -- demonic possession. In our age of scientific reasoning, many have thrown out the spiritual world as nonsense. What they don't know is they are in the minority! Most cultures believe in the supernatural realm and look to it for guidance and also to be aware of its dangers. Jesus himself talked a lot about Satan and the demonic world, but he wasn't afraid of it. This week we look at a man who was mute because of a demon, but what was the purpose of God loosening his and our tongues?

In week two of the “The Real Miracles” we look at a woman who was ostracized from the community she loved for 12 years because she had a blood disorder. In those days if you were sick, you were unclean, you couldn't touch people, and if you did, they had to go wash everything they owned. She lived in a terrible existence of isolation. However, she heard of this Jesus guy who healed people and never turned anyone away, so she boldly goes to see him. She is such a great example to us, that no matter what sickness or sin we have, no matter what people have said to us about us, that is not the heart of God.

In week two of the “The Real Miracles” we look at a woman who was ostracized from the community she loved for 12 years because she had a blood disorder. In those days if you were sick, you were unclean, you couldn't touch people, and if you did, they had to go wash everything they owned. She lived in a terrible existence of isolation. However, she heard of this Jesus guy who healed people and never turned anyone away, so she boldly goes to see him. She is such a great example to us, that no matter what sickness or sin we have, no matter what people have said to us about us, that is not the heart of God.

One of Jesus' main parts of his ministry was healing. We have recorded history that these miracles took place and continue to this day. But why did he do it? Obviously because he loves people, but why worry about our bodies if they're sinful and will be resurrected someday anyhow? The Bible is spiritual, yes, it is history in some sense, but its main point is to direct our souls. If you look at Jesus' miracles, there was more going on than it seems. If you read it in the spiritual sense, he was healing more than just their legs. This series dives into that as we look at the real reason behind these miracles.

One of Jesus' main parts of his ministry was healing. We have recorded history that these miracles took place and continue to this day. But why did he do it? Obviously because he loves people, but why worry about our bodies if they're sinful and will be resurrected someday anyhow? The Bible is spiritual, yes, it is history in some sense, but its main point is to direct our souls. If you look at Jesus' miracles, there was more going on than it seems. If you read it in the spiritual sense, he was healing more than just their legs. This series dives into that as we look at the real reason behind these miracles.

We wrap up our five-week series on the vision of Zootown with the next phases of our building project. There is no real timeline for it other than when the money comes in, but this answers the why are we doing it question. Every generation is worried about the next generation that is being raised. What they miss is we are the ones raising them! There is so much cynicism regarding the youth of America right now, and we don't want to fall into that. We want to be bridge builders, peacemakers, creators for our children's future. We also have other plans for office space and functionality of the building, which is all discussed in this final episode.

We wrap up our five-week series on the vision of Zootown with the next phases of our building project. There is no real timeline for it other than when the money comes in, but this answers the why are we doing it question. Every generation is worried about the next generation that is being raised. What they miss is we are the ones raising them! There is so much cynicism regarding the youth of America right now, and we don't want to fall into that. We want to be bridge builders, peacemakers, creators for our children's future. We also have other plans for office space and functionality of the building, which is all discussed in this final episode.

In the 4th installment of this vision series, we talk about the other purposes of our building project. Namely the community. We live in a post Christian America, so what do we do about it? Do we become judgmental, cynical, angry about it? Do we vote the right person in and get back to law and order? Or do we fulfill the call of being salt and light laid out by Christ? With all these churches closing that means there is a lot of real estate out there and many of these fallen churches are becoming community centers. How about we skip the closing part and just make the Church a community center now?

In the 4th installment of this vision series, we talk about the other purposes of our building project. Namely the community. We live in a post Christian America, so what do we do about it? Do we become judgmental, cynical, angry about it? Do we vote the right person in and get back to law and order? Or do we fulfill the call of being salt and light laid out by Christ? With all these churches closing that means there is a lot of real estate out there and many of these fallen churches are becoming community centers. How about we skip the closing part and just make the Church a community center now?

