The Local Church Podcast

On the podcast during this season of Lent, we're spending time savoring the Seven Last Words — the final sayings of Jesus on the cross. This week, the second word: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Peter Storey's Listening at Golgotha: Jesus Words from the Cross has inspired this Lenten series. For more on the events referenced in this episode and the unlikely friendship of Nelson Mandela and Christo Brand, see the article here. Scripture Referenced: Luke 23:39-43 Music in this Episode: "Come As You Were" by Blue Dot Sessions For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. 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, give online here.

On the podcast during this season of Lent, we're spending time savoring the Seven Last Words — the final sayings of Jesus on the cross. This week, the first word: "Father, forgive them..." Peter Storey's Listening at Golgotha: Jesus Words from the Cross has inspired this Lenten series. For more on the events referenced in this episode and the remarkable grace of Gladys Staines, see the New York Times story here or this article from Christianity Today (paywall). Scripture Referenced: Luke 23:32-43 Music in this Episode: "Come As You Were" by Blue Dot Sessions For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. 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, give online here.

In this special episode for Ash Wednesday, Stephan Margeson, Duke Divinity Intern at The Local Church, shares about the smudges on foreheads, where we've come from, where we're going, and what it means to be one with the dirt. Scripture Referenced: Genesis 2:7 For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

In this imperfect episode, Brent Levy, pastor of The Local Church, talks about what our "brand" might be as followers of Jesus... and why it's good news. Scripture Referenced: Acts 4:1-22 For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

In this episode, Brent Levy, pastor of The Local Church, describes how two moments from childhood offered a glimpse into his future. Pastor's note: Brent would find redemption in both fourth and sixth grades, winning the school spelling bee both years. Scripture Referenced: 1 John 4:19 Learn more about the Enneagram at The Enneagram Institute, and take a brief test to find your type at The Road Back to You. If you're looking for something more extensive to read, try these books: The Road Back To You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile and The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Heuertz. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

In this episode, Brent Levy, pastor of The Local Church, explores how our shortcomings, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity could lead us into a broader and deeper and fuller understanding of the heart of God. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

As we remember and celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this week, you’ll scroll through uplifting quotations on your Facebook feed and see rousing, soul-stirring clips of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But it’s also important to return to the sobering and convicting words of the "Letter from Birmingham Jail" — written in response to an open letter from eight white clergymen in Alabama who called for restraint and patience among those who had gathered in non-violent protest. In this special episode, in a little more than ten minutes, the Rev. Dr. King reads from his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. May you hear it with fresh ears as we continue to work, by God's grace, for the day when justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream. Dr. King's recording has been edited for time, but if you'd like to read or hear the full recording in its entirety (approximately 7,000 words / 50 minutes), you can find it here. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

In this episode, Brent Levy, pastor of The Local Church, explores what Marie Kondo, host of the popular Tidying Up series on Netflix and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, might teach us about our journeys of becoming who God is creating us to be. Scripture: Luke 3:15-17 For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

Happy New Year! In this episode, Brent Levy, pastor of The Local Church, describes how a toddler tantrum at Target and its aftermath can offer words to live by in the new year. Philip Yancey wrote What’s So Amazing About Grace?. And here is where you can read more about the Wesley Covenant Prayer. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

In this special (slightly extended) Christmas episode, The Rev. Jennifer Moxley tells a true story — a story of surprise and hope and love in the midst of war. This is what happens when Christmas breaks in. Jennifer is the brains behind The Clergy Collar Project. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.