POPULARITY
Rev. Dr. Steve DeNeff addresses the student body.
Pastor Steve DeNeff, Lead Pastor of College Wesleyan Church, is a dynamic and gifted communicator. In this episode, Steve takes us on a journey through his personal devotion and methodology behind crafting impactful sermons. Steve dives deep into this process, from describing what his quiet time and hearing from the Lord looks like to specific steps to constructing a message, engaging the congregation, creating a sermon series, and what common mistakes preachers can avoid. Show Notes & Resources:https://drive.google.com/file/d/18iacUz0LjDY0p1ZVDnINp0qVHJvQMq5S/view?usp=share_link
Steve DeNeff - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8; 2 Timothy 4:3-5. Toward the beginning of Paul's career, he wrote a series of letters to young Christians worried about current events, telling them how to conduct themselves in times of chaos and moral confusion. In one of these letters, he contrasted children of the day with those of the night, those who are awake and sober with those who are asleep or drunk. This message is a pastoral word to the Church in our day, tired but awake just before dawn.
As preachers navigate increasingly challenging terrain, we delve into the concept of influencing from unexpected places. In today's episode, Chris and Steve talk about what it looks like for leaders to take their faith into the familiar places they call work in order to transform those environments with the presence and power of Jesus. This episode prompts each of us to embrace our authority given by Almighty God to be His vessels and ambassadors, especially outside of the church building.Show Notes & Resources:https://theglr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/060_-Steve-DeNeff.docx.pdf
Where can I find hope? The ultimate source of hope in these broken times is the cross of Jesus Christ.
Seeking intimacy in cold, uncommitted relationships, or images on a screen? There is a better way. Jesus heals and brings us the intimacy we need.
Should we try escape our past? Our try find healing from it? The cross of Jesus offers healing for sinful pasts.
Feeling afraid? Feeling insecure? The cross of Jesus is the answer.
We were born to matter! Steve Deneff's book More Than Forgiveness shows us how our need for significance has been distorted by sin, but is healed at the cross of Jesus.
This week Connor is joined by pastor and author Dr. Steve DeNeff. Dr. DeNeff is the senior pastor of College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana. He has been in ministry for more than 35 years and has written multiple books, including "More Than Forgiveness," "7 Saving Graces," and "Soul Shift." Listen in to hear the traits of a good leader, the value of community, and why the early hours are the most critical time of the day. Link to Dr. DeNeff's books: https://finelink.com/wphstoreretail/catalogsearch/result/?q=steve+deneffLink to Dr. DeNeff's sermons: https://collegewes.com/sermons/
Y'all, it's been a minute, but after much summer adventuring I'm (mostly) baaaaack in the saddle for September. One of the marvellous weeks I was able to spend this summer was at our local church district's campground, Beulah Camp, and during that week I was blessed to have been preached at by a number of folks, including this fellow follically-challenge brother, Steve Deneff:Steve preached about a half-dozen times over the days he was with us, and I was blown away by not only his content, but his VOICE. The waaaay he communicated the things he communicated… I am still reeling from those messages. In fact, below, you'll find links to a few of the services that were most impactful for me.I ran into Steve one evening after one of the services and asked if he'd be willing to connect and chat on the podcast sometime, and this (of course) is that time. I think you'll find what he has to say refreshing & challenging, true to form for his particular voice.Typically I'd direct you to a guest's online presence if you want to follow them. The only place I even found him online was Twitter, where he hasn't posted in over a year. However, if after this podcast you're aching for more regular doses of this man's voice, College Wesleyan's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/CollegeWesleyanChurch) might be your best bet.In this conversation, Steve references Otto Scharmer's on “The Four Levels of Listening”, if you'd like to follow up and check into it more: https://vimeo.com/199593914Also, as promised, below are a few videos (full services, so you may need to skip ahead to find the teaching) from Steve's time at Beulah Camp this past summer:The Church Is Losing Its VoiceThe Scaffolding & The CathedralCentred-Set v Bounded-SetFor a helpful & thought-provoking engagement with the concept of “Centred-Set v Bounded-Set” thinking, I would recommend: https://veritas.community/veritas-community/2013/03/13/bounded-set-vs-centered-set-thinking This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcjolicoeur.substack.com
Are you passionately pursuing God's purpose for your life? Culture and social media are filled with many cliché statements that we tend to take as truth:“Do what you love, and you'll never work another day in your life.”“Do whatever makes you happy.”“Life's better when you're happy.”“Do more of whatever makes you happy.”“Don't live your life for anyone else but you.”Here's the issue: It's all about us and what we want. We've fallen for the lie that fame, fortune, and being known bring happiness and contentment. We've fallen for the belief that “success,” according to culture and social media, is what we should aim for. And, we've fallen prey to believing that pursuing our purpose is what makes life great. But yet, God's ways are different. How do we find our purpose? How do we find true fulfillment and success in our lives and careers? We tackle these questions in today's episode! I specifically chat through:
On this bonus episode, we sat down with the lead pastor of College Wesleyan Church, Steve DeNeff, to discuss shifts taking place in culture and how they impact the next generation. As someone who has led the local church for decades, Steve provides his take on the next generation, culture, the stories that shape us, and humanity. This is a conversation you won't want to miss—and it will help you better live out the kingdom of God while walking with the next generation!
