MGCLT Sermons: Recent Episodes
Missiongathering Charlotte
Vision Statement:
Missiongathering is a Progressive, Inclusive, and Anti-Racist Christian Church. Our vision is to be a space for healing, authentic relationships, and service to our local community. Our approach to faith and spirituality is less about doctrine or dogma, and more about living life fully and abundantly, which we believe to be impeccably modeled in the way of Christ.
What we mean by Progressive:
We embrace an open-handed approach to Christian theology. We interpret scripture through the lens of Christ-like love, empathy, and our continually evolving understanding of the world. Our community is a safe and welcoming space for wherever you might be in your spiritual journey, including those who are going through a deconstruction or faith shift.
What we mean by Inclusive:
We practice the inclusion and empowerment of all who have been historically excluded and disempowered in church communities, including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons. Rather than simply “welcoming" to these individuals, we fully affirm and celebrate their identities, allowing full membership and leadership. Missiongathering Bellevue is a part of the Disciples of Christ, who historically practice an “open table”, where all are welcomed and invited to participate in the sacrament of communion, regardless of their background or spiritual beliefs.
What we mean by Anti-Racist: We resonate with Angela Davis’ statement: “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist”. We strive to be a multicultural community that is a resource for racial justice and racial healing.
In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus issues a bunch of hyperbolic statements cautioning all show would follow him that there is a cost to be paid in walking his path. What is the cost? What does it mean to take up a cross and follow? How can we faithfully follow as disciples of Jesus in our context? Join Missiongathering as we labor to find the answers to these questions and more.
There is so much we don't know about Jesus's Disciple Tabitha. But what we do know is she was not a prop or some background character. In an age where are trying to deconstruct a faith based on patriarchy and colonialism, Tabitha's witness and ministry offer us new insight into what could be possible for the future of the church by looking to its past. Join us as we celebrate this mother of the faith.
In the Gospel of Luke we have this passage where it seems like Jesus just goes off. He speaks about being a source of division not peace. What do we do with this passage in time where we seem so divided? How do we navigate and embrace the changes that need to come and avoid just playing at it? Join Missiongathering Charlotte as we seek to find these answers together.
The anonymous author of the book of Hebrews wrote to a community that had been through so much. They were tired, drained, and continually knocked down by the circumstances of their time. They were ready to leave this new Jesus movement because it seemed like it cost too much. In our own time, we know all too well the feeling of being knocked down over and over again. Whether it is the politics of our age, the looming threat of climate collapse, or simply the rise in the cost of living in this sick system, we all are going through the same feeling of longing for something better. What if the key to finding that place is as close as your breath? What if faith is not about having the right beliefs or rules and is all about something much deeper? Join Missiongathering as we search for answers by asking better questions.
In the Gospel of Luke two brothers ask Jesus to settle a fight over an inheritance. Instead of resolving the dispute, Jesus tells a story about a man with a lot of grain. What about wealth or the lack thereof causes so much anxiety in us? Why is it that even in a time of abundance there is so much need? How can we navigate a time of inflation, climate collapse, and political turmoil to find a path forward where all people can flourish? Join us this Sunday as we attempt to ask better questions even if we do not yet have all of the answers.
Teach us how to pray. What a loaded question. If you grew up like a lot of us did prayer was only for two things. First, it was to make sure God wasn’t mad at you and didn’t make you suffer eternally, and second, it was to get things that you wanted. It seems like so much of our disappointment in the Divine comes from this misunderstanding of prayer. What if there is something beyond magic words and formulas? What if Jesus taught his followers a simple prayer layered with meaning and transformative power that could change the world? Join Missiongathering as we ask Jesus to teach us how to pray.
In the Gospel of Luke, there are two sisters. Both are leaders in the Jesus movement. Both are doing their best at the jobs they have chosen. But for one sister the stress of leading and caring for a whole village is burning her out and leaving her anxious. What if their story the one we all think we know could offer us a glimpse into our own moment in history? What if both medical treatment and spiritual practice could be a path to learning to live out of a sense of urgency instead of the shadow of anxiety? Join Missiongathering as we explore this and more.
Do you ever feel like the most religious people are the ones happy to watch everyone else suffer while the world burns? Does it feel like those who benefit the most from our society are the ones trying to drive it off a cliff? If you have a pulse of course you feel that way. But what if there was a choice to be made that could turn things around? What if we are not the first country to go through all of this turmoil? Could there be an answer to be found in how others drove headfirst into destruction? Join Missiongathering Charlotte this week as we seek answers and better questions from the book of Amos.
Why is it that we see so many creatures as being scary? Wolves, snakes, and scorpions all seem to evoke fear in us. Right now there are people whose use of our religion creates the same kind of fear. Unlike the creepy crawlies Jesus uses as poetic devices they are creating real harm. How do we interact with them? How do we resist them as we try to follow Jesus without becoming just like them? Could it be that this passage from Luke 10 provides us some insight into our response to the threat and actual harm of White Chrisitan Nationalism? Is there a pathway forward for those who still wish to make earth like it is in heaven? Join us this week at Missiongathering Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to find out.
