It's been said recently that trust is less like a bank account, where you deposit trust points to be withdrawn at a later time, and more like a water balloon, where even the tiniest pin-prick will slowly drain the whole thing and prevent it from every being refilled. If this is true, the church has a big problem. Decades of cover-ups, scandals, televangelists selling miracles, and pastors living in mansions and flying private jets has left the aftertaste of distrust in the mouths of most people ...
Sep 29, 2019•34 min•Ep. 286
According to a recent survey, nearly 90% of unchurched people say that the term "judgmental" accurately describes Christians today and only 20% of outsiders view the church as a place where people are accepted and loved unconditionally. The Christian fixation on sin has left most people feeling criticized, cursed and condemned instead of loved, welcomed and included. The church's exclusion of so-called sinners seems to completely contradict the example of Jesus, who welcomed sinners to such a de...
Sep 22, 2019•31 min•Ep. 285
In his book UnChristian, Dave Kinnaman claims that Christianity has an image problem. His leading accusation is that too many Christians are hypocritical, saying, "our lives don’t match our beliefs. In many ways, our lifestyles and perspectives are no different from those of anyone around us." Is that true? And if so, what would it look like for a church to pursue honest, transparent and authentic faith with integrity? How could the hours when it gathered support the rest of the hours of our liv...
Sep 15, 2019•32 min•Ep. 284
After an inspiring time of music and sharing, part of Vision Night was hearing from each of our departments and what it means for them to be 'faithful in the small' as a part of their goals for this year.
Sep 09, 2019•39 min•Ep. 239
For decades, we've operated under a deeply held belief that, if people saw the God of the Bible as He is, they would run TO him, instead of AWAY from him. The problem is, most people's view of God is shaped by their experience of the church, which more often than not leaves people looking elsewhere in search for meaning, purpose and significance. But what if the church actually resembled the God we claim to believe in? Imagine if, when the world looked at the church, all they saw was the through...
Sep 08, 2019•36 min•Ep. 283
If you’ve seen the movie, “Groundhog Day”, you know the feeling of being trapped in an endless cycle of doing the same thing over and over again, every single day. But the surprising twist is that, when you do the same thing again and again, after a while you actually get pretty good at it! What if, more than any of the big one-time decisions that feel so important at the time, it’s actually all the little things we do over and over again, every single day, that have the greatest power to shape ...
Sep 01, 2019•34 min•Ep. 278
Some people say that faith is a personal and private matter. But the Bible is clear when we embrace Jesus we are automatically included in the church as full-fledged family members. So what does it look like to fully embrace our identity and responsibility as members of God’s church? And how can we make the most of our membership in this new community?
Aug 25, 2019•31 min•Ep. 280
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as jumping in a lake, a pool or even a cool shower on a hot summer day. There’s just something about being submerged in water that wakes us up and provides a jolt of energy. The waters of baptism work in much the same way, to not only cleanse us from our past but also to awaken us to the power and presence of God and emerge ready to embrace a new life with fresh faith and spiritual vitality.
Aug 18, 2019•29 min•Ep. 279
We are told that we can do anything, as long as we just believe. But what in the world are we to believe in? If any and all ideas about faith, God, truth and eternity are equally valid, does it really even matter what you believe, or do all paths lead to the same ultimate destination?
Aug 11, 2019•33 min•Ep. 281
It is core to the human experience to at least from time to time wonder if there’s more to life than what we’re currently experiencing. More than waking up, going to work, relaxing with friends, only to do it all over again the next day. But what if we really were meant for a deeper experience of life, a connection to something spiritual? How do we tap into the “more” that we all long to experience?
Aug 04, 2019•34 min•Ep. 282
A true friend is someone who is willing to tell you that you have spinach in your teeth or that those jeans actually do make your butt look bigger. But what about more important truth: when you need to work on your character, end a relationship, make an apology, or deal with a habit? Or the really hard stuff: calling out sin and challenging our choices? What would happen if real friends really cared enough to confront?
Jun 23, 2019•33 min•Ep. 277
It is said that, "Small minds discuss people. Average minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas." But what if there were something even more important to discuss: ourselves. Being honest about ourselves with ourselves, others, and God is probably the most difficult and most important kind of honesty there is. What would happen in and through us if we could learn to put all our cards on the table?
Jun 16, 2019•33 min•Ep. 275
Most of us like to believe we're honest. But then, we catch ourselves saying, "Well, to be honest" or "I swear!" suggesting we're not always as transparent and trustworthy as we'd like to believe. But what if we could break through the deception and denial? What if we could overcome our fear so that the truth can set us free? How can we learn to say what we mean and mean what we say?
Jun 09, 2019•33 min•Ep. 276
Till death do us part... It's a daunting proposition. That's probably why half of marriages (faith-based or not) throw in the towel at some point along the way, and why more and more people are choosing to either put off or pass up on marriage altogether. Is marriage an outdated concept? Can it really work? Can two people actually stay together? What "talk" would Jesus and the Bible have about marriage in this day and age?
Jun 02, 2019•41 min•Ep. 272
There might be no topic more celebrated by Hollywood, but shamed by the "holy." So what is God's vision for sex? How can we follow Jesus with our sex lives? Can we experience freedom and fulfilment instead of restriction and shame? From teenagers testing boundaries to adults asking, "What's the big deal?", to parents terrified of "the talk", to spouses wanting to reclaim the magic, this conversation is for you.
