Redeemer Central: Recent Episodes
Redeemer Central
Weekly talks from Redeemer Central. We are a church community seeking to practice the way of Jesus & work for the peace & good of our city & beyond. Come join us on Sundays as we gather at 101 Donegall Street, Belfast. Everyone is welcome
What happens when the gospel calls us to step past our safety zones and engage with the people we've deemed completely "beyond the pale"?
In Part 3 of our series, John Herron explores one of the most seismic shifts in the early church: the radical inclusion of the Samaritans in Acts 8. For centuries, a deep-seated gulf of bitterness, ancestry, and religion had divided Jews and Samaritans, making Samaria a boundary line no self-respecting Judean would ever cross.
By tracing the trajectory through Luke’s Gospel, John breaks down how Jesus spent His ministry intentionally preparing the soil to shatter these old prejudices. John challenges us to look past our own "holy huddles" and ask a transformative question for our lives and our city today: Who is our Samaria, and what happens when we realize the Spirit is already out there waiting for us?
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Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
How does a movement that starts in a tiny, hidden corner of the world explode into a global reality?
In Part 2 of our Before & After series, Adrian McCartney uses the vivid imagery of a 70-meter-long tapestry to trace the expansion of the early church from the Gospel of Luke into the Book of Acts. Moving from the narrow, traditional borders of Jerusalem, Adrian maps out a beautiful trajectory of a God who is constantly widening the circle.
By looking at the parallel threads of the Feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9) and the first church conflict over food distribution (Acts 6), we see the heart of Jesus on display: a ministry where everyone gets filled, where control is shared, and where leadership is handed over to the community. Adrian challenges us to recognize that we are the living end of this tapestry—called not just to debate who Jesus is, but to show the world what He is like through our shared life, hospitality, and radical inclusivity right here in Belfast.
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Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
On this Pentecost Sunday, Adrian McCartney kicks off our new 5-week series, Before & After, exploring the missional trajectory found in the writings of Luke. Drawing on Luke’s unique perspective as an "outsider" (the only non-Jewish New Testament writer), Adrian explores how the Holy Spirit didn't just empower individuals, but birthed a brand new kind of community.
By comparing the baptism of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke with the arrival of the Spirit in the Book of Acts, we see a mirror image of power, prayer, and purpose. Adrian challenges us to move beyond seeing faith as a "blueprint" to copy, and instead to see it as a "trajectory" to follow—allowing the warmth, generosity, and grace of God to "ooze out" into the streets of Belfast today.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
The meaning of the cross is bigger than any single theory.
In the second part of this series, David Armstrong traces the road to Calvary — from Israel’s sacrificial system and the ritual of Yom Kippur to the Hebrew prophets wrestling with the tensions of justice and mercy.
We also explore various rich understandings of Jesus’s death offered throughout church history — from Christus Victor to René Girard's remarkable scapegoat theory — before approaching a question many of us carry but rarely voice: what about the wrath of God?
We conclude seeing that Good Friday and Easter Sunday are unified — not a failure followed by a rescue but one single, world-altering event. The cross was a victorious act of love descending into the deepest darkness, and the resurrection made that victory visible.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
From a piece of Roman graffiti scratched on a wall near the Palatine Hill, to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. From an instrument of imperial terror, to the central symbol of the world's largest religion — inked on skin and worn around the necks of millions of people today. The journey of the cross is one of the most extraordinary stories in human history. But what actually happened at the crucifixion of Jesus — and what does it mean?
In this first part of a mini series, David Armstrong explores the historical reality of crucifixion in the Roman world, asks hard questions about the dominant theory of what the cross achieved, and makes the case that the God revealed at Calvary is not an angry judge demanding payment — but a God of inexhaustible love who went all the way into the darkest place humanity could put him, and refused to be destroyed by it.
Chapters/Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[00:28] Prayer
[01:46] Mother’s Day Prayer
[04:38] Upcoming Events & Community News
[08:41] Sermon - David Armstrong
[44:01] Communion Liturgy
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
Mark 8 presents a collision between two visions of the kingdom. Peter's Messiah conquers. Jesus' Messiah suffers. In this Lenten message, David Armstrong traces that collision through history — from Christendom to colonialism to Christian nationalism — and argues that the church has repeatedly made Peter's error: baptising the way of empire in the name of Christ. The antidote, Jesus insists, is not a better empire. It is the cross.
Chapters/Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[00:28] Call to Worship
[03:33] Prayer
[04:35] Prayer of Peace
[11:28] Family News
[12:11] Notice: Update on The 101 Project
[14:37] Notice: 101 Prayer & Worship
[15:37] Notice: Alpha Course
[20:29] Sermon - David Armstrong
[63:03] Closing Prayer & Benediction
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
The Good Samaritan
What must we do to inherit eternal life? John Herron opens up one of Jesus most famous parables, the story of the Good Samaritan, showing that true life comes not from knowing the right words, but from the radical, often unexpected, act of loving our neighbour. This message challenges us to move beyond fear-based religion and towards a wider, more expansive love—a love that changes opinions, breaks prejudice, and ultimately transforms enemies into friends.
Chapters/Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[02:16] Sermon - John Herron
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
David Armstrong brings a Lenten message looking at a significant moment in Jesus life before he starts his ministry bringing God's Kingdom — his 40 nights in the wilderness and the three dark temptations that come to him.
Chapters/Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[00:28] South Bend City Church Trip
[01:55 ] Sermon - David Armstrong
[30:38 ] Song - Fra Sands
[35:49] Closing Prayer & Benediction
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
Look for the Light (Part 4): The Courage of Gideon
John Herron brings the fourth part of our series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' as we reflect upon an ancient story found deep in the Old Testament scripture; the story of Gideon.
The season of Epiphany calls us to slow down and pay attention to the divine presence of God revealed in Christ. As we do we discover God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places.
David Armstrong brings the third part of our series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' as we reflect upon Jesus first miracle. The season of Epiphany calls us to slow down and pay attention to the divine presence of God revealed in Christ. As we do we discover God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places.
David Armstrong brings the second talk in our series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany and pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
In the second Epiphany story we reflect upon Jesus Baptism.
Look for the Light (Part 1): The Magi
David Armstrong brings the first talk in a new series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany and pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
The first story we reflect upon is from the Christmas story from Matthew 2:1-12 and the moment when the Magi, the wise people from the east, follow their curiosity and longing to find and visit Jesus as a child at his birth.
Advent: Love Lifts All Places - Jason Miller (Guest)
Many of us yearn for sacred spaces, believing true purpose lies elsewhere—in a grander city or a different life. But what if the divine arrives not where we expect, but in the ordinary, even out-of-the-way places we inhabit?
In this Advent message, Jason reflects on his deeply personal connection to South Bend, Indiana, and how a fresh reading of the Christmas story in Luke’s Gospel challenges our assumptions about sacred geography, quietly elevating Bethlehem—an unexpected and unimpressive town—into a place of profound divine significance.
Through this lens, we are invited to see how God’s presence has the power to transform any place, and any circumstance, into sacred ground when met with love. As Christ enters the world, our everyday “Bethlehems” are lifted up, becoming spaces of meaning, hope, and the tangible presence of God.
Chapters/Timestamps:
[00:52] Notice: Christmas Compassion Appeal 2025
[03:20] Introduction to Jason Miller and South Bend City Church
[06:53] Sermon - Jason Miller
About Jason Miller
Jason serves as a pastor at South Bend City Church (IN, USA), a sister church and kindred community to us at Redeemer Central. SBCC are described as 'community of grace & peace for our city and the world', a Jesus-centred community not afraid to wrestle with the tensions of ancient faith in a modern world. He is also the author of When The World Breaks: The Surprising Hope and Subversive Promises in the Teachings of Jesus.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
Mary’s “yes” to the angel Gabriel was not just about understanding; it was about belonging. Her response, “I am the Lord’s servant; may your word to me be fulfilled,” reveals a profound surrender to God’s purpose. Scott Witherick helps us discover how ordinary people can be part of God’s extraordinary story and how our willingness to say “yes” makes room for Christ to lead us.
Chapters/Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[00:28] Interview with new Board
[18:28] Sermon - Scott Witherick
In this concluding part, David and Stephanie reflect on the series and why we decided to do it in the first place. With a deep conviction that our spiritual lives are defined by experience, not just belief, they discuss the human need for a relationship with the divine as a hunger to be filled rather than mere information. This honest conversation covers varied church experiences, the pain of religious trauma, and the pursuit of a ‘second naivety’—a rediscovery of our first love for God, where intimacy and trust become the bedrock of faith.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
Many of us are drawn to the spectacular and extraordinary, but what truly cultivates a deep life? In this message, David Armstrong explores Saint Paul’s invitation to follow the way of love, and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit. This isn’t about choosing one over the other, but allowing love to shape us within community, learning to grow depth in ordinary, sometimes challenging, shared life. We consider how God often works through the mundane and unexpected, and how staying rooted in relationship cultivates true spiritual maturity.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
Stephanie Wilson continues The Familiar Stranger series with a powerful message that speaks to the reality of suffering in the human experience. She reminds us that suffering isn’t evidence of God’s absence but the very place where God meets us—the Holy Spirit groaning with us, comforting us in our pain, and bringing new life through our struggles. This healing presence leads to profound redemption, where scars become means of grace, wounds expand our capacity for love, and our hope in Jesus assures us that suffering is never the final word in our story.
This recording also includes a Remembrance Sunday Prayer, some notices on upcoming gatherings plus a special honouring of Ian & Libby Ryans as they step down from 8 years of leading our Farmbox ministry.
Chapters/Timestamps:
[00:30] Worship & Prayer
[01:41] Remembrance Sunday Prayer
[03:51] Honouring Ian & Libby Ryans (Farmbox)
[09:20] Notice: Dinners
[10:22] Notice: Carols by Candlelight
[10:57] Notice: Dinners (updated)
[12:34] Sermon
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
We often seek explanations before we are willing to experience God yet this is a reversal of the scriptural pattern where experience often precedes understanding.