In the 3rd Century CE, our ancestors found it necessary to discuss the complex idea of the “Trinity” as a means to differentiate themselves from a growing movement trying to pull Christianity into a polytheistic understanding of God. It is a concept that has confused and frustrated many over the centuries. It led to the schism between east and west, in the reformation Calvin executed those who preached against it, and in our own time, there are churches that require fully assenting to the concept of 3 in1 in order to participate in full membership of the church. But it is a concept that is missing in any true structured form within the text of the Bible. This leads some to reject it, claiming that there is too much baggage and frustration around it. But I really love the idea of the trinity, because in this confusing and hard to nail down idea we see the “Queering” of God. So join me and Missiongathering Charlotte as we dive into the Trinity.
Pentecost is one of those celebrations that can be so hard. Because the call of Pentecost is a call to action and imagination. Those frightened few gathered in an upper room still grieving the loss of what they thought could be were encountered by the coming of something new, something loud, something unexpected or planned for. In a moment when many of our own ideas of what could be are shifting, when many of our dreams have been buried in grief when it seems like nothing is ever going to change, this is a moment for the Spirit to get loud again. So join us as we seek a mighty Holy Wind to fall once again, to fill us with mystical purpose and vision for a kindom unlike this world has ever seen before.
We grieve with the families of those lost in the Buffalo and Uvalde shootings. We grieve for a generation of children who must grow up without a sense of safety in their own schools. We grieve for our nation, which has experienced over 200 mass shootings so far this year, and 27 in a school. We grieve that our politicians and lawmakers continue to allow this level of gun violence while focusing on stripping rights away from women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Thoughts and Prayers are useless if they don’t lead to actual action and liberation. Join us as we lament and gather our strength for the work ahead.
After yet another terrorist attack in Buffulo NY, Pastor Andrew has a message about how we got here and what we might be able to do to move beyond the lies of White Christian Nationalism and into a brighter future. Join us.
The need for control is at the heart of so much of what goes wrong in the religious world. The Apostle Peter thought that he could control the Spirit. He thought he knew to whom the Spirit would work through. But he was left surprised by the freedom truly found in her. This week we are going to dive into where it is we still limit the Spirit by trying to cage her up and how we can move into a posture of openness and freedom for ourselves and future generations.
There is so much we don't know about Jesus's Disciple Tabitha. But what we do know is she was not a prop or some background character. In an age where are trying to deconstruct a faith-based on patriarchy and colonialism, Tabitha's witness and ministry offers us new insight into what could be possible for the future of the church by looking to its past. Join us as we celebrate this mother of the faith.
John 21:1-19 has a story about a very awkward brunch Jesus throws for some of his friends after the resurrection. There are so many things that can be learned in these 19 verses that have a real impact on all of our lives today. Come and join us as we gather together this Sunday morning.
Anyone who says they don't have an agenda is trying to sell you something. But in the Gospel of John, there is an interesting pair of verses where the author lays out their agenda. As we continue our celebration of Easter, what agendas are we bringing into this time with us? Which agendas might we want to adopt moving forward? And what agenda will serve us as we begin the work of building something new together?
It is Easter 2022 and the Apostle Mary Magdelene has much to teach us about how we move into the new life beyond our sorrows. Join in the celebration and contemplation of that first Easter Sunday with all of us at Missiongathering Charlotte.
What is so "good" about Good Friday? Traditional Western theology would say it is because Jesus pays a debt that we cannot. That he gets punished for what we have done wrong. But that doesn't sound like very good news. Join Pastor Andrew as he explores what Good Friday might really be about.
Holy Week is here! We continue to follow the way of Jesus as we remember his entry into Jerusalem. What does the coming of the one who would be king mean to us today? Join us with palm branches raised to discover those answers and more together.
Join us for our 5th Sunday of Lent. Where we will be continuing our series on learning to follow the way of Jesus. Maybe the key to understanding that way is in a moment of tenderness?
Join us for our 4th Sunday of Lent. Where we will be continuing our series on learning to follow the way of Jesus. This week we will be discussing Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. Join the party!
One of the oldest and hardest questions we ask is "why do bad things happen to people?". Join Missiongathering for our 3rd Sunday of Lent as we seek more understanding of how a fig tree might be the answer to that age-old question.
Tired of politics as usual? So was Jesus! Join Pastor Andrew as he walks us through part 2 of "This Is the Way" as we examine a very unlikely image for the most powerful force in the universe.
What if our biggest testing or temptation is actually believing we are who God says we are? Join Missiongathering's Pastor Andrew as he breaks down the testing of Jesus.
