We Are FOUND: Recent Episodes
Found Community
FOUND is a welcoming and inclusive Christian faith community. We come from all walks of life. We love our neighbour no matter what they believe. We work towards the most good for all people.
Deon considers the beginning of advent and reflects on waiting between a world that is and a world that can be.
Kimberly considers 'responsibility' and what it might mean both in her own experience and in the expression of our faith.
Aleem considers the differing responses, from the disciples and Bartimaeus, to Jesus' question - "What can I do for you?"
"The most unlikely people are chosen by God to make us see." - Henri Nouwen
Aleem considers what it might mean for society if the unlikely voices were amplified and likely voices diminished.
Deon considers Mark 9:30-37 and one of the central questions of the gospel - ‘what does greatness look like for Jesus?’
Aleem considers John 6:51-58 and how Jesus, as living bread, invites community and belonging.
Marley considers the value of integrating multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary approaches in spiritual practice.
Lily considers historical concepts of heaven and hell and poses some important questions:
- Do you think we have adopted better concepts of an afterlife than in the past?
- Do you think we necessarily have truer concepts of an afterlife than say, the Vikings?
- How do different people see heaven?
- How have your beliefs changed and/or stayed the same?
Through Lamentations 3:22-33, Aleem considers where we might find our solace and hope amidst the struggle of life.
Cinnamon considers Proverbs 29:25 (GNT) - “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe” - and poses the questions: - What is unique about the way you connect with God? - How can we respond with love to people who make us feel invalid?
“I would rather be wrong than without love, because love wins.”
Aleem considers Jesus’ command in John 15:9-17 and its centrality to the Christian faith.
Deon shares a message out of John 15:1-8 and considers Jesus' words about being a vine that helps us bear fruit in our lives.
On Earth Day, Aleem considers the connection between humanity and the dust of the Earth.
Some of the questions we considered were: 1. Do you think that religion can point to science and vice versa, or are they incompatible? 2. Why do you think that the church sometimes lags behind and/or opposes scientific evidence and discovery? 3. What are some practical ways that we can be better custodians of our environment and planet?
Aleem considers societal constructs, confirmation bias and confronting uncomfortable truths.
Some of the questions we discussed: 1. What are some of the societal constructs that you think we could and should reimagine? i.e. Economic, health, education, gender, legal, production, and/or other? 2. How can we begin to address confirmation bias and willful ignorance in public discourse? 3. Is there a destination or objective you’re pursuing? Are you focusing on the people and journey as much as the end goal?
Aleem considers what it might mean that the resurrected body of Jesus, the visible image of the invisible God, has wounds and scars.
As we head into the Easter period, Deon grapples with what it means to follow a man whose message leads to a cross.
Aleem shares a message from John 12:20-33 and considers the question, “do we see the cross as the place where God saves the world BY violence or FROM violence?”
Aleem considers the concepts of 'radical love' and 'the banality of evil' and whether we might be willing to find common ground with every person we encounter.
Aleem considers Mark 8:31-38 and explores: - Why does Jesus call Peter “Satan”? - Who or what is Satan in this passage? - What might it mean to be ashamed of Jesus?
As we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday in the church calender, what is the significance of this event?
We live in a world where we pursue happiness and the ‘mountaintop’ experience, but what place should that have in our lives?
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when we look at the state of things around us. Most of us want to make a positive impact on the world, but we can feel paralysed by the magnitude of the problems. Is there a way forward? Does the way of Jesus offer us any hope? Deon considers these questions in the context of Mark 1:29-39.
Marley questions the dominant interpretation of Ephesians 5:22-33 and considers what it might mean to "be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ".
Aleem considers the question, "what does it mean to be found?", and suggests that "to be found is to belong".
Aleem considers the contrasting creation stories of exiles and captors and what 'shining light in the darkness' might mean for our lives today.
Words hold power. Aleem shares his theme for 2018 and what it might mean to speak truth to power.
“What is being stripped away, what is being redeemed, and what is being added?”
Aleem discusses three key concepts from Mark 1:1-8 - wilderness; forgiveness & redemption; and, preparation.
Jeremy shares his journey of ‘sacrifice’ and what it might mean for us to lay down our lives.
