The Local Church Podcast

DateAugust 11, 2024SynopsisIn this sermon, we explore the spiritual power of play through the lens of Bluey's "Daddy Dropoff" episode and Jesus's surprising playfulness in John 8:2-11, revealing how play can disrupt our routines, liberate us from pretense, and ignite our imagination. Discover why adults struggle with playfulness, how Jesus used play to defuse a life-threatening situation, and practical ways to incorporate play as a spiritual practice in your daily life. Join us for a playful exploration of faith that might just transform your understanding of God, yourself, and the world around you.ReferencesScripture: John 8:2–11About 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.

DateAugust 4, 2024SynopsisThis week, we kick off our wackadoo sermon series called “The Gospel According to Bluey” with our first episode: “Camping." Through this episode and the words of Jesus, we explore the theme of friendship.What you'll learn:How childhood friendships differ from adult relationshipsThe challenges of forming deep friendships as adultsJesus' perspective on friendship and its importanceHow friendship with Jesus can transform our relationships with othersHow this can help in your daily life:Gain a fresh perspective on the value of authentic friendshipsLearn to approach relationships with openness and vulnerabilityUnderstand how to cultivate deeper connections with othersDiscover how friendship can be a powerful force for personal growth and social changeReferencesScripture: Luke 10:25–28; John 15:12–17About 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.

DateJuly 28, 2024SynopsisWe all love a good underdog story, but what if the most famous biblical underdog tale has more to offer than we thought? Join Pastor Brent as he revisits the classic story of David and Goliath with fresh eyes and uncovers surprising insights for our modern lives.What You'll Learn:A new perspective on the familiar David and Goliath storyThree ways this ancient tale reveals how God is with us in our daily strugglesHow to find strength when facing your own "giants"How It Will Help You:Reclaim your true identity when others try to define youFace your fears with renewed courage and faithFind hope and purpose even in the messiest parts of lifeWhether you're wrestling with self-doubt, fear, or life's complexities, this fresh take on an old story will inspire you to face your challenges with the confidence that God is with you every step of the way.ReferencesScripture: 1 Samuel 17:1–50About 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.

Duke Divinity Pastoral Intern Isabel Packevicz expands our understanding of the divine by exploring often-overlooked feminine imagery for God in scripture. The sermon encourages us to see God's presence in life's messy, painful moments, offering hope for transformation.In this sermon, hearers will:Explore often overlooked feminine imagery for God in the BibleDiscover how viewing God as a mother and midwife can provide comfort in times of pain and struggleLearn about the historical role of midwives and how it relates to our understanding of GodGain a new perspective on familiar Bible stories like Creation and ExodusHow this can help in daily life:Offers a more nurturing and intimate view of God for those struggling with traditional masculine imageryProvides comfort for those going through difficult times, showing God as present in pain and struggleEmpowers listeners, especially women, to see themselves as image-bearers of GodEncourages a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the divine

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.