The Stoop Sessions

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.

This episode rounds out a 3-part conversation on the topic of wealth. As the crew has discussed, the topic of wealth is one that affects everyone, whether rich or poor. Money is needed for physical survival. So it matters. And, at the same time, greed isn’t limited to the wealthy. While wealth can certainly be a blessing from God, the Bible doesn’t emphasize the goodness of wealth but rather the dangers of wealth. While it’s good to pursue money to meet our needs, Biblically we should not good to set our eyes on money. In this third part, we call Christians to something greater than acquiring material things and building barns. Whether poor, middle class, or wealth, our goal must be living for the glory of God.

Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day.

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, a ONE HOPE podcast bringing you conversations about urban ministry from the stoops of Baltimore. Today, our hosts, Eric, Stephanie, and Joel, continue a discussion on the topic of wealth. Talking about wealth should not only the topic of the wealthy. In our own context, money comes up. Those who come from little, at times, fall prey to the love of money. Wealth can become a god. At the same time, it’s sometimes assumed that ministries which are concerned about the poor despise the rich. This is not true of us. Money and wealth presents traps on all sides. Join us on the stoop and we discuss it.

While our last episode asked: “Can Christians have wealth?” This episode asks, “Should wealth be pursued?” Listen as the team pursues a Biblical vision of wealth. Is wealth inherently good or dangerous? Should wealth be viewed as the goal or a byproduct? As the episode concludes, we’re challenged to not seek our satisfaction in wealth but to view all things as a matter of stewardship.

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

The love of money is not just a problem of the rich, it can also grip the poor and working class. Many who grew up with little desire much. And we get it. Poverty hurts. It’s not what we want for our kids. But how should we think of having and pursuing wealth?.

The stoop crew first defines wealth. On one hand, wealth is defined as having more than you need. In this sense, most every American is “wealthy” in comparison to other cultures. But a more popular definition is to have enough money so that “I don’t have to think about money.” People don’t like budgets because they don’t like restraints. The desire for wealth is to pursue enough in order to spend without constraint.

Can Christians have this kind of wealth? We usual, Joel, Stephane, and Eric take it to the Word. What does the Bible teach on having money? Listen as they read plenty of Scripture and discuss God’s view of wealth and the Christian.

This episode is part one of three as The Stoop Sessions considers the topic of wealth.

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Listen to this message from Thabiti Anyabwile at a previous ONE HOPE Conference in 2017. The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from year’s past. In this episode, we present Thabiti’s message for your edification and enjoyment.

Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com.

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On one hand, the world increasingly disregards the Bible. God’s Word is not believed. On the other hand, Christians often minimize the necessity of Scripture in preaching, missions, and evangelism. Is the Bible needed?

The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from year’s past. Shai Linne preached at the 2017 ONE HOPE Conference on the necessity of Scripture. In this episode, we present Shai’s message for your edification and enjoyment.

Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com.

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Is addiction a disease? If so, is it unloving to exercise church discipline for someone who is in unrepentant drug use? Are we lacking understanding and compassion? If addiction is not a disease, why does drug addiction feel so hopeless and consuming. In this episode, the Stoop crew talk addiction. Listen as Joel, Stephanie, and Eric work through these questions and more. The word “addiction” needs to be defined. As does the word “disease.” Sometimes, the very words we use are unhelpful and don’t communicate what is to be meant. Additionally, we have to understand the church’s role in the life of the sinner. What role does the church play in the life of a church member who has fallen back into drug addiction? Listen, shoot us an email, and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.

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Register for the ONE HOPE Conference: www.onehope.gives/onehopeconference

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As 2021 comes to a close, we reflect on God’s work through the local church. What’s going on? Listen as Stephanie, Eric, and Joel discuss a year in review. In this episode, the Stoop crew talks about the need for church planting in low-income communities, baptisms at The Garden Church, leading workshops and seminars, training church planters, as well as hopes for 2022. ONE HOPE is a ministry which seeks to build healthy churches in the inner city. If this podcast has blessed you at all through 2021, would you consider helping us through giving a year end gift? See below for a link to our ONE HOPE Christmas Catalog or simply give a gift of any amount. We appreciate you listening to the podcast in 2021 and thank you for partnering with us in Gospel ministry.

ONE HOPE Christmas Catalog: www.onehope.gives/donate

Trauma is real in inner city ministry. In this episode, we talk about it. How do you respond to trauma? Is it a word that evokes a compassionate heart or a decisive mind to fix it? Is it something to hide? Is it a label of shame or dismiss as pop-psychology? Joining us for the chat is Dr. Diane Langberg, a psychologist who has decades of specialized experience working with trauma survivors. She defines trauma as a wound that negatively changes who you are, interfering with sense of self, ability to live, work, sleep, have healthy relationships and control over emotions. The inner city has its own sort of trauma. Many who have grown up in our context of poverty and addiction walk with shame and are deeply wounded. At the same time, the church is often silent, not addressing trauma from the pulpit or in the pews. Diane shares wisdom on how the church can not only confront trauma, but walk with others through it, with Christ as our model. Christ underwent trauma and was scarred for us, so that we may be redeemed, and proclaim the hope to those around us. Join us for this important and helpful conversation.

Additional Resources: You can read Diane Langberg’s books for free, on the app Hoopla, using your local library card.

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Paul instructs Titus to train up the older women to instruct the younger women. In some church circles, the man’s role in the home and church is devalued through a lack of emphasis on the man. This is also seen in the context where men are often absent from the church and home. On the flip side, many churches, often in our own theological circles, have placed an emphasis on training men to the degree that women are overlooked and sometimes not even trained at all. Still others merely focus on determining what women should not do in the church. Theology is frequently watered down in women’s studies. Women may be overlooked for roles in ministry in which they may faithfully and Biblically serve. Jesus spent time with women, affirmed them, and the New Testament calls women to serve the church. This episode discusses the importance of having Godly women in the church. Additionally, as women are more likely to be affected by poverty and violence, this necessitates outreach that is empathetic to their past, as well as, current experiences. Listen as Stephanie, Joel, and Eric discuss training women for the work.

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When Christians devour one another, the Holy Spirit is grieved. This undercuts our power in ministry. In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Smith and discuss divisiveness and unity in the church today. The church’s divisions reflect the divisions of the world. Kevin Smith is the former Executive Director for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, professor at Southern Seminary, and now transitioning back into the pastorate at Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. Kevin laments the divisiveness in the church and believes that Christians must pursue unity. Listen in as we discuss Kevin Smith’s heart for the local church, racial unity, and justice. We also discuss Kevin’s own story and background, raised in Maryland, discipled in ministry at Main Street Baptist Church under Elder DJ Ward, his love for his wife, his distaste for political tribalism, and his transition back into the pastorate.

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