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In this deeply moving and insightful conversation, Alan Briggs sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg to explore the profound relationship between pain, spiritual growth, and authentic community. Drawing from his own personal journey, the teachings of Jesus, and the wisdom of the AA movement, John shares how embracing our brokenness can lead to deep transformation. About John John Ortberg was born in Rockford, Illinois. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, and his M.Div. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has also studied at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. From 1985 to 1990 he served as senior pastor at Simi Valley Community Church, and then from 1990 to 1994 at Horizons Community Church (now Baseline Community Church) in Claremont, California. He then moved from California to Illinois to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois until 2003, when he became the senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, a multi-campus church in Northern California. Now, John leads the ministry Become New focused on helping people grow spiritually one day at a time through daily teaching and community. John's wife, Nancy, is also a pastor and published author. She currently leads Transforming the Bay with Christ in San Jose, California. John and Nancy have three children: Laura, Daniel, and John III. A central theme of John's teaching is spiritual formation, the transforming of human character through authentic experiences with God. John was a friend and mentee of the late Dallas Willard, a Christian teacher and author who wrote works such as The Divine Conspiracy and Renovation of the Heart. John draws much of his inspiration from Dallas. Today John continues to work alongside authors and teachers such as John Mark Comer, the founder and leader of Practicing the Way. John has been a speaker at many events including: Promise Keepers, Global Leadership Summit, Catalyst, and Practicing the Way. John is currently working on a new book based on the Become New teaching series “Ashes to Beauty” in which he explores the importance of embracing personal inadequacy as a means to experience spiritual renewal. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why pain is often the greatest catalyst for spiritual growth ✅ The lessons John has learned from suffering and how they changed him ✅ How true connection and healing come through vulnerability ✅ What the church can learn from AA and the 12-step journey ✅ The power of confession, community, and finding a fully disclosing friend ✅ Why hitting rock bottom may actually be the beginning of real hope Key Quotes:
This episode is brought to you by Riverbank Title. Inspired out of a personal, challenging experience attempting to close on a home for his family, owner & operator Preston Corp founded Riverbank Title to deliver a smooth and successful closing from start to finish. Riverbank's attention to detail and concierge level service are here to make your real estate closing process as simple and seamless as possible. Visit www.restorationgroup.co/riverbank to learn more. _____________________________________________________ John Ortberg earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, and his M.Div. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has also studied at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. From 1985 to 1990 he served as senior pastor at Simi Valley Community Church, and then from 1990 to 1994 at Horizons Community Church (now Baseline Community Church) in Claremont, California. He then moved from California to Illinois to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois until 2003, when he became the senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, a multi-campus church in Northern California. Now, John leads the ministry Become New focused on helping people grow spiritually one day at a time through daily teaching and community. John's wife, Nancy, is also a pastor and published author. She currently leads Transforming the Bay with Christ in San Jose, California. John and Nancy have three children: Laura, Daniel, and John III. _____________________________________________________ Download the free Integrated Business guide at www.restorationgroup.co/guide Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get valuable insights about how to lead an integrated business. Connect with Clay on LinkedIn Follow Restoration Group on Instagram
Break Forth Ministries presents John Ortberg. John is one of the best-selling Christian authors of all time. He is an inspiring speaker and the senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to joining MPPC, John served as teaching pastor at Chicago’s Willow Creek Community Church. His many books include The Life You’ve Always Wanted and The Me I Want To Be. johnortberg.com For more information on our ministry events, resources and Holy Land tours, visit www.breakforthministries.com
John Ortberg is one of the best-selling Christian authors of all time. He is an inspiring speaker and the senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to joining MPPC, John served as teaching pastor at Chicago’s Willow Creek Community Church. His many books include The Life You’ve Always Wanted and The Me I Want To Be. johnortberg.com For more information on our ministry events, resources and Holy Land tours, visit www.breakforthministries.com
Pastor Jason closes our Sunday Series, and shares his personal story of divorce. It's vulnerable, and powerful, and full of hope. As a companion we STRONGLY encourage you to follow it up with a listen to Pastor Tracy's message on divorce from October 18th, 2015. We really feel like we can't do it any better today, than we did then. You can find the audio version here: https://c3ak.podbean.com/mf/play/yj2fws/18Oct15.mp3 Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for theinspiration and roadmap.Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/WszjSgdq0rI Online giving portal: https://c3ak.churchcenter.com/givingText2Give: 84321 (instructions here: https://www.c3ak.com/donate)