Today is Ash Wednesday. Pastor Andrew shares a message about what this day and the next 40 days of Lent can be in our lives. Watch along and join us tonight at 7 PM in the MG Churchyard for the Imposition of Ashes.
The Sermon on the Plain is a tough passage for all of us today because we are more than just one thing. Join MG Charlotte as we dive deeper into the meaning in Luke's version of Jesus's ultimate sermon. Plus as a bonus, Jake Haber of MG Bellevue's newest hit worship song is at the end of the sermoncast.
Part 2 of our Deep Replenishment Practice. This practice focuses on getting beyond the wish for our own well-being and extends our energy and consciousness to all living beings around us.
Do you feel like you are experiencing Compassion Fatigue? Do you find yourself having less empathy for others at this moment in your life? This 2 part exercise is designed to help you replenish your empathy well.
The centering prayer is a practice that helps you connect to the deepest parts of yourself and to God. Take moment to get comfortable and find the depths contained within yourself and the world around you.
We are all tired and exhausted. What if the only way to find true rest and recovery is to push out into deeper waters?
1 Corinthians 13 is the most supremely condensed statement of true Christian theology in maybe the whole Bible. Join Pastor Andrew for our online gathering as we dive deep into practice and understanding of this amazing text.
In the Gospel of John we find Jesus performing a sign that often goes unnoticed in how we live our lives. For all of you who have been pushing and fighting for a better world, or have just been trying hard to make it to the next day there is something to be found in this first sign. So join us online for our gathering.
It's 2022 and that means it is a New Year and the Same You. But there is good news to be found in that statement. Join us as Pastor Andrew breaks down what Baptism and New Year's Resolutions have to do with one another.
The journey through doubt is one of the hardest in our lives. On that road, we can feel like we will never leave it again. But there is a path forward for those who can say yes to seeing it. Join Pastor Andrew and Missiongathering for this next installment of Faith After Doubt.
So much of our lives are spent making sure we have lined up and ordered our beliefs. But what if the point isn't neatly compiled systematic theologies? What if the call of faith after doubt is about something deeper and wider than all of that? What if the point the whole time was revolutionary love in action? Join us as we move into faith after doubt.
Our series Faith After Doubt could go in a lot of directions. But I think many of us buy books, go to conferences, listen to podcasts, and come to church. Because the big question we are trying to answer is why did my beliefs stop working? The clearest answer I can give you is because you outgrew it. Join Missiongathering to find out why.
What is the unseen part of us? Our soul. Where is that soul anchored? Who is the author and perfecter of our faith? Our identity is rooted in God, and Jesus is the Light that illuminates that path. Join the Missiongathering Movement coast to coast for the 3rd Sunday of Honest Advent.
Join the Missiongathering Movement as Lead Pastor of MG Issaquah Devin Wright brings a message about the love we find in the Incarnation of Jesus.
The place where we connect with Jesus is through our vulnerability. We can see all throughout the Gospels people connecting with Jesus thru their vulnerabilities. The teacher Nicodemus saying “I don’t get it”. The powerful Roman centurion who has no power to heal his lover. The sick woman who has no power to heal her body. The traitorous Zaccheus who doesn’t know how to get back into the family. Our starting point is our vulnerabilities, our weaknesses, the places where we aren’t enough or not doing it right. This is where we begin our Honest Advent.
At Missiongathering we commit to being a people who are actively working together to bring tangible healing and justice where it is needed in ourselves and the world around us. Join Pastor Andrew as we explore our Fourth Rule for Life, Living Engaged.
Our new Rule of Life is a way to live a whole life in following Jesus. Join us as we explore our second core principle "Live Simply".
We are diving into the four core principles of our new Rule of Life at Missiongathering Charlotte. This week we talk about what it means to "Live Together".
We often read the story of the Exodus but how often do we see what it has to teach us about the moment of history we are in right now? Listen along and hear 5 lessons that we can take into our own lives from Moses's encounter with God at the Burning Bush.
Where do you suspect Jesus would stand in some of the current social issues? Where do you find yourself when it comes to the Black Lives Matter and US Immigrant Rights movements? What personal issues have come up for you to work through? Where does your faith community stand? What keeps your community from being able to move issues forward that you care about? How do you use emotion and times of inspiration toward real systemic change?
Forbes says, The church or communities of faith have a Word, which if the Word could be heard it could show us how we are one, how we can work for the common good, how we could serve God and have the fulfillment we long for. The church is sitting on this word. It is related to the golden rule, it is related to the great commandment, it is related to love, it is related to caring for one another. How is the church often quick to defend and protect the Word rather than share the Word? What does it mean to you to be the living Word in the world today? If togetherness, if oneness in God is who we actually are, how do we work towards expressing unity in this technological age? Forbes asks, What will it take to bring us together again? How can we use today’s technology towards wholeness verses fragmentation?