David Armstrong explores the story of Nicodemus, a high-ranking Pharisee, and his encounters with Jesus across three key scenes: a secret night visit, a public festival, and the solemn act of a burial. Nicodemus’s story invites us to let go of our need for certainty and step into the mystery of faith—to move beyond belief into the wonder of being born again by the Spirit?
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~
Story Sunday: Jesus, Justice & Gaza with Anton Deik
Anton Deik — a Palestinian Christian and scholar — shares his family’s story and invites us to see the human, ethical, and theological realities of life in Israel-Palestine. He challenges us to reckon with the injustices endured by the Palestinian people and to reflect on what faith, justice, and peace look like in the name of Christ.
Anton Deik is Associate Director of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College. Originally from Bethlehem, he has served in ministry and education across East Asia, England, Palestine, and Bolivia. Anton is married to Sara Améstegui (from Bolivia) and together they are parents to Nour Sofia. His background includes serving as Director of Online Education at Bethlehem Bible College, working with Operation Mobilization onboard MV Logos Hope, and leading research projects in computer science with Birzeit University and the Palestinian government.
About Story Sunday: Story Sunday creates space for sharing stories and exploring the intersection of faith and spirituality with lived experience.
Links:
Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice - https://www.bipj.info
Across the Divide Podcast - https://www.peacecatalyst.org/across-the-divide-podcast
Telos Group - https://www.telosgroup.org
The Familiar Stranger: Part 6 — The Curious Case of Simon the Sorcerer
In this teaching John Herron helps us explore the cautionary tale of Simon the Sorcerer from Acts 8—a striking story of power, money, and misdirected spirituality. Through Simon’s attempt to buy the Holy Spirit, we confront the allure of spiritual shortcuts and self-promotion, contrasting them with the slow, transformative work of grace. As followers of Jesus we are invited into an unmasking journey of healing and authenticity, asking: where do we seek validation, and what is the true measure of our wealth? The Holy Spirit offers not a shortcut, but a path to the genuine power of transformation and growth.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Redeemer Central is a registered charity in Northern Ireland: NI100831 · Company No. NI623785
The Familiar Stranger: Part 5 — Dove
Many associate the Holy Spirit with fire, wind, or powerful displays, but what if the truest image is quieter. Stephanie Wilson invites us to rediscover the Spirit not as a force to wield, but as a gentle presence that rests. Tracing the image of the dove through scripture—from Genesis to Jesus’ baptism—we uncover a Spirit that brings order out of chaos, offers new life, and affirms our identity as beloved children of God. It is a call to move from striving to resting, from performance to peace and an invitation to allow the Spirit to hover over our chaos, whispering, “Let there be light,” and reminding us of our royal identity in the Father’s house.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
~ Redeemer Central is a registered charity in Northern Ireland: NI100831 · Company No. NI623785
Subversive Tables - Vision for a Community of Great Grace
What does community look like in the church?
In the 1st century Roman world, the dinner table was more than a place to eat—it was a stage for empire. Banquets celebrated Caesar, reinforced social hierarchies, and excluded anyone who didn’t belong. Around those tables, uniformity and status ruled.
But in Luke 14, Jesus turns that entire system on its head. In this teaching, David Armstrong explores how Jesus reimagines the table—not as a site of exclusion, but of radical welcome. Here, the poor, the stranger, and the outsider are not just guests—they’re family.
This sermon invites us to see how the practice of Jesus’ table shapes a new kind of community: one marked by humility, generosity, and grace. In a world fractured by division and self-interest, we are called to keep our tables open, our gardens growing, and our wine pouring—living as witnesses to a different kind of kingdom and a different kind of King.
🌿 Give & Support
Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
~ Redeemer Central is a registered charity in Northern Ireland: NI100831 · Company No. NI623785
The Familiar Stranger: Part 4 — Water
The Bible’s story of the Spirit often comes with the image of water—rivers flowing into deserts, living streams making the Dead Sea fresh. David Armstrong unpacks the invitation Jesus gives when he brings holy disruption to the Feast of Tabernacles: “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink.” The Spirit not only quenches our thirst but makes us springs of living water for the world. Where the river flows, everything will live.
The Familiar Stranger: Part 3 — Breathe
John Herron explores how the Holy Spirit, as God’s breath, transforms our lives. From Genesis to Pentecost, this divine “ruach” shapes chaos into order, brings life to the lifeless, and turns fear into courage. The Spirit makes Jesus’ promises personal, connecting head to heart and filling us with God’s love. Rather than starting our days with screens, we’re invited to begin with a simple prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit.”
The Familiar Stranger: Part 2 — The Advocate
Jesus said it was better for Him to leave so that the Advocate could come. But who is this Advocate? In a culture that longs for experience more than explanation, we discover the Holy Spirit as a person—not a vague life force—who comforts, guides, and empowers. In this sermon David Armstrong traces the Spirit’s story through Scripture and invites us to live as little temples, filled with His presence and power.
The Familiar Stranger: Part 1 — Rumour & Reality
Many of us know about the Holy Spirit, yet live as if He’s little more than a rumour—caught between promise and experience. In this opening message of our new series, David Armstrong explores the Spirit as the familiar stranger: present but often unnoticed, closer than we think, inviting us into a faith that closes the gap between rumour and reality, moving from theory into encounter.
Scripture 03: Study
The Bible is not a single book but a library — written over centuries, in multiple languages, by many authors, and in a wide range of literary genres. It’s no surprise, then, that understanding it can be challenging. Jesus himself often corrected harmful misreadings of Scripture, showing that when we misunderstand it, the impact can be damaging to both our souls and our society. But when we approach Scripture with clarity and care, its truth can transform and enrich our lives.
In part 3 of our practicing scripture series, David Armstrong explores the often-overlooked spiritual discipline of study — the patient, thoughtful work of seeking to understand what the Bible says, what it meant to its original audience, and what it means for us today. Though study can feel dry or academic, when done with the desire to know and love God, it becomes a vital part of our spiritual formation.
In part 2 Stephanie Wilson teaches how we meditate on scripture. The digital age teaches us to read quickly and move on, but the library of Scripture was created for slow, prayerful reflection so that God’s thoughts inhabit our minds completely.
Scripture 01: Read
Scripture is far more than an ancient text—it’s a sacred story and a portal into God’s reality, with the power to shape and transform our lives. In this sermon David Armstrong explores why reading the Bible is essential for those who follow Jesus, the Rabbi who modelled a life deeply immersed in Scripture.
The Scriptures are not just for information but for spiritual formation. As we slow down, pray, and approach the text with hearts open to God’s presence, the Spirit invites us into a living encounter with Christ—an encounter that shapes who we are and roots us firmly in the Story of God.
Scripture 00: A Jesus-Centred Approach
The library we call “the Bible” can connect us to God and change who we are, but distraction, hurry, and confusion can hinder our experience with these ancient texts. This is the first of a six-week series helping us rediscover how to engage Scripture as an apprentice to Jesus.
In this first part David Armstrong explores the complexities of interpreting the Bible in a modern world where it often seems to conflict with science, morality, and lived experience. Rather than abandoning Scripture or reading it literally without nuance, we are invited to rediscover the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, this Jesus-centred approach helps us reconcile difficult passages, prevents us from misusing Scripture as a weapon and instead embrace the Bible as a divinely inspired narrative that points us to Jesus.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this opening message of a new mini-series, John Herron finishes our journey through Job by looking at the dramatic epilogue in Chapters 38-42.
The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this second part Stephanie Wilson looks at the conversations between Job and his friends (ch.3-42) and how we can learn to sit with doubt, lament honestly, and find God’s presence even in the midst of pain and suffering that we don’t understand.
The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this opening message of a new mini-series, John Herron begins our journey through Job by looking at the dramatic prologue in Chapters 1 & 2.
The resurrection is not a happy ending.
“Resurrection is not an invitation to escape the world; it is an invitation to change it.” — Desmond Tutu
David Armstrong explores the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem for the Passover Festival, marking the moment when Jesus’ project went public. Jesus’ entry into the city on a donkey, fulfilling a 500-year-old prophecy, was a form of guerrilla theatre, a deliberate subversion of power and an act that mocked the dominant displays of the Roman Empire. Jesus’ humble procession was antithetical to Pontius Pilate’s imperial display, challenging us to reflect on our own expectations of Jesus and inviting us to choose allegiance to a kingdom of love, not force.
“Two processions entered Jerusalem on a spring day in the year 30. . . One was a peasant procession, the other an imperial procession. From the east, Jesus rode a donkey down the Mouth of Olives, cheered by his followers. . . On the opposite side of the city, from the west, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Idumea, Judea, and Samaria, entered Jerusalem at the head of a column of imperial calvary and soldiers. Jesus’s procession proclaimed the kingdom of God; Pilate’s proclaimed the power of empire.” — John Dominic Crossan & Marcus Borg
In Part 4 of our series The Big Questions, Stephanie Wilson brings a hopeful theological reflection on the difficult question’ What about Hell?’, exploring various views of the church before looking most significantly at what Jesus said and how we might think, not only about what happens once this life is over, but how we live today as his followers.
A 7 minute reflection and prayer on Mothering Sunday by Andrew Farmer & Libby Ryans.
Andrew performs a reading of his poem ‘Knitting & Kicking’ — a studio recording is available on his album Amelanchier at https://frmr.bandcamp.com/album/amelanchier
In Part 3 of our series The Big Questions, David Armstrong helps us explore the tension between violent depictions of God in Scripture and the radical peace of Jesus. While wars have been justified in God’s name throughout history—including today in Ukraine and Gaza—Jesus reveals a different path: love for enemies, rejection of violence and vengeance, and the peaceable Kingdom (Matthew 5:38-48, Revelation 5:5-6).
In fact, Jesus teaches his disciples that we should understand God as a divine parent, and throughout Scripture, maternal imagery portrays God as a mother—nurturing, caring, and protecting (Matthew 23:37, Isaiah 49:15). Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870 called women to oppose war and work for reconciliation—advocacy that flows from the transformative vision of what God is like: not a vengeful warrior, but a protective mother who seeks peace and wholeness for all.
