In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values three and four: 3) Honor guests enthusiastically and 4) belong before you believe. Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro 03:20 Coming to church can be difficult. Knowing people are coming in feeling anxious, what do we want them to experience? 05:32 Hospitality in the church. 07:09 Honor guests enthusiastically: we care more about your experience th...
Aug 06, 2025•34 min•Ep. 112
In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values one and two: Take truth seriously and give grace relentlessly. Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Eight values at Autumn Ridge Church. Why do we have them? 05:14 Values one and two: 1) take truth seriously and 2) give grace relentlessly. 06:45 We happily place ourselves underneath the authority of Scripture - even if it means we're out-of-s...
Jul 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 111
Rick and Svea kick-off a five-part series on the Mission, Vision, and Values of Autumn Ridge Church. Topics discussed in this Episode: 0:00 Intro 02:47 Why does Autumn Ridge have a mission statement? Knowing why we say "Yes" and "No" to various opportunities. 04:02 Most of life's hurts happen when we live in contradiction to our purpose. 07:10 Our vision: communicating the kind of church we desire to be. 09:15 Why is it important we have a vision statement? 12:18 Digging in: Every single word in...
Jul 09, 2025•32 min•Ep. 110
Rick and Svea discuss the three major goals of the summer's Holy Lit series. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 02:46 Holy Lit - three goals 03:05 Goal one: Uncomplicate our relationship with the Bible. 09:59 If you have a simplistic understanding of the Bible you're going to have a more complicated relationship with it. 12:01 Goal two: Energize our engagement with the Bible. 15:33 Goal three: Expand our ability to understand the Bible. 16:48 Series thesis: This is a backstory to the ...
Jun 04, 2025•30 min•Ep. 109
Pastor Caleb Smith joins Rick and Svea to close the Loaded Questions series. They discuss success and failure and how society's framework for success is at odds with the Gospel's framework for success. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 00:57 Reflecting on the Loaded Questions series. 04:42 What was it like preparing to speak on failure? 06:20 Svea to Caleb: Did your definitions of success and failure change or grow as a part preparing for this message? 09:46 Embracing the tension of ...
May 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 108
Rick and Svea have a robust conversation about doubt. They talk about the connection with doubt, faith, and belief. Are there unsafe questions to ask? They also discuss the role of community in removing doubt. Resources: A. J. Swoboda's book, After Doubt Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 02:31 Summary of what Svea learned about herself, doubt, and Jesus in preparing for this message. 09:58 1 Corinthians 4: 20 - The kingdom of God isn't a matter of talk but of power. 12:38 What is dou...
May 21, 2025•49 min•Ep. 107
In this episode Svea is joined by pastors Otis Hall and Jodi Quinn as they look at faith and mental health. Resources: Jodi Quinn's email: care@autumnridge.church Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:21 The number of Americans dealing with mental health issues is staggering. 02:03 We seem to be afraid to talk about mental health. 04:37 Being real about mental health issues. Otis' struggles. 06:42 Prayer and following Jesus doesn't mean all our mental health issues will go away. 08:42...
May 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 106
This we we certainly live up to "church is messy." If time allows, we would encourage you to watch the sermon before listening to this podcast. We're also providing a number of resources on the topic of sexuality. Resources: Sermon Video URL: https://youtu.be/DidFo1xj9ow Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender ( https://www.centerforfaith.com ) Greg Coles Preston Sprinkle Rebecca McLaughlin Christopher Yuan Sam Allberry Jackie Hill Perry Mark Yarhouse Three sermons by Jon Tyson: The Controversial...
May 07, 2025•47 min•Ep. 105
Rick and Svea answer your questions about truth. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:58 Loaded Questions takes on a different format from other messages 06:38 Why does truth matter? 10:51 Is it possible for Christianity to be true and other religions to be true? 15:05 How can we know Scripture is true? 19:06 In Scripture is it possible the authors were biased? 22:48 What do I need God for? 24:43 How can you discern if what you're hearing is from God or the devil? 26:48 Do you obtain...
Apr 30, 2025•45 min•Ep. 104
Rick and Svea finish off the series on Galatians mostly focusing on burdens, loads, and pride. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 03:26 A LOT of diverse topics to cover is Galatians 6. 04:44 What resonated with Svea that she wasn't able to cover in this passage? 05:41 Carrying our own load and bearing each other's burdens. 11:40 God isn't calling you to fix the people who sinned against you. 17:21 I'm responsible for what I contribute, now necessarily how other people respond. 20:01 H...
