Our experiences are not something to invalidate or ignore, they’re a gift that shapes how we view the world. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott begins a new series on spiritual practices for progressive Christians. He reminds us that the Bible is full of people who changed their minds based on experiences, even if that experience contradicted the things they’d previously been told. He also explains how spiritual practices can help us keep our hearts open and soft by inviting us to pay attention to th...
Jul 12, 2023•45 min
Something miraculous can happen when we hear a familiar story told from a new perspective. Today, Hunter Wade explains why it’s so important for us to listen to new voices and perspectives that differ from our own. She examines a passage in the Bible where Jesus was faced with a new point of view and chose to respond, and she reminds us that there’s power in both telling our own stories and in listening to the stories of others. Episode Recap: Whatever you’re feeling today, you have a place here...
Jul 10, 2023•30 min
Despite what many of us have been told, there’s a version of faith that allows us to be fully human and fully ourselves. Today, Mike Maeshiro talks with us about his experience of growing up as a gay Christian, finding freedom through the process of coming out, and deconstructing many of the things he once believed about God. Mike also challenges us to trust that the love that has transformed us can transform other people, too. Episode Recap: To be who we are is to honor the divine within us (0:...
Jul 03, 2023•30 min
For Jesus and the tradition he was raised in, you cannot serve God without pursuing justice. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines the role justice plays in Exodus, in the messages of the prophets, and in Jesus’ own worldview. He also discusses the way Christianity has changed into something completely different from its roots, and he challenges us to prioritize justice over theology and community over self-interest. Episode Recap: In honor of Juneteenth, we’re going to talk about justice in th...
Jun 24, 2023•44 min
If you’re on a journey of deconstructing or seeing your worldview evolve, know that you’re not alone! Today, lead pastor Josh Scott interviews Heather Hamilton about the spiritual awakening that inspired her to deconstruct her fundamentalist evangelical views and begin to see the divine in all people and all of creation. Heather is the author of “Returning to Eden,” and she talks with Josh about how we can engage with Scripture when we don’t believe it’s infallible, the value of seeing Christian...
Jun 16, 2023•43 min
If you want to understand what it’s like to experience the world with imagination and wonder, look at how kids interact with the world. Today, Children and Youth Director Tiffany Dowdy discusses the holy imagination that can inspire us to envision a better world and move us into action. They remind us that we’re each on our own spiritual journey with the freedom to roam and explore, and encourage us to focus less on the pressure of saving people and more on the calling of loving those around us....
Jun 09, 2023•27 min
The Holy Spirit is not something we can control or fit inside neat boundaries. Instead, the spirit calls us to move beyond fear and exclusion and commit to continually reimagining our faith. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines the “Gentile Pentecost” story in Acts 10. He draws parallels between this story and other moments in scripture where we see people’s views of God challenged, and he reminds us that our job is not to get in the way of other people’s belonging. Episode Recap: Pentecost sh...
Jun 01, 2023•27 min
In the story of Pentecost, we see how the spirit of wisdom stands in direct opposition to the empires that try to control us. Today, Kat Armas shares how Acts 2 changed her view of the Holy Spirit. She invites us to reexamine the way we think about wisdom, and to oppose the efforts of empire to force assimilation by stamping out wisdom. Episode Recap: Empire does not always get the last say (0:10) Prophecies were wake up calls, reminding people of God’s justice (5:27) The Bible primarily portray...
May 25, 2023•33 min
The story of Pentecost reminds us that we’re all invited to participate in the movement Jesus started. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott begins a new series about Pentecost by reflecting on the type of movement Jesus wanted to create. He talks about the way peace and nonviolence play an integral role in Jesus’ story, and he reminds us that transformation takes time, both in the world and in our own lives. Episode Recap: Pentecost was a feast celebrating liberation (1:05) Even though they betrayed hi...
May 19, 2023•38 min
Today, we’re celebrating our first service in GracePointe’s new space, reflecting on how we got here, and looking ahead to what comes next! Lead pastor Josh Scott shares why he’s so excited for this new chapter in GracePointe’s story, and he reminds each of us that we belong. Episode Recap: It’s time for change, and change is possible (0:10) How we got here (2:12) Thank you to everyone who’s made this move possible (17:56) Thank you for making GracePointe a safe space (25:36) The point is not th...