This podcast recording begins with a 7min reflection and prayer on Mothering Sunday by Andrew Farmer & Libby Ryans. Andrew performs a reading of his poem ‘Knitting & Kicking’ — a studio recording is available on his album Amelanchier at https://frmr.bandcamp.com/album/amelanchier
The Big Questions: 02 What about the Cross?
Crosses are everywhere. As NT Wright says “You can’t get away from it. It’s everywhere. In homes, in films, in paintings, in pop videos. Worn as an earring, as a necklace. Stitched or studded onto leather or denim. Tattooed onto skin.”
What comes to mind when you think about the cross? In this sermon, John Herron explores a number of historical atonement theories about the crucifixion of Jesus and shows us how the cross is ultimately the fullest revelation of a loving, reconciling, forgiving God. As Brian Zahnd says “The cross is not what God inflicts upon Jesus in order to forgive, but what God in Christ endures as he forgives.”.
Please note that unfortunately due to a technical error the very end of this sermon was not recorded.
David Armstrong interviews Tom Magill and Kirsten Kearney about their very different upbringings, the challenges they both faced, how they met, married, and went on to start their company, ESC Film. Together, they use their experiences to help others own their stories and find their voice.
ESC Film is a filmmaking company and arts education charity based in Belfast, specialising in mental health. They primarily work with people with complex needs, offering facilitation, creative development, and film production. Their award-winning team has expertise in therapeutic filmmaking, giving a voice to socially excluded individuals and helping them transform their stories into powerful, compelling films.
For more information about their work visit esc-film.com
About Story Sunday: Story Sunday creates space for sharing stories and exploring the intersection of faith and spirituality with lived experience.
The Big Questions: 01 What is God like?
What comes to mind when you think about God? In this sermon, we explore how our understanding of God shapes everything. Challenging the idea of an angry, wrathful deity, we turn to Scripture and Jesus’ life to reveal a God of love, mercy, and grace. Through the Prodigal Son story, Rembrandt’s art, and reflections on historical theology, we uncover the heart of God and the liberating good news of a God who is truly love.
This Story Sunday is a special one with our friends Todd Deatherage and Jason Miller. David Armstrong interviews Todd and Jason on their work, the principles of peacemaking, conflict and justice, Israel/Palestine, the genocide taking place in Gaza, and why these issues should matter to us as followers of Jesus.
Todd Deatherage is the co-founder and executive director of Telos, an organization dedicated to reconciliation and peacebuilding in conflict zones like Israel/Palestine. With a background in U.S. politics and diplomacy, Todd equips communities to bridge divides and promote mutual flourishing. For more on Todd’s work and Telos visit telosgroup.org
Jason Miller is the lead pastor of South Bend City Church, a community-driven church in Indiana focused on creating an inclusive space for faith and justice. Known for his thoughtful teaching, Jason fosters a Christ-centered faith that embraces complexity and grace. For more on Jason’s work visit jasonadammiller.com and South Bend City Church visit southbendcitychurch.com
About Story Sunday: Story Sunday creates space for sharing stories and exploring the intersection of faith and spirituality with lived experience.
The final chapters of the Book of Esther reveal the resolution of the story. After Haman’s downfall, Esther and Mordecai work together to save the Jewish people. Mordecai is promoted to a position of great authority, and the Jewish people celebrate their deliverance, marking the beginning of the festival of Purim.
In Part 4, Stephanie Wilson reflects on the entire story, the characters' choices and decisions, and how the lens through which we read can alter our understanding of the narrative.
What begins as a story of imminent destruction ends with triumph and celebration. Esther and Mordecai’s actions remind us that God often works through ordinary people standing against oppression, emphasizing that justice is a collaborative act of divine and human partnership. This story calls us to a theology of advocacy and action, using whatever power, privilege, influence, and opportunity we have to seek the flourishing of all people, "for such a time as this."
In Part 3, David Armstrong unpacks Esther’s courageous and strategic actions to save her people. After fasting, Esther risks her life by approaching King Xerxes and carefully revealing Haman’s plot against the Jews. Her wisdom and patience lead to a powerful reversal, with Haman’s plans backfiring and resulting in his downfall. Esther’s transformation into a bold and discerning leader serves as an inspiration, encouraging us to step into our own power, speak up for ourselves and those without a voice, and trust that hope and change are possible.
John Herron picks up the story of Esther in chapters 3 & 4, where we find a rising threat against the Jewish people as Haman plots their destruction. Mordecai urges Esther to use her position as queen to intervene, and she faces a life-threatening decision with Mordecai’s words echoing in her mind “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”
David Armstrong begins our exploration of the Book of Esther, a captivating narrative from the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament. We journey into the Persian Empire under King Xerxes and delve into themes of fear, identity, and resilience looking at how the hidden parts of ourselves can provide strength in times of limitation and hardship. We also reflect on God’s unseen presence in Esther’s story, reminding us that even when life feels chaotic or uncertain, His hand is always at work behind the scenes.
What Makes Us: 02 Living the Story
In this second part of the What Makes Us series, we explore what it means to live out the Jesus Story in our daily lives. David Armstrong reflects on the incarnation—God becoming flesh in Christ and dwelling among us—and how it serves as a model for us to embody God’s active presence.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be His hands, feet, and eyes, continuing His mission of compassion, healing, and blessing in our communities. The early Christian practice of radical hospitality—welcoming everyone, whether sinner or saint, rich or poor — and the powerful metaphors of Tables & Gardens, illustrate ways to follow Jesus’ example by gathering in inclusive community and nurturing spaces of growth, life, and transformation.
What Makes Us: 01 Embracing the Story
We explore the power of stories and how they shape our lives, from the narrative of everyday life to the deeper stories that give us meaning, we’re wired for storytelling.
David Armstrong challenges us to reflect on the story we’re living in—is it one of grace and purpose, or have we unknowingly embraced a fiction that holds us back? When we look closely at the Book of Genesis we see that our true story begins with God's blessing, not with shame or failure. We are all sacred, created in God’s image, and invited to live authentically in the story of His grace.
Stephanie Wilson speaks on ‘the antidote of enough’ that counters our cultures message that we should ‘be more, want more and have more’.
In the Lords Prayer recorded in Matthew 6 — a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples — we find an invitation to a deep and daily trust in God’s provision and abundance.
The Trinity is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. Jesus ultimate agenda was coming to humanity to reveal what God is actually like. We have come to understand God as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—yet one God. We use metaphors and language to describe God, but our theology can never fully contain God. Various metaphors have been used to explain God as ‘Trinity’ but they often miss the mark, failing to grasp the mystery of divine love.
In this sermon David Armstrong uses two images that help us grasp the mystery of God’s nature as seamless, dynamic, interwoven community of love that sits at the centre of all things — the triune in their fellowship of divine love — and the invitation to us to participate in that love and allow it to shape who we are.
Note: Episode Artwork is one of the most famous icons in history written by Andrei Rublev, a Russian monk and iconographer it 1425. It is entitled ‘The Hospitality of Abraham’, but more commonly known as ‘Troitsa’ - Russian for Triune or Trinity.
Solitude 05 - Q&A
David, Armstrong, John Herron & Scott Witherick discuss the series on solitude and share some of their learning along the way.
This took place on Pentecost Sunday and includes Prayers & Liturgies to celebrate and mark this day and the end of the season of Eastertide.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Solitude 04 - Encounter with Our God
Solitude is the place of encounter and ultimately, we go into the quiet to encounter God. We go because we ache for God in the deepest place in our being. We go because there is nothing like God’s presence. We go to listen for his voice, to hear him speak over us our identity and calling.
In this fourth and final teaching we learn that this back and forth of speaking and listening to God is the heart not only of communication, but of communion with God. As important as it is to receive our identity and calling as a gift from God’s hand, ultimately, the most important thing that happens in solitude is that we love and are loved by God.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
*Note: Due to a faulty recording we were unable to share the teaching by Scott Witherick. In it’s place for the podcast we are sharing the teaching from Practicing the Way, delivered by John Mark Comer.*
Solitude 03 - Encounter with Our Self
Solitude can be deeply refreshing, but just as often, it can feel like painful emotional surgery. We can get away from people, but we can’t get away from our self. And often what we carry into solitude is our pain.
In the third teaching Stephanie Wilson encourages us to follow the example of Jesus by finding a quiet place and going to the place of pain because it is there we meet God. Through this simple but difficult practice of noticing and naming our emotions before God in prayer, and offering them up to God in raw honesty, we can be deeply formed into the people God has always desired for us to become.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Solitude 02 - Encounter with Our Enemy
In the second teaching John Herron looks at the goal of being alone with God in the silence: ultimately to hear God’s voice over all the other voices in our head, Jesus and his early followers fought battles in solitude. As we face resistance from three enemies of our soul — the world, the flesh, and the devil — in solitude, we learn to fight lies by listening carefully for God’s voice and using scripture to anchor ourselves in God’s truth.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Solitude 01 - The Quiet Place
Distraction is one of the greatest threats to spiritual health in the modern world. We all feel it — we’re bombarded by noise like never before. Jesus has an invitation for us: Step away from it all to be alone with him, for the sake of our souls and the sake of others.
In this first teaching David Armstrong looks at how Solitude is not a place but a practice, one that follows Jesus’ pattern of retreating from distractions to be fully present with the Father and returning to serve in community.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Note: Sermon begins at 8mins
The resurrection is not a happy ending. It doesn't depend on you or need your permission. The resurrection sees Christ standing in the garden alive on that Easter Sunday morning — having walked through the brutality & death of Good Friday and the forsakenness & silence of Holy Saturday — and he stands present and alive speaking your name, and a word of possibility laced with grace, love and hope.
David Armstrong teaches from Matthew 21 on the events of Palm Sunday. The arrival of Jesus and his disciples into Jerusalem for the Passover Festival is the moment that Jesus project goes public. Jesus entering the city on the donkey — the fulfilment of a 500 year old prophecy — is a form of guerrilla theatre that makes a mockery of the dominant forms of power displayed by the Roman Empire. In one act of parody he exposes this kind of power for what it is; fearful, insecure, oppressive and violent…and simultaneously embodies the very kind of alternative power of the Kingdom of God… co-suffering love expressed in humility and forgiveness.