Apr 16, 2025•49 min•Ep. 103
Today Rick and Svea contrast works of the flesh with fruit of the Spirit. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 02:21 "Don't bite and devour each other..." 04:50 Defining ourselves by obeying rigid rules or religious structures invites comparison on who is and isn't achieving and breeds pride. 06:09 How might Jesus has told the parable of The Good Samaritan to Autumn Ridge Church? 08:16 If the Gospel stops messing with us, we're changing it; it's not changing us. 11:09 Paul was writing t...
Apr 09, 2025•28 min•Ep. 102
Today Rick and Svea look at the allure of certainty instead of clarity, creating environments where litmus tests are the norm vs being in Christ. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:46 Crawford Loritts was at Autumn Ridge Church. 03:31 Back into Galatians. Svea says it's a difficult book. 05:06 Gravitating toward environments and activities where we feel significant. 08:34 Getting into the shoes of a typical Galatian man. 11:29 Giving in to the allure of certainty instead of clarity...
Apr 02, 2025•35 min•Ep. 101
Welcome to episode 100! Today, as they discuss Galatians chapter 4, Rick and Svea dig into having everything in Christ but living as though we have nothing. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 00:38 Episode 100: Where did the name "Church Is Messy" come from? 03:15 Galatians 4, we've been given everything in Christ but it's so easy for us to live as though we have nothing. 06:33 A specific example of how we get it wrong: conflict. 17:21 Paul leans in on conflict. 18:43 Adoption: the ir...
Mar 19, 2025•40 min•Ep. 100
Today Rick and Svea acknowledge Galatians is a difficult book to understand, especially if we don't have an understanding of the Old Testament. They talk about tools to help gain understanding and spend some time discussing "the law". Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:32 Galatians is a hard book to get through and understand. Use tools like The Bible Project or The Message to help understand the deep content of Galatians. 09:05 Looking at Galatians 3, an understanding of the Promi...
Mar 12, 2025•40 min•Ep. 99
This episode is focused solely on answering your questions. We've received four very different questions and today we're putting out this bonus episode to answer them. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 00:50 Question 1 - In Galatians 2 Paul specifically says gentiles don't need to be circumcised after following Christ - but yet he directs Timothy to get circumcised (Acts 16). This seems like a double-standard. 10:29 Question 2 - Jesus became sin for us on the cross. How can God becom...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Ep. 98
In this episode Rick and Svea dig really deep into gospel fluency vs gospel gibberish. The gospel isn't just trusting Jesus for salvation, it's trusting Jesus for and with the rest of your life. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 00:57 Garrison Keillor and fake spring. 02:29 "You foolish Galatians..." 04:49 The Christian life is NOT trusting Jesus for salvation and then living the rest of your life doing things on your own and following rules. 10:40 The problem with trusting in someth...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Ep. 97
In week two of our Galatians study Rick and Svea discuss conflict, the freedom we have in Jesus, and gospel fluency. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:40 Answering your questions: Does Galatians give a hierarchy of how we should relate to other people? 07:16 Galatians chapter 2. 09:33 Addressing conflict with other Jesus followers. 15:53 The intersection of conflict, freedom in Christ and gospel fluency. 18:52 The framework of gospel fluency. 20:13 A summary of the gospel. 24:05 P...
Feb 24, 2025•39 min•Ep. 96
As we kick of our new series on the book of Galatians, Rick and Svea discuss false gospels and answer a listener question. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 03:23 Whose approval are you seeking? 06:37 An example of appropriate and missing the gospel. 10:03 The specific problems the Galatian church faced - adding to the gospel. 14:10 We're all trying to reflect Jesus, not each other. 17:41 How do we discern legalistic practices vs healthy practices in our own life? 22:03 The progressi...
Feb 19, 2025•38 min•Ep. 95
We're putting a bow on The Lion's Share series. Today we scrutinize our own church and discuss our ministry method. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:06 Turning the focus on how Autumn Ridge handles money. Being transparent. 03:29 Where is the organization: more than enough, just enough, less than enough? Our strategy. 10:58 Year-end giving. 12:46 Why this timing (January) on a series about finances? 14:54 Our ministry method - the hub model. 25:26 The kind of church we aspire to ...
Feb 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 94
Today Rick and Svea talk about their own struggles with greed and simplicity and the New Testament framework of faithful giving and generous giving. Bible passages referenced in today's episode: 1 Timothy 6:17-19; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:13 This message pushed Rick to wrestle down his own contentment. 03:56 Simplicity: a corollary to contentment. 05:16 Svea fell back into the trap of not practicing simplicity this past week. 07:...
