Shows
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Leaving the Ninety-Nine for the One (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 18:1-20)Rather than ignoring wrongdoing or shaming people publicly, Jesus outlines a gracious process aimed at restoration and reconciliation. He emphasizes the serious responsibility of the community to reflect both God’s justice and God's mercy. We may need courage to lovingly restore lost sheep but Jesus assures us that he is present and actively at work in our midst when we do.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"...
2026-01-2615 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | The Most Dangerous Prayer (Matthew 6)Prayer often feels awkward, performative, or quietly exhausting, like saying the right words while trying to stay in control. What if Jesus didn’t give us a prayer to make us feel safe but to confront our pride, expose our grudges, and rearrange our lives? This episode explores why the Lord’s Prayer may be far more dangerous and transformative than we’ve ever realized.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2026-01-2528 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | No Strangers, No Outcasts (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 15:21–39)Jesus encounters a desperate mother whose daughter is suffering, but this mother is a Canaanite – ancient enemies of the Jewish people. Jesus initially seems unresponsive but she remains humble and persistent. Jesus ultimately responds to her affectionately and with a rare level of praise for her faith, demonstrating that God's love extends to all who approach in faith. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.or...
2026-01-2315 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Mistaking Our Ways for God's Ways (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 15:1–20)The religious leaders challenge Jesus for ignoring tradition but Jesus turns the tables on them. He confronts these leaders for elevating human traditions above God’s commands, substituting outward religious practices for genuine inward obedience. By shifting the focus from external behavior to inner transformation, Jesus calls his followers to examine the condition of their hearts rather than relying on the outward appearance of holiness.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a...
2026-01-2215 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fear vs. Faith – A Question of Focus (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 14:22-26)After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while he finally finds time for solitude. Later in the night, Jesus comes to them walking on the water. Peter initially steps out in faith then begins to sink. Fear takes over when we focus on the storm but faith prevails when we fix our eyes on Jesus. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https...
2026-01-2115 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | When Yours and My Needs Collide (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 12:1-21)After hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdraws to a quiet place to grieve. The crowds follow him but instead of Jesus turning them away, he is moved to care for them. Despite his own deep and authentic need, he takes time to care for the needs of others. How do we respond when faced with a similar challenge? What might God have us do when our own needs collide with the needs of others?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.hi...
2026-01-2015 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | What Do Enemies Deserve? (Matthew 5)“Love your enemies” sounds beautiful on a coffee mug . . . until you’re the one being insulted, dismissed, or harmed. When outrage feels justified and revenge feels reasonable, what does real love look like without becoming passive or naïve? And what might loving your enemies actually change, both in the world and in you?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2026-01-1833 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Jesus the Lawbreaker? (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 12:1–21)The Pharisees were trying to preserve their nation's Jewish identity in the face of Greek culture and Roman occupation. One of their cultural guardrails was the faithful observance of sabbath rest, an issue over which they repeatedly clashed with Jesus. In this encounter, Jesus heals a man on the sabbath. Did Jesus thus break God's sabbath laws, or was Jesus right to look for a deeper purpose in God's laws?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/...
2026-01-1615 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Crushed by Darkness and Doubt (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 11)Imprisoned in Herod Antipas' fortress, John the Baptist begins to doubt. He was the one who saw the Spirit of God descend upon Jesus but in the darkness of prison, he begins to ask some tough questions. One might expect Jesus to reprimand John. Instead, Jesus gives him reassurance and praise. Rather than silence doubt, Jesus treats doubt as a part of discipleship, especially for those who put everything on the line for God.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/
2026-01-1516 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | The Cost of Discipleship (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 10:24–42)In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had encouraged his listeners to put God first and trust God for the rest. In this passage, Jesus extends that principle to putting Jesus first and the potential short-term costs, which may even include rejection from our families. For many, this price might seem too high but Jesus assures us that God will honor those who choose faithfulness!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in...
2026-01-1415 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Sent With the Spirit (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 10:1–23)Jesus sends out the twelve disciples on their own but with detailed instructions. Some of those instructions were just for those disciples, and even just for that particular moment. However, understanding what Jesus was doing in that moment can help us discern universal patterns and values that apply in all cases, even for us today, especially the promise that God's Spirit will be with us.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in...
2026-01-1316 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | The Gift of Availability (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 9:18-38)Jesus makes himself available to all kinds of people, both the privileged and the outcast. He embraces all kinds of interruptions, looking for the opportunity to bring people closer to God. He even encourages us to have the same kingdom focus -- to pray that God would raise up more workers to connect people back to God. Who knows? God might even invite us to become a part of the answer to that prayer!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/
2026-01-1216 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | When Trying Harder Misses the Point (Matthew 5)When did faith start feeling like another performance review? Jesus doesn’t say, “Become salt and light.” He says, “You are.” So why do so many of us live like we’re still trying to earn it? And what changes when you stop?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2026-01-1123 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Solid Rock or Sinking Sand? (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 7)Jesus closes his Sermon on the Mount with a parable about a house built on sand which is washed away by the storm vs. a house built on rock that survives. This, says Jesus, is the contrast between those who do and those who do not put Jesus' teachings into practice. Faithfulness does not prevent the storms of life, but it promises to sustain us through them. Faith in action is faith that endures!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/
2026-01-0915 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Undivided Loyalties (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 6) [corrected][An earlier version of this episode was missing the first scripture reading.]In this section of Jesus' sermon, he turns our attention to spiritual practices (fasting, praying, giving) as expressions of trust. He highlights money itself as a critical focus, one that can easily become a substitute for God in our hearts and minds. Money promises security but in the end, it creates even greater anxiety about the future. Instead, we find true peace in God when we put God first in our lives.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one...