Spend a few minutes with God reviewing your togetherness experience. How do you know God? What has your experience taught you about God? How does your personal experience of salvation express itself in the world? How have you become Christ to others? What does your experience teach you about what God hopes for? How do we aspire to God’s hope for humanity? Mata says that beyond his own experience of God, listening to other people’s experience brings him a fuller picture of God. How have you found this to be true?
Can you have faith without questions? Jesus came to give us abundant life. How can we help in the co-creation of life? How can we be life promoters? Christians often talk about the Kingdom of God. How do you understand the Kingdom of God versus the kingdoms of this world? Talk about what you believe will remain of this world, and what will pass away. How does that change your perspective on any worldly attachments you might have? Giving our lives to God is not only about sharing our things. Its surrendering our soul back into God’s care and to be used towards God’s work of being reunited with God. Write out what you believe ‘human dignity’ means. Write out what you believe God thinks ‘human dignity’ means.
We have constructed the ideas of race, so it has become very real…we refer to it, and we make reference on a regular basis to different racial groups…the role of the church is to look at the Imago Dei. —Terry Leblanc How does our construction of race affect our image of God? The body of Christ contains all of our images in it. How does the church break the hierarchies that prevents us from organically embodying the fullness of the Imago Dei? Imagine the two sided coin of justice and righteousness Leblanc mentions. Describe how justice and righteousness work together.
Can you imagine being surrounded, having no access to water or electricity, no permit to build…and having your orchard uprooted, and STILL peacefully resisting, STILL loving your enemy? Are you a hope dealer? How do you keep hope alive? How do we grow into people of reconciliation? Who refuse to be enemies? How do we promote future generations to lead out in love?
Seeing through the lens of your community, who are the “crucified” people? Who is burdened by the systems in place? Do you live with ongoing vulnerability of violence against your body? If so, where do you find sanctuary? How can the faith-filled become sanctuaries to the suffering? Are you willing to stand on the bridge with people who are different from you for the sake of unity?
When hearts are broken open, hope emerges. And then there is joy. Joy is a communal virtue, as is hope. And when you have hope and joy together you have mobilizing…trouble making.—Simone Campbell What does social justice have to do with salvation? How do we, as the faithful, respond to injustice? Why do you think communities of faith, if seeded in the love of Christ, produce fear and hate? Winning in often looks like the American dream: more money, more stuff. What is a less toxic measure of winning to you? How do you see the Spirit stirring up your life? In your community? How do you mobilize one another when the Spirit stirs?
Check in with your heart on the issue of racism in America, both past and present. How does a heart reconcile such violence against humanity? Does anyone ever profit from throwing stones? When and how does the church step in to advocate for injustice? Change must come through us, the faith-filled. To the best of your ability (acknowledging that we all have blind spots to our character defects) admit where you cast judgment. Do you have an understanding as to why that is true for you? What could it look like for you and your church community to be stone catchers?
Idols separate us from God. Wallis suggests that whiteness as an ideal is idolatry. Society worships whiteness. Take some time to contemplate what hearing this brings up in you. Express how you feel and/or what questions this brings up for you. The church of the future will continue to be larger than boarders. It continues to move towards God’s ultimate dream of a united humankind. This means people who have had animosity for generations will be worshipping side-by-side. Can you imagine it? Younger generations are already living it. Do you feel any resistance to church of today being deconstructed? Or rebuilt anew upon its cornerstone of Jesus’s imprint of Grace and Love? Consider this statement by Wallis: We are living out lies, the lie of race, race isn’t even real it is a social construct, we created it to justify slavery. It isn’t real, it is a myth. So we are living out this lie and we are stuck in it. We aren’t free. It’s a lie. It’s not just people who are oppressed racially that are not free, it the part of that system who are white and don’t even see what is going on…we are not free either. How are you imprisoned by white supremacy? Are you ready and willing to be set free? Jot down a few “next steps” for you.
How are you seeing disparity between what we say we believe and how we act as Christians? How are you feeling lately about the term Christian? About what is done in the name of God? How do you define yourself ? How do you feel knowing that churches lie, and people believe those lies? Have you experienced this? What does it take to move into an awakening from these lies? It’s hard to reframe our expectations if we are not willing to challenge our beliefs. How do you think through your belief system? What sort of diversity do you have in your small group/study group? How does that effect the understanding of Jesus and humanity that you might move through as a group?
Reggie Williams reveals that racism is a construction of systems and structures around an ideal race: white, European, and masculine. What is your view of this from where you live? Is it in your sight? In your periphery? Out of sight? Christ is always with those whose backs are pressed against the wall by oppressive regimes… Christ is (where he says in Mt 25) in society as the hungry, as the imprisoned, as the naked, as the thirsty… —Reggie Williams If you shun people who are not the ideal, Williams says you are shunning Christ. Think about this. Imagine breaking down the systems and structures that dehumanize people. Where is Jesus in this vision? Where is your church community? Where are you? What is the first door of oppression that you can participate in opening?
