Podcasts about local church

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/21/26), Hank answers the following questions:If Ezekiel's temple will be built in the millennium, why will there be animal sacrifices? Robert - FL (0:45)I am having trouble with the Local Church's distinction between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. Can you help me? Eric - Moore, OK (7:09)Since the Bible is infallible, who decided to put all the individual writings together? Randy - St. Louis, MO (15:14)Is the messiah of Islam the Antichrist of Christianity? Gabe - Olive Branch, MS (20:58)

Craig Lawson [‘13] is the program director at Ironwood Christian Camp in Newberry Springs, California. Craig met and married his wife, Emily, while at Maranatha and then worked at MBU for a year following graduation. Summer ministry at Ironwood led them to join the resident staff in 2015. The Lawsons have two children who, by camp tradition, are dubbed “desert pygmies.”

God is not against you having things; He is against things having you. There are over 2,500 Scriptures that speak about money. Together, they reveal five clear truths: God wants us to prosper and is able to help us prosper. God wants us to enjoy Him and enjoy His blessings. God is generous, and He wants us to be generous. God does not want us living in debt or bondage. God wants us to work hard and invest.

DateJanuary 18, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we launch our new series, Building the Beloved Community: A Blueprint from Dream to Reality, and dive into the faithful life that refuses to shrink the horizon. Drawing on the fierce wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the prophet Isaiah, we confront the lie that tells us we are nobodies, anchoring ourselves instead in the radical truth of "somebodiness"—our inherent, God-given worth. This unshakeable foundation is the starting point for building the Beloved Community, calling us out of personal exile and into a larger, shared vision of justice and flourishing for the world.ReferencesScripture: Isaiah 49:17About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Belonging to the church will always increase our obligations and decrease our independence. And this is good.”~Megan Hill in A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church  “There in heaven this fountain of love, this eternal three in one, is set open without any obstacle to hinder access to it. There this glorious God is manifested and shines forth in full glory, in beams of love; there the fountain overflows in streams and rivers of love and delight, enough for all to drink at, and to swim in, yea, so as to overflow the world as it were with a deluge of love.” “Love dwells and reigns in every heart in heaven. The heart of God is the original source of divine love, existing inherently, like light in the sun. From God, love flows necessarily towards all inhabitants of heaven.” “That which was in the heart on earth as but a grain of mustard-seed, shall be as a great tree in heaven. The soul that in this world had only a little spark of divine love in it, in heaven shall be, as it were, turned into a bright and ardent flame, like the sun in its fullest brightness, when it has no spot upon it.” “In heaven all shall be united together in very near and dear relations... In heaven all shall have property and ownership in each other.” “[In heaven people] will have no doubt of the love of each other. They shall have no fear that the declarations…of love are hypocritical; but shall be perfectly satisfied of the sincerity and strength of each other's affection, as much as if there were a window in every breast, so that everything in the heart could be seen. There shall be no such thing as flattery…in heaven, but there perfect sincerity shall reign through all and in all. Everyone will be just what he seems to be, and will really have all the love that he seems to have.”~Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in “Heaven Is a World of Love” “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”~Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), civil rights activist and Baptist minister “If a person doesn't love the church, they don't love Jesus.”~Voddie Baucham (1969-2025), former Dean of Theology at African Christian University (Zambia) “To dwell in love with saints above— Oh that will be glory! But to dwell below with saints we know— Ah! That's a different story!”~Christopher J.H. Wright, Anglican clergyman and authorSERMON PASSAGE Ephesians 2:1-3:13 (ESV)Ephesians 2 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached the peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 3 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

On this episode Pastor Sean and Shannon McKee (Care Director) talk about experiencing care. They walk through the various ways and levels of care that Christians can and should experience. Journey app and other growing spiritually resources: https://tinyurl.com/4ks9xd7h. Learn more about community groups: https://tinyurl.com/yx42uzwe. Pastoral and professional counseling: https://tinyurl.com/2arfv6vb