2026-01-0816 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Love My Enemies? I Barely Love My Friends! (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 5:1-26) [corrected][An earlier version of this podcast was uploaded without the first scripture reading.]Throughout this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continues to magnify the reach of God's Law, not just to our behavior, but to our hearts. God wants us to know God's heart and follow it in all ways, even to the point of loving our enemies. God's love is so amazing that it extends even to those who see themselves as God's enemies, and Jesus invites us to follow God's example.Looking for a previous devo? Want to...
2026-01-0715 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | What Even Is a "Beatitude"?! (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 5:1-26)Jesus, much like Moses, brings God's covenant and God's instructions to the people from the mountain. Jesus is calling the people into a relationship with God, one that is richer and more connected with God than they may have ever thought possible. These opening words are called "beatitudes", from the Latin for "happy" or "blessed", but they are much more than principles of happiness. Jesus is revealing who God is, who he is, and what true life will look like for all of us.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a...
2026-01-0615 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Tempted? Tested? What's the Difference? (New Testament in a Year, Matthew 4)Jesus faces temptation not with mere arguments or willpower, but with God's Word. His victory over temptations reminds us that spiritual strength is formed long before moments of testing arrive. Temptation often appeals to godly desires pursued in the wrong way, but God’s Word anchors us in trust and faithfulness.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Re...
2026-01-0516 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | The Risk Worth Taking (Matthew 4)First Sunday of the year: fresh calendars, fresh goals, and fresh resolve. Then Jesus cuts through all of it with a different invitation - one that doesn’t start with “try harder,” but with “turn around.” What if repentance isn’t shame but a new and better direction?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2026-01-0521 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithHow is the Bible God's word AND human words? Tim MackieRecorded on January 16, 2024.This episode features Tim Mackie from the BibleProject. It explores questions of biblical interpretation, Scripture, faith and history, and, as the BibleProject emphasizes, how the Bible comes together to form a unified story.Highrock's Scripture & Tradition series looks at some of the basic tools that can help us understand the Bible. How can we view the Bible as simultaneously divine and human literature? If this question piques your interest, this episode may interest you! In this conversation, moderator Scott Rice is joined by Tim Mackie, co-founder of the Bible Project, for the...
2026-01-0335 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fruit of the Spirit - Self-Control (Holiday Replay, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)In this holiday replay from September 5, 2024, we consider the Apostle Paul's encouragement to practice self-control. The Corinthians were well-acquainted with Olympic-style games; their city held similar games every two years. Paul uses these athletics as a metaphor for the Christian life, especially the need to say "no" to our appetites in order to achieve goals with a far greater value!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/We will resume new devotionals on Monday with Matthew 4, tracking...
2026-01-0215 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness (Holiday Replay, Hebrews 5:1-2,7-9)Happy New Year! In this holiday replay from August 29, 2024, we consider Jesus as our high priest. A good high priest is able to be gentle with wayward people because he shares their weaknesses and struggles -- and Jesus is our perfect high priest. When we fail to be gentle with others, could it be because we forget or deny our own weaknesses?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/We will resume new devotionals on Monday. We...
2026-01-0114 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fruit of the Spirit - Kindness (Holiday Replay, Ephesians 2:1-7)In this holiday replay from July 15, 2024, we consider kindness as a fruit of the Spirit. Do you keep any trophies, certificates, diplomas, or awards on display? What important events or achievements do they commemorate? God, too, has trophies; we are trophies of God's grace and kindness. What are some of the ways that you display God's kindness to the world?We will resume new devotionals in the new year that track with our congregational read-through of the New Testament.https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentLooking for a previous devo...
2025-12-3115 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fruit of the Spirit - Patience (Holiday Replay, Romans 8:22-25)In this holiday replay from July 31, 2024, Pastors Taylor and Dave discuss the relationship between patience and confidence in Paul's words to the ancient believers in Rome.We will resume new devotionals in the new year that track with our congregational read-through of the New Testament.https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentLooking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/
2025-12-3015 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fruit of the Spirit - Peace (Holiday Replay, Colossians 3:12-17)In this holiday replay from August 15, 2024, we consider the Apostle Paul's encouragement to allow peace to "rule in your hearts." How might we finally live at peace with one another and experience the feeling of peace we so often desire? The Apostle Paul shares several steps that we can all take together today.We will resume new devotionals in the new year that track with our congregational read-through of the New Testament.https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentLooking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend...
