The Local Church

There’s a way the world teaches us to live—fast, anxious, disconnected. And there’s another way. The Renewing is a podcast about resisting what deforms us and returning to what makes us whole. Inspired by Romans 12:2, it’s a space to question the patterns we’ve inherited—hustle, disconnection, exhaustion—and imagine what healing might look like instead. Through honest conversations and deep listening, host Brent Levy explores the sacred, slow work of renewal—for ourselves, our communities, and the world.

What happens when the faith you inherited no longer fits, yet something sacred still lingers? In this episode, Brent sits down with writer and creative Lauren Cibene, whose debut book, Tiger in a Lifeboat, explores deconstruction, travel, and the slow, surprising reconstruction that follows. Together, they discuss what it means to witness rather than persuade, how grief and unlearning are essential parts of healing, and why the red letters of Jesus keep drawing Lauren back.

You’ll hear about the holiness of hospitality, the healing power of presence, and the sacred invitation to trust yourself again. If you’re navigating a spiritual shift, tender with your past, or just longing to see God in unexpected places, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Lauren here, check out her Substack here, and find her on Instagram here. Get her book, Tiger in a Lifeboat on Amazon, Bookshop, or Audible.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

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.

June 15, 2025

In this sermon, we explore how genuine hope emerges not just from knowing stories of faith, but from actively living them out. Through the lens of the Road to Emmaus narrative, we discover how participatory hope—showing up and embodying God's presence in the world—transforms our "we had hoped" moments into encounters with the living Christ. Drawing on experiences as a hospital chaplain and weaving together contemporary challenges with ancient wisdom, we examine how the Spirit opens our eyes to recognize Christ's presence in our midst, especially in moments of deep disappointment.

Scripture references: Luke 24:13-35, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 27:13

Scripture: Luke 24:13–35

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

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.

In this sermon, we explore how genuine hope emerges not just from knowing stories of faith, but from actively living them out. Through the lens of the Road to Emmaus narrative, we discover how participatory hope—showing up and embodying God's presence in the world—transforms our "we had hoped" moments into encounters with the living Christ. Drawing on experiences as a hospital chaplain and weaving together contemporary challenges with ancient wisdom, we examine how the Spirit opens our eyes to recognize Christ's presence in our midst, especially in moments of deep disappointment.

Scripture references: Luke 24:13-35, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 27:13

June 1, 2025

This week, we welcome special guest preacher Mallory Wyckoff, who first leads us in an imaginative exercise with scripture, inviting us to step into the story and feel its weight. We then explore how Jesus meets us in our deepest weariness and transforms the emptiest of places into spaces of abundance. Join us as we discover the power of trust in the deep places of our lives, where Jesus weaves nets of liberation and hope.

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

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.

This week, we welcome special guest preacher Mallory Wyckoff, who first leads us in an imaginative exercise with scripture, inviting us to step into the story and feel its weight. We then explore how Jesus meets us in our deepest weariness and transforms the emptiest of places into spaces of abundance. Join us as we discover the power of trust in the deep places of our lives, where Jesus weaves nets of liberation and hope.

References

May 25, 2025

This week, Rajeev Tiwari and Brent Levy respond to your questions in a special Ask Us Anything Sunday.

Scripture: [Genesis 32:22-31](https://www.bible.com/bible/3523/GEN.32.22-31)

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

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.

May 18, 2025

In this sermon, we dive into the heart of authentic relationship through the lens of Peter's post-resurrection encounter with Jesus. When Jesus appears on the beach cooking breakfast, he doesn't lecture or shame – instead, he creates space for restoration and remembrance of who we truly are. Pastor Brent reveals how this ancient story speaks to our modern struggles with self-worth, belonging, and connecting with others.

Scripture: John 21:1-19

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

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.

In this sermon, we confront the deep human longing to be seen and explore how Jesus transforms our understanding of belonging. When biological families fall short or relationships fracture, Christ offers a radical alternative: a chosen family built not on bloodlines but on the courage to show up with vulnerability and love. Through locked doors and doubt, Jesus demonstrates that true peace comes not from avoiding pain, but from meeting each other in our woundedness.