Steve DeNeff - 1 Samuel 1:1-20. The story of Hannah is the story of a woman and a nation who is barren, “who cannot bring salvation, who cannot give birth to the people of the world,” (Is. 26:18). Still, year after year she worships in the sanctuary of barrenness and it's here where Yahweh finds her. Then a sudden joyous turn. Hannah unceremoniously conceives and what she brings forth is no ordinary child. Samuel will be the link. Samuel is the future. Samuel will bring the Word of the Lord (1 Sam. 3:21).
John Drury and Steve Deneff discuss this week’s text: 1 John 3v1-7 Click here to support the show! (https://www.patreon.com/FreshText)
Steve DeNeff - 2 Peter 1:2-11. Of all those who become Christians this year, about one in four will actively pursue this spiritual growth and of those who do, about one in ten will move on to new heights. What the others lack is often a vision and/or a plan. What do you want to be? And how is that going to happen? In this passage, written to new believers in the first century, Peter gives us a vision (v.4) and a plan (v. 5-7) for getting unstuck in our spiritual lives.
Steve DeNeff - 1 Peter 2:5-10. When something happens, like what happened lately, our tendency as exiles is to get so embroiled in the controversy that we forget who we are. Without formally denying our identity - our right to practice our faith - the culture subtly gives us another one. Now more than ever, we must rediscover our narrative, our name and our agenda.
Steve DeNeff - 1 Peter 1:1-9, 17-21. The past few months have been among the most disruptive and uncertain of our lives. We have suffered many losses and from everything we hear, there will be even more. Yet our hope is that in and by these losses we are being perfected and saved for the day when Christ is finally revealed.
John Drury and Steve Deneff discuss this week’s text: Isaiah 2:1-5
Steve DeNeff - 1 Samuel 16:1-13. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance… The Lord does not look at the things man looks at… the Lord looks at the heart.” On discernment as the single most important practice for dealing with complexity in our contemporary lives.
Lead pastor at College Wesleyan Church speaks at chapel.
Steve DeNeff - 1 Kings 19:3-4a, 8b-13a. “After the fire came a gentle whisper . . . and Elijah went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” On the importance of hearing the still small voice (meditation).
Steve DeNeff - 1 Samuel 3:1-12, 15-21. “One night, Eli was lying down in his usual place… and Samuel was lying down in the Temple, where the ark of God was.” On the importance of rhythms and regiment for hearing the word of the Lord.
Do I have a relationship with God and if so, what does it look like? “ . . . let us remember that we are in the battle for our own souls here, and when we decide the fate of holiness for this generation, we are, in that moment, deciding everything else.-Steve Deneff
Rev. Steve DeNeff. Isaiah 41:8-10; Galatians 3:6-9, 16, 26-29. Who is God? And who am I in relation to that? There are many ways to apprehend God but three of the most common are as a seeker, or as a servant, or as a son or daughter (child). Of these, the child is the most important and the most preferred but it’s elusive. Many Christians speak of it, but live most of their lives as a servant. Like Abraham, we are familiar with God, or at least the idea of Him, until we actually meet him – until He speaks – and then we discover that God is not who we thought He was and neither are we.
Steve DeNeff - 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Proverbs says that “the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,” (11:30) meaning that the life of one good person is multiplied a hundred times in the people around them. So Jesus and Paul both tell us to reproduce ourselves in others who, in turn, will do the same with people in their own community. This sermon will focus on how living things reproduce, each after its own kind, and call CWC to become a multiplying presence in our community and beyond.
Steve DeNeff - 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4, 8-11, 16-24, 32-37, 40-50. It’s been said that you can’t have the right friends if you don’t have the right enemies. In this popular story, we are called to confront our enemies in the Name and power of God. But our posture is not one of anger or violence, but one of humility and complete trust that “God will hand our enemies over” in His time and in His way. Our battle is not for our sake, and it is not in our armor, but in His “so that the whole world will know that there is a God and that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s,” (17:46-47).