Campus ministries can be helpful, but they can't replace the local church. After reflecting on the recent college retreat, Brody and JB talk about how students can stay grounded in their faith during the transient season of college and young adulthood. They outline what makes a healthy church, the strengths and limits of campus ministries, and practical ways to choose and commit to a church without drifting into consumerism. Tune in for an intriguing, thoughtful conversation that challenges how students think about church and discipleship.College RetreatSend us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

Your cash and your calendar reveal what you truly value. Everyone is equally rich in time—24 hours a day, seven days a week—but how you assign those days determines your priorities. Accountability sharpens how we live, and your calendar is your greatest tool, because you will never get that day back. This isn't about living in a hurry; it's about living with intention.

EARLY BIRD PRICING is available for the 2026 Southeast Regional Biblical Counseling Conference -Grace in Practice: Biblical Soul Care in the Local ChurchClick here to find out more 

DateJanuary 11, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we dive into the disruptive power of Jesus's baptism, revealing how it offers a new imagination for how we see the world. Jesus steps into the water to redefine righteousness—it's not about maintaining purity or order, but about radical solidarity that shatters systems of control and exclusion. By claiming our first, revolutionary name as Beloved, we embody a vision in which justice flows like a river and are empowered to take a bold next step toward the healing of God's world.ReferencesScripture: Matthew 3:13–17About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “Usually, the way God will heal somebody from church hurt is by using the church.”~Jackie Hill Perry, poet, writer, hip hop artist “He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his Mother.”~Cyprian (c.210-258), early North African church leader “…for those to whom [God] is Father, the church may also be Mother…. Furthermore, away from her bosom one cannot hope for any forgiveness of sins or any salvation.”~John Calvin (1509-1564) in Institutes of the Christian Religion 4.1.1 & 4.1.4 “In an era that prizes constant change and originality, it can be surprising to realize that corporate worship has neither…. Belonging to the church will always increase our obligations and decrease our independence. And this is good.”~Megan Hill in A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church  Chapter 26.12. All believers are obligated to join themselves to local churches when and where they have the opportunity. Likewise, all who are admitted to the privileges of a church are also subject to the discipline and government of it, according to the rule of Christ…. 14. Every church and all its members are obligated to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all churches of Christ in every place. They must also—at every opportunity within the limits of their stations and callings—exercise their gifts and graces to benefit every church. Also, when churches are raised up by the providence of God, insofar as they enjoy opportunity and favorable circumstances for it, they should have fellowship among themselves for their peace, growth in love, and mutual edification…. Chapter 27.1. All saints are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit and by faith…. They have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory. Since they are united to one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and graces and are obligated to carry out these duties, both public and private, in an orderly way to promote their mutual good, both in the inner and outer aspects of their lives.~The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith, from Chapters 26 & 27 “A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertain-ing the goats…. That very church which the world likes best is sure to be that which God abhors.”~Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), famed London preacher “Don't build a church that attracts people — build a church that attracts God and God will attract the people.”~AnonymousSERMON PASSAGEEphesians 2:11-22 (ESV) 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

The Pattern - The Local Church​ Part 1 by Pastor Rick Jordan

It's our 2025 year in review... the three biggest takeaways in the Catholic Church, in the Diocese of Bridgeport, and in the personal life of Bishop Frank Caggiano. A recurring theme in all three: hope vs discouragement. Plus, Bishop Frank's resolutions for 2026. Enjoy! Pax Christi, Steve Lee The other guy on Let Me Be Frank Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy9oYx0t7imNDH5nLwSiM8Q Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veritascatholic/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/veritascatholic/ Other shows The Tangent: https://thetangent.podbean.com/ Daily Gospel Reflections: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/ The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/  

As a Christian counselor working in a parachurch organization, we often receive referrals from local churches to counsel their members. These referrals sometimes reveal troubling dynamics between the counselees and their churches. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/counselees-and-the-local-church/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Scripture says that our life is like a vapor. How we think about time should be biblical. The enemy wants to distort our view of time. Everyone assumes they have tomorrow, but we aren't guaranteed that. We plan like we have tomorrow, yet we should live like we do not.