The Fourth Sunday of Easter. Jesus tells a story that confuses everyone but in it is a deep message about who God is and how we relate to God. Listen along to this message. And stop by our Facebook page and let us know you are listening!
The Second Sunday of Easter 2020. Focusing on the gift of breath and the ancient practice of the Breath Prayer.
Could it be that in the teachings of Jesus we find some ancient truths to happiness? Listen along as Missiongathering Charlotte and Pastor Andrew explore that possibility.
The heaviness of the moment we are in can feel like too much. Listen to Pastor Andrew and Missiongathering Charlotte as they learn what hope the Bible can bring us in times such as these.
John's prologue has a lot to teach us about the universe, Christ, ourselves and the future of all life. Listen along to 2020's first sermoncast.
How can we find joy in the midst of a world filled with such despair? Where does our joy come from? Listen along as guest preacher Leah Trent Leath brings us an Advent Message of JOY!
What do camping, John the Baptizer, and Repentance have to do with Peace? Well, that is the focus of Part 2 of the "Hope Lives" series. Listen along and share this podcast with your friends!
Instant gratification is the currency of our time. But what if this Advent we took a look backward to a more ancient way of life? Entering into a season of chosen non-fulfillment, where the field of life is left wide open for God to create a future filled with grace and hope. What if in the space between the now and not yet we found ourselves surrounded by the truth that even in the dead of winter Hope Lives!
Our brains are hardwired and programmed towards pessimism. But what if they didn't have to be that way? What if beyond blind optimism there was a way to find joy in our everyday lives? Listen for these answers and more.
What do we do with power? How do we fight evil? What can we learn from the classic comic series "The Watchmen"? Listen along to guest speaker Pastor Cedric Lundy co-host of the "Token Confessions" podcast.
"I'd say that it's one short step from 'Wizards first' to 'Purebloods first,' then to 'Death Eaters' ... We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving." -Kingsley Shacklebolt
Harry Potter's world is divided. But so is ours. What lessons can we learn from the Bible and the Potter books about how to stand against evil and care for all people?
Both Harry and Voldemort wield power. The difference is what they choose to with it. In what ways do we wield power over others and how should we use it?
Where do I belong? Who is my family? Who can I count on? These are all questions that Harry struggled with. Where can we find the answers to these questions and more?
Harry wears a scar on his forehead that marks the greatest tragedy of his life. We all walk around with our own scars. Some of them are visible and others are hard to see. Trauma and what it leaves behind can be the source of inspiration to achieve great things or a burden that weighs us down. Listen along as we look deep into the meaning of trauma in the wizarding world and our own.
Love or the lack of love has the power to influence who we are and who we can become. Love goes beyond things we know or can always explain. That is why love is one of the deepest of “magics” in the wizarding world and our own.
The Church has always looked to culture and the power of stories outside the Bible as a means to make sense of and digest the deepest ideas and questions about life. Whether it is the ancient tale of Beowulf or Tolkien and C.S. Lewis’s worlds of fantasy in these larger than life tales we wrestle with concepts of good and evil, life and death. For a generation of children and adults all over the world, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has filled them with the same questions and sense of wonder. Enter with us into the Wizarding World of Harry, Hermoine, and Ron as we seek to find the magical place where truth meets fiction.
We all put up barriers and walls between us. Ho does Jesus teach us to tear down those walls? What does a story about two men from different walks of life and the afterlife show us about who is our neighbor? Listen for answers to these questions and more on this week's sermoncast from Missiongathering Charlotte.
Missiongathering Charlotte is heading into our 5th year as a church. What does the future hold for us? How is God preparing us for the next step? How can we all be a part of something bigger than ourselves? Listen along to find the answers to these questions and more.
Jesus is hanging out with a group of people who all had made some pretty big mistakes in their lives. But the religious elites grumbled about it. So Jesus then tells a story about things that are lost being found. Listen along to Missiongathering Charlotte's Lead Pastor Andrew Shipley as he dives into these stories and more in this weeks sermoncast.
"Dear God" released in 1986 by XTC, written by frontman Andy Partridge took the radio by storm. Causing religous boycotts and anti-religious fervor to break out in the US and UK. But in this song is the honest questions many of us have about faith in God and the problem of suffering. Listen along as Pastor Rich Vreeland of Missiongathering explores just what this controversial new wave hit can teach us all about God.
So there is this story about Jesus going to a party put on by some rich guys. In that story might be the secret to learning how to navigate our current cultural divide. Listen along and be sure to let us know you are listening by visiting missiongathering.com/charlotte
It seems like all we hear is bad news like the stories never seem to end how we want them to anymore. But there is a truth that stands out against all of the bad endings. The End of the Story in Acts provides us with an insight into how each new chapter contains a message of hope rooted in reality. Listen to the Final Chapter of The God Beyond Religion.
