Church Folks

In this episode of the Church Folks Podcast, we talk about why it’s so important to approach the Bible with exegesis—drawing out God's intended meaning—rather than eisegesis—reading our own ideas into the text. With a clear, relatable style, we unpack common Bible stories we often misread, like David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, and Ruth’s story, and show how they all actually point to Jesus—not us. This conversation is a call to stop making ourselves the heroes of Scripture and to see Christ as the true and better fulfillment in every story. If you want to grow in handling God’s Word faithfully and worshipfully, this episode is for you.

In this final episode of our Walk in the Spirit series, we look at the last fruit Paul lists in Galatians 5: self-control. In a world that constantly tells us to follow our impulses and express every feeling, Scripture calls believers to something different — a life shaped and governed by the Spirit of God.Self-control isn’t simply strong willpower or personal discipline. It’s the Spirit-produced ability to say no to the desires of the flesh and yes to the ways of Christ. From our words to our reactions, from temptation to everyday decisions, the Spirit is working to form a life that is no longer ruled by impulse but guided by obedience.We'll explore what biblical self-control really is, why it matters so deeply in the Christian life, and how walking in the Spirit strengthens us to live with wisdom, restraint, and freedom.As we close out the Fruit of the Spirit series, we’re reminded that these qualities are not behaviors we manufacture, but fruit that grows as we stay connected to Jesus.

In this episode of the Church Folks Podcast, we continue our Walk in the Spirit series by looking at the often misunderstood fruit of the Spirit: gentleness.In a culture that celebrates being loud, forceful, and always winning the argument, gentleness can easily be mistaken for weakness. But Scripture paints a very different picture. Biblical gentleness is not passive or timid — it’s strength under control. It’s the kind of character that reflects the very heart of Jesus, who described Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.”We explore what gentleness truly looks like in the life of a believer, why it matters in how we speak to and care for others, and how the Spirit of God forms this fruit in us as we walk closely with Christ.When the Spirit shapes our lives, our words soften, our posture changes, and our relationships begin to reflect the gentleness of Jesus.

Faithfulness rarely makes headlines, but it’s one of the clearest marks of a life shaped by the Spirit. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by looking at the quiet strength of faithfulness — the steady commitment to God, His Word, and the people He has placed in our lives.Together we explore how our faithfulness grows out of God’s perfect faithfulness, why consistency in small things matters more than we often realize, and how the Spirit forms a life that stays the course even when feelings change or results are slow.

Goodness is more than being nice — it’s moral courage shaped by the character of God. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by exploring what biblical goodness really means and why it goes deeper than cultural definitions of “being a good person.”Together we look at how goodness flows from a transformed heart, why it often requires quiet courage, and how Spirit-formed integrity becomes a powerful witness in a confused world. If you’ve ever wrestled with staying faithful to what’s right when it’s inconvenient, this conversation will encourage us to pursue the kind of goodness that reflects Christ.

Kindness isn’t weakness — it’s the visible expression of God’s grace at work in us. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by exploring how Spirit-formed kindness shows up in our words, our reactions, and the way we treat people — especially when it would be easier to be harsh.Together we look at how God’s kindness toward us becomes the foundation for kindness toward others, why kindness is love in action, and how small, everyday acts of grace can point people to Christ. In a world that often defaults to criticism and outrage, this conversation reminds us that kindness is a powerful witness to the character of Jesus.

Patience sounds simple — until life slows down, people frustrate us, or prayers go unanswered longer than we hoped. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by talking about the kind of patience the Spirit grows in us — a steady, long-suffering love that trusts God’s timing instead of demanding our own.Together we explore how God’s patience toward us becomes the foundation for patience with others, how endurance is formed in difficult seasons, and why patience isn’t weakness but Spirit-shaped strength. If you’ve been feeling stretched lately, this conversation will help us see how God uses waiting to shape Christlike character in us.

Peace isn’t just quiet moments or a stress-free life — it’s a deep, steady wholeness that comes from being made right with God through Jesus. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by exploring the kind of peace the Spirit produces — the kind that holds firm even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.Together we talk about peace with God, peace within, and peace with others, and how this isn’t something we manufacture but something that grows as we walk closely with Christ. If your mind has felt restless or your heart has felt heavy, this conversation points us back to the Prince of Peace and the calm only He can give.

Joy is more than a good mood or a positive mindset — it’s a deep, Spirit-formed confidence rooted in what God has done and what He has promised. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our series on the fruit of the Spirit by talking about a kind of joy that can exist even in hard seasons.Together we explore how joy is different from happiness, how it’s anchored in salvation rather than circumstances, and how Jesus Himself modeled joy in the face of suffering. If life has felt heavy or unpredictable lately, this conversation will help us see how real, lasting joy grows when we stay close to Christ.

Love is the first fruit listed in Galatians 5 — and that’s not an accident. In this episode of Church Folks, we kick off a new series walking backward through the fruit of the Spirit by starting at the root: love.But not the sentimental, Hallmark-card version. We’re talking about the kind of love that comes from the Spirit, is defined by Jesus, and shows up in real, everyday life — especially when it’s hard. Together we’ll explore how love fulfills the law, exposes empty religion, and becomes the primary evidence that Christ is actually at work in us.If we want the rest of the fruit to grow, this is where it starts.