DateJanuary 4, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we explore the stark contrast between the desperate, grasping control of King Herod and the open-handed, joyful trust of the Magi on Epiphany Sunday. Tired of the anxiety that comes with trying to manufacture, manage, and secure every outcome in your life? The Epiphany story is an invitation to receive the gift of God already present. Release your white-knuckled grip, surrender your own agenda, and step into a new year with a posture of open hands and wonder, ready to receive the revelation God is offering.About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

Local Church receives an update on Ekklessia Jax from Cedric Lauchner.

Joshua Mack

Joshua Mack

Joshua Mack

SummaryIn this episode of the Text Driven Podcast, Timothy Pigg and Carter Jurkovich discuss the fragmentation of the church body in the context of the digital church. They explore how online platforms can create divisions within the church community, the challenges of pastoral care in a digital age, and the implications of prioritizing global reach over local engagement in missions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of real community and the need for a path forward to recover a text-driven church.TakeawaysGreat Commission Weekend is a significant event for church leaders.Fragmentation in the church body is exacerbated by digital platforms.Digital church creates echo chambers that hinder true fellowship.Worshiping with diverse individuals fosters spiritual growth.Online church can lead to a selfish worship experience.Pastors face challenges due to competing online voices.Local engagement is crucial for effective missions.Investing in local churches can yield better results than digital outreach.The church must focus on real community rather than virtual connections.There is hope for recovering a text-driven church model.Sound bites"What does it look like today?""You only listen to what you want.""This isn't all bad news."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Text Driven Podcast02:11 Great Commission Weekend: A Call to Action03:17 Understanding Fragmentation in the Church Body04:58 The Impact of Digital Platforms on Fellowship07:54 Echo Chambers and the Digital Church Experience10:21 The Dangers of Disengagement from Local Pastors13:33 Global Reach vs. Local Engagement in Missions18:38 Investing in Local Churches for Global Impact20:34 Conclusion: The Path Forward for the ChurchText-Driven Resources LinksTEXT-DRIVEN WOMENApple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/text-driven-women/id1638626764⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39bprfuuuoBdiu3qpbNbSS⁠TEXT-DRIVEN PODCASTApple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/text-driven-podcast/id1558036179⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/58S8Z1wSnubt8AVFkH3e1k⁠TEXT-DRIVEN BIBLE STUDIESThe Book of Philippians (Text-Driven Bible Study) (Text-Driven Bible Studies) https://a.co/d/1oypSB7⁠Foundations: Genesis 1-11: Text-Driven Bible Study (Text-Driven Bible Studies) https://a.co/d/b77kWZA⁠The Book of Titus: Text-Driven Bible Study (Text-Driven Bible Studies) https://a.co/d/4RAQaalThe Seven Churches of Revelation: Revelation 1-5 (January 2026)CHURCH/FAMILY RESOURCESThe Local Church Matters https://a.co/d/5HNqbiQThe Seven Characteristics of a Text-Driven Woman (April 2026)Text-Driven Evangelism (January 2026)DEVOTIONALKnowing Jesus at Christmas: A 25-Day Devotional through the Gospel of Luke ⁠https://a.co/d/6YMm0a9⁠Text-Driven Wisdom: A 31-Day Devotional through Proverbs https://a.co/d/17UC6jt

Men and women are different, and as believers, we need to embrace that truth. We can affirm it with our words, but when we live as though there is no distinction—treating women as the same as men and men as the same as women—we undermine our confession. Gender confusion is affecting the church just as much as it is the world.