“Two processions entered Jerusalem on a spring day in the year 30. . . One was a peasant procession, the other an imperial procession. From the east, Jesus rode a donkey down the Mouth of Olives, cheered by his followers. . . On the opposite side of the city, from the west, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Idumea, Judea, and Samaria, entered Jerusalem at the head of a column of imperial calvary and soldiers. Jesus’s procession proclaimed the kingdom of God; Pilate’s proclaimed the power of empire.” — John Dominic Crossan & Marcus Borg
Fasting 05 - Q&A
David, Armstrong, John Herron & Stephanie Wilson discuss the series on fasting and share some of their learning along the way.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Fasting 04 - To Stand with the Poor
“Give to the hungry what you deny your own appetite.” —St. Gregory of Nyssa
In the West, many of us struggle with the problem of food abundance — having too much food to eat. Our cupboards overflow with snacks; we have so much food in our fridges it goes bad before we have a chance to eat it; apps on our phones can put any food we want just a few swipes away.
Dieting is a constant fad, and most of us live in a daily war of attrition against sugar, processed carbs, and over-indulgence. But most of the world, and many more people than we realise in our own neighbourhoods and cities, live with food scarcity — not having enough to eat. Often, they are hiding in plain sight in our own churches and communities.
Fasting is a way to bridge this gap, between “the haves” and “the have nots.” Going back at least as far as Isaiah 58, it has long been a vehicle for biblical justice, a way for those with too much food to share with those in need of food.
Early on in the history of the church, fasting was tied to what Jesus and the early Christians called “almsgiving” — a practice that combined generosity, serving, and justice. On fasting days, Christians would take the food or the money they would have spent on food and give it to the poor. Often, they would also give the time they would have spent cooking, eating, and cleaning up to serve the poor.
In Part 4 Stephanie Wilson shows us how this simple practice of giving away the money we would have spent on ourselves has the potential to transform not only the lives of the poor, but also our own lives and communities.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
***Note: This recording took place on Mother’s Day and includes communal prayers to mark this occasion for all.
Fasting 03 - To Amplify Our Prayers
Fasting and prayer go together. Like two wings of a bird, together they take flight. You can pray without fasting, and you can fast without praying, but when you combine the two, there’s a noticeable amplification of our prayer before God.
This comes as no surprise, since fasting is a kind of praying with our body. When the request of our heart is coupled with the yearning of our body, our prayer is purified of its dross and presented like a precious metal before the Father, for him to do as he will.
“Prayer” is an umbrella term for the medium through which we communicate and commune with God and it involves both speaking and listening. Fasting is a key companion in both.
In Part 3 John Herron helps us see the role fasting has in both hearing God and being heard by God. Firstly it is an aid in discerning the voice of God through the noise and distraction of our lives that we might hear how God is coming to us and his will and direction for our lives. Secondly, fasting is an aid to being heard by God, helping us break through the walls that stand between us and the release of God’s plans, purposes, and power. Story after story — in Scripture and church history — attest to this reality: When prayer and fasting link arms, it’s often the tipping point in the struggle to release God’s Kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Fasting 02 - Grow in Holiness
Fasting is one of the most essential and powerful of all the practices of Jesus and, arguably, the single most neglected one in the modern, Western church. The Fasting Practice will train you in this ancient discipline, integrating your whole body into life with God.
In Part 2 David Armstrong shares how fasting has many physical benefits for our bodies that mirror how it benefits our souls.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
* Note: This sermon didn’t record live on Sunday so we re-recorded it later .*
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Note: The first half of the sermon didn’t record live on Sunday so we re-recorded that part later .
Fasting 01 - Offering Ourselves to Jesus
As powerful as the mind is, because we are holistic beings, we can’t simply think our way into spiritual maturity. Our discipleship to Jesus must take seriously our body, as it is “the temple of the Holy Spirit” — a home where we make room for God to dwell.
Most of us are used to approaching our spiritual formation and life with God through the door of our mind — by thinking, talking, praying, reading, or hearing teaching and preaching. But very few of us are comfortable approaching our spiritual formation through our stomach, or our body as a whole.
In this first teaching David Armstrong looks at how Fasting is one of the best disciplines we have to reintegrate our mind to our body, and offer our whole selves to God in surrender.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Note: The first half of the sermon didn’t record live on Sunday so we re-recorded that part later .
Prayer 05 - Q&A
Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like him and partner with him in the world.
In Prayer part 4 David Armstrong explores the fourth stage of prayer: being with God. There comes a point in our spiritual journey when prayer goes beyond words to simple loving presence, or what the ancient Christians called “union” with God. This type of prayer has come to be called “contemplation,” based on 2 Corinthians 3v18. To contemplate is to look, to gaze upon the beauty of God, receiving his love pouring out toward you in Christ and by the Spirit, and then giving your love back in return.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Prayer 04 - Being With God
Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like him and partner with him in the world.
In Prayer part 4 David Armstrong explores the fourth stage of prayer: being with God. There comes a point in our spiritual journey when prayer goes beyond words to simple loving presence, or what the ancient Christians called “union” with God. This type of prayer has come to be called “contemplation,” based on 2 Corinthians 3v18. To contemplate is to look, to gaze upon the beauty of God, receiving his love pouring out toward you in Christ and by the Spirit, and then giving your love back in return.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Prayer 03 - Listening to God
Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like him and partner with him in the world.
In Prayer part 3 John Herron helps us understand that prayer is not just when we talk but when we listen to hear his voice. As Jesus said in John 10v27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This is a Spirit-generated desire in the heart of a disciple of Jesus.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Prayer 02 - Talking with God
Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like him and partner with him in the world.
In Prayer part 2 Stephanie Wilson helps us begin to learn how to talk with God. Praying pre-made prayers is a beautiful way to pray. It’s where we start our prayer journey, and it’s a place we revisit all through our lives. But at some point in our life of prayer, we desire to pray our own words to God — to share what’s on our mind, our heart. Our pain, our joy, our hopes and fears. We can’t help but desire to interact with God in a more authentic, personalised way.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Prayer 01 - Talking to God
Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like him and partner with him in the world.
In Prayer part 1 David Armstrong explores the first stage of prayer: talking to God. When the disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray,” in Luke 11, Jesus replied, “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...’” He gave them a pre-made prayer, or what some call a liturgy, to pray to God.
One of the single most important tasks of discipleship to Jesus is starting, habituating, and fine-tuning a daily prayer rhythm. So we start our four-week journey simply, by praying pre-made prayers to God.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Note: This recording begins with a prayer captured during our time of sung worship. The sermon begins at 6min30secs.
David Armstrong finishes our Advent series looking at this season as a divine invitation and divine interruption.
Note: This recording begins with a prayer led by Ian Ryans for Israel-Palestine, amid all the conflict and violence taking place there.
Sabbath 04 - Worship
In Sabbath Part 4 we look at how sabbath isn’t just a day to stop, rest, and throw a feast in community — it’s a holy day set apart and dedicated to God himself.
For many Western Christians, Sunday has become what Eugene Peterson called a “bastard Sabbath”–the illegitimate offspring of the Sabbath and a secular day off. Whether you practice Sabbath on Sundays, Saturdays, or another day of the week, it’s essential to remember God commands us to “remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.” To keep it “holy” means to sanctify it, set it apart, and dedicate it to God for his special purposes. Sabbath isn’t just a day to sleep in, relax, and do whatever brings you joy (it is, but it’s more): it’s a day to worship. To reorient your entire life back to its center in God. In our final week of Sabbath, we elevate the Sabbath from a restful, joyful day off to a holy day of worship and delight in God himself.
**Note: Due to a last-minute change of circumstances we used the teaching resource from Practicing the Way, delivered by John Mark Comer.****
Part of the Practicing the Way series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Sabbath 03 - Delight
Sabbath is a day of rest by which we cultivate a spirit of restfulness in all of our life.
In Sabbath part 3 John Herron looks at the third movement of Sabbath– delight. Jesus himself said plainly, “In this world, you will have trouble,” but he also said his desire for his disciples was “that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.” Sorrow is inevitable in this life, but joy is not. In the Way of Jesus, joy is a gift, but it’s one that must be chosen and cultivated, day after day, as an act of apprenticeship to our joyful God.
Previous generations often thought of the Sabbath as a somber, serious day full of religious duty and legalistic rules. Today, many people think of it as a day to chill, relax, or sleep. Both generations miss the essential truth – the Sabbath is designed by God as a day to give yourself fully to delight in God’s world, in your life in it, and ultimately in God himself.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
Sabbath 02 - Rest
Sabbath is a day of rest by which we cultivate a spirit of restfulness in all of our life.
In Sabbath part 2 Stephanie Wilson explores the second movement of Sabbath–to rest. The idea of rest sounds wonderful, but in reality, rest is a radical, countercultural act of resistance to the powers and principalities of a world at war with God and his kingdom of peace. To practice Sabbath is to draw a line in the sand against all external (and internal) forces that would encroach upon your apprenticeship to Jesus and formation into his image. It’s to say, “This far you shall go, but no further.” It is to defy some of the most powerful forces known to humanity as an act of non-cooperation done in love for community, for the poor, for the earth, and ultimately for God himself.
Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
We begin a new series — Practicing the Way — exploring 9 ancient practices of the way of Jesus that promise to help root us in the faith and deepen our experience of God as we serve our world.
When practiced regularly these keystone habits can powerfully guide our journey of spiritual growth and help us become more like Christ, transformed into the people we were created to be.
Each practice is taught in 4 parts and David Armstrong begins with our first practice, Sabbath — a day of rest by which we cultivate a spirit of restfulness in all of our life.
In Sabbath Part 1 we examine the most literal meaning of the Hebrew verb shabbat – “to stop” and how sabbath is, at its most basic, a call to stop, to cease, to be done.
Part of the Practicing the Way series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw
A morning with our friend Jonny Clark exploring the relationship between faith and peacemaking and his own journey into the work of mediation, public theology and peace-building.