2025-12-2915 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | The Christmas No One Noticed (Luke 2)Christmas is supposed to be the moment everything changes. But the first Christmas passed almost unnoticed followed by years of ordinary life, silence, and waiting. What if faith is formed not in the miracle itself but in the long waiting that follows?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-12-2829 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithChristian Nationalism - Russell Moore's viewRecording of the American Evangelicalism Theology Lab session from November 11, 2022 with guest, Rev. Dr. Russell Moore (Christianity Today).In this discussion, moderated by Rev. Dr. Walter Kim (president, National Association of Evangelicals), Russell Moore shares some personal stories about his relation to faith and political engagement. Russell speaks to the looming issue of Christian Nationalism, and what it means for Christians today to maintain both integrity and faithfulness in the public sphere. In the final part of his discussion with Walter Kim, Russell speaks to the crisis that evangelicalism faces today and the possibilities for revitalization and...
2025-12-2721 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fruit of the Spirit - Joy (Holiday Replay, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)In this holiday replay from August 5, 2024, Paul instructs us to be continually joyful, and prayerful, and thankful. These are not separate commands. Rather, they are like a 3-legged stool that cannot hold us without all three legs. God deeply cares about our joy, and our joy is possible only when partnered with continual prayer and gratitude!We will resume new devotionals in the new year that track with our congregational read-through of the New Testament.https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentLooking for a previous devo? Want to share one...
2025-12-2614 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Fruit of the Spirit - Love (Holiday Replay, 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:3)In this holiday replay from July 8, 2024, we consider God's agape love -- the first fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This love is very different from all the other kinds of love that we might experience. But in order to understand it and share it with others, we must first receive it ourselves. It is a fruit of the Spirit, not our own efforts!We will resume new devotionals in the new year that track with our congregational read-through of the New Testament.https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentLooking...
2025-12-2515 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | The High Cost of Love (Holiday Replay, Matthew 1:18-25)In this holiday replay from last year, we see that Joseph faced a difficult choice -- the woman he loved was pregnant and the child was not his. What should he do? Though he likely felt betrayed, he chose a path that would spare Mary of any additional shame, even at great cost to himself. God gave Jesus parents who would raise Jesus in the path of true righteousness, a path of faith, mercy, and self-sacrificial love.We will resume new devotionals in the new year that track with our congregational read-through of the New Testament.
2025-12-2415 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Peace for the Nations (Advent 17, Zechariah 9:9-10)Through the prophet Zechariah, God paints a picture of the coming messiah-king, a ruler unlike any other. Riding on a donkey rather than a warhorse, this king proclaims peace not just to Israel but to all nations. This picture is a foretelling of who Jesus would be and what he would do for us. Zechariah’s vision continues to invite us to expect and embrace the peace of Christ which will one day end all war.Christmas Eve Services:https://www.highrock.org/calendar/christmaseve2025Looking for a previous devo? Want to share on...
2025-12-2314 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Peace on Earth (Advent 16, Luke 2:8-14)God’s peace often comes in unexpected ways and places. The angels' announcement of "peace on earth" is given to shepherds - shift workers on the margins of society. God's peace is not reserved for the powerful and privileged, but offered freely to all in Christ. Advent invites us to listen for God’s good news in humble moments, and even dark circumstances.Pastor Dave's sermon on Luke 2https://youtu.be/ZUDG3TDi6YgChristmas Eve Services:https://www.highrock.org/calendar/christmaseve2025Looking for a pr...
2025-12-2215 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Peace in a World Like This (Matthew 2)Peace on earth gets sung every Christmas—but the world still feels loud, fractured, and anxious. What if the peace promised that first Christmas was never meant to wait for the world to be fixed?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-12-2135 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithHow did we get the Bible? Karen KeenThis interview with Karen Keen, author of the Word of a Humble God (Eerdmans, 2022), explores topics around biblical interpretation, how to engage challenging parts of Scripture, stories about war and violence in the Bible, biblical interpretation methods. Karen's book has been described as a top resource for an introduction to the Bible (Scripture) and introduction to scriptural interpretation. How can we read the Bible in light of God's humility and hear God's voice anew? Karen's book! https://www.amazon.com/Word-Humble-God-Inspiration-Interpretation/dp/0802878695 Learn more about Highrock's Theology Lab: highrock.org/theologylabfacebook: / highrocktheologylab
2025-12-2042 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Love Draws Close (Advent 12, John 1:9-14)God’s love is not distant or detached. In Jesus, God has drawn close to us, inviting us to be part of God's family. Jesus came for everyone, even those who would misunderstand or reject him. God is with us, full of grace and truth, and offers us the right to become true children of God.From Fast to Feast (Community Meal on 12/17)https://www.highrock.org/calendar/fromfasttofeastThe registration form for MetroWest is open. The Arlington registration form is closed but there is a contact listed. Be sure to me...
2025-12-1615 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | The Quiet Language of Love (John 1)Sometimes the most powerful expressions of love arrive in forms we don’t expect. A familiar name for Jesus may hold a deeper meaning for our worth, belonging, and grace than we’ve ever noticed.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-12-1429 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithWhy I Changed My Mind: Women & Leadership in the ChurchIn this Theology Lab Kristin and Scott take up a big question: When and why did we change our mind on a deeply personal topic? This is a question that many of us ask, or are asking from time to time, in our faith. Here we ask about women in ministry or women serving in the highest levels of pastoral leadership. At one point both of us considered ourselves theological complementarians -- the idea that women and men have specific roles within at least the sphere of the church, even if considered equal in the eyes of God...
