In this episode Rick and Svea try to bring light, not heat to the discussion of politics. Svea recommends watching the message on which this episode is based before listening to the podcast. Find the video here: https://youtu.be/KHN2c6-z-Ow Topics Discussed in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:09 Discussion of Politics and Churches and Church Leaders 04:46 Rick's goal as a pastor is to teach people how to think about politics and how to align with the Bible. 06:12 How do we reconcile the idea that ev...
Sep 18, 2024•48 min•Ep. 82
Welcome to a new season of Church Is Messy! Rick and Svea kick the season off with a bang and delve into a number of questions and topics related to our recently completed series, Gifted , on the Holy Spirit. Topics discussed in today's episode: 00:00 Intro and Rick and Svea's Summer Highlights and Lessons Learned. 05:53 Recap of the Ghosted message series and a summary of the topics: including what is the Holy Spirit's role in spreading the Gospel, what is the Spirit's role in our own faith, wh...
Sep 04, 2024•59 min•Ep. 81
Rick and Svea discuss a topic about which they both feel passionate: spiritual formation. What is it? How is it different than discipleship? Is it even a biblical term? Listen and catch the vision for why they're so excited about spiritual formation. Want to take your next step? Check out our classes: https://autumnridge.churchcenter.com/groups/classes-studies? Topics in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 00:59 What is spiritual formation and how is it different from discipleship? Spiritual formation inc...
Aug 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 80
What are two topics we've been told to avoid talking about if we don't want an argument? Religion and Politics. Rick and Svea dive head-first into the issue of politics. Take a look at the list of topics below and you'll see there isn't much they didn't touch on. Be sure to check out the resources so you can be informed as you make your own determination about how to proceed as an ambassador of Christ in the arena of politics. Additional Resources: Church Politics Podcast The Ballot and the Bibl...
Jul 17, 2024•41 min•Ep. 79
In this bonus episode between seasons, Rick and Svea discuss large recurring themes in familiar Old Testament stories. A lot of the discussion revolves around the content of the Bible being so amazing and such a big deal, God communicated it in the best way possible for all communities, all generations, and all cultures with everything in these stories pointing us to Jesus, the Gospel, and life in him. Topics in this Episode: 00:00 Intro 01:43 The ethos of the series: a deep dive into incredible...
Jun 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 78
Pastor Caleb Smith joins Rick and Svea on today's episode. They dig into what is perhaps one of the most debated stories Jesus ever told, The Parable of the Dishonest Manager in Luke 16. Show Notes 00:00 Intro Rick's story from the gym trying a new workout and being less than shrewd 03:13 Many preachers skip this parable because it can throw people off, but Caleb was excited to study and preach this passage. 05:03 Discussion of reading the Bible through the original, intended audience's perspect...
May 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 77
Today's Topic Rick and Svea discuss one of Jesus' most famous stories, The Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro - Rick's late caffeine morning. 01:39 Talking about the word, "Lost." 04:21 Love requires we be sensitive about the language we use, especially around those who have not yet come to faith in Jesus. We shouldn't be motivated by proclaiming, we should be motivated by people hearing - and hearing our intent. 08:48 The crowd who heard this story...
May 22, 2024•42 min•Ep. 76
Rick and Svea reverse roles today. He puts Svea in the "hot seat" as they discuss the genius of the stories in Luke 15:1-10. In these parables, Jesus simultaneously speaks to, and shows compassion toward, two groups of people who viewed themselves as being at opposite ends of the spectrum. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 01:14 Mother's Day is this weekend. Svea has a lot of "mom labels." 04:29 Getting into the Lost Words of Jesus series - parables of lost things. Jesus really knew h...
May 15, 2024•30 min•Ep. 75
Rick and Svea talk about Rick's last weekend message about focusing in on our mission. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 00:50 What was the purpose of this past sermon? Why was it applicable to our church? 01:23 Discussion of changes in our church and in other churches - post-COVID, senior pastors, men and women in leadership, worship service options, etc. 05:15 The Bible and the Gospel require change and surrendering of preferences in many ways. 08:29 All that we are and all that we ...
May 08, 2024•39 min•Ep. 74
On this episode, Pastor Otis Hall joins Rick and Svea in the studio to continue the weekend’s discussion on James 1:27 and how that verse can propel us into action to care for our society’s most vulnerable. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 01:17 We looked at a passage in James that gave us insight into the fostering world. 02:26 James 1:27 is about having a passion for compassion for all vulnerable people. Jesus did this numerous times throughout the gospels. 05:14 The Jewish communi...