May 16, 2023•43 min
What can the life and death of Jesus tell us about who God is and who we are? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott wraps up our “Meeting Jesus Again” series with a question and response time. He responds to questions about Jesus' death, the contradictions we see in scripture, Jesus’ identity, doctrines around the trinity and atonement, and more. Episode Recap: Today we’re taking time to respond to your questions about Jesus (0:10) What did Jesus say about the Bible? (1:03) What happened when Jesus died...
May 08, 2023•33 min
Are we being transformed by the message of Jesus, or are we transforming Jesus to fit our agendas? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines some of the images of Jesus we see in the 21st century and compares them to the Jesus we see represented in scripture. He also reminds us that faith is meant to grow, change, and evolve, so our creeds and doctrines matter less than the people we’re becoming. Episode Recap: Would the historical Jesus recognize the person we talk about today? (1:09) We’ve transf...
Apr 27, 2023•39 min
Even if we don’t take the story literally, the Ascension can teach us something important about who Jesus was and what kind of movement he wanted to create. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott reflects on the story of Jesus’ ascension and the dramatic, political statement it would have made in ancient Rome. He also reminds us that we’re invited to join Jesus in his work of pursuing human flourishing. Episode Recap: The Ascension is only recorded in two places, but each account is different (2:45) What...
Apr 21, 2023•44 min
What does Easter tell us about who God is and why Jesus matters? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott unpacks some of the key lessons we can learn from the Easter story. He reminds us that God has always taken the side of the oppressed, and he encourages us to continue Jesus’ work in our world today. Episode Recap: Each gospel tells the Easter story differently (0:10) Easter is a subjective experience (6:35) Easter is a political event (10:49) God has always taken the side of the victims and the oppres...
Apr 15, 2023•31 min
Why did Jesus die, and what does it mean for us today? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines how Christians have interpreted the question of the cross throughout history. He explains how Jesus’ death was a response to a movement that threatened the Roman empire, and he encourages us to ask the question, “Where do we find God?” Episode Recap: As we head into Holy Week, today we’ll talk about the meaning of the crucifixion (0:10) Basically all Christians agree that Jesus died, but why? (2:13) How...
Apr 07, 2023•43 min
What do we make of the stories of healings and exorcisms in the Bible? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott looks at some of the different stories of Jesus healing, raising the dead, and performing exorcisms. He explains how looking at these stories within a first century context can help us understand the larger messages about empire. He also encourages us to remember that we have an important role to play in changing the oppressive systems around us. Episode Recap: People listened to Jesus largely be...
Mar 30, 2023•37 min
Sometimes Christians focus so much on Jesus’ birth and death that they overlook the powerful message of his life. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines the different ways Jesus taught about the kingdom, from parables to aphorisms to memorable demonstrations. He also explores the question of how we can best respond to the teachings of Jesus. Episode Recap: Jesus showed what the kingdom of God was like through meals (1:17) Many Christians focus on the birth and death of Jesus, but not Jesus’ life...
Mar 23, 2023•34 min
We don’t have to choose between our faith and fully affirming the LGBTQ+ community. Today, Liz Dyer shares her journey to embracing an affirming theology, from studying scripture to talking with other Christians. Liz is the founder of Mama Bears, an organization dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering parents of LGBTQ kids. Episode Recap: “The only thing that matters is living out your faith through love” (0:15) Small acts of kindness can change lives in the LGBTQ+ community (2:09) The...
Mar 16, 2023•29 min
Everything Jesus did in his ministry came back to the way he viewed the kingdom of God. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott talks about what Jesus believed about this kingdom, and how Jesus worked to bring it to fruition throughout his life. He also reminds us that we have a role to play in bringing about a different kind of world. Episode Recap: Every part of Jesus’ ministry centered around the kingdom of God (0:10) The good news (gospel) is entirely different from empire (2:36) Jesus’ vision of the ...
Mar 09, 2023•38 min
The way we see God directly impacts the way we show up in the world. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott talks through some of the things we can glean from Scripture about how Jesus viewed God. He also reflects on the idea that God wants to collaborate with us to bring about justice and human flourishing. Episode Recap: How we see God shapes how we show up in the world (1:47) If our image of God is hostile and vindictive, we’ll likely treat others the same way (6:03) If our image of God is love, we’ll...