2025-12-1313 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | What If Hope Comes Quietly? (Luke 1)Ever hoped God would show up in big, obvious ways—only to feel underwhelmed or overlooked? This sermon wrestles with why God’s greatest gifts often arrive in small, unassuming packages… and why hope rarely looks the way we expect.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-12-0727 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | When Happiness isn't Enough (Psalm 16)Whether this season finds you surrounded by laughter and lights—or numb, lonely, or emotionally worn—many of us know the quiet ache beneath the surface. In a time when so much around us promises quick fixes and feel-good moments, what if the gift we truly long for is something deeper, steadier, and more sacred?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-11-3027 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithThink theology is just for experts? Think again. What it means for ordinary Christians to do theologyWant to watch the episode? https://youtu.be/J_V6uHYxnbYIn this Theology Lab Conversations episode (episode #1!) Scott Rice and Greg Fung ask a big question: Is theology only for non-experts, or is it something every Christian is called to engage? This conversation explores the basics of theology, how ordinary believers can grow in their understanding of essentials, of interpreting the Bible, and why learning to think theologically matters for the church in light of some the major challenges and questions were asking today. Whether you identify as evangelical, exvangelical, or simply someone with your own...
2025-11-2516 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Service (Luke 10)You feel the weight of the world’s hurt—and maybe also the tension of your own life, whether it feels cushioned with comfort or stretched thin by struggle. What do we do with that ache? Perhaps the practice of service isn’t about fixing everything, but about becoming the kind of people who refuse to look away.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-11-2326 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithNew Series! Theology Lab's 'Conversations' - Intro episodeWant to watch the episode? https://youtu.be/J_V6uHYxnbYIn this episode of Conversations -- a new Theology Lab series! -- we explore foundational topics of Christian faith in an accessible, honest, and thoughtful way. Designed for ordinary Christians, for folks coming from evangelical backgrounds, post-evangelicals, folks who might identify as deconstructing faith but also just for who are curious, the Conversations series offers a safe space to learn through discussions. We talk about the core themes of theology— ideas about God, interacting with the Bible in different ways, social issues, and how Christian belief ha...
2025-11-2005 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithCan advent and Christmas inspire kids AND adults to a deeper, more reflective faith? Sarah Shin & Shin Maeng explain how it canIn this interview, Sarah Shin (author, writer, theologian; Beyond Colorblind) and Shin Maeng (artist, illustrator, storyteller; shinhappens.com) join Scott Rice for a discussion about their new children's story book, The Deliverer Has Come (Penguin Randomhouse). https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721873/the-deliverer-has-come-by-sarah-shin-illustrated-by-shin-maeng/ https://www.amazon.com/Deliverer-Has-Come-Christmas-Story-ebook/dp/B0CPDVZZMS They discuss how children's books can help illuminate our faith, our understandings of God, and how we read and imagine the Bible and its importance for our faith lives. They also cover topics such as parenting and how the whole community helps care for the...
2025-11-1722 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Community (Acts 15)Community sounds dreamy until the misunderstandings, disappointments, and sparks start to fly. But what if those wounds aren’t signs that something’s wrong . . . but clues to how Jesus actually grows us into people who can truly belong?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-11-1633 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Scripture (Matthew 7)You’ve tried reading the Bible—maybe out of duty, maybe out of guilt—but it feels more like homework than hope. What if the point isn’t reading more but meeting Someone in the words who can make them come alive again?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-11-0925 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Generosity (1 Timothy 6)We hustle, compare, worry about not having enough, and quietly hope we’re doing “better than most.” But what if Jesus invites us into a different economy - one where security, joy, and freedom don’t rise and fall with our bank balance?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-11-0231 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Solitude (Luke 5)We’re surrounded by noise, pulled in every direction, and still feel strangely empty. In fact, we often feel drained. Jesus experienced the same busyness and franticness, yet he often slipped away to quiet, lonely places - why? Maybe what he found there is the very thing our restless souls are missing.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-10-2629 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Fasting (Isaiah 58)What if the very practice you’ve written off as outdated could open the door to real freedom? Isaiah’s ancient words expose why our attempts at change keep looping—and how saying “no” for a moment might lead to the deeper “yes” our hearts are hungry for.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-10-1931 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Teach Us to Pray (Matthew 6)You can be gifted, passionate, and still running on empty. Many of us are doing good things for God while quietly running out of fuel. What if prayer isn’t another task to master - but the simple, daily way to be refilled with the love and power we’ve been missing?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-10-1232 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Sabbath (Exodus 20)What if the life you’re building by working harder is quietly breaking the soul you’re meant to protect? In a world that prizes hustle and productivity, Jesus invites us into a different rhythm—one that redefines success through rest, delight, and trust.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-10-0527 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Good News, Bad News (Hosea 14)Sometimes hope feels like a cruel joke - distant promises when you’re drowning in present pain. But Hosea dares to suggest that God’s love can cure even our chronic unfaithfulness and teach us a new, better way to live.