The Local Church Podcast

Date: July 13th, 2025Rev. Dr. Denise Honeycutt delivers a sermon from Luke 10:23-27

About The RenewingThere’s a way the world teaches us to live—fast, anxious, disconnected. And there’s another way. The Renewing is a podcast about resisting what deforms us and returning to what makes us whole. Inspired by Romans 12:2, it’s a space to question the patterns we’ve inherited—hustle, disconnection, exhaustion—and imagine what healing might look like instead. Through honest conversations and deep listening, host Brent Levy explores the sacred, slow work of renewal—for ourselves, our communities, and the world.This EpisodeWhat happens when the faith you inherited no longer fits, yet something sacred still lingers? In this episode, Brent sits down with writer and creative Lauren Cibene, whose debut book, Tiger in a Lifeboat, explores deconstruction, travel, and the slow, surprising reconstruction that follows. Together, they discuss what it means to witness rather than persuade, how grief and unlearning are essential parts of healing, and why the red letters of Jesus keep drawing Lauren back.You’ll hear about the holiness of hospitality, the healing power of presence, and the sacred invitation to trust yourself again. If you’re navigating a spiritual shift, tender with your past, or just longing to see God in unexpected places, this conversation is for you.Learn more about Lauren here, check out her Substack here, and find her on Instagram here. Get her book, Tiger in a Lifeboat on Amazon, Bookshop, or Audible.The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

DateJune 15, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we explore how genuine hope emerges not just from knowing stories of faith, but from actively living them out. Through the lens of the Road to Emmaus narrative, we discover how participatory hope—showing up and embodying God's presence in the world—transforms our "we had hoped" moments into encounters with the living Christ. Drawing on experiences as a hospital chaplain and weaving together contemporary challenges with ancient wisdom, we examine how the Spirit opens our eyes to recognize Christ's presence in our midst, especially in moments of deep disappointment.Scripture references: Luke 24:13-35, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 27:13ReferencesScripture: Luke 24:13–35About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

DateJune 1, 2025SynopsisThis week, we welcome special guest preacher Mallory Wyckoff, who first leads us in an imaginative exercise with scripture, inviting us to step into the story and feel its weight. We then explore how Jesus meets us in our deepest weariness and transforms the emptiest of places into spaces of abundance. Join us as we discover the power of trust in the deep places of our lives, where Jesus weaves nets of liberation and hope.ReferencesScripture: Luke 5:1-11About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

DateMay 25, 2025SynopsisThis week, Rajeev Tiwari and Brent Levy respond to your questions in a special Ask Us Anything Sunday.ReferencesScripture: [Genesis 32:22-31](https://www.bible.com/bible/3523/GEN.32.22-31)About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

DateMay 18, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we dive into the heart of authentic relationship through the lens of Peter's post-resurrection encounter with Jesus. When Jesus appears on the beach cooking breakfast, he doesn't lecture or shame – instead, he creates space for restoration and remembrance of who we truly are. Pastor Brent reveals how this ancient story speaks to our modern struggles with self-worth, belonging, and connecting with others.ReferencesScripture: John 21:1-19About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

This sermon delves into our deep desire to be seen and the radical idea of chosen family through Christ. It tackles the complexities of belonging, particularly when traditional families fail us. The discussion highlights the importance of community support, especially in challenging times like Mother's Day and graduation. Through biblical reflections, the talk emphasizes the need for vulnerability, acceptance, and connection, showing that true peace is found in sharing our wounds and joys.

Rev. Amanda Rigby, co-founder of The Well Mental and Spiritual Care, and Dr. Elizabeth Watters, a researcher in community-based mental health, dive deep into the critical intersection of mental health and spirituality. They discuss how burnout inspired their creation of a nurturing space for holistic care within the church. The conversation explores the importance of community support, affordable mental health resources, and the essential belief in everyone's inherent worth. This is a heartfelt call to prioritize emotional wellness in our lives.

DateMay 4, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we deconstruct the "happily ever after" myth and explore how meaningful relationships are built through intentional practice. Drawing from biblical wisdom and contemporary research, we examine five essential building blocks for stronger marriages: equal partnership, committed presence, cultivated closeness, practiced forgiveness, and shared mission. These elements form the architecture of not just thriving marriages, but all relationships that embody Christ's transformative love in our world.ReferencesScripture: 1 Corinthians 13What's HappeningAs the summer approaches, we could use your help on Sunday mornings! Find joy and deeper connection by serving to help make our gatherings happen. Learn more and sign up here.Your old bikes could become a needed lifeline through The Re:Cycle Project. Donate your old bike in any condition, or get involved here.About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

DateApril 27, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we kick off "We Just Click: God's Design for Meaningful Relationships," a post-Easter series exploring how authentic connections can transform our lives and world. Pastor Brent unpacks how Jesus spent his "bonus time" after resurrection not on tasks or teachings, but on being present with others—showing us that connection isn't just nice, it's necessary. He reveals four powerful ways relationships transform us: they combat loneliness, bring joy, provide support, and create space to practice love in ways that draw us closer to God's heart.ReferencesScripture: Genesis 2:15–25About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.