Rev. Steve DeNeff. Exodus 1:6-11a; 2:23-3:12. The success of any venture is disproportionate to one person, to the one who is called. But what if that person doesn’t feel called? What if they’re not very good at the thing God calls them to do? Many of us have been in that place and some are in it now. “Fake it till you make it,” is the most common approach. But here is a better one: Take off your shoes for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Moses is an example of someone, like us, who is called out of our weakness instead of our strength. Rather than fighting against our deficiencies, or hiding them as is more common today, Moses encourages us to use them as leverage for the power of God.
Rev. Steve DeNeff - Genesis 37:1, 3-11. In between the dream and the reality is a long and barren stretch known as “middle time,” where old dreams go to die. Somewhere between the “already” and the “not yet” is a valley fraught with temptations to compromise or to despair. But to those who hold onto these God-given dreams, God will open new horizons beyond our imagination.
Steve DeNeff - John 11:17-27. For many, Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the anticipation of our own someday. Like Martha, many of us have confined the resurrection to a day in the future when we will rise from the dead (John 11:23-24), and it is that as well. But the resurrection is a reality that we can live in now, for Jesus says, “I am the resurrection…” and he said it before he raised anyone, including himself. The resurrection is the beginning of a new story, a new world and a new way of living in it. It’s a mindset, an awareness that heaven has broken in and the old order has been cast out. Easter is only proof of that.
#8 Dr. Steve DeNeff and Dr. Laura Catlin: Preaching Biblically To A Church In Exile by Wesley Seminary Podcast
Continuing the Remnant series, guest speaker Steve DeNeff, brings a message teaching the importance integrety. A cheating culture exists when “everyone does what is right in his own eyes.” In our day, there is a sense that everyone is cheating – and justifying it – so that cheating in return is thought a matter of survival. Before the mayhem destroys us, we will need a community who live simple, transparent lives, who risk being taken advantage of because their trust is in God. Against this culture of hidden agendas and spin, the Remnant will be people of integrity.
Welcome to episode 6 of the Wesleyan Potluck: here's a rundown of what we'll be covering today: In the Lineup we'll discuss the Wesleyan church's emphasis on movement over model The meal will feature a look at discipleship models The Dessert Table will feature a great John Wesley quote on the people called methodists and the cleanup is where we will tell you how to become a part of the Potluck community. The Lineup https://www.wesleyan.org/5934/movement-over-model The Meal Sunday School Home Groups-Semester, Experiential, sports, Service Watch the February 14 webinar from HQ with Steve Deneff and Eric Crisp on how College WEsleyan uses Soul Shift-http://www.youtube.com/c/WesleyanHQ/live Watch the previous Discipleship Webinar-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTsbPgcau1s Jon Brady-Eden Wesleyan Church Tom and Sarah Cochran Expansion Church Aligning Membership and Discipleship The Dessert Table I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out. -John Wesley The Cleanup Twitter-@tpkirkpatrick and @heathmullikin The Facebook Group www.wesleyanpotluck.com Starting a podcast. Get a month's free audio hosting from Blubrry by using this link. Tim and Heath both use the Blue Yeti mic. Support the show by shopping at Amazon through this link. Get a free month of Audible.
Rev. Steve DeNeff, Proverbs 4:18-19; 10:7; 16:31. By the time most people think of their legacy, it’s too late to worry about it, for legacy is not the way we posture ourselves in front of others but the way that others speak of us after we have left the room. A good name is the reward of the wise; a bad name is the ruin of a fool. One of these is already happening. We are becoming the end of our journey, wise or foolish, and every moment takes us closer there. As goes the river, so goes our legacy. This sermon will explain the importance of finishing well and encourage us to hold fast to the Truth, even in the smallest ways, so that the next generation may follow in the currents of our faith.
Rev. Steve DeNeff - 1 Peter 4:7-11. "In a culture divided by politics and special interests, where even the closest of “friends” are alone together, the way of Christ is a new community in which we are “members of one another,” (Eph. 4:25). In fact, throughout the New Testament are almost sixty “one another” references that describe our life together. In fact, the people around us have tremendous power over our spiritual development. If you’re stuck, try changing not only your practices, but your company as well. This sermon will explore the importance of sacred companions, help to identify the people we need to help us grow (caution: not always the ones we want), and give practical ways for finding them."
20140402 Festival On Preaching, Session Eight, Steve Deneff @SteveDeNeff
20140402 Festival On Preaching, Session One, Steve Deneff @SteveDeNeff | Slide
20140401, Chapel, Steve DeNeff, Soteriology
Steve DeNeff talks on Holiness in Chapel, on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2000.
Steve DeNeff talks on Holiness in Chapel, on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2000.