DateDecember 24, 2025SynopsisIn this special Christmas Eve homily, we wrestle with the chasm between the wide-eyed wonder of a child's Christmas and the sleepless anxiety of adult logistics and existential uncertainty. We discover that the Christmas story is not a distant, sanitized tale but a radical, relatable gift of divine presence. It reveals God drawing near—Emmanuel—to stand in solidarity with us amid the pressure, grief, and disorientation of our modern lives. Joy enfleshed is for you.Scripture: Luke 2:1–20About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

In this inspiring episode of Life by Design, Dr. Dan Stanley reflects on his passion for helping the local church thrive in health and unity. As he shares updates about his upcoming book, mission plans, and continuing education,Dr. Stanlry explores one of the most pressing challenges churches face today—the “backdoor” issue of members quietly slipping away. He emphasizes that true leadership is rooted in trust, authenticity, and a willingness to lay down one's life for the body of Christ. This conversation invites pastors, leaders, and believers alike to pray, build trust, and seek God's miraculous work in strengthening His Church.

Why did Paul instruct women in 1 Corinthians to cover their heads? Keith dives into this discussion today, explaining how, culturally, uncovered heads were a distraction and why Paul gave instructions for women to cover them. These kinds of conversations push us to dig into Scripture and sharpen our understanding as believers.

DateDecember 21, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we dismantle the myth that joy is a prize to be earned or a mindset to be curated. Digging into the Christmas story—from the animals who bear witness to the cosmic claim of John's sarx—we discover that God has already pitched a tent in the fragile, biological stuff of creation. Joy isn't a reward for overcoming; it's an ever-present sign of God's presence, which holds us through everything and is simply waiting for our attention.ReferencesScripture: John 1:1–5, 14O Magnum MysteriumAbout The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

"Israel does not have a blank check according to the judgement of God."--Keith Tucci. All people, including Jews, are saved only by the cross of Christ. While we do share a deep theological connection, that does not mean we must agree with or support everything Israel does. Like any nation, Israel has the right to defend its borders and pursue those who seek to destroy it. Even more significantly, that land is the cradle of Christianity—it is where God chose to enter the world in human flesh.

DateDecember 14, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we venture into the dark fields alongside the shepherds, discovering that the first announcement of the Incarnation was entrusted to those on the margins. We explore how the angelic proclamation disrupts our fear, revealing a joy that is not a scarce commodity for the pious, but a generous, cosmic invitation for all humanity. This is a story about a God who breaks through the silence to offer a love that is unapologetically inclusive and meant to be shared.Scripture: Luke 2:8–18About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations   This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Jordan Thomas, a familiar voice to longtime Media Gratiae listeners. Jordan contributes to the Behold Your God study series, is the author of Christ Our Treasure: Enjoying the Preeminence of Jesus in the Local Church, and has appeared on the podcast several times. In this episode, Jordan and John explore the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. To guide your reflections this Christmas season, Jordan has chosen 25 Scripture passages for meditation. We pray both the podcast and passages serve as helpful resources for you. The passages Jordan has selected are available as a free Media Gratiae Online course. The link is below.   Show Notes: 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

The expression “famous last words” applies to guest Emily Haynes. “One day you will be dean of women,” an associate dorm supervisor once playfully predicted. Emily adamantly replied, “Absolutely not!” Yet the Lord steadily guided her from teaching piano into the conjectured dean of women position. She and host Dr. Matt Davis review that process. Joining the Student Life Office as a dorm supervisor in 2010, she learned the one surprising rule—every day you must laugh. Emily enjoys her work, which mainly entails counseling and discipleship, though it includes a modicum of discipline too. She explains varied aspects of the dual mentorship role of working with students and dorm supervisors. Naturally, she partners with parents as well, assuring them of attentive student care. Maranatha's supportive environment “ought to be pretty reassuring to parents,” Dr. Davis observes, “once you describe all the different things we have in place to help their students thrive.” Now a 15-year veteran, Emily insists, “The rule still applies; there is laughter every day.”

Do not be arrogant...Cancel culture is when we throw out the baby with the bathwater. We fail to separate the good from the bad—without justifying any of the bad. And the truth is, we wouldn't exist without our Jewish heritage.

