Podcasts about local church

What if communion isn't just a ritual—but the most powerful way to practice hope in a broken world? In this moving conversation, Anglican priest Hannah Miller King shares how the Eucharist became her lifeline after losing her father at 14 and her youngest brother to suicide, why the Lord's Table can become "the altar call every Sunday," and how bottom-up healing through embodied rituals can reach us in ways theology alone cannot.Hannah unpacks insights from her book Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness such as why some prayers remain unanswered (and that's a feature, not a flaw), and how communion frames the gospel for me, for us, and for the world.Key Insights:01:51 - Faith Forged in Unanswered Prayers: Losing a Parent at Young Age03:18 - Falling in Love with the Local Church as Family05:51 - How Communion Brings Hope08:35 - Re-Familied as a Daughter of God at the Lord's Table11:11 - Looking Back AND Looking Forward at Communion15:19 - The Lord's Supper and Church Hurt (When the Family Is Dysfunctional)21:36 - Someone Is at the Helm of History Who Is Not Anxious Right NowResources Mentioned:Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness by Hannah Miller KingHannah Miller King's website: hannamillerking.comFollow Innovative Church Leaders:Website: https://innovativechurchleaders.org/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeadersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnovativeChurchLeaders/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/innovativechurchleadersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativechurchleadersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovative-church-leaders/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@innovativechurchleadersEric Bryant:Website: https://ericbryant.org/Hannah Miller King:Website: https://hannamillerking.com/Pastoral Cohort with N.T. Wright: https://innovativechurchleaders.org/cohort/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-post-christian-podcast/id1509588357Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZeQIrzr2tCMyq1VdwxGNnSomeone is at the helm of history who is not anxious right now. Pause and be re-rooted at innovativechurchleaders.org#ChurchLeadership #Eucharist #Communion #Sacraments #ChristianHope #AlreadyNotYet #WomenInMinistry #Anglican #PastoralCare #Grief

Kindness and equity are not the same thing. I can give a stranger a sandwich without giving him the keys to my house. God has given us specific understanding in Scripture about how a nation can live together cohesively, and we need to consider how to apply those principles today. Immigration is one of those cultural issues that we need to examine through the lens of biblical thinking.

Lord's Day Service | Guest Pastor Tom Ascol

It's important to know how to have sincere conversations, even if they are uncomfortable. Remember that each conversation involves three people: you, the other person, and God. Ask clarifying questions, and come into the conversation open-hearted, open-minded, and ready to listen. Don't prejudge the conversation, feel pressured to resolve everything in the moment, or put it off altogether. No one likes confrontation, but everyone likes clarification!

Date March 8, 2026 Synopsis In this sermon, part of our Lenten series Reenchanted: A Series for Lent on Believing Again, we follow Jesus to Jacob's well — where he crosses every line his world drew to sit with a Samaritan woman his culture told him to avoid. We explore how our habit of sorting the world into clean categories — insider and outsider, worthy and unworthy — is the fast track to disenchantment, and how Jesus moves straight through every border not to condemn, but to liberate. Turns out, the best biscuits — and the best of us — rise higher when we're touching. About The Local Church For 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.

This powerful message from Pastor Tim Dye confronts us with an uncomfortable truth: we can be fully armored in our Christian walk yet still lack the internal power to stand in victory. Drawing from Ephesians 6, we're challenged to move beyond performative Christianity—the kind that looks good on the outside but lacks genuine spiritual vitality. The central question pierces through our religious routines: are we performing prayer or partnering with the Spirit? The armor of God—the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith—becomes useless without the Holy Spirit's empowerment. We're reminded that God never equips us externally without providing internal combustion. This isn't about condemnation but about honest self-examination. Like the church at Laodicea that Jesus called lukewarm, we risk becoming useless to the Kingdom when our faith becomes merely functional rather than transformational. The invitation here is radical: to acknowledge the dead things we keep returning to—our algorithms, our distractions, our insatiable appetites for things that never truly satisfy—and to consecrate ourselves afresh. We're called to stop wasting our Christian lives on exterior modifications and instead pursue the deep, Spirit-filled power that makes us genuinely useful in God's Kingdom. EPISODE CREDITS:  Produced, edited and mixed by Shera Dye. Artwork designed by Shera Dye. All rights reserved Freedom Church Bossier City.   LINKS Visit us at our website here for more information. Sundays at 10:30a--Plan your visit here!  Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram & subscribe to our YouTube channel!