Jan 29, 2025•27 min•Ep. 93
Today Rick and Svea dig deep into the essence of the prosperity gospel, it falsehoods, and the various expressions of the prosperity gospel. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:47 Intro to the prosperity gospel. 02:50 The real essence of the prosperity gospel. 03:42 Live Q&A after most Saturday services (when Rick preaches). 04:22 From the Q&A session last weekend: what is the fallout of the prosperity gospel? 06:01 The year was 2013. 14:48 The ditch: manipulation vs. grace....
Jan 25, 2025•42 min•Ep. 92
In the first half of the episode Rick and Svea share where their vulnerabilities lie regarding money. In the second half they dig into contentment. Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Rick's history with Football. 04:25 Rick and Svea wrestle through how calendars and money demonstrate who or what has our hearts. 07:05 Svea talks about being vulnerable to finding security in money. 11:32 Rick talks about his primary vulnerability comes through the satisfaction and significance mon...
Jan 15, 2025•33 min•Ep. 91
In this episode, Rick and Svea unpack some of the ideas behind "Just Enough." Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 00:27 Review of 2024 04:45 The Lion's Share. 07:37 The tension and awkwardness of a money message series. 08:20 Wanting for people not from people. 12:53 Resisting the temptation to sit the series out. 15:00 The topics this series will cover. 16:07 Just enough. 18:23 Do I find significance, security, or satisfaction in what I have or who I have? 23:06 The challenge: what is...
Jan 08, 2025•39 min•Ep. 90
Rick and Svea close out Jonah talking about traps, windows and mirrors, God's judgement in the Old Testament, and how we can apply the themes of Jonah to life after elections (this episode was recorded on Election Day, 2024). Ultimately, it boils down to this week's sermon topic: Unrelenting Grace. Topics discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:22 Election Day banter. 02:46 A pastoral encouragement about election anxiety. 05:09 Keep looking up - keep your eyes fixed on God. 07:06 The early Chu...
Nov 06, 2024•34 min•Ep. 89
The roles are reversed: Rick asks Svea about her message on Jonah and we get insight into what didn't make it into the message this past week. Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:33 Believing God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love at the heart level banishes fear, heals hurts, and melts anger. 04:00 How do you recognize the real ugliness and brokenness in the world that touches our lives, remember who God is and what we're like in him in such a way we ar...
Oct 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 88
Rick and Svea grapple with a number of important themes from Jonah this week: God's provision Jonah is full of biblical parallels Obedience Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:59 Lots of fun aspects and different connections in the text a more casual reading may miss. (Such as the fish in Jonah switches from masculine to feminine in Hebrew.) 04:25 The fish: tomb or womb? 05:51 Did Jonah's view of the fish change in retrospect? God's provision may look different than we're expecting....
Oct 23, 2024•36 min•Ep. 87
Rick and Svea make light of finally getting to "the whale" and how this is often given the lion's share of the messaging about Jonah when it's really an insignificant element of the story. This week's episode drips with challenges to go deeper and looking at what the text is actually saying. Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:33 Svea is struck by how many of us grew up with a child-like level of understanding of the book of Jonah. 05:00 For many the focus of the book is on a very s...
Oct 16, 2024•30 min•Ep. 86
This week Rick and Svea look at Jonah 1:1-16. Jonah acts as an enemy of God and yet God shows him grace. They draw out a number a parallels between Jonah and Jesus and how they differ in their motivation. Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:42 Where is the line? 06:51 Rick gets honest - some of his backstory. 10:29 God sets his heart on his enemies and loves his enemies like a son. 11:41 Jonah acts as an enemy of God but God shows him scandalous grace. 18:14 Jonah is the entire Bibl...
Oct 09, 2024•36 min•Ep. 85
In the weekend message introducing the book of Jonah, Rick stated there are two common views to interpreting the story of Jonah: historical narrative or primarily parable. In this episode Rick and Svea discuss a question posed to them: Does Jesus' reference to Jonah in Matthew 12, when foretelling his own death and resurrection, support a particular interpretation of Jonah? Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:04 Our unity isn't based on everyone agreeing on everything. Our unity is ...
Oct 02, 2024•22 min•Ep. 84
Rick and Svea introduce us to the book of Jonah and its timeframe in history. This is a book filled with comedy and satire; in many ways hundreds of years before its time, and yet is has profoundly important questions and themes it wants us to deal with. Note: this episode was recorded prior to the first message being given. Topics discussed in this episode: 00:00 Intro. 02:20 Background of the book of Jonah - it's like the arc of the entire Bible condensed into a few chapters. 05:01 Synopsis of...
Sep 25, 2024•35 min•Ep. 83