Mar 01, 2023•32 min
If we want to understand who Jesus was and what he stood for, we need to understand the historical context he lived in. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott shares some of the political and religious contexts that can help us better understand the historical person of Jesus. He also explains how people throughout history have re-examined and re-interpreted their faith within the context of the time they lived in. Episode Recap: Who was the historical person of Jesus? (1:10) We all see Jesus differently...
Feb 24, 2023•36 min
When we start to deconstruct our faith, it’s natural to wonder where Jesus fits within all of it. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott begins a new series where we’ll examine who Jesus is and how we can meet him again. Josh talks through some of the different sources that tell us about Jesus, and he reminds us that examining our own experience of Jesus is an important part of the process. Episode Recap: When our faith changes, what do we do with Jesus? (1:53) How do we “know” about Jesus? (7:37) Schola...
Feb 15, 2023•45 min
Judgment is part of how humans have survived for centuries, but it’s also a source of tribalism and disconnection. Today, Colby Martin shares an epiphany that changed the way he views God, and he uses the creation story in Genesis to demonstrate how judging others hurts us and the people around us. Colby is a pastor and author of two books, “UnClobber” and “The Shift.” Episode Recap: Humans are by nature mistrustful of people who are different, and we’ve crafted stories to explain it (6:35) Trib...
Feb 13, 2023•37 min
Each of us is called to the hero’s journey, we just have to find the courage to answer the call. Today, Dr. Paula Stone Williams breaks down some of the epiphanies Jesus’ disciples experienced when they were in boats. She explains how these epiphanies mirror her own journey and the hero’s journey we’re all currently on. Paula is an internationally known speaker, a pastor, and author of the book “As A Woman: What I Learned About Power, Sex and the Patriarchy After I Transitioned.” Episode Recap: ...
Feb 07, 2023•28 min
Deconstruction is a journey, and for many of us it’s made up of multiple epiphanies that change the way we see God, ourselves, and others. Today, Meghan Crozier of The Pursuing Life talks about three key epiphanies that helped her learn to more fully love God and love others. She also reminds us of the importance of community, and encourages us to focus on decolonizing our beliefs instead of only deconstructing them. Episode Recap: A deconstruction journey is often made up of many moments (0:40)...
Jan 27, 2023•27 min
When you experience a significant moment that changes the way you see the world, it’s important to stop and acknowledge it. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott reflects on four epiphanies that have shaped his faith journey at different points throughout his life. He also reminds us that we are all in process, and it’s OK that learning to see differently takes time. Episode Recap: “Freedom is a Birthright” (0:10) As we honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr., look beyond the greatest hits (3:59) When ...
Jan 26, 2023•48 min
Epiphanies are a fundamental shift in the way we see the world, moments when we learn to see differently. The Bible is full of these moments. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott shares five stories of epiphany that changed the way people saw God, themselves, and God’s role in the world. He explains how these epiphanies impacted the characters in the story and connects the dots to show how they can impact our lives, too. Episode Recap: Epiphany happens when we learn to see something different (2:40) Ja...
Jan 24, 2023•32 min
Do you tend to approach a new year with fear or with excitement? However you’re feeling at the start of 2023, lead pastor Josh Scott has some words of encouragement for you. He reflects on what newness is (and what it isn’t) and reminds us that it’s important to be patient with ourselves as we undergo the process of becoming new. Episode Recap: New years can bring excitement but also fear about what the next year may hold (0:10) Many of us tend to idealize the new (1:32) New isn’t about avoiding...
Jan 24, 2023•24 min
Jesus’ goal was never to be the center of attention, but to invite us to join him in bringing love and justice to the world around us. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott reflects on the power of the Christmas story, and encourages us to focus less on believing the right things about Jesus and more on living like he did. Episode Recap: Throughout history, we keep coming back to the idea of Jesus (4:31) Jesus’ first followers began to reinterpret the Bible through the lens of Jesus (7:18) God was alway...
Dec 29, 2022•22 min
The story of Christmas is a story of God making a home among the marginalized and overlooked. But so often, we’re sold an image of Christmas and of Jesus that doesn’t match this reality. Today, Kat Armas reflects on some of the things we tend to miss when thinking about the Christmas story: Mary’s identity as a marginalized woman, the realities of pregnancy and childbirth, and the truths that Mary boldly proclaimed about God and God’s plans for those living under empire. Episode Recap: The end o...
Dec 29, 2022•30 min