A Local Church with a Global Mission

Join us for this year's 2026 Southeast Regional Biblical Counseling Conference - Grace in Practice: Biblical Soul Care in the Local Church on April 10th-11th. Continuing Education Unit (C.E.U's) are available for Biblical Counselors! Click here to find out more

Scripture shows us the beauty of both leadership and management working together. Leaders help us see where God is calling us next, while managers help care well for what He's already entrusted to us. One leans toward vision, growth, and forward movement, while the other leans toward stability, faithfulness, and wise stewardship. Both matter deeply. When conflict arises between leadership and management, it's often because there isn't a shared vision, key information is missing, or everyone wasn't aligned from the beginning.

In this podcast, Chad talks with one of Colonial Heights' Field Workers about the importance of training and sending well within the local church.

Sunday Evening- Pastor Larson- Romans 10:11-18

Date March 1, 2026 Synopsis In our second week of the Reenchanted series, we talk about ditching the intellectual armor that keeps us isolated and stuck in "knowing" all the right answers. Stop trying to think your way to God, and start learning how to feel your way back to the wild, messy, embodied life you were meant to live. It's time to repent of certainty and let your finite, beautiful body be the place where divine grace actually meets you. References Scripture: John 3:1–17 About The Local Church For 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.

SummaryThis episode explores the importance of restoring the true mission of the church in a digital age, emphasizing embodied community, discipleship, and faithful local church building beyond digital platforms.Key TopicsThe danger of digital Christianity replacing embodied communityThe importance of physical presence in fulfilling the Great CommissionShifts from streaming to sending, platform to presence, branding to burdenBuilding unity through doctrine, mission, and meaningful membershipRestoring accountability and caring for one another's burdensResourcesText Driven Ministries - https://www.textdriven.org

We continue our spotlight on Black community members whose work may be under the radar but is making a big difference. This hour, we sit down with Pastor Jerrard Brown. Brown is the youngest-ever senior pastor at Holy Trinity Baptist Church on North Street. He's also the office and facilities manager for Teen Empowerment. Through both roles, Brown has built community and served as a role model, especially for young people. As he told WXXI's Racquel Stephen, "I think the pastor should be the homie." We talk with Brown and his Teen Empowerment colleagues about the impact of his work. Our guests: Jerrard Brown, senior pastor at Holy Trinity Baptist Church, and office and facilities manager for Teen Empowerment Sahiyra Dillard, program coordinator at Teen Empowerment ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

This is the Week 1 grounding practice for Reenchanted: A Series for Lent on Believing Again — a Lenten series from The Local Church. This week's practice is called A List of Mysteries. It's a simple guided meditation designed to help you slow down and practice sitting with what you cannot explain—not as a failure of understanding, but as an act of faith. Take a walk while you listen if you're able. Or find a quiet place to sit and let your imagination do the moving. This practice pairs with Week 1 of the Reenchanted series, where we explore Matthew 4:1–11 and what it means to repent from certainty and believe in simply believing again.

Join us for this year's 2026 Southeast Regional Biblical Counseling Conference - Grace in Practice: Biblical Soul Care in the Local Church Continuing Education Unit (C.E.U's) are available for Biblical Counselors! Click here to find out more

Welcome back to another episode of Reconcile Stories! On this episode Pastor Will talks to Dawn Neff, one of the partners at Reconcile. Dawn shares her story of faith and the ways God is using her experiences with things like mental health, suicide, and trauma to help others. She is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor, holds a Master Diploma in Mental Health Coaching, and is also a Certified Trauma-Informed Coach (CTIC) and a Certified Addiction and Recovery Coach (CARC). In this episode Will and Dawn have a great conversation about the importance of there being an intersect between mental health and the local church, drawing from both of their experiences personally and professionally. Please visit our website at reconcilecc.org for any questions. Thank you for helping support our mission to Preach The Gospel. Produce Disciples. Pursue Justice.

“Even on my worst days, it doesn't change God's immense goodness toward me.”—Keith Tucci. These are the seeds of rebellion (Psalm 106): forgetting God, losing wonder at His majesty, overlooking His abundant kindness, quickly forgetting His Word, envying others, and grumbling. A rebellious heart becomes a hard heart. It won't hear God, won't flow in thanksgiving, and a heart without thanksgiving does not share its faith or carries a testimony.

Thanks for listening to the River in the Hills Church podcast. We hope you are encouraged and edified by this message brought to you by Glenn Hubbart.