What does a lifetime of faithfulness really look like—not in theory, but in the long, slow obedience of real life? In this episode, we sit down with Mary Ann Wimberly, a woman whose story bears the quiet strength of endurance shaped by God Himself. Rooted in James 1:2–4, this conversation explores how trials don’t derail faith but deepen it, producing perseverance, maturity, and a life that reflects God’s steady hand. With honesty, wisdom, and hope, Mary Ann reminds us that joy isn’t found in avoiding hardship—but in trusting the God who uses it to make us whole.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re not chasing trends or turning pages just to feel new—we’re putting roots down.In this episode, we introduce CORE7, the seven core values that will shape the life, discipleship, and direction of our church in the year ahead. This isn’t a sermon series breakdown and it’s not a program rollout—it’s a vision moment. A look at who we are becoming on purpose.CORE7 is about cultivating biblical conviction, Spirit-formed lives, missional faithfulness, generous hearts, intentional discipleship, courageous obedience, and unshakable Kingdom hope. These values will guide how we preach, how we live, and how we follow Jesus together.If you’ve ever wondered where we’re going as a church—or how your everyday faith fits into the bigger picture—this conversation is for you.The soil is ready.The seeds are being planted.Let’s cultivate what God is growing.

In this episode, we linger with Simeon’s Song from Luke 2:25–35 and listen for the quiet sound of a soul at rest. Through reflective meditation, we explore how faithful waiting, Spirit-led dependence, and the recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah lead to lasting peace. Simeon’s words affirm that God keeps His promises—even when fulfillment carries cost and sorrow. This conversation invites us to slow down, hold together both joy and suffering, and rest in the deep assurance that salvation has come. As we close the Sounds of Christmas series, we are reminded that true peace is not found in circumstances, but in seeing and trusting Christ.

In this episode, we step into the fields of Bethlehem where heaven split the night and the angels delivered the greatest news the world has ever heard. Together we reflect on The Angel’s Song in Luke 2:8–20 — a song of glory, peace, and unstoppable joy. We explore how the arrival of Jesus draws near the blazing glory of God, awakens holy wonder, and sends ordinary people running with extraordinary proclamation. As a church family, we slow down long enough to marvel at the Savior’s birth, rise into the angels’ cry of “good news of great joy,” and ask how this same joy should move us to rejoice deeply and proclaim boldly in our own day. This Advent season, let heaven’s song become our own.

In this episode, we step into the quiet, weighty story behind Zechariah’s Song in Luke 1:67–79 — a song born from silence, shaped by meditation, and overflowing with praise. Together we explore what happens when the Word of the Lord is allowed to settle deeply in our souls, confronting our doubt, strengthening our faith, and awakening true worship. This reflective monologue invites our church family to slow down, listen closely, and let God’s promises take root until blessing naturally rises from within us. If you’re longing for a deeper, steadier walk with the Lord this Advent season, this episode will guide you toward the kind of meditation that leads to worship and the kind of worship that leads to peace.

In this episode, Tyler takes us into the heart of Mary’s Song from Luke 1:46–55 — a hymn of surrender, awe, and wholehearted adoration before the God who sees, calls, and lifts the lowly. Through a lyrical spoken-word reflection, we explore what it means to magnify the Lord like Mary did: not just with our lips, but with our whole lives. This episode invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and let the incarnation of Christ draw your soul into humble worship. If you need a reset of wonder and a rekindling of devotion in this Advent season, this one’s for you.

Gratitude isn’t just good manners — it’s good theology. In this episode of Church Folks Podcast, we dive into the heart of thanksgiving and discover how true gratitude changes everything: our outlook, our worship, and even our warfare. From the ten lepers who forgot to thank Jesus to Paul’s command to “give thanks in everything,” we’ll see how remembering the Giver turns everyday moments into acts of worship. Together, we’ll learn that thankfulness isn’t a seasonal feeling — it’s a spiritual weapon and a way of life that glorifies God and strengthens His church.

In a world quick to say “just live the gospel,” we’re reminded that the gospel was meant to be spoken. In this episode of the Church Folks Podcast, we talk about the power of both our lives and our lips in pointing people to Jesus. From the Great Commission to the book of Acts, Scripture makes it clear that while our actions may open the door, our words carry the message that saves. Together, we’ll unpack why evangelism is every believer’s calling, how the Holy Spirit empowers us to speak with boldness, and why good works without gospel words fall short. Because when it comes to sharing Christ — kindness matters, but words are necessary.

In this episode of the Church Folks Podcast, we slow down long enough to talk about something most of us have forgotten how to do — rest. God didn’t design rest as a luxury for the lazy but as a holy rhythm for His people. Together, we unpack what Scripture really says about the Sabbath, from Genesis to Jesus, and how learning to stop is actually one of the most faith-filled things we can do.We’ll see how rest reveals what we truly believe about God’s sovereignty, why busyness can become a quiet form of rebellion, and how Jesus Himself offers the deepest kind of rest our souls crave. This conversation invites us to step off the treadmill of hurry, silence the noise, and rediscover the radical gift of Sabbath — not as a rule to follow, but as a relationship to enjoy.Because when we stop striving, we start trusting… and that’s where real rest begins.

We all face moments when faith feels fragile and questions feel louder than answers. In this episode of Church Folks Podcast, we dive into what it really means to wrestle with doubt — and how that wrestling can actually strengthen our faith rather than destroy it. From John the Baptist’s prison questions (Matthew 11:2–6, CSB) to Thomas’s honest skepticism (John 20:24–29, CSB) and the father who cried, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24, CSB), Scripture shows us a God who meets us right in the tension. Together, we’ll learn that doubt doesn’t mean our faith is dead — it’s an invitation to deeper trust, greater honesty, and a more grounded walk with Jesus.