Jonny Clark is the Program Manger of Public Theology for The Corrymeela Community. He is a facilitator and mediator working in political and inter-faith contexts and has devoted significant energy to the development of peace-building organisations around the world in post-conflict societies. His involvement in peace-building work continues to this day. He is also the curator of a monthly event of music, stories, dialogue & reflection called Borderlands that gathers people at the intersection of art, faith and community.
Notes & Links
Corrymeela
Borderlands
Guardians of the Flame - (Jonny’s Documentary & Podcast)
With God on our Side (Documentary)
The Other Side of the Wall (Book) by Rev Dr Munther Issac
Our friend and guest speaker Dr. Richard Laugharne explores the relationship between faith, spirituality and our mental health. Following a talk from Richard, he is interviewed by Stephanie Wilson before a time of Q&A with questions from those in attendance.If following this episode you have any questions or would like support in any way related to the topics discussed please reach out to any of our Senior Leaders who are ready to talk, walk with you and offer pastoral care. ThanksRichard Laugharne has been an NHS consultant in general adult psychiatry for 23 years and is Lead For Research at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. His research interests include therapeutic relationships and trust between patients and clinicians in the UK and mental health services in West Africa. Richard is a Reader in the Church of England and has been involved in many different styles of Christian community throughout his life. Richard is the author of the book 'I Will Be Glad: Combating Spiritual Depression' and regularly speaks on theology and mental health in churches, universities and pubs!
Stephanie Wilson teaches on what it means to be church saturated by grace.Part of the series ‘What Kind of Church’ that explores the values that give shape to our community.
David Armstrong teaches on what it means to be a church community shaped and oriented firstly by the values of the Kingdom of God.Part of the series ‘What Kind of Church’ that explores the values that give shape to our community.Note: Unfortunately due to technical difficulties the sermon by David Armstrong on 24 September entitled WKOC Part 4 - A Spirit Filled Church was not recorded. Apologies for any inconvenience. You can listen back to previous talk on this topic in the Podcast Archives in September 2022.
Stephanie Wilson teaches on what it means to be church as family. Part of the series ‘What Kind of Church’ that explores the values that give shape to our community.
As followers of Jesus we invited to locate ourselves in a bigger story, the story of God. This is a story with ancient roots that is still unfolding, and we are invited to embody and live out. David Armstrong shares how the wisdom of this story tells us the road to the future actually runs through the past. These ancient paths lead us home to God’s presence, right where we belong.
Part of the series ‘What Kind of Church’ that explores the values that give shape to our community.
Sermon begins at 8min mark approx.
As we begin another church season David Armstrong begins a series that explores some of the values that give shape to our community. Part of the series ‘What Kind of Church’
Stephanie Wilson continues our series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the encounter in between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30) and the call to trust in the abundance of God over the fear of scarcity.
Podcast Notes
Research Report: Abundant community theology: Working towards environmental and economic sustainability (EES) by Tearfund
Poem: On Generosity by Walter Brueggemann
Stephanie Wilson continues our series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the encounter in Luke 9:10-17 when Jesus feeds 5,000 men (or approximately 15-18,000 if we count the women and children too).
David Armstrong continues our series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the encounter in Luke 10:38-42 when Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany.
David Armstrong continues our series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the encounter in John 7:53-8:12 where a women caught in the act of adultery is brought before Jesus by religious leaders demanding that he give his verdict.
Stephanie Wilson continues our series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the encounter in Luke 7 :36-50 where Jesus is eating at the house of a Pharisee when a women with a questionable reputation comes and anoints him with expensive perfume.
David Armstrong continues our series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the encounter in Luke 7 between Jesus, the dying daughter of a religious leader and a women suffering with a chronic flow of blood.
Stephanie Wilson reflects on the story of Jesus meeting and healing the demon-possessed man in the ‘region of the Gerasenes’ (Luke 8.26–39) and wonders if there might be more going on than we can first assume and what we can learn from Jesus loving engagement with the distressed and ostracised man.
David Armstrong continues our series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the encounter in Luke 7 between Jesus and a funeral procession in the small town of Nain.
Stephanie Wilson reflects on the story of the man with leprosy (Luke 5) who encounters Jesus and finds healing liberation from the condition that left him shamed and isolated. What are the things that operate like leprosy in our lives today leaving us separated from the love and connection we are created to live in.
David Armstrong begins a new series ‘Liberated by Love looking at the experience of Mary & Elizabeth as unlikely people, in an unlikely place encountering the God of Dreams and the God of Grace.
Scott Witherick finishes our Advent series at our Carols by Candlelight gathering looking at the experience of Mary pregnant with Jesus and holding onto hope in the waiting.
David Armstrong finishes our series ‘What Kind of Human?’ with Part 6: Incarnation as a Model for Living Well
Stephanie Wilson continues our series ‘What Kind of Human?’ with Part 5: Live out of weakness & vulnerability
Stephanie Wilson continues our series ‘What Kind of Human?’ with Part 4: Enlarge Your Soul Through Embracing Grief & Loss
David Armstrong continues our series ‘What Kind of Human?’ with Part 3: Slowing Down: Rhythms of Prayer & Sabbath
David Armstrong begins a new series ‘ What Kind of Human? with Part 1: Know yourself that you may know God
Stephanie Wilson continues our series ‘What kind of church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
Stephanie Wilson continues our series ‘What kind of church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
David Armstrong continues our series ‘What kind of church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
David Armstrong continues our new series ‘What kind of church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
David Armstrong continues our new series ‘What kind of church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
Stephanie Wilson continues our new series ‘What kind of church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
Stephanie Wilson continues our new series ‘What kind of church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
David Armstrong continues our new series - What kind of church? looking at some of the values that give shape to our church community
David Armstrong continues our new series - What kind of church? looking at some of the values that give shape to our church community
David Armstrong begins our new series ‘What Kind of Church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
David Armstrong begins our new series ‘What Kind of Church?’ that explores some of the values that give shape to our community.
Stephanie Wilson concludes our series The Parables of Jesus
Series Summary :: This Sunday we begin a new series looking at the parables and riddles Jesus told that describe this new Kingdom of God he came to bring.
This Sunday we spent the morning gathering in a time of prayer for Ukraine and it’s people
David Armstrong continues our series The Parables of Jesus
Series Summary :: This Sunday we begin a new series looking at the parables and riddles Jesus told that describe this new Kingdom of God he came to bring.
Stephanie Wilson continues our series The Parables of Jesus
Series Summary :: This Sunday we begin a new series looking at the parables and riddles Jesus told that describe this new Kingdom of God he came to bring.
Daniel Saunders continues our series The Parables of Jesus
Series Summary :: This Sunday we begin a new series looking at the parables and riddles Jesus told that describe this new Kingdom of God he came to bring.
David Armstrong continues our new series The Parables of Jesus
Series Summary :: This Sunday we begin a new series looking at the parables and riddles Jesus told that describe this new Kingdom of God he came to bring.
David Armstrong begins our new series The Parables of Jesus
Series Summary :: This Sunday we begin a new series looking at the parables and riddles Jesus told that describe this new Kingdom of God he came to bring.
Dan Saunders concludes our series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
David Armstrong continues our series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
Stephanie Wilson continues our series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
Dan Saunders continues our series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
David Armstrong returns to our series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
Stephanie Wilson will bring an Honest Advent reflection on the theme of Vulnerability.
Series Summary :: Is Christ’s incarnation still happening in our midst?
Perhaps for many of us the celebration of Christmas has lost its wonder. Maybe it has become a bittersweet season of complicated family rituals, or a predictable time of unquenchable consumerism, or simply a sacred story that feels far from any relevance in our current chaotic world.
Honest Advent seeks to illuminate the astonishing, hope-filled truth that the God who showed up in the hardest parts of our humanity is still showing up today in those same places.
Dan Saunders sat down with Eflie and Ratiba to discuss their work with Anaka Women's Collective. Anaka are a group of women who use their collective skills to educate, support, advocate and celebrate each other.
Dan Saunders sat down with Glen Mitchell to discuss his work as Northern Ireland Director for Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian charity which partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. They tackle poverty and injustice through sustainable development, by responding to disasters and challenging injustice. They believe an end to extreme poverty is possible.
Daniel Saunders brings an Honest Advent reflection on the theme of Love.
Series Summary :: Is Christ’s incarnation still happening in our midst?
Perhaps for many of us the celebration of Christmas has lost its wonder. Maybe it has become a bittersweet season of complicated family rituals, or a predictable time of unquenchable consumerism, or simply a sacred story that feels far from any relevance in our current chaotic world.
Honest Advent seeks to illuminate the astonishing, hope-filled truth that the God who showed up in the hardest parts of our humanity is still showing up today in those same places.
David Armstrong brings some Honest Advent reflections on the theme of Identity.
Series Summary :: Is Christ’s incarnation still happening in our midst?
Perhaps for many of us the celebration of Christmas has lost its wonder. Maybe it has become a bittersweet season of complicated family rituals, or a predictable time of unquenchable consumerism, or simply a sacred story that feels far from any relevance in our current chaotic world.
Honest Advent seeks to illuminate the astonishing, hope-filled truth that the God who showed up in the hardest parts of our humanity is still showing up today in those same places.
Stephanie Wilson continues our new series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
Dan Saunders sat down with Ian and Libby Ryan to discuss their work with Farmbox - A compassionate community learning to grow fresh food to share and eat together. Farmbox exists to share fresh fruit and vegetables to those living in poverty.
https://redeemercentral.com/farmbox
David Armstrong continues our new series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
Dan Saunders continues our new series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
Stephanie Wilson continues our new series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
David Armstrong begins our new series Friends with God.
Series Summary :: Is it really possible to know God? To know God is one of humanity's deepest desires - but how can it happen? Is it really possible to accept Jesus' invitation and become a friend of God?
We begin a new 5-week teaching & discussion series that will help us consider these questions together and encourage us to experience afresh the possibility of true communion & friendship with God.
David Armstrong returns to our series The Very Good Gospel by speaking on how we as the church can witness to the peace and radical way of Jesus in the world.***
Series Summary :: What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
This week David Armstrong leads us in a beautiful and simple reflection on the love of God and the call to have the same love for one another.
The final part part of our series with guest speaker John Perrine. John brings us teaching on what Jesus has to say about generosity and money and offers us some practical advice on how to practice generosity.