Date February 22, 2026 Synopsis In this sermon, we explore the tension between our modern obsession with certainty and the ancient invitation to walk by faith. Using the story of Jesus in the wilderness, we see how the tempter's demand for proof is a trap designed to replace intimacy with control. True reenchantment isn't found in five-star guarantees or "crystal stairs," but in the dark corners where we finally stop demanding data and start reaching for a hand to hold. If you've been waiting for a sign before you're willing to believe, this is an invitation to loosen your grip, embrace the mystery, and find the new life that only begins in the dark. References Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 About The Local Church For 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.

Sermon Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13uHx9NCQBgjqegXRBNAOJ6rfZWbreunm/view?usp=drive_linkSubscribe to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/shepherdshouseazWebsite: shepherdsaz.orgInstagram: @shepherdshouseazFacebook: /shepherdshouseazTiktok: @shepherdshouseazYoutube: /shepherdshouseaz

In this episode of the Empowered Homes Podcast, host Bobby Cooley welcomes author and pastor Jonathan Griffiths to discuss his book Gathered for Good and God's design for the local church. Together, they explore why embodied, committed church life matters in a digital age and why watching church online can't replace true belonging. Jonathan offers encouragement for parents as they disciple their children toward a healthy love for the church, addressing common pitfalls that can weaken long-term faith. The conversation also compassionately engages church hurt and faith deconstruction, pointing listeners to God's good purposes for community even amid pain. This episode invites families and leaders to rediscover how the local church plays a vital role in building strong, Christ-centered homes. Connect with Jonathan GriffithsGet the Gathered for Good BookAbout Empowered Homes Empowered Homes exists to connect church and home by equipping parents, grandparents, and ministry leaders to live out gospel truths in the everyday rhythms of life. Through free, gospel-centered, and practical resources, along with in-person training, coaching, and equipping experiences, Empowered Homes helps families disciple the next generation with confidence and hope. Explore free resources, training opportunities, and more at empoweredhomes.org. Empowered Homes Podcast Show us some Love! Do you appreciate The Empowered Homes Podcast? Like, subscribe, comment, share. Every bit of your engagement helps us be open-handed in sharing resources to grow strong families, leaders and ministries. Thanks for your help in Empowering Homes for the gospel! FB : https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweredHomesResources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredhomesresources/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/@empoweredhomes9809Questions? Ideas for the Podcast? Contact us at podcast@empoweredhomes.org. Bobby@empoweredhomes.org Meghan@empoweredhomes.orgFind Free Resources empoweredhomes.org

We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Communio! Tune in to hear how Communio is strengthening families through data-informed strategies for local churches. In this episode, host Stacy Bellward and Cindy Wilson, the Ministry Partnership & Research Program Manager at Connected Families, sit down with J.P. DeGance, founder and president of Communio and author of Endgame: The Church’s Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America. J.P. shares his personal journey into family ministry, the compelling research behind Communio’s approach, and how this partnership will bring Connected Families’ parenting resources into churches across the country, equipping more families with biblical, research-informed tools that transform families for generations. Key Takeaways: Announcing the partnership with Communio and Connected Families Learn about the background of Communio and the research study that reduced divorce rates in Jacksonville, FL Discover the impact marriage has on multi-generational church attendance Hear how growing in parenting skills can complement our spiritual growth Mentioned in this Podcast: Communio Book – Endgame: The Church's Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America The Jacksonville Case Study Matthew 22: 36-38 Contact Communio – Platform@communio.org Connected Families Small Group Resources Connected Families Workshop Speakers The Table – Monthly Giving Program Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We'd love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: J.P. De Gance is the founder and president of Communio and co-author of “Endgame: The Church’s Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America.” He leads Communio’s work equipping pastors and churches with data-informed strategies to strengthen congregations through relational health. This approach has been proven through a $20 million initiative that reduced the divorce rate among a network of churches in Jacksonville by 24% between 2016 and 2018. Under his leadership, Communio earned the Heritage Foundation’s 2023 Innovation Prize for its groundbreaking research and church partnerships. J.P. is a husband and father, and lives in Virginia with his wife and 8 children. © 2026 Connected Families .stk-f7962e5-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important;}.stk-f7962e5 {background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:none !important;border-color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}.stk-f7962e5:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;}.stk-f7962e5 .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:421px !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;} .stk-71fb0c5 {background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;box-shadow:none !important;border-style:solid !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;min-height:0px !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;padding-left:15px !important;margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}.stk-71fb0c5:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-71fb0c5 {padding-top:30px !important;padding-right:30px !important;padding-bottom:30px !important;padding-left:30px !important;}} .stk-ee8f1f2-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;min-height:318px !important;}.stk-ee8f1f2 {align-self:center !important;}@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-ee8f1f2 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(33.333% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 / 2 ) !important;}} .stk-5f5f0db {background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}.stk-5f5f0db:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;}.stk-5f5f0db .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;height:329px !important;}.stk-5f5f0db .stk-img-wrapper img{transform:scale(1) !important;object-fit:contain !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-5f5f0db {min-height:0px !important;align-items:flex-start !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-39px !important;display:flex !important;}.stk-5f5f0db .stk-img-wrapper{height:400px !important;}} .stk-734aee9 {align-self:center !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:25px !important;}.stk-734aee9-container{max-width:843px !important;min-width:auto !important;}@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-734aee9 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(66.667% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 / 2 ) !important;}} .stk-b0e3710 {align-items:flex-start !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;display:flex !important;}.stk-b0e3710 .stk-block-heading__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:47px !important;color:#fffffe !important;line-height:1.1em !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-b0e3710 .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:47px !important;}}Helping Families Thrive .stk-a248cc0 {padding-top:19px !important;}.stk-a248cc0 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}Our parenting workshops equip parents in your community with practical tools and biblical wisdom for every stage of parenting. .stk-4bbb5be .stk-button{background:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button:before{border-color:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child, .stk-4bbb5be .stk-button .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child :is(g, path, rect, polygon, ellipse){fill:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;font-weight:600 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:19px !important;}}Book a Workshop