DateDecember 7, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we dive into the revolutionary idea that joy is a muscle, not a mood. The daily practice of "Repeating the Sounding Joy" offers us a different path at the crossroads of control and trust, training our hearts for resilience instead of despair. We explore how Mary's defiant Magnificat—a song rehearsed over a lifetime—kickstarts an "upward spiral" of hope that disrupts the "downward spiral" of fear that threatened Joseph. Discover how to build the muscle memory of joy, aligning your present heart with God's joyful endgame for the world.About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

Thom and Jess continue the “Future Church” series with an episode focused on one of the most important—and most misunderstood—topics in today's congregations: evangelism. The way people come to faith is changing, and so are the methods churches use to share the gospel. Attendance patterns are different. Communities are more skeptical of institutions. And more often than not, the first place someone encounters the church is online, not in person. In this conversation, the Rainers look at how evangelism is evolving, why it still matters deeply, and four major trends shaping how local churches reach people today. The post Future Church Series – Episode 3: Trends in Evangelism in the Local Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Dr. Paul Chappell - The Desire to Serve in a Local Church by West Coast Baptist College

*This episode was originally published on 4/8/2019. This week on Preaching and Preachers, Jonathan Leeman joins me in a discussion on God's love and the local church. Jonathan is the The post God’s Love and the Local Church appeared first on Preaching and Preachers Institute.

We need to celebrate our inheritance. If you are born again, no matter what tribe you come from, you are a descendant of Abraham and an heir according to the promise. There is no separate gospel. There is no separate process.

DateNovember 30, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we kick off our Advent series, Repeat the Sounding Joy: Practicing an Honest Advent, by reclaiming joy as a defiant and contagious act of resistance. Joy is not a denial of despair, but an empowering force that opens our lips and loosens our tongues to sing of a future that refuses to be limited by current reality. We explore how Elizabeth's loud blessing and Zechariah's prophetic song disrupt the silence of Empire, giving us the courage to bless what God is doing and declare the breaking dawn now.ReferencesScripture: Luke 1:39–45; Luke 1:67–80About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

Sign Up For Your Free Trial And Discounted Annual Subscription Here: https://watch.thewonderproject.com/Rusan0:00 - Intro Tease 3:32 - Setting the Stage: Ruslan & Nathan's Backgrounds5:04 - Nathan's Backstory: Church Anger to Fatherhood Perspective8:21 - How Shawn Ryan Podcast Led to This Debate9:23 - Ruslan's Defense of the Local Church's Role in His Life12:00 - Why Pastors Are Easy Targets & Stereotypes Around Them15:14 - Are We Overgeneralizing Pastors? Comparing to 90s Dads17:42 - What Makes a Healthy Church? Ruslan's Framework20:02 - IRS Structures vs. Biblical Church Models22:36 - Are Legal Structures Like Marriage & Churches a Problem?24:04 - Do All Institutions Eventually Corrupt? Reform vs. Abandon25:52 - Nathan's Push for Transparency: The Ed Young Example28:14 - Ruslan Responds: Rhythm Church's Annual Report Breakdown30:34 - Why Churches Are Exempt from Filing 990s33:03 - The Tension Between Accountability & Transparency35:48 - Ruslan Explains Rhythm Church's Financial Oversight38:59 - Why Full Transparency Isn't Always Healthy41:09 - Debating the Average Pastor Salary & Bi-Vocational Realities44:31 - Different Church Models: Transparency by Design vs. Requirement46:08 - Home Churches, Mega Churches, and Real-Life Church Options49:45 - Ruslan: Maturity, Unity & Why Transparency Requires Wisdom52:48 - Legal Structures vs. Moral Imperatives for Transparency58:04 - Churches Investing in War Profits? Nathan's Coming Exposés1:00:04 - Why Churches Don't File 990s:1:06:00 - Weaponizing Financial Transparency & When Disclosure Goes Wrong1:12:00 - Is the Church Corrupt or Is the System Misunderstood?1:14:30 - Comparing Marriage & Church Corporations: A Legal Paradox1:17:00 - What Is “Full” Financial Transparency? 1:20:00 - Can a Church Be Both Spiritual & a Legal Entity?1:23:00 - Why Some Church Salaries Aren't Public Knowledge1:26:00 - The Congregational Church Alternative1:29:00 - Should the Government Oversee Churches to Prevent Abuse?1:32:00 - Biblical Tithing as a Principle vs. Legal Requirement1:34:00 - Does 1 Corinthians 9 Justify Paying Pastors? Ruslan's Scriptural Argument1:39:00 - Modern Pastors as Levitical Priests? Breaking Down a Common Analogy1:42:00 - What Ruslan's Pastor Actually Said vs. Nathan's Interpretation1:49:00 - Ruslan's Journey: From Calling Out Pastors to Supporting Healthy Churches1:52:00 - What the Didache & Early Church Taught About Supporting Leaders1:58:00 - 1 Timothy 5: How Churches Should Support Widows—And Why It Matters2:00:04 - Biblical Qualifications for Financial Support2:08:00 - Jesus vs. Paul: Who Has Final Authority?2:16:00 - IRS Church Criteria vs. Biblical Model2:25:00 - Ekklesia or Corporation? Defining “Church” Today2:34:00 - Tithing, Salaries & the Transparency Spectrum2:45:00 - Are All Institutions Eventually Corrupt?2:55:00 - The $92 Billion Church Fraud Claim Disputed3:05:00 - Is Paul's Writing Equal to Jesus' Words?3:15:00 - Public vs. Internal Accountability in Churches3:25:00 - Stanford Study: Do Churches Grow People Spiritually?3:33:00 - Final Clash: Systems, Reform & Respectful Disagreement