To find out more about the upcoming series visit https://redeemercentral.com/practicesofjesus
Third part of our series with guest speaker John Perrine. John brings us teaching and practical advice on the ancient practice of fasting.
To find out more about the upcoming series visit https://redeemercentral.com/practicesofjesus
Second part of our new series with guest speaker John Perrine
To find out more about the upcoming series visit https://redeemercentral.com/practicesofjesus
First part of our new series with guest speaker John Perrine
To find out more about the upcoming series visit https://redeemercentral.com/practicesofjesus
Dan Saunders sat down with Malini Colville to discuss her work with Home for Good - A charity dedicated to finding a home for every child who needs one by co-ordinating and resourcing a rapidly growing network of people, churches and local movements across the UK.
Exciting news. David Armstrong speaks with Chloe Higginon (née Loughridge) about her new role on staff as ‘Children & Families Ministry Co-Ordinator’ and what the first steps of Redeemer Kids returning will look like. We also get to know more about Chloe, her time at school and Bible College and her passion working for Invisible Traffic educating children in schools about this heartbreaking yet vitally important issue.
David Armstrong sat down with friend Pastor John Perrine to discuss his upcoming sermon series at Redeemer as guest speaker during August and September 2021. We also hear about John’s story from being raised in a christian family in Illinois US, meeting his wife Jenna, becoming a pastor in the mega-church Willowcreek Community Church (Chicago) and his discovery ancient spiritual practices and their power to nourish and sustain a deeper and embodied faith.
To find out more about the upcoming series visit https://redeemercentral.com/practicesofjesus
Stephanie Wilson continues our series 'The Very Good Gospel' looking at how what the Gospel of shalom says when life doesn’t go well, when we have to deal with the difficult realities of illness and death — especially in the midst of a pandemic — and how we are invited to surrender the need for certainty and step into deep trust and faith in the goodness of God who is with us through all of it.
Series Summary :: What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
David Armstrong brings another part in our series 'The Very Good Gospel' looking at how the Gospel of shalom calls us to examine our relationship with the earth and our environment and see creation care as a core value in the Kingdom God.
Series Summary :: What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
Stephanie Wilson brings another part in our series 'The Very Good Gospel' looking at how the Gospel of shalom informs and shapes how we think about issues of gender.
Series Summary :: What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
David Armstrong brings the 6th part in our series 'The Very Good Gospel' looking at how the Gospel of shalom informs and shapes how we think about issues of race, ethnicity, nationality and empire and how the way of Jesus calls us to a different way: the Kingdom of Peace.
Series Summary :: What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
Stephanie Wilson brings the fifth part in our series 'The Very Good Gospel' looking at what the Gospel of shalom means for our families and relationships to those closest to us. However, perhaps more importantly the Gospel of Good News also wants to reshape and broaden our view of what family actually is and call us to create places of belonging and relationships across all societal boundaries — welcoming one and all into the family of God. Stephanie shares what this might mean for our community in Redeemer and the parish we live in, in Donegall Street and beyond.
Series Summary :: What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
Stephanie Wilson brings the fourth part in our series 'The Very Good Gospel' looking at what the Gospel of shalom and wholeness might mean for living at peace with who we are and who God made us to be. Drawing from the story of Hagar we find the root of our shalom comes from a compassionate and kind God who sees us.
What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
Looking at Jesus encounter with the Samaritan Woman (John 4) David Armstrong speaks on the deep human longing for home and how that leads us to relationship and knowing God - the source of all life.
What is the Gospel and how is it good news? This series — ‘The Very Good Gospel’ — explores these questions and what the good news story of God through Jesus means for us, our neighbours and our world.
Stephanie Wilson brings the second part of the series drawing on the image of shalom and goodness from our origins story in the book of Genesis and shows how this is the blueprint of what the Kingdom of God looks like and calls us to in our world today.
David Armstrong begins the series with a beautiful vision of the gospel as restoration and wholeness for a broken and fragmented world and contrasts this with the small, limited 'gospel' that is so often preached from soap boxes and plastered on the walls of our city.
David Armstrong continues the series Encounters with the Risen Christ looking at another personal moment between Jesus and a disciple. In John 21 Jesus speaks words of grace and life to Peter, freeing him from the old world that had him stuck and inviting him into a new world of possibilities in the Kingdom.
David Armstrong speaks about the impact of COVID on life including church life and — drawing on the words of Jesus to Mary in John 20 — points a way forward, encouraging us to follow Jesus into the new world.
David Armstrong continues our series 'Encounters with the Risen Jesus' looking at the attentive presence of Jesus towards Mary Magdalene as she sees him through her tears and grief.
David Armstrong begins 'Encounters with the Risen Jesus' looking at the terrifying reality of Easter... an invitation to dare to hope in the power of God to raise dead things to life, and to live that out here and now.
Stephanie Wilson reflects beautifully on what the cross of Jesus means to her and how taking another fresh look at the meaning of it all brings hope, peace and a way to live by.
Encounters with Jesus is a Lenten Journey on the road to Easter, joining us in solidarity with Christ and carving open space within us for the life of God to spring forth.
David Armstrong continues 'Encounters with Jesus' with a reflection on Palm Sunday, the anticipation and arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem as he begins the week of his passion and the events of Good Friday.
Encounters with Jesus is a Lenten Journey on the road to Easter, joining us in solidarity with Christ and carving open space within us for the life of God to spring forth.
David Armstrong continues 'Encounters with Jesus' with Jesus call to his disciples to live the way of the cross everyday, and enter into the great paradox of the Kingdom of God: that through death comes abundant life and joy.
Encounters with Jesus is a Lenten Journey on the road to Easter, joining us in solidarity with Christ and carving open space within us for the life of God to spring forth.
David Armstrong continues 'Encounters with Jesus' with a reflection on the love of God from John 15 and the call for followers of Jesus to bear the fruit of love in their lives, a love that flows from our connection and friendship with Jesus.
Encounters with Jesus is a Lenten Journey on the road to Easter, joining us in solidarity with Christ and carving open space within us for the life of God to spring forth.
David Armstrong continues 'Encounters with Jesus' with the third and final of Jesus temptations in the wilderness showing that the way of the Kingdom of God comes not by power or force but by the way of self-sacrificial love, seen clearest at the cross.
Encounters with Jesus is a Lenten Journey on the road to Easter, joining us in solidarity with Christ and carving open space within us for the life of God to spring forth.
David Armstrong continues exploring the story of Jesus temptations in the Judean wilderness. The second temptation sees Jesus demonstrate that the Kingdom of God comes instead in small, slow and ordinary ways as an invitation to a deep relationship and not shallow spectacle.
Encounters with Jesus is a Lenten Journey on the road to Easter, joining us in solidarity with Christ and carving open space within us for the life of God to spring forth.
David Armstrong begins our new series 'Encounters with Jesus'. looking at the first temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and the invitation to find nourishment for our souls in the story of God.
Join us for a new series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany in 2021 and to pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
David Armstrong finishes our Epiphany series 'Look for the Light' with the story from Mark 9 of the transfiguration of Jesus. The brightness of Christ is our hope and light amidst the gloom and darkness of life and points to God's good future for this world.
Join us for a new series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany in 2021 and to pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
David Armstrong continues our series 'Look for the Light' with part 5 from the Gospel of Mark. Jesus begins his ministry preaching and embodying the good news of the Kingdom of God with a series of healings throughout. Galilee. Today we are reminded his gospel is one of bringing wholeness and liberation here and no, no matter our circumstances.
Join us for a new series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany in 2021 and to pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
In Part 4 David Armstrong speaks from Mark 1: 14-20 and encourages us to place a ruthless trust in Jesus.
Join us for a new series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany in 2021 and to pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
In Part 3 David Armstrong looks at the wedding in Cana as found in John 2: 1-11 and Gillian Stewart shares a beautiful prayer with us.
Join us for a new series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany in 2021 and to pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
In Part 2 David Armstrong looks at Jesus’ baptism as found in Mark 1: 1-15.
David Armstrong brings the first talk in a new series, 'Look for the Light: An Epiphany Series' that calls for us to slow down during this season of Epiphany in 2021 and to pay attention to the divine presence of God. As seen in the coming of Christ, God is so often found in the darkest and most unlikely of places waiting to be discovered.
The first story we reflect upon is from the Christmas story from Matthew 2:1-12 and the moment when the Magi, the wise people from the east, follow their curiosity and longing to find and visit Jesus as a child at his birth.
David Armstrong shares a word for this season. Today with all that is going on in our world, and as followers of The Way, we should take comfort and hope in our story:
• We belong to a different Kingdom
• We follow a different King
• Despite the world we should not fear but trust in the goodness of God.
Over the past several Sundays one portion of our liturgy has been ‘Prayer for Others’, lead written by people in our community.
We trust these prayers will bless you and also create a sacred spacious place in you where you can carry others to God in prayer.
Over the past several Sundays one portion of our liturgy has been ‘Prayer for Others’, lead written by people in our community.
We trust these prayers will bless you and also create a sacred spacious place in you where you can carry others to God in prayer.
Richard shares with our community his word - Christian Responsibility, and how it has impacted him this year.
David shares with our community his word - Team, and how it has impacted him this year.
David Armstrong shares from the Gospel of Luke the story of Mary and Martha and encourages us to make sitting at the feet of Jesus our priority in this time.
David Armstrong shares some encouragement from Isaiah 43 which speaks to us about moving through this season and looking for the new that God has for us.
David Armstrong shares some encouragement with us based on the beautiful scriptural metaphor of bread. As we live day-to-day through the COVID pandemic we’ll briefly look at how the story of God has always invited us into a daily dependence on God for all our needs and an inter-dependence in one another in community.
This week David Armstrong speaks from Philippians 2, encouraging us to see our own stories individually as expressions of the Jesus story and to operate in the same love that Christ has for us.
This week David Armstrong leads us in a beautiful series of litanies which give us space to meditate on God’s love in response to the previous two weeks teaching.
This week David Armstrong explores how God is Love and how the scriptures can teach us what that really means.
