Ground Up Faith

In this episode of the Ground Up Faith Podcast, Pastor Matt Simpkins and I sit down to talk about reforming the church, the recent Gallup Poll on church membership, and why the pandemic may have helped us more than we thought.

In this episode of The Ground Up Faith Podcast, Emma Sellers and I sit down to discuss race and racism on the 20th anniversary of our graduation from High School. Emma works now as a advocate for diversity and equity inclusion and we'll hear her story and learn from her wisdom. This episode was recorded two months prior to it's air date of May 12th.

We talk about love, but Jesus talks about it in a concrete way. If it is concrete, then how do we experience it with our senses. This sermon will wrestle with that thought.

In this episode of the Ground Up Faith Podcast, my partner in ministry Kai Thurow and I sit down and reflect on our life in ministry, challenges, opportunities, and the recent Gallup Poll reporting that for the first time in the 80 year history (of keeping track) church membership has fallen below 50 percent. For more reading and access to the poll check this link https://news.gallup.com/poll/341963/church-membership-falls-below-majority-first-time.aspx

This sermon flows from the Good Shepherd Discourse of Jesus in John 10:11-18. It reflects on the central role of a shepherd to find good pasture for the sheep in their charge. Together we reflect on the pastures Jesus has nourished us with in the past even as we consider what new pastures we might be lead to.

In this episode of The Ground Up Faith Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Mindy Makant. Associate Professor of Religion at Lenoir Rhyne University and author of "Holy Mischief; In honor and celebration of Women in ministry" marking the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Lutheran Church. Her book can be purchased here https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Mischief-Honor-Celebration-Ministry/dp/1532649223/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=holy+mischief+mindy+makant&qid=1618967345&sr=8-1

In this Sermon we reflect on the ever present role doubt plays in our navigating the changing times we encounter when following Jesus. 

In this episode of the Ground Up Faith Podcast, we sit down with Ted Goins, Bee keeper, Pastor's kid, President of Lutheran Services of the Carolinas, and good neighbor to all. Learn more about his insights on living your Christian faith where you are everyday, leadership, and how we can all make an impact.

This sermon reflects on our practice of always referring to Thomas as one who doubts in the context of our own regular practice of dismissing one another with our words. It invites us to participate in the practice of Jesus of speaking peace into all of life's situations.

On Maundy Thursday we remember Jesus's washing his disciple's feet and instructing them to do likewise. With Lil Nas X's release of his Satan Shoes this week how might Christian's respond?