Pastor Yani Davis of Missiongathering Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pasadena CA delivers a special Charlotte Pride testimony to Missiongathering Charlotte NC.
How do we keep going on when the world seems like it is falling apart? How do we find hope in our dark night of the soul? Religion offers a lot options but sometimes it seems like they all fall short or are self-serving. The solution might just be beyond religion and much simpler than we ever thought possible. Watch this new video and find out more.
The Holy Spirit pushed Peter into new things, showed him that God does not show favoritism to one group or another. What lessons does that story hold for us? In what ways are our own religious dogmas keeping us from seeing the God Beyond Religion?
Have you ever been frozen by anxiety over all the baggage your religion taught you? Have you deconstructed from that religious toxicity and now are looking for what comes next?
Have you ever wondered if God plays favorites? Who does God love and who does God hate? Is everyone welcome or are some excluded? Find the answer to these questions and more.
The Early Church was not without conflict. In fact, one of the first was the neglect of a minority group amongst the early followers of Jesus not being fed. Every leader will let you down but those who are led by the Holy Spirit will exhibit 7 traits that mark them as seeking peace and reconciliation in the midst of conflict. Listen along as we take a deeper look beyond religion into what it means to be a Spirit Centered Leader.
The first followers of Jesus believed in signs and wonders. Healing was not only a part of their ministry but central to their calling. Listen along as Pastor Andrew breaks down how we are called to healing in a broken and hurting world.
This week in the God Beyond religion Pastor Andrew Leads us through the first gathering of disciples after Pentecost and how they found a God even beyond the politics of their own time. Listen along and see how their story can teach us how to navigate a time of political extremism and find new hope in the role of the church.
Did you grow up in the "evangelism" obsessed 90's? Or maybe your church was all about classes on how to share your faith? But in the end, all you were telling people about was an angry God who needed to be appeased? So did Pastor Andrew. Listen along as he explores stories from the bible and his own life to find some really good news about the God Beyond Religion.
Preachers with expensive sneakers, churches that say the welcome everyone only to tell LGBT persons that they are unwelcome to serve or marry. Is this what Jesus would have wanted? Is this what unity he tried to give his followers? Answers to these questions and more from Pastor Rich Vreeland.
Pentecost is every day may you begin to live a Spirit-filled life. Listen along, come taste and see!
We live in a world quick to anger, slow to forgive, and filled with injustice. As the Church, we must learn to live the life of Resurrection by finding a better way to live forgiveness in compassion and find a passion for justice that sees the spark of God in all living things. Listen with us as we learn how to live this life together.
Have you ever thought about labor pains? Well if you are a mother or have ever thought about being a mother we are sure that you have. Listen along as Pastor Andrew illustrates how in the midst of our own pain and suffering that Jesus might just be birthing a new world through us.
Join as we experience how the Resurrection of Jesus changed everything. This week we focus on how living the resurrection now means letting go of our addictions to shame and blame.
Easter has come and gone but what does the Resurrection really mean to us today? What did it mean to the Disciples? Listen along with Missiongathering Charlotte as we explore these questions and more finding answers in the Bible and our own life experiences for a revolution beyond description.
What if the story doesn't end how you expected? What if none of it turns out how you thought it would?
We all have a past. We have done, said, and thought things we are not proud of. But what if there was a way to get past all of that? What is our past were really more of an asset than an anchor? Listen along as Pastor Andrew seeks to answer these and more questions.
Are things in your past that you are ashamed of? Does it seem like every time things are going well the fear of them being exposed keeps you from feeling truly free of them? You are not alone. Listen along as we take this Lenten Season and wander through the Wilderness of Doubt and find Springs of Hope in lessons from the Bible.
Have you ever felt like you are not good enough? Do you have dreams of doing something amazing but those voices in the back of your mind keep telling you will never be able to do it? Join us as we wander through the Wilderness of Doubt and find Springs of Hope in lessons from the Bible.
Have you ever felt like you are not spiritual enough? That you just don’t have it all figured out enough? Does it ever feel like you just can't seem to find a way to connect to anything beyond yourself? Join us as we walk through the wilderness of doubt this Lenten Season and find Springs of Hope in lessons from the Bible.
Have you ever felt like you are out there on your own? In this crazy time of dividedness does it feel like you are only a single voice crying out. Join us as we wander the wilderness of Doubt and find springs of Hope in lessons from the Bible.
Have you ever wondered if it is all worth it? When you commit yourself to something and it doesn’t turn out how you expected how do you know if it really mattered? We all have doubts about our lives especially when things don't go according to our plans. Join us this first Sunday of Lent as we wander through the wilderness of doubt and find springs of hope in lessons from the Bible.