In the second week of our Sunday online being recorded from 101, David Armstrong encourages us to make Jesus the centre of our personal lives and our community at Redeemer Central.
Today’s episode is an expanded version of David Armstrong's reflection on Father's Day from Sunday 21st June. Recorded in 101, David looks at examples from scripture of how God shows us His love as a Father.
In this podcast series — Human During Lockdown — we explore will look at what it means to be human and how emotional health and contemplative practices can lead to a deeply integrated spiritual life while helping us navigate the effects this global pandemic is having on our everyday lives.
In Part 1 David Armstrong introduces the series with one idea that helped him see the importance of emotional health in the life of a Christian before sharing some simple advice on how we should deal with emotions at this time.
Redeemer Central is a church community in Belfast seeking to practice the way of Jesus and work for the peace and good of our city. For info on gatherings, prayer, resources and more during the season of COVID19 visit https://redeemercentral.com/churchathome
Over the past several Sundays — in the midst of COVID19 — we’ve been gathering online as a church community. It has been different and humbling, encouraging and comforting as we all grapple with the kind of world we are now living in. One portion of our liturgy each Sunday has been ‘Prayer for Others’, lead by and often written by people in our community.
These have been beautiful prayers of longing, aching and hope.. helping us process our fears, our grief and call on God for those who are in much need at this time. They have blessed us so much that we thought we would share them here so in this podcast episode you will hear from three people in the Redeemer community — Lisa Whitten, Caitlin Nelson and Sam and Audrey Fishlock. We trust these prayers will bless you and also create a sacred spacious place in you where you can carry others to God in prayer.
Redeemer Central is a church community in Belfast seeking to practice the way of Jesus and work for the peace and good of our city. For info on gatherings, prayer, resources and more during the season of COVID19 visit https://redeemercentral.com/churchathome
Over the past several Sundays — in the midst of COVID19 — we’ve been gathering online as a church community. It has been different and humbling, encouraging and comforting as we all grapple with the kind of world we are now living in. One portion of our liturgy each Sunday has been ‘Prayer for Others’, lead by and often written by people in our community.
These have been beautiful prayers of longing, aching and hope.. helping us process our fears, our grief and call on God for those who are in much need at this time. They have blessed us so much that we thought we would share them here so in this podcast episode you will hear from three people in the Redeemer community — Eleanor Ford, Terry Vaz and Jude Hill. We trust these prayers will bless you and also create a sacred spacious place in you where you can carry others to God in prayer.
Redeemer Central is a church community in Belfast seeking to practice the way of Jesus and work for the peace and good of our city. For info on gatherings, prayer, resources and more during the season of COVID19 visit https://redeemercentral.com/churchathome
Today’s episode is a little different as we continue under the social distancing measures in the midst of COVID19. We are going to listen in to a conversation David Armstrong (Team Leader) had with two good friends and fellow leaders in the Redeemer Community — Ryan Hawthorne and Stephanie Wilson — where we discuss how we’re dealing with the changes to life over the past few weeks and give some reflections on what a realistic but hopeful Christian response might be at a time like this.
:: Show notes ::
NT Wright Article :: ‘Christianity Offers No Answers About the Coronavirus. It's Not Supposed To’
:: Help & Support ::
If you are listening at home and need some help or support at this time let me encourage you to visit https://redeemercentral.com/care where you can reach out to our pastoral care team and they’ll be in touch to see how we might help or support you right now.
Redeemer Central is a church community in Belfast seeking to practice the way of Jesus and work for the peace and good of our city. For info on gatherings, prayer, resources and more during the season of COVID19 visit https://redeemercentral.com/churchathome
A special podcast episode with reflections from David Armstrong and a guided meditation on Psalm 23 and the Table of Jesus led by Ryan Hawthorne.
The meditation was recorded at our last ‘in-person’ Sunday Gathering on 15 March 2020. We share it with you now as a means of practicing the presence of God... in the midst of fears, anxieties & social-distancing we trust it brings peace, invites ruthless trust & blesses you soul.
David Armstrong continues our ‘Encountering Jesus’ series— stories from the gospels on the road to easter. He preaches from Matthew. 4 and Jesus temptation in the wilderness.
David Armstrong begins a new series during Lent entitled ‘Encountering Jesus’ — stories from the gospels on the road to easter. He preaches from Mark 8 as Jesus predicts his death to his disciples and calls them to the life of discipleship, taking up their crosses and following him.
Stephanie speaks to the ancient practise of Sabbath and how it is relevant to the age in which we live. It is an invitation that is routed in our identity as the free children of God.
David Armstrong continues our series looking at how a silence and solitude is essential in becoming a non anxious presence in a world that demands our focus.
David Armstrong continues our series looking at how a change of perspective is key if we are to experience the power and reality of God’s presence in our lives and thrive in a self obsessed secular age.
Ryan Hawthorne continues our six week series in the run up to Lent and focuses on Practicing Presence with prayer.
David Armstrong beings our new series on Practicing Presence as prepare for a week of prayer and fasting.
Ryan Hawthorne helps us understand Advent as a season of participation and anticipation through the lens of Jesus genealogy in Matthew 1.
David Armstrong finishes our series 'Ruth: Borders & Belonging' looking at the seemingly complicated but truly redemptive ending to Ruth and Naomi's story in Chapter 4 and the resulting implications on the community of faith to enlarge the circle of belonging further than was every imagined
Stephanie Wilson unpacks chapter three of Ruth and applies it to our current context, examining the hope filled message as Jesus calls us into His Kingdom of new.
David Armstrong continues our series in Ruth in Chapter 2. Ruth and Naomi have returned to Naomi’s homeland and Ruth decides to go try and meet their needs by gleaning the fields of a noble man in the community called Boaz. An encounter between Ruth and Boaz is the beginning of a remarkable turn in the story and fortune of the two women.
This Sunday, friend and founder of the TOBAR network, Alain Emerson returns with teaching from Ezekiel 47.
This Sunday we were excited to welcome back Jarrod McKenna. Jarrod is the co-founder of First Home Project, a community welcoming, housing and “giving a hand up not a hand out” to recently arrived refugees, was a part of initiating the LoveMakesAWay movement, and is a peace award winning nonviolent social change trainer.
Daniel Saunders continues our series in Ruth - a book about ordinary people doing ordinary things.
Daniel interviews Rosie about Home for Good, a Charity working to find families and homes for children.
David Armstrong begins our series in Ruth - a book about ordinary people doing ordinary things.
David discusses the ‘Hesed’ love that Ruth had, how she loved beyond limitations and challenges us today to be a people of embrace.
Jill Weber - Jill leads us in asking the question "What is my heart set on?". A. beautiful message from Psalm 84.
Jason Miller - This week’s teaching wrestles with the complicated nature of desire, focusing on Jesus’s surprising interaction with a beggar in Mark 10.
David Armstrong continues our series INTRO that explores what makes us Redeemer. This week he speaks about Tables and how the table practice of Jesus informs the table practice of the church and the shape of church community as a whole.
Ryan Hawthorne continues our new series called Intro that explores what makes us Redeemer.
In the second part Ryan speaks about the idea of the presence of God, and explores a sacramental way of seeing the world.
David Armstrong begins a new series called Intro that is a great introduction to our community and explores what makes us Redeemer.
In the first part David speaks about the significance of stories and how we all live in a story whether we realise it or not. Stories provide meaning and help us make sense of the world but they don't always lead to flourishing. The narratives we are immersed in can be either liberating or enslaving. It is only when our story intersects with the story of God that we quickly become aware of the fictions and can begin to live our true story as our true selves.
A wrap-up of the series with a conversation between David Armstrong, Stephanie Wilson and Ryan Hawthorne.
Stephanie Wilson reads from the final letter to the church in Laodicea. The letter talks about moving away from self sufficiency and towards dependency on Jesus.
David Armstrong continues our series Revelation: Se7en Letters with the letter to the church in Philadelphia that calls us to hold fast to the faithful, self-sacrifice way of Jesus.
Daniel Saunders continues our series Revelation: Se7en Letters with the letter to the church in Sardis.
This week Ryan Hawthorne looks at the letter to the church in Thyatira and challenges us to consider if we have compromised our faithfulness to Jesus in these interesting times we live.
Stephanie Wilson continues our series Revelation: Se7en Letters with the letter to the church in Smyrna.
Ryan Hawthorne opens our new series Revelation: Se7en Letters with the letter to the church in Ephesus and calls us back to our first love.
David Armstrong speaks on GØD as Father from Luke 15 and the radical countercultural parable of The Prodigal Son' reframing it as "The Parable of the Compassionate Father".
Stephanie Wilson continues our mini series on Pentecost Sunday celebrating the friendship of the Holy Spirit and inviting us to contend for more of a Spirit filled life to bring healing to the City and the Nation.
The week, David Armstrong kicks off our mini-series on the Trinity, introducing us to some of the background of the Jewish understanding of God and moving on to talking about Jesus, the son.
This week David Armstrong continues our series on Kingdom Ways with the way of Hospitality. Explaining the power that hospitality can hold and how it is a weapon of love to be used against our enemies, he encourages us to offer a more radically freedom-giving version of hospitality to those around us.
Our friend and guest Jason Miller explores this simple yet profound paradox — the closer we move to the centre of faith the more elusive and mysterious it seems. God cannot be put in a box or category yet has been revealed in a very particular way in time and place... in the person of Christ. The invitation is to embrace the mystery.
Jason Miller is a pastor, an artist, and a gifted teacher from South Bend, Indiana. He leads South Bend City Church, a community that seeks to practice the way of Jesus as they wrestles with the tensions of ancient faith in a modern world. You can follow his work at http://jasonadammiller.com.
Jesus was a contemplative activist, but never a reactivist. Dan Saunders speaks about the way of compassion from Matthew 14.
David Armstrong speaks about the church's calling to be cheerful givers and a community of generosity that responds to the lavish grace of God. He examines how this impacts our relationship with our resources and money.
Stephanie continues our series "Road to Easter" by exploring women as the first witnesses to the resurrection. Stephanie invites us to consider how we live resurrected lives.