As we continue our series on our fundraising campaign, we focused the first two weeks on vision. Who are we, what are we doing here, and where are we going. This third week is looking at the hard numbers for what this will cost and why it's important to design this building the way we did. However, Pastor Scott gives a brief history of Churches being built throughout history and why they have been important and how we are a continuation of their work.

As we continue our series on our fundraising campaign, we focused the first two weeks on vision. Who are we, what are we doing here, and where are we going. This third week is looking at the hard numbers for what this will cost and why it's important to design this building the way we did. However, Pastor Scott gives a brief history of Churches being built throughout history and why they have been important and how we are a continuation of their work.

In week two, Pastor Scott touches on two of the things you're never supposed to talk about: religion and politics. Our nation is divided and unfortunately that division has entered the Church and caused much harm. Yet we are called to be of the Kingdom, the New Jerusalem, which is a totally different way of looking at the World. We believe if you have to put a label such as Progressive or Conservative in front of Christianity, you've already missed it. But what do we do? Check out this sermon to be rocked, encouraged, and refocused on what we are called to do.

In week two, Pastor Scott touches on two of the things you're never supposed to talk about: religion and politics. Our nation is divided and unfortunately that division has entered the Church and caused much harm. Yet we are called to be of the Kingdom, the New Jerusalem, which is a totally different way of looking at the World. We believe if you have to put a label such as Progressive or Conservative in front of Christianity, you've already missed it. But what do we do? Check out this sermon to be rocked, encouraged, and refocused on what we are called to do.

We kick off the new series “The Burbs” by talking about who we are as a Church. Right now, we are in the middle of a building expansion project but why are we doing it? We see the new building as a byproduct of the new reformation we are going through in the Church. However, every reformation has a little bit of old and a little bit of new. We can get this building done and still be the same, but we want this place to be a guidepost, a map, a light to Missoula to find their way to Christ.

We kick off the new series “The Burbs” by talking about who we are as a Church. Right now, we are in the middle of a building expansion project but why are we doing it? We see the new building as a byproduct of the new reformation we are going through in the Church. However, every reformation has a little bit of old and a little bit of new. We can get this building done and still be the same, but we want this place to be a guidepost, a map, a light to Missoula to find their way to Christ.

Author Brian Zahnd gives a special sermon about his book "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God"...a book that means a lot to Zootown Church. He proclaimed the extremely good news: God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God wasn't like Jesus.

Author Brian Zahnd gives a special sermon about his book "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God"...a book that means a lot to Zootown Church. He proclaimed the extremely good news: God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God wasn't like Jesus.

“Pastor Scott wraps up his series on the fire passages by bringing it all together in one place: Judgement. Nobody likes it, for sure not feeling it, even though we do like giving it out. Judgment is a scary word to most; it feels like you're sitting in front of a judge to be condemned. One of the issues though is we take our human perspective of judgment and put that on God, but the Bible has a different view of the final judgment. It doesn't make it less serious, it just means the purpose of God's judgments are different. We can't cover it all but Scott gives it his best shot in this final episode of Fire Season.”

“Pastor Scott wraps up his series on the fire passages by bringing it all together in one place: Judgement. Nobody likes it, for sure not feeling it, even though we do like giving it out. Judgment is a scary word to most; it feels like you're sitting in front of a judge to be condemned. One of the issues though is we take our human perspective of judgment and put that on God, but the Bible has a different view of the final judgment. It doesn't make it less serious, it just means the purpose of God's judgments are different. We can't cover it all but Scott gives it his best shot in this final episode of Fire Season.”

This week we look at two terms that don't normally go together but have the same spiritual connotations: salt and fire. The Gospel of Mark gives an encounter where Jesus is really serious, almost scary, but Jesus always has a purpose in mind. He says “Everyone will be salted with fire, but salt is good.” Salt has many helpful qualities, but one specific with fire in that it purifies things. But how does it do it? By just being salt and doing what it does. Jesus has a purpose for our lives in the world, to bring out the flavor and purity. But are we known for that?