Leadership is about vision, clarity, sacrifice, and the ability to make the path forward simple enough for others to run with confidence. Real leaders don't just see where they're going. They help people understand why it matters, invest personally in the journey, and remove unnecessary complexity so momentum can build.

26.2.15 - Church Matters: The Local Church Pt 2 - Josh Breffle by Windsor Community Church

The State of Theology | Matthew 16:13-27 | Jon Benzinger Watch on YouTube

This was a powerful message presented by our lead pastor's wife, Pastor Courtney. It will show you the biblical importance of being a part of both the Universal Church and the Local Church.If you hear the end and want to be born again, go to https://www.realchurch.us/back-to-the-basics and go through lesson 1. It will explain the Gospel and help you take that step. If you fill out the assessment, our lead pastor will receive it and respond to you answering any questions you have.www.realchurch.us

Series: N/AService: Radio Program / PodcastType: Radio Program / PodcastSpeaker: E.R. Hall, Jr.

Series: N/AService: Radio Program / PodcastType: Radio Program / PodcastSpeaker: E.R. Hall, Jr.

Autonomy (independence) matters in every area of our lives, personal, civic, and business. Autonomy is also an absolutely crucial ingredient for Christ's church. In this episode Pastor Jack and Pastor Jonathan discuss the Baptist Distinctive of the Autonomy of the Local Church. It's Biblical basis, the history of autonomy, and why it should matter to individual Christians.

Joint Supplies Joint and Causes Growth. This is how it should be in your church, and it will, in turn, cause growth in your spiritual life. Find out more on this episode of Fight To Win with Pastor Kurt Owen.Tactical Tip: Many of our videos contain a short section we call Tactical Tips. Most offer ways to improve personal safety and security. The tactical tip on this video starts at 00:42. Pastor Kurt talks about where to stand when you are meeting someone for the first time. This is particularly useful for security personnel.Request the Free Offer: https://www.fighttowin.tvLearn More, Register for Events & Donate:https://www.kurtowen.com/***UPDATED TEXT TO GIVE INFORMATION***Text GIVEKOM to 44321Prefer to Watch the Video?https://youtu.be/8SJax7YFj8IBecome a supporter of this podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fight-to-win-tv-with-kurt-owen--5638799/support.

What happens when churches stop listening to their people—and what becomes possible when they do?In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman sits down with Ryan Ermeling, founder of Parent Pulse and the newly launched Church Voice, to explore why feedback often feels threatening in church leadership—and why avoiding it can quietly erode trust, unity, and mission.

Tithing is a practical way to put God first and train your heart to actively participate rather than passively receive. It builds discipline, creates a shared culture of giving, and frees leaders to lead without hesitation. Over time it forms a testimony in your life, strengthens your spiritual confidence, and invites God's active involvement in your finances.