Listen along for the Finale of "Church Sucks! Let's Fix It!" as Pastor Andrew teaches about how we all can be the fix the church has been looking for.
Listen along to part three of our four-part series "Church Sucks! Let's Fix It!" as Pastor Rich Vreeland teaches us how we just might be able to fix some of the things that drive us nuts about Chuch today.
Do you hate how it seems like Church is always about the people who go there? How it never seems to get real about what is going in the world? We hate that as well. In this episode of Church Sucks! Let's Fix It! Pastor Andrew shows us how Jesus intended the Church to be something far different than it has turned into. Listen along!
Church Sucks is something we hear all the time. And we get it! So rather than just throwing rocks from the outside Missiongathering has decided to do something about it. Listen to the first installment of our series "Church SUCKS Let's Fix It".
There has been a lot all over the internet this week about "Church People" and "Christianese". And here at Missiongathering, we get it. For years people in the church have used language and secret codes to be just as mean and vile as those they claim to be better than. So we asked ourselves did Jesus ever encounter such a group? The answer is yes! So join us this Sunday as we see what happens when privilege meets Divine Grace. So whether you are a recovering fundamentalist or currently can't help but shout out "bless your heart" in public spaces join us for a transformative time of singing, reflection, and learning.
Missiongathering Christian Church turns 3 years old! Listen along as Pastor Andrew talks about the how bonfires, stories, and Jesus are leading us to something amazing in year three.
The Final Identity statement of our New Years series. Listen along as Pastor Rich Vreeland explains what we mean when we identify as Christian.
Inclusive is one our identity statements at Missiongathering. But Inclusion means more than just casual dress and rock style worship. Inclusion goes deeper than merely waving flags and being a social media advocate. It is a deeply spiritual commitment. Join MG Charlotte as we dive deeper into what it means to be inclusive.
2019 is Missiongathering's year of more than just resolutions it is a year for Revolutions. Join us as we start off this year by examining three words we deeply identify with as followers of Christ. In this episode we explore how "Progressive" means more than just liberal and might just be the path forward together we have all been searching for. Thank you for listening and may the fires of Revolution shine bright in you this year.
Luke 2:41-52. It’s the Gospel version of Home Alone. Mary and Joseph take off on a trip only to find they’ve left Jesus behind. Join Missiongathering as we look at the hijinx the Son of God gets into while his parents worry sick and frantically try to get back to him!
Reruns used to be the bain of our existence. Ok so not really but man could it be frustrating to flip on the TV and only see reruns. In a lot of ways, the story of Christmas can feel like a rerun. Join Missiongathering as we look at how the stories that matter may be more than just a rerun.
Mary and Joseph are often spoken of at Christmas time. But who were they? What struggles and doubts did they have? Find the answers to these and more in the last installment of "The Unsung Heroes of Christmas"
Christmas is filled with so many familiar characters. Shepherds, Angels, Wise Guys, and more. But what about the lesser known folks? The ones who seemed to be extras in the Christmas Pageant. Join Missiongathering this Christmas season as we explore the Unsung Heroes and Sheroes of Christmas.
"Stewardship" is a word that has been overused and abused by the Church world. Join Missiongathering as we explore together the calling to care for the earth, our bodies, and the church.
Hannah's story is one that we can all learn from in time when women's voices are calling out to be heard. Listen along as Missiongathering Christian Church explores this amazing story from over 3000 years ago.
Ruth's story continues as she and her mother in law Naomi seek to find their way through the oppressive patriarchy of their time. Listen along with Missiongathering Charlotte.
What does a story about a Mother in Law and her widowed daughter in law have to teach us about life today? How can tow families once divided be brought back together in the midst of harvest celebrations? Listen along to find out!
Join us as Pastor Rich Vreeland explores how the ancient story of Hagar has so many things to teach us about today's struggle for the rights of women.
The Hebrew Bible contains the stories handed down from hundreds of generations of people who lived in different lands, cultures, and backgrounds from our own. But these stories still have the power to speak to us today. One of those stories is one that is almost too familiar to us. It is the story of the first woman. The story of Eve. No other character in all of history has been so maligned and mistreated. Join us this Sunday as we begin to peel back millennia of misunderstanding and bigotry to recover the true story of Eve the mother of us all.
History is full of stories that make us say we would make better choices than our ancestors. We would have acted differently. But our bravado of thinking ourselves better than our ancestors can lead us to complacency and casualness when it comes to times like these. It is time that we examine our own moral crisis because the times of the past are here and now.
Pastor Andrew finishes our search for Where the Heck Hell is and shows us how Hell might just be right in front of us and for too long we have ignored it. But starting today we can move into place where Hell can be overcome and Heaven can happen right her and right now. Please listen along to our finale of "Where the Heck is Hell?".
