The Local Church Podcast

Queer indie singer/songwriter Spencer LaJoye joins The Local Church and friends for a sweaty night of hope, healing, and humanity at The Plant in Pittsboro, North Carolina. This recording features the full audio from Spencer's set.

DateJuly 7, 2024SynopsisIn this sermon, you will:Revisit the classic Bible story of Daniel in the Lion's Den with fresh eyesLearn to shift focus from "be like Daniel" to understanding God's presence and activity in the storyDiscover how this ancient tale relates to modern challenges and fearsKey takeaways:God meets us in places of uncertainty, fear, and injusticeHope persists even when circumstances seem direOur faith can empower us to face threats and resist injusticeHow this helps in daily life:Provides comfort and perspective when facing personal or societal challengesEncourages listeners to ground themselves in hope, even amid difficultyInspires action and compassion rooted in faithReferencesScripture: Daniel 6:6-27About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, 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 and this movement of God's love, give online here.

To wrap up our "The Call of the Wild" series, we gathered outdoors and hear from Pat Watkins and Denise Honeycutt who shared the profound connections between community, creation, and our relationship with God.What You'll Learn:The Interconnectedness of Relationships: Discover how our relationships with God, each other, and creation are fundamentally intertwined.Biblical Insights: Gain fresh perspectives on the story of Adam and Eve, including often-overlooked details and their implications for today.Community Living: Understand what it means to be a part of a broader community that includes not just people but all of creation.Practical Theology: Learn how integrating care for the environment is essential to living out Christian discipleship.Personal Reflection: Hear personal stories and reflections that illustrate the importance of seeing God in all aspects of life around us.

From our Sunday Liturgy on June 23, we invited Lenore Braford, Founder and Executive Director of Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, to share insights into the meaningful work of rewilding and community healing. Lenore talks about the refuge’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide lifelong care for farm animals that have been subjected to abuse, neglect, and abandonment.Key TakeawaysUnderstanding Rewilding: Learn what rewilding means in the context of community and animal welfare.Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge: Discover the refuge's unique approach to animal care, including animal-centered design and providing specialized medical care.Inspirational Stories: Hear heartwarming stories of animals like Sweet Mama, a goat who escaped a life of hardship, and Hope, a chicken who found a new lease on life.Community Connection: Find out how connecting with animals can foster empathy and help us unlearn harmful societal norms about farm animals.How This Interview Will Benefit YouListening to this episode will inspire you to think more deeply about animal welfare, the importance of compassion, and how you can make a positive impact in your community. The discussion about aligning our actions with our values will encourage you to reflect on your daily choices and strive for a more humane world.

DateJune 23, 2024SynopsisInspired by the popular internet phrase "touch grass," the sermon draws from Genesis and Matthew to offer insights into reducing anxiety, embracing our true selves, and finding peace in God's creation. This sermon will empower you to step back from the digital overwhelm and constant hustle of modern life. By rewilding yourself, you'll discover new ways to find peace, joy, and purpose through a deeper connection with God's creation. Practical steps and spiritual reflections will guide you to live more freely and authentically.ReferencesScripture: Genesis 3:7-11; Matthew 6:25-34About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, 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 and this movement of God's love, give online here.

DateJune 16, 2024SynopsisIn this sermon, Leah explores what it means to "rewild" our faith by restoring a right relationship with all of God's creation. You'll learn:Why caring for the earth is central to the Christian story, not a side issueHow to have a "right-sized" relationship with creation that recognizes our smallness and interdependencePractices for listening to creation and repairing our broken relationship with the earthLeah shares a powerful story about geese interrupting her commute that caused her to rethink her relationship with the land. She also dives into the beautiful Job 38 passage to uncover the intimate ways God relates to creation.By the end of this sermon, you'll be inspired to see your care for creation as a vital part of your spiritual journey. Leah offers the simple but profound practice of spending 30 minutes listening to the world around you as a first step.ReferencesScripture: Job 38:1, 4–41About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, 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 and this movement of God's love, give online here.

Pastor Brent Levy explores the transformative relationship with God through the story of Moses and the burning bush. He discusses breaking free from narrow views of God, embracing doubts and wilderness experiences, cultivating a deeper connection with nature, standing on 'holy ground,' and living out a justice-oriented faith. Listeners are encouraged to rewild their understanding of God and seek the sacred in unexpected places.

In this episode of The Speakeasy, host Brent Levy talks with Elisa Rosoff, a humanist chaplain who works with incarcerated and recently released women through the organization Arise Collective.Listeners will learn about:Elisa's unique faith journey from growing up Episcopalian to discovering humanismHow her background in Montessori education informs her approach to chaplaincyThe joys and challenges of providing spiritual care to women in prisonKey barriers women face when reentering society after incarcerationHow Arise Collective helps women overcome those barriers through housing, employment assistance, and moreElisa's story will inspire listeners to rethink assumptions about incarcerated individuals and consider how to better support women during reentry. Her emphasis on being present, setting boundaries, and honoring the humanity in everyone provides a model for living with more compassion.To learn more about Arise Collective and get involved, visit arise-collective.org. For more unfiltered conversations on faith and justice, subscribe to The Local Church Podcast.

DateJune 2, 2024SynopsisWe celebrated PBO Pride and Affirming Sunday with a special Pride Celebration Worship service at The Plant. Here are some highlights from the service, including witness shared by Haley Capps, Deidre Hartley, Larry Hazelwood, and Lolly Dunlap, with a special performance by Bear Roots.ReferencesScripture: Psalm 27About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, 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 and this movement of God's love, give online here.

DateMay 26, 2024SynopsisIn this powerful sermon, Pastor Brent explores the story of Isaiah's vision and call, drawing parallels to the overwhelming circumstances we face in our own lives. Through this message, you will:Discover how God's presence and truth can overshadow the wounds of uncertainty, fear, and self-doubtLearn how to replace the lies we internalize with the transformative word of GodFind encouragement in the promise of God's assuring love, even in the midst of personal strugglesPastor Brent shares relatable examples from contemporary life, such as the challenges of 2020, military conflicts, grief, and personal struggles, to illustrate how Isaiah's story speaks to our own experiences. He also shares the inspiring story of John Wesley's "strangely warmed heart" as an example of how God's love can transform our lives.This sermon will help you:Find hope and comfort in God's presence during difficult timesIdentify and replace negative self-talk with God's truthTrust in God's love and assurance, even when you feel overwhelmedReferencesScripture: Isaiah 6:1–8About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, 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 and this movement of God's love, give online here.