The Local Church

This episode dropped on Sunday, November 4. That day, churches across the community and around the world are celebrating All Saints' Sunday — remembering those who've died who nudged you, encouraged you, and helped you see God more clearly. But there are living saints, too.

Scripture referenced: Philippians 1:3-7

Music used in this episode includes "Thoughtless" by Blue Dot Sessions and "Day by Day" by Joy Ike and The Porter's Gate.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Give online and support the work God's doing through The Local Church here. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

Halloween is this week, so we're talking about masks and hiding and vulnerability and Halloween costumes. What does it look like for us and what might it mean for our lives to risk relationship, take off our masks and be authentic with God and one another?

Special thanks to the Rev. Jennifer Moxley for her participation in this week's episode. Jennifer is Associate Pastor at The Fun Church in Sikeston, MO. She's also the creative force behind @clergycollarproject on Instagram.

Scripture referenced: John 3:1-21

Here’s Brené Brown’s TED Talk on shame and vulnerability.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

What does it mean to be The Local Church? What does it look like? How is it embodied? In this episode, we dig into the fourth of our four core values: For.

God has a dream that all of creation would be mended. It’s a dream that the poor are cared for, the hungry have enough to eat, violence gives way to peace, and everyone has belonging. It’s a dream of second chances, abundant grace, and lives lived fully. God invites us to help make that dream a reality, so we live generous lives — for one another, our community, and the world.

Scripture referenced: James 1:22-25, 27

Here's the clip referenced of Bono losing his voice.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

What does it mean to be The Local Church? What does it look like? How is it embodied? In this episode, we dig into the third of our four core values: With. The Rev. Greg Moore, Director of the Office of New Faith Communities for the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, joins Brent to talk about what God as Trinity teaches us about the importance of withness.

Want to dig into the idea of Trinity a bit more? Check out Richard Rohr's book The Divine Dance.

This episode was produced by the inimitable, the original Wes Frady. Music used in this episode includes "Come As You Were" by Blue Dot Sessions.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

What does it mean to be The Local Church? What does it look like? How is it embodied? In this episode, we dig into the second of our four core values: Inclusive, recalling that each and every person is created in the image of God. Period. Full stop.

Read more from Peter Storey here. Nadia Bolz-Weber has a few great books, too — one called Pastrix and another called Accidental Saints.

Scripture Referenced: Genesis 1:26-31; Acts 10:9-34

This episode was produced by the multi-talented Wes Frady.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

What does it mean to be The Local Church? What does it look like? How is it embodied? In this episode, we dig into the first of our four core values: Bold. It's not flashy. It's not about shouting on a street corner. Jesus-like bold is something radically different.

Scripture Referenced: Luke 4:16-30; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 2:1-12

This episode was produced by the brilliant Wes Frady.

Special thanks to Randy Evans for sharing a bit of his story. Learn more about Walking Tall Wilmington and the good work they're doing here.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

If you are able, please consider making a donation to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), the humanitarian relief arm of The United Methodist Church. They will likely be among the first on the ground after the storm. Donate here.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

More than just describing our place in the community, our name, The Local Church, makes a statement about the identity of Jesus and the mission of our faith community.

Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14, read by Maggie Ivancic.

This episode was produced by the incomparable Wes Frady.

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables begin September 17 throughout Chatham County. Find yours here.

This is the very first episode of "Ten Minutes Or Less" — the weekly(ish) podcast of The Local Church. Putting down roots in Chatham County, The Local Church is a bold, inclusive new faith community committed to being with and for one another, our community, and the world.

In this introductory episode, Brent Levy, pastor of The Local Church, talks about the what and why of Ten Minutes Or Less.