Church Reconstructed Podcast: Recent Episodes
Woven Alliance
Produced by the Woven Alliance and led by a group of transparent church leaders, this podcast details one churches shift from religious tradition and rigid structure to a missional community rooted in shared leadership and authentic relationships.
When we give from the wrong motives we see giving as a burden and something that we "must do." When our motives are proper, and our heart is captivated by Jesus, we will understand the truth that EVERYTHING belongs to Him, not just the "tip" or "tithe" that we give - motivated by religious obligation or guilt from a church leader. It's not about 10%, it's about 100% because it's ALL HIS!!
Well, 28 episodes in and here it is - you can't talk about church and not discuss giving and tithing - right? However, it's time for a fresh, Biblical look at this subject! We begin the conversation by discussing motive...WHY do you give? Join us this episode as we discuss the three common motives behind giving in the context of church and so much more!
Instead of stenciling Bible passages on the walls of our children's area, why don't we try living them out? What should we do with our children at church? In most churches we send them out to a dedicated area so they won't be an "interruption" to our enjoyment of the service. Is this approach Biblical? Is this episode we dig into this issue...
As a child of King Jesus we must live our lives as representatives of His! We haven't been left here on earth to live our life on a solo mission benefiting only ourselves. The Bible states that our position as His children is much like that of an ambassador. We are to represent the King and our lives must be spent to make His name great and expand His Kingdom!
We have churches filled weekly with spectators who believe "ministry" is only the responsibility of those behind the pulpit or on the platform. When we simply exist as weekly spectators only, we are neglecting the Cross of Christ. We're told in the New Testament that if we have been reconciled to Christ then we have the responsibility to reconcile others...that's our ministry, our purpose for existing!
Many issues in the church are caused by Christians who want to focus on the wrong things and elevate their personal convictions to the same level as the Gospel! They take minor, personal preferences and elevate them to the same level as the major foundations of the faith! It's time we quit letting minor convictions cause division and elevate the major tenants of the faith!
We see people who've attended church services for years but there life seems to be unaffected? Along the same lines, we've structured our churches toward and communicate the idea that more knowledge, information or teaching is the solution to everything! You will never become the person God desires if the only Word you receive on a weekly basis is the 30-minute teaching from whomever is on the platform!
You ever met a prideful, arrogant pastor or church leader? Some church leaders act like God can't do it without them and that they're the gatekeeper of truth and righteousness! For these leaders, ministry becomes LESS about reaching people with the Gospel and MORE about building their "kingdom", power, control, church politics, and climbing the denominational ladder! Where are the humble, Christ-like servants? There's only one King and His name is Jesus!!
The "mission field" isn't just some foreign land and we're not just called to jet around the world spreading the Gospel. Our daily lives and the relationships that make up our life are the "mission field." Every day, we encounter people who need the Lord, people who need to experience the love and character of Christ. The challenge is to live each moment, in-tune with the Holy Spirit, and willing to be interrupted for Kingdom purposes!!
Many in the American church are Biblically illiterate! We attend weekly worship services, hear a church leader share, and take everything we hear as absolute truth. Furthermore, those weekly message in church are the all the Word that most people digest...this has to change! If we are in Christ, we should have a hunger for His Word, we should spend time reading it, and discover the monumental truths therein for ourselves. We should be knowledgeable enough to spot error when we hear it - rather we encounter it in coffee shop conversations or hear it at church!
We are absolutely called to live a life that reflects the person and character of Jesus! BUT - that doesn't mean that we are to withdraw from society and move into monasteries or hoard ourselves up in church buildings! We are called to live out that Christ-honoring life day to day at our workplace, school, and even at home! How can we fulfill our mandate to "make disciples" if we withdraw and never have interactions with the very people who need to encounter the love and compassion of Christ that flows inside us?
We've built massive churches upon a single individual, this leadership model closely resembles the corporate structure you'll find in most any company...is that what God intended? Did God intend for our churches to function like the great corporate entities of America? We believe, the Bible clearly teaches that oversight is to be relational and intimate relationships of that nature don't blossom in board rooms.