In this special episode of YMU, Danny hosts the 7th annual Rooted Book Awards. These Book Awards serve our listeners who might not have the time or budget to read every book out there. It includes categories of books for Youth Ministers, Parents, Bible Teaching, and Teenagers. Happy reading! Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families by Sarah Peoples (Crossway)Don't Despise Our Youth: Renewing Hope for Urban Youth by David Washington (InterVarsity Press)Managing Your Households Well by Chap Bettis (P&R Publishing) Mothering Against Futility Balancing Meaning and Mundanity in the Fear of the Lord By Simona Gorton (Christian Focus)Beyond the Back Row: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Local Church for Your Family by Katie Polski (Christian Focus)Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age Edited by Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa (Crossway) The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics eds. Collin Hansen, Skyler R. Flowers, and Ivan Mesa (Zondervan)From Eden to Egypt: A Guided Tour of Genesis (9Marks) by Alex Duke (Zondervan)Gospel Stories: How The Greatest Story Is Richer, Deeper, and More Wonderful Than We Think by Andrew Wilson (10 Publishing)Understanding Biblical Law: Thinking With And Through Torah by Dru Johnson (Baker Academic) 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust: Core Beliefs of the Christian That Will Change Your Life by Paul David Tripp (Crossway)Make It Your Ambition by Jeremy Writebol (The Gospel Coalition)Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World by Mike McGarry (New Growth Press)Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated by Chris Morphew (The Good Book Company) Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

For God to honor a natural heritage, He would have to diminish the sacrifice of Christ. There are not two plans for two groups of people. There is no distinction in our sinful condition. There is no distinction at the cross of Christ. And there is no distinction in our inheritance. We are one bride, one body, with one salvation and one purpose.

DateNovember 23, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we conclude our In Good Company series by venturing into the often-terrifying landscape of our own minds with guest speaker Cody Deese. Rather than treating anxiety as a spiritual failure or a monster to be exiled, Cody reframes our panic as a flare gun from the "internal universe," signaling a deep need for attention and love. He invites us to stop trying to talk our way out of fear and instead feel our way through it, discovering that the Divine is waiting for us right in the center of the storm.About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

Jess interviews Thom in this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Church Answers. They examine the evolution of resources from the company's inception to the present day. The post What in the World Does Church Answers Really Do? Part 2: The Local Church Partner Grows appeared first on Church Answers.