May 26, 2019•34 min•Ep. 274
From playing the field to courting till matrimony, there's a variety of perspectives on dating. Whether you're currently single, in a relationship, considering whether to swipe right or left, have friends in "the game," or are a parent biting your nails, how can we develop a more mature expectation and experience of dating? What "talk" would Jesus and the Bible have about dating in 2019?
May 19, 2019•41 min•Ep. 273
Some say that "God helps those who help themselves." It is a vision of faith that fits in neatly in our culture, which rewards people who show initiative, take matters into their own hands, and solve their own problems. But how neatly does it fit with the teachings of Jesus? When we're experiencing persistent pain, frustration, and injustice, and it doesn't seem to be going away, is the truth that God is just waiting to help us help ourselves? If not, what is God waiting for?
May 12, 2019•34 min•Ep. 271
We're told that "the one who dies with the most toys wins." It's doubtful that many people actually believe that is true, but it doesn't seem to stop many people from living like it is. That’s true even of people who profess to follow the Jesus whose message was “good news to the poor.” Sometimes we refer to the material things we’ve accumulated as “God’s blessings,” but what if that isn’t entirely true? What if the truth about our stuff is more inconvenient than that?
May 05, 2019•34 min•Ep. 270
It is said that the best time to plant a tree is 100 years ago, and the second best time is right now. Financial experts, for example,urge investors to plan ahead, set goals and taking practical steps to reach their desired outcomes. The same truth applies to education, vocations, families, and, well, seemingly everywhere. By being careful to plan for the future, we can become the masters of our fate and the captains of our destiny. But what if the truth about our futures is more complicated, ...
Apr 28, 2019•29 min•Ep. 269
Easter Sunday is the biggest celebration in the Christian community. But what's the big deal? Is the resurrection of Jesus anything more than a pie-in-the-sky for something--after-you-die fantasy? Or could the risen life of Jesus actually make a difference in the here and now? In my life and yours? What if Jesus actually wants to bring new life on earth just as in heaven?
Apr 21, 2019•11 min•Ep. 267
Good Friday: to some, it's nothing more than a strange tradition marking the death of a religious figure. To others, it's a powerful symbol of forgiveness and grace. Maybe you've never been to a Good Friday service or couldn't imagine attending church twice on one weekend (if you're already coming for Easter), but Good Friday is such a meaningful experience for our community and just might be a time of (extraordinary revival as we encounter the love and grace of the cross. We invite you to join ...
Apr 19, 2019•7 min•Ep. 268
We all love things. From ice cream to hockey to music to pets, our lives are full of affection toward the things we most value. But what does it look like to express our affection to God? What does it mean to truly worship? Does worshipping God really make a difference? At the end of the day, is worship worth it?
Apr 14, 2019•35 min•Ep. 264
We all search for wisdom and guidance. Whether Google or Wikipedia, or skimming the latest self-help bestseller, trying to read our way into a better life is quite common. But what about the Bible? Is it still a place worth looking for wisdom? Is it a book that's actually worth reading? Can reading the Bible really change anything at all?
Apr 07, 2019•33 min•Ep. 265
It's not unusual to download our thoughts and struggles, joys and successes, to our most trusted friends; sharing what's going on in our lives in order to gain the support and insight of others. But what about sharing our inner thoughts with God? Is that really possible? And if so, is it worth it? Does God really hear us? Can praying make any difference in my life?
Mar 31, 2019•37 min•Ep. 266
Most of us would admit that our lives are fairly ordinary, even mundane at times. Those who describe themselves as spiritual or religious typically lead similarly unspectacular lives, leading many to wonder if "ordinary" is all there is. Is it possible to actually experience something supernatural and divine in the midst of our otherwise ordinary lives? How does our experience of life and connection with God go from typical to transcendent, from natural to supernatural?
Mar 24, 2019•36 min•Ep. 263
It's a common belief that you have to use your words to get what you want. From arguing to asking, we try to wordsmith our way to get what we're after. But what happens when our arguing with others stands in the way of our asking of God? What does it take to become a voice God can use? Where should we start if we want change the tone of our voice?
Mar 10, 2019•34 min•Ep. 262
We all know the kind of person who, when they speak, people perk up and listen. But how do we become that person? What has to change in order to find the voice of wisdom? What does it take to become the kind of people who only use wise words?
Mar 03, 2019•33 min•Ep. 261
We all strive to be right, to get to the top, and to make the most of ourselves. But Jesus said we should embrace the lowest standing. So how do we actually live this out? What if our life together mattered more than our rightness and promotion? How can we embrace the gospel as humility?
Feb 28, 2019•33 min•Ep. 121
From politics to religion and from business to social settings, fighting to have your say and fighting to get your way seems to be a way of life. But how should we learn to talk if we want to actually have influence? And what should we avoid if we're going to become people who truly find our voice?
Feb 24, 2019•31 min•Ep. 260
Some studies have shown that the average person says more than 10,000 words in a day, but that only 500-700 are words of "significance," as in, communicating something important to an active listener. So what should we think of all this hot air flowing from our mouths? Does it really matter how we use our voice? What does all our talking ultimately say about us?
Feb 10, 2019•33 min•Ep. 259