26.2.8 - Church Matters: The Local Church Pt 1 - Chad Barlow by Windsor Community Church

DateFebruary 8, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we continue our series, Building the Beloved Community: A Blueprint from Dream to Reality, by challenging the gap between creed and deed—the painful disconnect between outward piety and lived justice. The 'breach' is the chasm between "what is and how God wants things to be," and our spiritual task isn't to retreat, but to run toward the vulnerability—brick and mortar in hand—and ask, "Where does it hurt?" This is the difficult but life-giving work of becoming Menders of Broken Walls and Restorers of Livable Streets, where God meets us and promises, "I'm here."ReferencesScripture: Isaiah 58:1–12About 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.

Submission gets a bad rap in today's culture. Especially when it pertains to the local church. We think submission is a good thing. Have a listen to hear our thoughts. REFORMATORY SHIRTS: https://www.amazon.com/s?rh=n%3A7141123011%2Cp_4%3AThe+Reformatory+Podcast&ref=bl_sl_s_ap_web_7141123011JOIN THE PODLUCK: https://www.patreon.com/reformatorypodMukwano Coffee: https://www.mukwanocoffee.com (Use promo code "reformatory" for 20% off your order).Twitter: https://twitter.com/reformatorypod

The local church is not some abstract idea with nameless members—it’s a family of real people who are personally connected with one other. That’s what we learn in Romans 16. After all the great doctrine in Paul’s letter, he greets real people with real names and commends the real labor they performed in the Roman church. His words read like a family photo album as he illustrates what grace looks like in a local church body. This is what God intended for church life—that it be alive and fruitful, like a family. Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/696dc90a6dae751850c3cffa

Contact us. We'd love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd's House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ResourcesFind more information about the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort(01:56) Biblical Framework for Caring for Younger Men(04:30) The Crisis of Masculinity and Young Men Today(06:32) Why This Crisis Is Worse Now than in Previous Generations(08:08) Online Influence, AI, and Weak Youth Ministry(09:33) Titus 2 as a Blueprint for the Local Church(10:56) The One Command to Young Men: Sober-Mindedness(13:14) Defining Sober-Mindedness / Self-Control(18:00) Why Sober-Mindedness Matters So Much for Young Men(18:40) How Pastors Can Urge Young Men to Be Sober-Minded(22:08) Young Men in Unreal Worlds: Media, AI, and the Need for Embodied Mentors(24:36) This Is a 2,000-Year-Old Issue with Fresh Applications(26:51) Sober-Mindedness About Self: Gifts, Limits, and Immaturity(28:17) Loving, Listening, and Validating Young Men(30:07) Spiritual Fatherhood and a Culture of Older-to-Younger Mentoring(31:38) Concrete Ideas for Churches and Pastors(33:05) Closing Prayer for a Generation of Godly Young Men

Contact us. We'd love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd's House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ResourcesFind more information about the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort(01:56) Biblical Framework for Caring for Younger Men(04:30) The Crisis of Masculinity and Young Men Today(06:32) Why This Crisis Is Worse Now than in Previous Generations(08:08) Online Influence, AI, and Weak Youth Ministry(09:33) Titus 2 as a Blueprint for the Local Church(10:56) The One Command to Young Men: Sober-Mindedness(13:14) Defining Sober-Mindedness / Self-Control(18:00) Why Sober-Mindedness Matters So Much for Young Men(18:40) How Pastors Can Urge Young Men to Be Sober-Minded(22:08) Young Men in Unreal Worlds: Media, AI, and the Need for Embodied Mentors(24:36) This Is a 2,000-Year-Old Issue with Fresh Applications(26:51) Sober-Mindedness About Self: Gifts, Limits, and Immaturity(28:17) Loving, Listening, and Validating Young Men(30:07) Spiritual Fatherhood and a Culture of Older-to-Younger Mentoring(31:38) Concrete Ideas for Churches and Pastors(33:05) Closing Prayer for a Generation of Godly Young Men

Dr. Dwayne Morris is an associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown, where, in addition to his other duties, he now directs New Focus, an addiction recovery program. He has served in various capacities during his more than 40-year association with Maranatha and currently teaches part-time in the College of Bible and Church Ministries and the Department of Humanities. He and his wife, Angela, are parents to three Maranatha alumni. 