May 01, 2024•33 min•Ep. 73
Today, Pastor Caleb Smith joins Svea in the studio as they close out our discussions on family by looking at parenting and parental influence. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 01:36 An exceptional message that spoke to people of many different categories of people who have parental influence whether or not children are a part of home life. 03:23 The parental models we have in the bulk of Scripture are not examples of great parenting - usually just the opposite. 06:13 The parental inf...
Apr 24, 2024•36 min•Ep. 72
Today's Topic Rick and Svea talk about singleness, dating, and loneliness. They discuss Jesus and his singleness, guarding against being defined by another person, and not choosing a path that leads away from Jesus. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro. 00:52 Nerding out on church history. 04:58 Fighting against alienating singles - Svea's experience. 06:02 Feeling the anti-gospel pull toward homogeneity and seeing the world as we are. 08:24 Looking at Hagar: an outcast seen by God and o...
Apr 17, 2024•38 min•Ep. 71
Today, Rick and Svea examine Ephesians 5 and what Paul says (and doesn’t say) about marriage, our presuppositions, and our culture. By applying this chapter to all relationships, what can the family of believers learn about the gospel way of life? Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 00:42 Welcome to new listeners 02:40 Church should be a comfortable, restful, and safe place - a family 06:55 What could single people take away from a message on marriage 08:44 All of the Christian life is ...
Apr 10, 2024•43 min•Ep. 70
1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 6 Rick and Svea swap chairs as Svea preached the message on 1 Timothy 6 this week and Rick asks her clarifying questions. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro and recap of the message. 02:54 Discussion of what slavery was like in the NT times. 08:57 Not every single verse in the Bible points to how the world is "supposed to be" but Scripture engages culture where it is and inform us on what it looks like to follow God in the reality of life's si...
Mar 20, 2024•38 min•Ep. 69
1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 5:17-25 Today, we live up to “Church Is Messy” as we dive into the topic of accountability. How do we rightly hold people accountable? How do we respond when we’re being held accountable? How do we respond to anxiety-producing situations? Roll up your sleeves and get ready for a little messiness. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 01:13 Overview of “Church is Messy” name and concept. 02:20 How do we hold others and leaders accountable within a...
Mar 13, 2024•35 min•Ep. 68
1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 5:1-16 While the first half of 1 Timothy 5 is often viewed as a tutorial on caring for widows, this week Rick and Svea discuss what may be surprising themes this section is dripping with: leadership in challenging situations and what confrontation in the way of Jesus looks like. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro. 01:03 Svea: I’ve always read the chapter from a widow’s perspective. 04:39 Surprised by the biblical confrontation and leadership t...
Mar 06, 2024•33 min•Ep. 67
In this episode, Pastors Rick Henderson and Svea Merry discuss 1 Timothy 4 and the issues of church leadership, reliance on the Spirit vs our conscience, understanding spiritual growth, and primary and second issues of Christianity. 00:27 Intro - Recap of the series, intro to 1 Timothy 4, and transitioning from 1 Timothy 3 01:28 If people watch us progress in our faith, relationships, or leadership, they will see us changing from one way to another. 03:26 1 Timothy 3 has qualifications for churc...
Feb 28, 2024•44 min•Ep. 66
1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 3 In this discussion on 1 Timothy 3, Rick and Svea answer your questions about our attitudes toward leaders who taught us something we now disagree with, the interpretation that is inherently connected to Bible translation, specific words and phrases in 1 Timothy 3, and leaning into our own shortcomings as we look at the qualifications of leaders. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro. 01:33 Rick's most interesting things from 1 Timothy in order:...
Feb 21, 2024•46 min•Ep. 65
1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 2:11-15 Join us for an in-depth discussion on 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Rick and Svea dive into the differences of interpretation, a brief history that brought us to this discussion, and a recognition that men and women are different. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro. 01:43 Context: 1 Timothy 2:11-15. 03:47 Navigating differences of interpretation. 10:19 The Bible IS clear on the essentials we must agree on. 13:08 Do research. 18:20 Punched in the ...