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-09-2827 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Offensive Worship (Amos 5)We love the idea of justice - until it interrupts our comfort or costs us something. But what if God isn’t impressed by our worship songs at all unless our lives also flow with justice? Amos’ fiery words push us to face the disconnect we’d rather ignore.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-09-2131 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Unpopular Truths (Jeremiah 7)We all want comfort from God, but what happens when He gives us confrontation instead? Jeremiah’s unpopular message calls out the false securities we hide behind and calls us back to justice & compassion. What if the challenge you least want to hear is the truth you most need?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-09-1427 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Good Grief (Ezekiel 2-3)Feeling defeated by headlines, home drama, or politics you can’t change? If you’ve prayed, posted, protested - and still feel stuck - maybe you’re fighting the wrong enemy. Hear why the prophet Ezekiel’s strange assignment suggests the solution is learning to share God’s grief - and why inner change is the lever for everything else.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-09-0734 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | David's Final Advice (1 Kings 2)If you knew your time was short, what would you say? King David’s parting advice to Solomon isn’t the simple blessing we might expect—it’s complicated, even troubling. Yet hidden in that tension is wisdom that can change the way we live today. · ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-08-3126 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | What is Your Legacy? (2 Sam. 15)We all want to pass on a positive, lasting legacy — but what if what we’re really passing on is our brokenness? King David's life exposes how sin seeps into generations. What would it take to break the cycle?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-08-2431 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | David's Downfall (2 Samuel 11)It’s easy to drift: the joy fades, the sacrifices feel heavy, and before long we’re just going through the motions. Left unchecked, that drift can open the door to regret and destruction. In this message, Pastor Dave Swaim names the subtle danger we’d rather not see.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-08-1728 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Fear of the Lord (Matthew 10)What does it mean to fear God—and why would the Bible call that a good thing? Pastor Richard Lee takes us from the heights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the gravitational center of our spiritual universe, challenging everything we assume about fear, danger, and reverence. Could it be that the only rational fear... is the fear that reorders everything else?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-06-2226 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Does God Ever Change His Mind?What if God does change His mind? And what if your free will isn't as free as you think? Pastor Taylor Burgoyne dives headfirst into two theological juggernauts - divine sovereignty and human choice - and explores whether our desire for a God who never changes might actually keep us from seeing the God who’s far more dynamic and responsive than we imagined.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-06-1730 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Why does God allow disability? (Luke 5)What if the real wonder of Luke 5 isn’t just a healed body—and what does it reveal about the question, ‘Why does God allow disability?’ Drawing on personal ‘conversion points’—from Jacob’s wrestle with God to her own experience parenting a child with Down syndrome—Meghan unpacks biblical community, cultural barriers, and what it really means for the Christians to be “whole and holy.”· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-06-0828 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Does God Have a Plan for My Life? (Romans 12)How do we know what God wants us to do - especially when the stakes are high and the options unclear? Pastor Dave Swaim explores one of the most common and complicated questions Christians face: Does God have a specific plan for my life, and how can I figure it out?From childhood choices to major life decisions, we often long for divine clarity. But is God's will a secret blueprint we must discover - or something more profound and freeing? This message offers wisdom for navigating uncertainty, avoiding spiritual manipulation, and learning to walk humbly with...
2025-06-0132 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Where are the Miracles? (Mark 2)“Where are the miracles?” It’s a question born of both skepticism and hope - one the Bible wrestles with more than you might think. In this episode, Pastor John Mury explores what miracles really are, why they’ve always been rare, and how their true power may lie in what they point to, not what they fix.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-05-2526 min
Highrock ChurchSermon | Free for Life (Ephesians 4)Why bother going to church?Is church just a spiritual pick-me-up, a Sunday habit, or something far more? In this sermon, Pastor Richard Lee challenges us to rethink not only why we show up to church, but how we show up - and what might be missing when we don't. If you've ever felt like a spectator in your own faith, this one's for you. · ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd
2025-05-1826 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithDoes Black Faith Matter? - Prof. Dennis EdwardsThis episode features Dean Dennis Edwards, New Testament Professor and dean of North Park Theological Seminary. In this final episode in Highrock's Black Theology course, Dennis speaks to the dynamic nature of Black faith and its endurance over time. He also addresses resistance to the idea of Black Lives Matter and shows how a focus on the particularity of Black lives leads us to greater concern for justice everywhere.This episode is part of Highrock Church's Black Theology Class. Email theologylab@highrock.org to learn more. Here's a free discussion guide: https://live-highrock-network.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/04...
2025-05-0114 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | No King But Caesar? (John 19:8-16)When Pilate considers that Jesus might be more than human, it strikes him with fear. Even so, he is even more afraid of Caesar. The religious leaders are no different, saying to Pilate, "We have no king but Caesar!" Who determines what is right in our lives? Who sets the priorities? Do we bend our will for the approval of the crowds, to satisfy the demands of those in power or the demands of our own comfort, pleasure, or security? Or does God alone sit on the throne?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one...
