The Local Church Podcast

DateNovember 12, 2023SynopsisWe continue our In Good Company series on the saints by meeting Dorothy Day.ReferencesScripture: Luke 7:11–17About 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.

DateNovember 5, 2023SynopsisIt’s the first week of a new season of In Good Company! This week, paired with Luke 7:1-10, Brent shares about a saint who is a meticulous writer, an accomplished musician, an ordained minister, and a revered teacher — one whose voice we need now, perhaps more than ever.In this sermon, you'll learn:The concept of saints in the United Methodist traditionAbout the life of Fred Rogers, a modern saint whose story points to Jesus and exemplifies compassion, empathy, and inclusivity.About the generosity and compassion of the Gentile centurion in Luke's gospel and how it demonstrates Jesus' boundary-crossing inclusivity.About the foundational role of faith in Mr. Rogers' life and how it shaped his perspective and approach to others.About the examples of boundary-breaking inclusivity in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, such as featuring the first recurring African American character on a children's television show.About the theological and philosophical principles that guided Mr. Rogers, such as the belief in the sacredness of all creation and the value of every person.ReferencesScripture: Luke 7:1-10About 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.

DateOctober 29, 2023SynopsisIt’s the fourth and final week with Jesus for his Sermon on the Plain in Luke. This week, he brings it all home.ReferencesScripture: Luke 6:43–49 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.

DateOctober 22, 2023SynopsisWe’re continuing to move slowly through Luke’s Sermon on the Plain with what Jesus really means when he tells us to take the log out of our own eyes.ReferencesScripture: Luke 6:39–45About 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.

DateOctober 15, 2023SynopsisThis week, we continue on through Jesus's Sermon on the Plain in Luke. Duke Intern Camber Herrig emphasizes the importance of embracing enemies with compassion and understanding rather than hostility, drawing parallels between the act of loving one's enemies and interpreting arguments with generosity. The central message revolves around being merciful, extending grace, and embodying tenderness, encouraging the congregation to apply these principles in their interactions with those they perceive as enemies.In this sermon, you'll learn:how to approach your enemies with grace and compassionthe significance of being wombish, embodying tenderness, and giving life in your interactions with enemies.the importance of not keeping score in relationships with those perceived as enemies.the parallel between the act of loving enemies and interpreting theological arguments with generosity and charitythe potential for transforming relationships and viewing enemies in a new light through compassion and understanding.ReferencesScripture: Luke 6:27–36About 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.

DateOctober 8, 2023SynopsisOur slow roll through Luke continues with a deep dive in Luke’s Sermon on the Plain. Brent gives a tour through this first section with three stops that each tell us a little more about who Jesus is.ReferencesScripture: Luke 6:17–26About 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.

DateOctober 1, 2023SynopsisA message on Luke 5 and the call of Levi for anyone who’s internalized harmful voices or unproductive thoughts, felt disqualified from faith for whatever reason, distant from God, or been told there are preconditions for inclusion in God’s family.ReferencesScripture: Luke 5:27–39About 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.

DateSeptember 24, 2023SynopsisCatherine Neal continues our slow roll through the Gospel according to Luke with a look at a fascinating story about a paralyzed man crowded out — and his friends’ desperate attempt to get him to Jesus.In this sermon, you'll learn:The significance of friends who carry a paralyzed man to JesusHow busyness can hinder us from accessing the LordThat Jesus responds to the faith of others, not just the person in need of healingThe power of standing in the gap and interceding for our friendsThe importance of offering compassionate presenceThe role of prayer and petitions in bringing restoration and healingThe impact of faith-filled and faithful friendshipsThe potential for unexpected friendships to develop in unexpected placesThe beauty of friendships that catalyze growth and spiritual transformationReferencesScripture: Luke 5:17-26About 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.

DateSeptember 17, 2023SynopsisWe continue our slow roll through Luke with the beginning of his public ministry in his hometown. In this sermon, you’ll learn:Why Jesus uses particular ideas as he begins his ministryThe historical and theological significance of the Year of JubileeJubilee's connection to Jesus's ministryThe challenge of embracing Jubilee in a world that may resist itThe invitation to create Jubilee moments today and the impact it can have on ourselves and othersReferencesScripture: Luke 4:14–30About 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.

DateSeptember 10, 2023SynopsisThis week, Brent introduces a new initiative for us at The Local Church — a slow roll through the Gospel According to Luke. In this episode, you'll learn:What John the Baptizer means by "bear fruits worthy of repentance"Why he is trying to provoke a crisis for his hearersHow crises force us to ask hard questions and give us an opportunity to move in a different directionThe secret to a robust spiritual life The connection between hurry and the disconnection from love, compassion, and presenceReferencesScripture: Luke 3:1–22About 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.