Feb 14, 2024•53 min•Ep. 64
1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 2:1-10 Join us for an in-depth discussion on 1 Timothy 2:1-10. Rick and Svea tackle embracing humility and mutual submission and the far-reaching implications of the gospel for men and women. Additional Resources https://autumnridge.church/1-timothy/ Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Welcome and Introduction. 01:00 The challenge and conviction about not praying for those in authority. 03:10 How does praying for those in authority play out? 04:37 Em...
Feb 07, 2024•33 min•Ep. 63
1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 1 Join us for an in-depth discussion on 1 Timothy 1. Rick and Svea dig into living the gospel, dealing with false teaching, and our tendencies to add to or subtract from Scripture. Additional Resources https://autumnridge.church/1-timothy/ Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Welcome and introduction. 01:56 1 Timothy Series and the thesis: "We teach what we know but reproduce who we are." 03:15 Purpose and context of 1 Timothy and its overarching mess...
Jan 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 62
Today Rick and Svea share the studio with Pastor Otis Hall. In the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:1-9), they discuss shifting the focus to looking for the desired result: a good harvest, not just from the perspective of sowing the seed. NOTE : This is the last episode of 2023. Rick and Svea will be back behind the microphones in January 2024 for a new series, Devoted. Message Scripture Passages: Mathew 9:35-38; Mathew 13:1-9; Mathew 13:18-23 Topics Discussed Today: 00:00 Intro 01:14 Otis’s backg...
Nov 15, 2023•32 min•Ep. 61
So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. UNEXPECTED MESSAGE: • It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. • It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. • It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. • It’s possible for a church to wrongly value staying together over staying faithful. • It’s possible for everyone but Jesus to be convinced that a church is alive and well. • A churc...
Nov 08, 2023•34 min•Ep. 60
So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. UNEXPECTED MESSAGE: • It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. • It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. • It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. • It’s possible for a church to wrongly value staying together over staying faithful. • It’s possible for everyone but Jesus to be convinced that a church is alive and well. • A churc...
Nov 01, 2023•43 min•Ep. 59
So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. UNEXPECTED MESSAGE: • It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. • It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. • It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. • It’s possible for a church to wrongly value staying together over staying faithful. • It’s possible for everyone but Jesus to be convinced that a church is alive and well. Message S...
Oct 25, 2023•34 min•Ep. 58
So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. It’s possible for a church to wrongly value staying together over staying faithful. Rick and Svea discuss how gospel fluency (and define what it is) helps to understand what was going on in Thyatira. Message S...
Oct 18, 2023•26 min•Ep. 57
So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to three churches in modern-day Turkey. It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. Today, we spend quite a bit of time looking at practical steps to reflect Jesus properly so we stand for him and don't stand against him. Message Scripture Passage: Revelation 2:12-17 Series Thesis: KNOWING t...
Oct 11, 2023•34 min•Ep. 56
It's better to let a church suffer and to prevent it. Today’s episode unpacks suffering, faith, and trust in Jesus. Message Scripture Passage: Revelation 2:8-11 Series Thesis: KNOWING the truth doesn’t change anything. SUBMITTING to the truth changes everything. Topics Discussed Today: 00:00 Intro. 01:54 Recap and overview of the series resources. 04:31 The strength of our faith and the strength of Jesus 06:52 The New Testament was originally written to groups and communities of people, not to i...
Oct 04, 2023•31 min•Ep. 55
Rick and Svea kick off the new "Dear Church" series with a discussion about symbolism in the Book of Revelation and move on to the difficult topic of a loveless church. Rick then casts a vision for what he thinks a loving church exemplifies. Message Scripture Passage: Revelation 1:17-2:7 Series Thesis: KNOWING the truth doesn’t change anything. SUBMITTING to the truth changes everything. Topics Discussed Today: 00:00 Intro 00:40 The start of our small group season and the benefit of group study ...
Sep 27, 2023•35 min•Ep. 54
During the Preseason message series the mission, vision, and goals of Autumn Ridge Church have come up repeatedly. In this episode Rick and Svea dissect the Autumn Ridge Vision, "We want to be a church of all cultures where curious, skeptical, and hurting people love to attend." They talk about practical steps to help achieve this aspiration. Topics in the episode: 00:00 Intro. 01:23 Our mission and vision. 03:03 What we don't talk about much. 03:41 Some questions about our vision. 06:25 Why are...
Sep 06, 2023•22 min•Ep. 53