2025-04-1814 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Loving Opposition (John 19:1-7)How do we respond to those who oppose and betray us? The Roman guards took delight in their cruelty to Jesus. Pilate simply wanted to wash his hands of it all. But Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, though they would soon abandon him. He also washed the feet of Judas, who would soon betray him. And Jesus then told them to love one another as Jesus had loved. We can and should oppose those who practice dehumanization and cruelty, but always out of love -- including love for the offender.Looking for a previous devo...
2025-04-1714 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | What is Truth? (John 18:33-40)Daily Devo | What is Truth? (John 18:33-40)The Roman governor Pilate takes Jesus inside for a private conversation. Pilate asks Jesus two questions: "What have you done?" and "What is truth?" Pilate is looking for a way to get himself and Jesus out of this situation but Jesus' isn't helping. In the end, he offers Jesus of Nazareth to the crowds, but they call for Jesus Barabbas instead -- someone who was much more willing to use political force and violence.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:
2025-04-1614 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Who's In Charge Around Here? (John 18:28-32)The Jewish leaders know they are not in charge as they do not have the legal power to execute Jesus. They go to the Roman governor, Pilate, who alone has the power to have Jesus killed. But is Pilate truly in charge? He is in a weaker position than most realized. In the end, they are all moving according to the plan of God, the only one who is truly in control of these events.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/
2025-04-1514 min
Highrock ChurchDaily Devo | Getting Back Up Again (John 18:15-27)Daily Devo | Getting Back Up Again (John 18:15-27)Jesus predicted Judas' betrayal and he also predicted Peter's as well. One of the biggest differences was that Peter wanted to be restored while Judas ran and took matters into his own hands. We will all fall. The question is whether we will trust that Jesus is ready to restore us. Yes, we all fall, but will we trust Jesus enough to get back up again?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/
2025-04-1414 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithWhat is Womanism? - Prof. M. Shawn CopelandThis theology related episode explores how Womanist theology emerges. It is part of Highrock's Black theology course, featuring Prof. M. Shawn Copeland. This episode dives deep into how faith, Scripture, and theology speak to the lived experiences of Black women, addressing themes of justice, liberation, and resilience. Rooted in Black theology and African American faith traditions, Womanist Theology centers the voices of Black women in the fight for equality within both the church and society. How does the Bible inform this movement? What role does Christian faith play in the pursuit of justice and wholeness? Perfect for those studying...
2025-04-0318 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithThe Civil Rights Movement: Faith Inspired Origins - Prof. Dennis EdwardsRev. Dr. Dennis Edwards (dean, North Park Seminary) teaches the faith underpinnings that fueled the Civil Rights Movement. In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Dr. Edwards explores the spiritual roots of the movement, revealing the ways in which Black theology and faith informed the actions and decisions of its leaders. From the role of the Black Church to the intersection of faith and activism, Prof. Edwards sheds light on the crucial yet often-ignored theological underpinnings of this pivotal moment in American history. Deepen your understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and how faith played a key role in it.
2025-03-1112 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithBlack Liberation Theology - Its Beginnings - Prof. Michelle CliftonCatch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zli9ETZZLv4Explore the foundations of Black theology in this insightful conversation with Professor Michelle Clifton. This episode unpacks the rich history, biblical roots, and social justice implications of Black theology, offering a powerful perspective on faith, Scripture, and the Black church. Perfect for those passionate about Christian faith, justice, theology, and the Bible, this introduction explores how Black theology engages with issues of oppression, liberation, and divine justice. How does faith empower marginalized communities? What does Scripture say about justice and equality? Join...
2025-02-2116 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithLynching & the Cross of Jesus - Prof. Aaron GriffithVideo version of this episode: https://youtu.be/6Ft8QRYoAT0Prof. Aaron Griffith (Duke Divinity School) features in fourth class in Highrock's Black Theology course. Aaron's talk focuses on the troubling but important history of lynching in the United States. As part of the Black Theology class, Aaron sheds light on the connection between lynching history and the cross, a central symbol to the Christian faith. Aaron is drawing here from the work of the late Black theologian James Cone (The Cross and the Lynching Tree). The class brings attention to critical aspects of Black history in...
2025-02-0719 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithBlack Spiritual Songs - Prof. Tom Baskett - Black Theology courseYouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/mQYxZQAql1QBlack Spiritual Songs, by Prof. Tom Baskett (Berklee College of Music). What are the African American Spirituals (the Black Spirituals)? Where does what's often described as Gospel music come from? In this video Prof. Baskett introduces us to Black spiritual songs, which he describes as "the earliest Black theology." It is a devotionally and spiritually uplifting video on the Black spirituals (or African American spirituals) and the origins of Gospel music. And it is theologically rich. It can be used in classrooms, churches, and anywhere where folks...
2025-01-2422 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithAfrican Americans & the Bible - Prof. M. Shawn Copeland - Black Theology courseExplore the profound relationship between African Americans and the Bible in this enlightening recording featuring insights from theologian M. Shawn Copeland. This deep dive into Black theology and African American faith examines how scripture has been used in different ways, including as a source of resilience, liberation, and hope. Perfect for viewers passionate about theological learning, curious faith, and the intersection of Christianity and social justice. Whether you're studying the Bible, exploring African American theology, or seeking to understand the role of faith in Black history, this video offers valuable perspectives. Join us as we unpack the...