The priesthood of Melchizedek that received the tithe is still in operation because Melchizedek and Jesus are one, and they have not changed. Even though the earthly priesthood has faded away, we still bring our tithe to Jesus.

DateFebruary 1, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we continue our series, Building the Beloved Community: A Blueprint from Dream to Reality, by diving into the structural integrity of the 'frame.' We move past the foundation of 'somebodiness' to see how the prophet Micah's call reveals the essential, non-negotiable components: to do justice, embrace hesed (faithful love), and walk humbly with God. These three elements are the core beams and joists of a life of faith, ensuring that your efforts do not collapse into self-righteousness, cheap charity, or burnout, so the Beloved Community you're building can actually bear weight.ReferencesScripture: Micah 6:1–8About 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.

Sunday morning sermon audio from Preston Highlands Baptist Church.

In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Jennifer Bowen, Executive Director of Shalem Mental Health Ministries, to reflect on hosting a Local Church Mental Health Summit in Canada. Jennifer shares the heart, strategy, and lessons learned from hosting a multi-day summit that brought together pastors, therapists, educators, and ministry leaders to explore faith and mental health together. The conversation covers why embodiment and hospitality matter, how to scale summits to fit any community, and why collaboration across sectors is essential for sustainable care. This episode is both practical and visionary for leaders considering hosting a local summit or partnering more intentionally around mental health. Quotes “Mental health is part of our health journey. The brain is a beautiful, complicated, and fragile organ—and sometimes it goes a bit funky.” — Jennifer Bowen “We wanted to embody mental wellness in the entire experience, not just talk about it from a stage.” — Jennifer Bowen “The in-between moments—the hallways, the meals, the conversations—were as rich as the sessions themselves.” — Jennifer Bowen “This wasn't about one voice leading the conversation. It became a mural of many voices coming together.” — Jennifer Bowen “The local summits are meant to be a choose-your-own-adventure—designed around the capacity and context of your community.” — Laura Howe Resources Host a Local Summit Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Tithing isn't a side note in Scripture. It runs through the covenants, from Abraham's promise, to Moses' process, to Jesus' covenant that gives us the power to obey and then to share the blessing. Tithing isn't merely an Old Testament command; it is clearly addressed in the New Testament.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “A local church's elders do not rule on their own merits or according to their own designs but as subjects and delegates of Christ the chief shepherd…. Our elders may appear to be painfully ordinary men, but under their loving leadership, we receive the ministry of Christ himself…. “Our holiness is not merely personal. It is also the foundation of our corporate identity as the church. The surprising thing about the Bible's testimony is that the word saints does not single out exemplary church members, or church members whose gifts and graces are only of a particular variety. In fact, in biblical terms, there are no individual saints. In its sixty appearances in the New Testament, the word is always plural and always used as a description of all the Christians in the church…. We are not lone saints…; we are corporate saints, members of a holy company…. “The church in eternity will appear more lovely, but it will not be more loved.”~Megan Hill in A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church “God allowed his Son to suffer as if a condemned sinner, so that we might be delivered from the penalty of our sins. This is God's righteousness, that we are not justified by works (for then they would have to be perfect, which is impossible), but by grace, in which case all our sin is removed.”         ~John Chrysostom (c. 347-407), early church leader in Constantinople “And so, we, having been called through His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified through ourselves or through our own wisdom or understanding or piety or works which we wrought in holiness of heart, but through faith, whereby the Almighty God justified all men that have been from the beginning….”~Clement of Rome (died c.100 AD), early church leader in Rome, from a letter written c. A.D. 96 “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest gospel and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word by heart, but occupy himself with it every day as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much.”~Martin Luther (1483-1546) in his commentary on St. Paul's Letter to the Romans “The body of Scripture is a doctrine sufficient to live well…. Theology is the science of living blessedly forever. Blessed life arises from the knowledge of God…. And therefore it arises likewise from the knowledge of ourselves, because we know God by looking into ourselves.”~William Perkins (1558-1602), Cambridge-based Puritan theologianSERMON PASSAGERomans 1:1-17 (ESV) 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

January 22, 2026 GABRIEL WINGFIELD,author & Pastor of Oswego ReformedPresbyterian Church (RPCNA) in Os-wego, New YorkANDISAAC WINGFIELD,author & elder at Knox PresbyterianChurch (EPC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan,who will both address:“TOGETHER: WHY WE NEEDthe LOCAL CHURCH” Subscribe: iTunes TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

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)

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.