Pastor Tracy returns in the next to last week of our Sunday Series, and tackles the topic of fear. Finishing out the message with the Zach Williams song "Fear is a Liar" is powerful and moving. Link to the music video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQTnREEtuNk Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for the inspiration and roadmap. Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/bzqATguKRaQOnline giving portal: https://c3ak.churchcenter.com/givingText2Give: 84321 (instructions here: https://www.c3ak.com/donate)
In the sixth week of our Sunday Series, Guest Speaker Joseph Greeson speaks about the debilitating issue of depression, and suicide. The companion scripture of Psalm 42 also shows us, even way back then, people who loved God and were loved by God, sometimes felt desperately alone, and wrestled with depression. A bonus of the Randy Stonehill Song "Broken Places" puts a beautiful finish on this difficult message. Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for the inspiration and roadmap. Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/CKGVdGt3ASk Online giving portal: https://c3ak.churchcenter.com/givingText2Give: 84321 (instructions here: https://www.c3ak.com/donate)
In the fifth installment of our Sunday Series, Guest Speaker Don Ashley gives his personal perspective on loneliness, after his return from a lengthy sabbatical where, often, no one near him spoke his language. With some truths from the Bible, and common sense advice, he offers hope and understanding for those who feel alone. Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for the inspiration and roadmap. Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/LZIhuge9xx4 Online giving portal: https://c3ak.churchcenter.com/giving Text2Give: 84321 (instructions here: https://www.c3ak.com/donate)
On the fourth Sunday of the NEW 2018 Sunday Series, Pastor Tracy discusses the very common issue of doubt, which often springs from disappointment. How does God see us when we find oursleves in the valley of doubt? We go back to the book of Job for some wisdom, and encouragement. Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for the inspiration and roadmap. Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/8ysNSyZsjl8 Online giving portal: https://c3ak.churchcenter.com/giving Text2Give: 84321 (instructions here: https://www.c3ak.com/donate) Text2Give Video:
The third Sunday of the NEW 2018 Sunday Series, finds Pastor Tracy tackling the growing, and difficult issue, of anxiety with some powerful words from the Bible, practical advice, and plenty of empathy. Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for the inspiration and roadmap. Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/v2Hpa5HJSSc Online giving portal: https://c3ak.churchcenter.com/giving Text2Give: 84321 (instructions here: https://www.c3ak.com/donate)
In the second Sunday of the NEW 2018 Sunday Series, Pastor Jason addresses our tendency to judge ourselves so harshly, because we don't always "get it right" Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for the inspiration and roadmap. Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/iC-VQ8Tn1Oo Online giving portal: https://c3ak.churchcenter.com/giving Text2Give: 84321 (instructions here: https://www.c3ak.com/donate)
In the first Sunday of the NEW 2018 Sunday Series, Pastor Tracy sets the stage for the next several weeks of message, considering what it means to live in a world that simply isn't OK!. Credit to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and John Ortberg for the inspiration and roadmap. Link to VIDCAST of this message: https://youtu.be/M57L8ZvcpAg
Nancy Ortberg joined the podcast to talk about her journey from Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, to the San Francisco Bay Area. During her conversation with Jordan, Nancy talks about working through change, and adjusting, even if you like change. She is a founding partner of Teamworx2, a business and leadership consulting firm affiliated with Patrick Lencioni, which provides fast-paced, practical, and compelling sessions to leaders and their teams. Nancy is currently working at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church as the Director of Leadership Development where she is working to create a dynamic and innovative approach to leadership development. Nancy is the author of Seeing in the Dark, Looking for God: An Unexpected Journey through Tattoos, Tofu, & Pronouns and, Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands, Lessons in Non-Linear Leadership. Nancy's Website Nancy on Facebook & Twitter Transforming the Bay with Christ Century Leadership Experience
On this episode, I’m in the room with Nancy Ortberg. Nancy currently serves as the Director of Leadership Development at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Northern California. She’s a leading voice on the topic of leadership and has written a number of books. Her most recent is “Seeing in the Dark: Finding God's Light in the Most Unexpected Places” and that’s what we’re discussing today. In my conversation with Nancy, we cover why God allows us to walk through dark seasons, how God means them to produce joy in our lives, and why it’s so crucial that we fight for faith in community.Buy “Seeing In The Dark” on Givingtons.com: rdmptn.org/InTheRoomBooksFollow Nancy on Twitter: twitter.com/nancyortberg Books Nancy recommended in the episode:rdmptn.org/LamentForASonrdmptn.org/AGraceDisguisedrdmptn.org/MyBrightAbyss
Senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, California. He is the best-selling author of many books including The Life You've Always Wanted, God is Closer Than You Think, Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them, When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box and his newly released Faith and Doubt. Ortberg served as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church from 1994 to 2003 and holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Our feature interview is John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and author of the recently released The Me I Want to Be. This episode also includes catching up with Lanny Donoho and Jon Acuff.