The Local Church Podcast

DateJanuary 21, 2024SynopsisThree movements describing what it looks like to let your light shineReferencesScripture: Luke 8:16-21About 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.

DateJanuary 14, 2024SynopsisThis week, Brent offers a little hope to anyone who’s already failed their New Year’s resolutions and anyone who’s ever heard the Parable of the Sower and felt called out. This one’s for you.You'll learn:How to respond when you've already failed your New Year's resolutions or good intentions. The pastor shares openly about his own struggles to keep resolutions, emphasizing God's grace and the importance of community support.The meaning behind Jesus' parable of the sower and the seeds. Rather than bringing shame, Jesus offers the parable to say "I understand the struggles you face, but don't give up."Practical ideas for spiritual disciplines or a "rule of life" - daily habits and practices that can help nurture spiritual growth amidst life's busyness. Examples from the pastor's own rule as well as MLK's are shared.How a rule of life or spiritual disciplines can sustain justice and reconciliation work over the long haul, keeping the "soil" of one's heart receptive. MLK modeled this in the civil rights movement.That God never stops inviting us back and providing possibilities for new life and growth, no matter our failures or weariness. Community support empowers us.The big takeaway is learning to create life-giving daily rhythms and rely on God's grace to stay the course, especially when doing meaningful work for justice and wholeness.ReferencesScripture: Luke 8:4-15About 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.

DateJanuary 7, 2024SynopsisEpiphany Sunday's episode tells Simeon and Anna's story, expectations around Jesus's arrival, trusting in God's work, and the link between sunrise and it all.ReferencesScripture: Luke 2:21–40About 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.

DateDecember 24, 2023SynopsisHere are a few selections from our Christmas Eve Celebration at The Barn of Chapel Hill — featuring two songs and the sermon.ReferencesScripture: Luke 2:1–20About 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.

DateDecember 21, 2023SynopsisAs part of our Advent 4 At-Home Liturgy, Leah Benn Miller shares a brief meditation describing the history of singing in the church and the power it holds as we look toward the future God has for us.ReferencesScripture: Luke 1:67–80About 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.

DateDecember 17, 2023SynopsisWe continue with our third Sunday of Advent, and this week’s theme is Joy. To celebrate, Brent preaches on Taylor Swift, Easter eggs, and how each glimpse of joy offers a taste of what’s to come.ReferencesScripture: Luke 1:57-66About 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.

DateDecember 10, 2023SynopsisAmidst disorientation, fear, and an uncertain future, Elizabeth becomes a person of peace for Mary. ReferencesScripture: Luke 1:26-56 About 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.

DateDecember 3, 2023SynopsisThis week, we begin our new series, “Back to the Future.” Advent beckons us to imagine a future that once felt unimaginable, inviting us to suspend disbelief, trust in God's promises, and actively participate in distributing a better future.ReferencesScripture: Luke 1:5–25About 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.

DateNovember 26, 2023SynopsisThis week, we’re wrapping up our In Good Company series on the saints with a venerated saint who doesn’t get a lot of airtime: St. Clare of Assisi. Leah Benn Miller brings the good word this week!ReferencesScripture: Luke 7:36–50 About 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.

DateNovember 19, 2023SynopsisThis week, we share the story of a saint who made an indelible impact on the twentieth century but has been largely written out of history, had deep faith roots that shaped his life and belief in profound ways, and has a surprising local connectionReferencesScripture: Luke 7:18–35About 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.