Aleem explores Matthew 25:31-40 and considers the argument that ‘if we overlook the poor, we will not encounter God’.
The parable of the talents is one of the most well known stories that Jesus tells. But what does it teach us about God and about what it means to follow Christ?
“I would suggest that contemporary Christianity seems to be particularly distracted by anything and everything other than Jesus.”
Aleem considers Joshua 24 and Matthew 25 and asks ‘what are we serving?’
Aleem considers the relevance and implications of Jesus' statement, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
We consider Jesus' parable of the workers which presents a confronting and surprising image of God.
Aleem considers Jesus' call to 'sanctuary' and the historical and present role of the church in offering sanctuary.
Jeremy considers The Bible and morality, from a historical view, and what that might mean for us today.
Aleem considers Jesus' question in Matthew chapter 16, and why 'the church' is answering questions that the world isn't asking.
Aleem explores Matthew 15:21-28, in which Jesus infamously refers to an Indigenous woman as a 'dog', and outlines why he finds solace in refusing to "get Jesus 'off the hook'".
Aleem considers compassion as a spiritual practice (with a significant contribution from Brené Brown).
Aleem considers how our own framework and worldview can cause us to 'resist God, in the name of God'; and how disruptions in our life can lead us to grow.
Aleem poses the question "How did Jesus read 'The Bible'?" and considers what that might mean for how we interpret and incarnate Scripture today.
Aleem considers how we might navigate 'left' and 'right' and find common ground amidst polarised debates.
Mandy considers our relationship with 'conviction', and how we might be able shift our approach to make change in the world.
Brenden shares from his own journey and considers what it might mean to find unity in diversity.
Aleem shares from his own vocational journey as he considers what it might mean that the kingdom of God is in our midst.
Marley shares from her own journey on what it might mean that we are both Jonah and Nehemiah.
Mandy explores unconscious bias, and challenges us to consider how we are all 'us' and 'them'.
Aleem considers what it might mean to give voice to the voiceless and suggests that it's time for the church to pass the microphone.
Aleem poses the question “have we got it all wrong?”, and considers an Easter story in which we crucified God, but God in turn raises us to life.
Sara explores the issue of “appearance” in church life and shares her heart for a community of real people, with real issues and real love.
Aleem considers what it might take for the FOUND community to begin to realise their vision - we will be known by our love.
Kevin explores and highlights the importance of the different modes of community and how that might impact our lives.
Two people from the FOUND community share some of their journey and challenges in church life, and consider where we might be heading next.
Aleem discusses the significance of Jesus clearing the temple and its challenge for us both individually and as a faith community.
Aleem shares his response to an insightful comment on one of his blog posts, posing the question - "do we need the 'church'"?
Aleem considers the external perception of "church" in contrast to perceptions of Jesus, and what it might take to bridge the gap.
Deon, Jo and Lorrain each shared an insightful and heartfelt message about their Hope for 2017.
Aleem shares and considers the significance of the imago Dei (being made in the image of God).
Kevin explores what it might mean that God is for us and how that impacts our lives and the lives of those around us.
Mandy continues our series, This I Believe, and considers the challenges of doubt and some of the difficult questions of faith.
On 23 October, Sunday Nights with John Cleary featured a fascinating panel discussion between a "Catholic, Charismatic and Muslim" considering how religion can make personal and social sense of the world.
The so-called 'Charismatic' was our very own, Aleem Ali.
Aleem considers a counter-narrative of church leadership and proposes a more collective community approach.
Jackson concludes our Happiness Is series with his message, Blessed are the Peacemakers.
Jackson continues our series, Happiness Is, as he considers what it might mean that 'Blessed are those who mourn'.
Aleem introduces our 4-part series on the Beatitudes and considers Jesus' counter-narrative of happiness.
Jackson shares on one of our core values as a community, We Are Creators and Contributors of Culture.
Aleem shares on one of the core values of FOUND, We Join God in the Renewal of All Things.
Aleem shares on one of the core values of the FOUND community, We Are a People of Good News.
As part of our series, 'Who Are We?', Jackson shares on one of our core values as a faith community.
Speaker: Aleem Ali Date: 14 August 2016
Aleem shares his heart for the FOUND community at their first official Sunday Gathering.