This Easter Sunday, Ryan explores John 20:1-18, using the imagery of a black hole to help us understand the Resurrection. He then presents us with a fresh challenge, "Why don't we look more resurrected?" and seeks to answer, "How can we become more resurrected?"
David continues the series 'Road to Easter' with a talk that explores Jesus arrival as King in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
David Armstrong begins a mini series 'Road to Easter' beginning with this significant moment in Jesus life before he starts his ministry bringing God's Kingdom — his 40 nights in the wilderness and the three dark temptations that come to him.
This week David Armstrong completes our series in the Beatitudes with Matt. 5:10, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
This week our guest and friend, Jonny Clarke, continues our series in the Beatitudes with Matt. 5:9, "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God".
As someone with over 20 years of experience in peacebuilding and reconciliation, Jonny is perfectly placed to explore the meaning of this passage, and how we can be the 'shalom-bringers' God intends us to be.
This week, Ryan Hawthorne continues our series in the Beatitudes, with Matt. 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God". He encourages us to reorientate our hearts towards Christ, offering us a valuable practice and posture to embody, and therefore aid, that re-orientation.
Our guest and friend, Jarrod McKenna joins us this week to continue our series on the beatitudes, with Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. - Matt. 5:7. Pastor, activist and co-founder of First Home Project, Jarrod is well-placed to teach us about what mercy looks like and how God's people can show the mercy of God to others.
Dave Armstrong continues our series on The Beatitudes with Part 4, which looks at the verse, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled - Matt. 5:6
David Armstrong speaks on the second beatitude and this strange proclamation of Jesus that those who mourn are blessed. He explores grieving and it's role to enlarge our souls, to make way for human connection and participation and make room for the comfort and healing of others and God.
The Series "The Upside Down" seeks to dig into the Beatitudes, understanding what Jesus is saying and seeing the upside-down world which He speaks about.
David Armstrong opens our new series on the Beatitudes, introducing us to the overall theme and diving into the first of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The Series "The Upside Down" seeks to dig into the Beatitudes, understanding what Jesus is saying and seeing the upside-down world which He speaks about.
This week Ryan Hawthorne completes our series on the power of words, looking at creative and prophetic words. Giving us an overview of the prophets in the Old Testament and showing the unglamorous side of a prophet's life - the expectation of 'prophetic humiliation' - Ryan encourages us nonetheless to become people who speak the creative, hopeful words of God. By doing this, we begin to speak the Kingdom of God into being; we build a new world of justice, without pain or suffering, and in the presence of Jesus.
This week David Armstrong continues our series speaking about 'Healing Words' and the transforming power of Jesus to transform our pain to love and make us what Henri Noun calls 'wounded healers'. He then calls us as a community to be a 'house of healing' for the broken, a space where grace helps put us back together piece by piece.
This week David Armstrong continues our series on the power of words with 'Words of Encouragement' - Focussing on Jesus' words to Peter in John 21, Dave exhorts us to become a community which is deeply encouraging.
David Armstrong kicks off our new series entitled "Words Build Worlds" with an introduction to the power of words. Using passages from Proverbs and the Psalms, and adding his own experiences, David lays the foundation for the rest of the series.
Stephanie invites us to reflect, in this advent season, on our own story and the continued injustice in the world and, in all of this, to wait in hope.
David Armstrong returns with the second part of our Advent series, looking at Advent as a divine interruption.
David Armstrong kicks off our season of Advent, looking at the divine invitation to pause and consider where we are, orientating ourselves to God using the Christian calendar.
This week Ryan Hawthorne concludes our series in Philippians with his talk 'The Secret'. Dispelling popular myths, Ryan unpacks Paul's confidence in Christ and his Secret to contentment.
Peace Be Still. The call on our lives is to live in peace in our relationships with God and ourselves.
This week Daniel Saunders continues our series on Philippians looking at what it means for followers of Jesus to move towards maturity
This week David Armstrong continues our series on Philippians, focussing on verses 1-11.
This week Matt Graham continues our series in Philippians, reading from Philippians 2 and asking what true humility looks like.
This week Stephanie continues our series in Philippians, diving into what the Apostle Paul meant by “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” and asking how we can ‘live Christ’
This week Ryan Hawthorne kicks off our series in Philippians, Colony of Christ. Starting by putting the young church in context with an overview of the whole letter, Ryan moves on to show how some of the key lessons for the church are still vital for us today and applying Paul's Christ-centred teaching to our own community.
This week Ryan Hawthorne unpacks our 'Tables & Gardens' vision for this new season of Redeemer Central. Exploring the themes of tables and gardens which run through the Bible, Ryan lays out the vision for the community and explains what it'll mean in practice.
Matt Graham discusses two of the lies we believe about life: that there is a separation between the secular and the sacred, and that busyness is best. Believing these keeps us from living in the freedom of God's purposes and his rest.
Stephanie discusses the lies we believe about ourselves, namely, that I must be in control, my life is my own and that it’s just the way I am. Believing these keeps us from living free and whole as the children of God.
This week Ryan Hawthorne challenges some of our false but commonly held beliefs about God, pointing us to a Lord and Father who is pure Love, no ifs, no buts.
This week Dave Wylie talks to us about Ecclesiastes, drawing out some key lessons from this challenging book.
Gillian takes us through Ephesians 3:14-21 discussing the empowering work of the spirit.
Dave looks at God's presence which is the central fact of Christianity and the story of a God who wants to be present with His people
Matt Graham teaches from Matthew 22: 34-40 on the greatest commandment to love God and love others as you love yourself.
Ryan Hawthorne completes the series ‘Resident Aliens’ looking at the church as a community of future and our collective purpose to be an image of the glorious future in the kingdom of God. This series ‘Resident Aliens’ explores the idea of the church living in a strange age. Over the six talks we looked at the communal identity of the church, why it matters and what it's for.
David Armstrong asks the question "What time is it, Redeemer?" and shares insight into the season we are being led int as a community - one of seeking the face of God in prayer. To help with this we remember the ancient way of the Celtic Christians who, instead of forcing their agenda, paid attention to what was already happening and stewarded that... much like a farmer stewards the land in season. (This is the second part of a two part talk). This series ‘Resident Aliens’ explores the idea of the church living in a strange age. Over the six talks we looked at the communal identity of the church, why it matters and what it's for
David Armstrong continues the series ‘Resident Aliens’ looking at the church as a community of the ancient and how the counter-intuitive way of Jesus hides our future inside our history. The call for the church then is to rediscover those ancient paths and walk in them, learning particularly from our own Celtic spiritual history in Ireland. (This is the first part of a two part talk). This series ‘Resident Aliens’ explores the idea of the church living in a strange age. Over the six talks we looked at the communal identity of the church, why it matters and what it's for. Note: Unfortunately the recording of the excellent talk given by Stephanie Wilson on 3 June 2018 entitled "Resident Aliens: Part 4 - A Community of Differents" is not available due to recording difficulties. Apologies.
The Resident Aliens series explores six aspects of the church living in a strange world. In this episode, Daniel Saunders continues with Part 3: A Community of Embrace
Ryan Hawthorne continues the series ‘Resident Aliens’ looking at the church as a community of death and the call to follow Jesus example of a sacrificial, cruciform way of life. This new series ‘Resident Aliens’ explores the idea of the church living in a strange age. Over six talks we'll look at the communal identity of the church, why it matters and what it's for.
This new series ‘Resident Aliens’ explores the idea of the church living in a strange age. Over six talks we'll look at the communal identity of the church, why it matters and what it's for. David Armstrong begins looking at the church as a community in exile in a digital Babylon age.
The guest speaker this week is our friend Jason Miller from South Bend City Church, Indiana, USA. Jason speaks on seeing the Imago Dei (Image of God) in every person in a talk entitled 'Everyone an icon'. In it he dives into how we and our culture perceive each other, and how God turns that perception on its head. *Apologies, the first few minutes of this talk was missed in the recording.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. Stephanie Wilson shares on the practice of prayer as listening and the intentional pursuit of hearing from God
Guest speaker and friend Alain Emerson preaches on 'Luminous Dark', showing us that when we are going through hell we can be reassured that Jesus has already been there, and is right there with us as it happens. Alain Emerson is Irish National Director of 24-7 Prayer and one of the lead Pastors at Emmanuel Church, a thriving young church in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Alain has a passion to see God do a new thing in Ireland. He is married to Rachel and they have two daughters, Annie and Erin.
Easter Sunday: The focus of our faith, the joy of resurrection life! David Armstrong brings us a one-off on moving through the periods of our life which reflect the feelings of Good Friday and Easter Saturday, to the celebration of Easter Sunday.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. Ryan Hawthorne uses the images of prayer as both an anchor and a kite to help us see how God uses prayer to change both us and the world, giving practical recommendations for embedding it in our lives.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. Daniel Saunders looks at the practice of "prayer and abiding" in John 15:1-17 where Jesus describes himself as the true vine and calls his disciples to remain in him.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. Continuing in the season of Lent, our friend and guest speaker Glen Mitchell dives into 'The Practice of Scripture', unpacking Jesus' example of understanding his identity and fighting temptation with the Scriptures.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. As we begin the season of Lent David Armstrong continues the series looking at 'The Practice of Fasting' encouraging us to create space in our lives in order that we can feast on and nourish ourselves in Jesus as the bread of life.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. David Armstrong continues the series looking at 'The Practice of Service ' and encourages us to follow the teachings and example of Jesus by living with a posture of servanthood, looking beyond ourselves to the needs of others and at the same time experiencing true freedom.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. Ryan Hawthorne continues the series looking at 'The Practice of Sabbath' encouraging us to rest and worship; to take a deep breath in the freedom of the Sabbath.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. Stephanie Wilson continues the series looking at 'The Practice of Gratitude' encouraging us to be people that adopt a posture of ongoing thankfulness for life.
Holy Habits' is a series that looks at some of the key practices that help us experience change and transformation, forming us on the road of becoming more like Jesus. David Armstrong begins the series looking at 'The Practice of Faith' encouraging us to be people that use doubt and deconstruction only as doorways into new ways of being, of looking upward, seeking ultimate reality, and hoping for things yet unseen.