2025-01-0618 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithBlack Faith & Perseverance - Rev. Dr. Alex Gee - Black Theology courseWelcome to Highrock's Black Theology course, available on Highrock Online's YouTube channel and the Theology Lab (a Highrock Ministry) YouTube channel, and here on the podcast."Black Faith and Perseverance" with Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, host of the Black Like Me podcast (linked below), introduces viewers to Black theology through an accessible and powerful overview of African American history, American history, the Black church, and how Black theology can be help rebrand Christianity today. It is a message of faith and what it means to cling to hope in God amidst great resistance. Highrock’s Black Theology co...
2024-12-1228 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithBlack Theology course - Introduction, Prof. Tom BaskettYouTube version of this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fxfYFehdro&t=5sWelcome to Highrock's Black Theology course, available on Highrock Online's YouTube channel and the Theology Lab (a Highrock Ministry) YouTube channel. This video introduces the Black Theology course. Tom Baskett, professor at Berklee College of Music, introduces the course and what viewers can hope to get out of it. Highrock’s Black Theology course explores how the faith experiences of Black Americans open up distinct ways of reading Scripture, shed light on the gospel’s liberating power, and model the importance of social enga...
2024-12-0403 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithJanette Ok - A look inside 1 Peter (& more!)The New Testament letter of 1 Peter often gets short changed. But what if this letter holds a special relevance for us today? This conversation with Dr. Janette Ok, professor of New Testament at Fuller Seminary, brings to light how we can continue to connect this ancient letter to Christian life today and how the letter's author uses 'ethnic reasoning' to help shape Christian community. Scott and Janette discuss Janette's contributions to the upcoming volume, The New Testament in Color, and how Asian American biblical interpretation serves as a gift to the whole church. Plus, Janette shares her exciting vision...
2024-11-1240 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithPete Enns (the Bible for Normal People podcast) - faith & relating to a living BibleTheology Lab, Scripture & Tradition, with Pete Enns from the Bible for Normal People podcast In this conversation, moderator Scott Rice is joined by Pete Enns, biblical scholar and host of the well known podcast, the Bible for Normal People and Faith for Normal People. Scott and Pete have a conversation on these topics and questions: biblical interpretation, the diversity of Scripture, how to engage the Bible as a living book, how Pete's faith and understanding of the Bible has both changed and remained the same, experience, faith, and the Bible, how we invite children or kids to learn about...
2024-10-2152 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithHow to read the Bible with Humility AND Conviction with Dennis EdwardsThis interview with Dr. Dennis Edwards features his new book, Humility Illuminated (InterVarsity Press). Scott interviews Dean Edwards on the topics of biblical interpretation, virtues and the Bible, how to read the Bible with humility and conviction, social context, race, ethnicity and faith. Key questions: How can we read Scripture with both humility and conviction? What differences does our social location make for reading the Bible? And how can the cryptic and challenging passages of Scripture teach us something about God and ourselves? Intervarsity Press, IVP[Recorded on April 2, 2024] Books by Dennis Edwards Jr:1) "Humility...
2024-10-0245 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithTim Mackie - How can the Bible be both God's word and human words?Recorded on January 16, 2024. This episode features Tim Mackie from the BibleProject. It explores questions of biblical interpretation, Scripture, faith and history, and, as the BibleProject emphasizes, how the Bible comes together to form a unified story.Highrock's Scripture & Tradition series looks at some of the basic tools that can help us understand the Bible. How can we view the Bible as simultaneously divine and human literature? If this question piques your interest, this episode may interest you! In this conversation, moderator Scott Rice is joined by Tim Mackie, co-founder of the Bible Project, for the...
2024-09-1755 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithDiscover why God's humility is key to understanding Scripture with Karen KeenHave you ever wondered what to do with some of the challenging parts of the Bible, such as passages and stories of apparently divinely inspired violence and war? If you're interested in how we might approach such passages -- along with the Bible as a whole — with honesty, curiosity, and especially humility, then you'll likely appreciate this session! Moderator Scott Rice is joined by Karen Keen, author of "The Word of a Humble God: On the Origins, Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture." Karen discusses how to grapple with some of the challenging parts of the Bible and how the di...
2024-09-0443 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithUp Next! "Scripture & Tradition" How do we keep our spiritual formation fresh? One way is by regularly exercising our theological imaginations! Our first offering of this series looks at a diverse set of engagements with “Scripture & Tradition.”In conversational interviews with experts in their field, we’ll explore a proposal on understanding the complexities of the Bible and how it came together as tools that help create (and not hinder!) a more vibrant faith and relation to God. We’ll also consider approaches that allow us to see the value of our own experiences and communal traditions when reading the Bible.Com...
2024-08-3001 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithNew Series (2024/25)! Critical Conversations: faith, conflict & communityCritical Conversations Theology Lab is free/open to all: https://highrock.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1433/responses/new More information on Theology Lab's series and Highrock here: https://www.highrock.org/calendar/criticalconverastions/ Theology Lab's 2024/25 discussion series, "Critical Conversations," is about entering into topics that often divide Christians and learning skills to have more fruitful conversations -- "learning to listen, to be listened to, and growing in relationship with one another." We will be joined by guests like Shane Claiborne, Kellie Carter Jackson, Stanley Hauerwas and others. We’ll interview people who na...