The enemy is a master of manipulating situations and convincing us that we're a "freak" of nature that no one understand or can relate to. He does this to isolate us and hinder the building of authentic relationships. We are relational being who need community. We need a small group (community) of people with whom we can have authentic, intimate relationships. We need authentic community to become all that God desires - relationships are the key!
Is church more than a weekly event? Should our goal simply be to attend a weekly service? Did the Father intend for us to just be passive listeners for 1-2 hours a week? Since being a relational community as the Word describes requires the existence and cultivation of intimate relationships, maybe we've been focusing on the wrong things...join us this episode as we discuss these ideas and more!
Church culture tells us to build our kingdom and measure results by the number of people attending. We know what the Lord desires yet we structure our churches in ways that control and restrict a true move of God. When "heaven invades earth," as Jesus prayed, there's no way to contain it and often the results are beyond anything we can measure. Maybe it's time we just step out with the Father and do what He's leading us to and leave the fruit (results) to Him.
Jesus commanded us to "make disciples" and expand His Kingdom (not our kingdom.) What's your plan to accomplish these tasks? Are you training and discipling your replacement(s)? It's not about competing with other people and churches...it's about cooperation and a Kingdom focus! It's about exponential multiplication! Check out this episode as we dive into these topics...
So often we build churches and ministries on wrong foundations, are driven by wrong motives and are hinder by elevated preferences along with a lack of cooperation. Maybe these are the very reasons why our churches do not experience the exponential growth we see in the biblical book of Acts. Join is in this episode as we discuss these topics and more...
Do we try to take the passions and callings of others and fit them into a box that we have already made within the church? Do we set boundaries on what ministry can be and then just expect people to find their unique calling within those boundaries? What if we encouraged people to do what they are called to do instead? What if we used the resources God has blessed us with as tools for His kingdom and not our kingdom?
We can release control of churches, groups, and individuals and empower people to "be the Kingdom" if we will quit copying megachurch programs and determine instead to live and govern our lives by three core principles. What are those three principles? Check out this episode as we discuss those principles and more...
So many of us in the church, members and leaders alike, often forget exactly what our role in the Kingdom is! There's a very popular parable in the New Testament which gives us great clarification on this issue. The "Parable of the Vinedresser" teaches that we are "branches" who exist to "bear fruit" for the Vine (Jesus). Somehow we manage to flip this parable around and make ourselves "vinedressers" via manipulation and control...is that part of our role? Is that a responsibility of church leadership? Join us this episode as we dive into this parable and some great conversation!
When those outside look at the church, they're not impressed because much of what they see can be duplicated and produced better by our culture. What's missing? We suggest that supernatural ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit is what our culture needs to see and is the key thing missing in many churches.
By adopting an attractional model of church, the church becomes a dispenser of religious good and services and we fill our buildings with "consumers" who come to church to be fed (entertained), have their needs met through quality programs, and their kids taught by professionals. Have we set the bar too low? Did Jesus die for that?
In America, we judge the effectiveness and success of churches by the number attending on a regular basis...is that a true measure? Is just attending a weekend service all that God expects from us? Is attendance more important than personal growth? Check out this episode as we dive into these questions and more!
In America, we judge the effectiveness and success of churches by the number attending on a regular basis...is that a true measure? Is just attending a weekend service all that God expects from us? Is attendance more important than personal growth? Check out this episode as we dive into these questions and more!
Many churches and Christians are focused on and consumed by things that are meaningless to our mission. The Great Commission mandate is not to expand YOUR empire, it is to "make disciples!"
Cultural values, mindsets, and perspectives change; yet many churches still operate and minister as they have for decades.
Cultural values, mindsets, and perspectives change; yet many churches still operate and minister as they have for decades.
In a constantly changing world, the church is often the last to embrace new methods and technology.
Come join us on a sincere, transparent journey of reconstructing our Christian faith in the midst of a divided and self-focused culture.