Listen along with Missiongathering Christian Church for part two of our 3 part series "Where the Heck is Hell" we will be taking a look at what the Early Chruch Fathers had to say about the subject of eternal punishment and examining how a man named Augustine completely changed the way we in the west have thought about judgment, punishment, and God.
Have you ever wondered about where exactly this idea about Hell came from? Have you lost sleep over thinking about how a loving God could punish people for eternity? Join Missiongathering Christian Church as they explore where Hell came from where you can find it in the Bible, and what the true nature of God is all about.
For years people have used the Bible to bully LGBTQAI+ persons. Join Pastor Andrew and Missiongathering as we explore just how wrong those bullies were as we take on the so-called Clobber passages one by one. To find a God who is radically inclusive and emmenisly creative.
Howard Thurman was a mystic and theologian that who lived in a time not that different from our own. His works have inspired liberation movements and theologies all over the world. Join us as we seek to practice his teachings for a path forward in world that seems intent on momving backwards.
We cannot separate the sacred from the secular. Nor can we separate the natural from the supernatural. All are joined in God. The magical and mysterious web of all things is where the mystic in each of us lives our lives in total communion with the divine.
Inside each of us beats the heart of a true mystic. Join Missiongathering as we explore our own hearts and the wisdom of the ancients to connect with the mysteries and magic inside each of our mystical beings.
Why do father's and children find it so hard to emote toward one another? How can we raise our boys to be full humans embracing all aspects of themselves and respecting others? Listen to the latest podcast from Missiongathering Christian Church in Charlotte to find out more!
Have you ever wondered what the New Testament is all about? Were you raised to believe that the Gospel was all about going to heaven? Listen to the last installment of MGCLT's "What is the Bible?" series to find out more. And check out our website www.mgclt.com
The Hebrew Bible is full of amazing content but you have to know how to see the real jewels within it. Join Missiongathering Charlotte as we dive deeper into the Hebrew Bible and tackle some of the hardest stories. Finding within them words of life.
The Bible is one of the most read collections of literature in the world. But do we really even understand what it is? How should we read it? Who wrote it? And what relevance does it have for our lives today? If you have ever asked these questions listen along over the next few weeks as we dive deep into this amazing life changing book and try to reacapture "What is the Bible?".
Pentecost is the Birthday of the church. It is on this day we remember the radical mission that we are each called to as the Church. Listen along and experience all that God is doing in our lives and yours to make this world a radically different place.
Have you ever been told that there was something about you that makes you unworthy, or unable to come before God? Have people closed doors and made you jump through hoops to feel welcome at church? Listen to Pastor Andrew as he talks about how much God desires everyone to simply come as they are with no strings attached.
Do you feel worn out, shot down, dried up, or just plain tired? Join Pastor Andrew and Missiongathering Charlotte as we dive deep into an energy source all arounf us.
Psalm 23 is the most well-known Bible verse outside of John 3:16. Used at funerals and times of struggle but did you know that it contains some really amazing advice on how to live? Listen as Pastor Andrew talks about how to live life, and find God is everywhere around us.
Rev. Rich McCullen talks about how to cling to the hope of Easter even in our darkest of times.
Andrew delivers a talk about the importance of guidance in our everyday lives. Listen to ways in which you can see and hear more clearly each and everyday by turning down the noise and beginning to hear God's voice.
Do you struggle with anxiety? Does it seem like all the things that are supposed to make life easier only seem to make it more complicated? Do you struggle with knowing who you are and being who others want you to be? Pastor Andrew talks about these and other issues and how ancient spiritual practices can assist us in our everyday struggle to tune out the noise of life and hear the voice of the divine.
Discover the inner spiritual practices needed to take your life to its next level. Pastor Andrew speaks to Missiongathering Charlotte about how we find our way back to God by tuning out life's noise.
Let's get real about thoughts and prayers. Let's make prayer about more than just intention and all about action. Eli Renner brings a message the world is dying to hear. Will you take a moment to hear it?
Do you ever feel like life is filled with to much noise? Does it seem like even when you can quiet down that you are not ok with the silence? Listen as Pastor Andrew Shipley sheds a little light on how to tune out the noise pollution and tune into God's voice.
Rev. Andrew Graham Shipley talks about our nations state of disunion, and how a more perfect union can be found by gathering around Christ's table.
Part three of the Series Imagining Faith+Inspiring Hope+Illuminating Love. Pastor of Spiritual Formation Rich Vreeland talks about how to Illuminate Love in other peoples lives. Visit us at www.mgclt.com
02-12-17 I Am Fully Present In My Life (Wonder Life Wk. 4) by Missiongathering Charlotte
02-05-17 I Am Honest About Obstacles And Opportunities (Wonderlife Wk. 3) by Missiongathering Charlotte
01-29-17 I Am Unashamed Of What I Love and Care About (Wonder Life Wk. 2) by Missiongathering Charlotte