Coram Deo Denver

In this message, Matt models how to be a faithful reader as he engages the book of Titus. This is a book filled with theological topics that we could spend time exploring and debating about. Matt stays zoomed out and demonstrates beautifully how the humanity of the book, the historical context of its author and recipient, and the literary genre all point to a deep vision of discipleship that can be easily missed. He argues that while the inspiration of the Holy Spirit's guidance only took a few hours, the inspiration of the Spirit shaping Paul and Tutus' relationship took 20 years.

In this teaching, Dave recaps key points from the first two messages and starts to introduce their impact for practically reading Scripture. He offers some pitfalls to avoid as well as a vision for the types of readers we should long to become. He then gives some practical tools for structuring our beliefs and 4 steps for studying the Bible to become faithful interpreters. 

In this teaching, Dave takes us deeper in our series on Handling Scripture by exploring the function of the Bible. He reviews the "what" of Scripture as a mutually human and divine library of books that tells a unified story about how God has acted to save humanity. Then he dives deeper into a holistic model of human development and change and tries to demonstrate how the Scripture is trying to form us on the deepest levels of our identity.

In this teaching, Dave introduces our series on Handling Scripture by exploring the nature of the Bible. He gives some orienting ideas and then highlights the tension we all live with between the humanity and divinity of the Bible. He explores how these two views create unnecessary problems for how we read and interpret the Bible. He offers instead an incarnational model that sees both parts as beautiful and necessary for accomplishing the purposes God intended them to fulfill.

In this short teaching, Matt revisits some of the core values that have shaped and will continue to shape our church culture. He discusses (1) Coram Deo, (2) Participation, (3) Hearing God's Voice, (4) Power of Story, and (5) the five Pillars of 24/7 Prayer (presence, prayer, mission, justice, and joy). He also revisits the idea of a Rule of Life or Way of Life for our community. Inviting us to spend significant time this gathered season discerning some fresh rhythms and patterns that will help us abide in joy with God in all of life.

Finishing our series on Embracing Ministry & Maturity by focusing on the role of the Prophetic in shaping our lives as individuals and a community. Dave introduces the topic by giving some framework and an invitation to lean in. Kaity then gives more practical training for how to try and grow in the Prophetic. The recording ends with some instructions for engaging and practicing.

Continuing our series on Embracing Ministry & Maturity we zoom in on the APEST focusing on how this plays out in real life (or as the kids say IRL). Our dear friend Kevin Colon joins us this week to give us a broader and more practical perspective on APEST influencing all parts of life. He ends with six practical tips for walking this out as we all grow in unity and maturity.

Continuing our series on Embracing Ministry & Maturity we zoom in on the APEST focusing on the Shepherding grace. Ben invites us to engage and love others with a pastoral presence. Further, he makes this more practical by outlining three postures of Awareness, Curiosity, and Kindness. He also tells a profound story of how these three postures have helped him serve as a pastoral presence to those close to him.

Continuing our series on Embracing Ministry & Maturity we zoom in on the APEST focusing on the teaching grace. Dave guides us in reflection on the life of our Rabbi, that is Jesus the master teacher. Specifically, he focuses on the way Jesus teaches from and with authority for the purpose of wisdom. In exploring these concepts he expands on the power of words, the fear of the Lord, and the posture of humility.

*For more information on the experiment with the Himba Tribe see this blog post for a description and the images.

Continuing our series on Embracing Ministry & Maturity we zoom in on the APEST focusing on the evangelistic grace.  Christy offers an object lesson in how to lighten the baggage we carry around this value and practice. She then reflects on the approach and method of Jesus and Paul. Finally, in wrapping up she shares a very personal story of how this incarnational evangelism is worked in her life and relationships.