2024-08-2801 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithNikki Toyama-Szeto & Paul Hawkinson: Money Isn't EnoughWhat gives us hope that life is more than money? That real, abundant life is found in freedom toward God and others? Certainly, testimonies to lives of generosity and transformation can. That's what this session, the final installment in our God & Money series, is all about. Nikki Toyama-Szeto (Christians for Social Action) and Paul Hawkinson (Transform Capital) share how God has showed up in their lives and called them into new adventures that have re-shaped not only their outlooks on money but also on things like leisure, the gift of community, and what wisdom looks like when we have...
2024-08-1939 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithJonathan Tran & Dwight N. Hopkins - Christians and CapitalismThe seventh session of Theology Lab's 2023-2024 series, "God & Money." In this discussion, guest speakers Prof. Jonathan Tran (Baylor University) and Prof. Dwight N. Hopkins (University of Chicago), along with moderator Scott Rice, discuss the connection between faith, capitalism, and race. Is capitalism a means for human flourishing or should people of faith think more critically about a system that bears on nearly all the parts of our lives? How do questions about race challenge some of the standard narratives about how we relate to wealth and capitalism? In this conversation, Jonathan and Dwight lay out the theological visions...
2024-08-0644 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithJosé Humphreys III & Adam Gustine: Economic Discipleship - In Your NeighborhoodIn this discussion with José Humphreys III and Adam Gustine, co-authors of the new book, "Ecosystems of Jubilee: Economic Ethics for the Neighbor," along with moderator Meghan DeJong, explore the following questions (and others): How do we connect our faith to the places in which we live? How can biblical ideas like Sabbath and Jubilee help us contend with fears that we will not have enough and that consequently drive us to consume more and more? This conversation can help us think about where God is at work in our communities and what it looks like to engage in p...
2024-07-2348 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithGreg Baumer & Grace Nicolette - How Much Money Should We Give Away?The fourth session of Theology Lab's 2023-24 series, "God & Money." In this session, we're joined by Grace Chiang Nicolette (Center for Effective Philanthropy and co-host of the Giving Done Right podcast) and Gregory Baumer (author of God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School) for a conversation on faith and generosity. We explore questions like What God's? What's mine? And how do we gain the wisdom to know the difference? Grace and Greg also offer their perspectives on the gift of giving, making giving part of a faith lifestyle, and some of the common pitfalls...
2024-07-0944 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithSoong-Chan Rah & Dennis Edwards - Money and the BibleRecorded on November 12, 2023. The third session of Theology Lab's 2023-2024 series, "God & Money." In this discussion, guest speakers Dennis Edwards Jr. and Soong-Chan Rah, along with moderator Scott Rice, discuss what the Bible says about money and its application to the life of faith communities today. Listen in for a stimulating conversation on the following questions (and more): How can the witness of the church in Acts 2 impact our relationship to money and other people today? Have we internalized a transactional relationship with God (i.e., if you X, I'll do Y)? How can a new self-understanding change the...
2024-06-2746 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithDavid Cloutier & Hauna Ondrey - The Vice of LuxuryRecorded on October 15, 2023. David Cloutier, Hauna Ondrey, and moderator Scott Rice discuss the church's relationship to wealth and luxury. How does the church's historical relationship to money, positively and negatively, impact us today? How do we make challenging but important decisions about using our resources well while avoiding the deforming effects of luxury? Part of Theology Lab's "God & Money" series: https://www.highrock.org/classes/theologylab Join us on Zoom for live Theology Lab sessions: https://highrock.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1291/responses/new David Cloutier's book, "The Vice of Luxury": https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/The-Vice-of-LuxuryLearn...
2024-06-1736 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithAl Tizon & Ruth Padilla DeBorst - God & MoneyRecorded on September 17, 2023. The first session of Theology Lab's 2023-2024 series, "God & Money." In this discussion, guest speakers Ruth Padilla DeBorst and Al Tizon explore how money connects to faith, common obstacles that prevent us from seriously engaging this topic, field a question on materialism and the need for a nuanced relationship to capitalism, and more.Learn more about Highrock's Theology Lab: highrock.org/theologylabfacebook: / highrocktheologylabX: https://twitter.com/Theology_LabPodcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.
2024-06-0532 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithPanel Discussion: What Did We Learn? What's Next? After a series of discussions with several high profile figures from both within and outside of evangelicalism, we are led to ask, "So what?" How have these discussions shaped us? What new questions do they raise? And what hope do we have for individuals and faith communities who have been shaped by evangelicalism? In this final segment of the American Evangelicalism Theology Lab, panelists Meghan DeJong (Highrock Church), Kristin Lee (contributing author at outlets like Christianity Today and Sojourners), Walter Kim (National Association of Evangelicals) and John Mury (Highrock Church) take up these questions and more. The discussion not...
2024-05-1443 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithBeth Allison Barr & Kellie Carter Jackson - Race and Biblical Womanhood In this conversation, author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood, Beth Allison Barr (Baylor University), and Force and Freedom and We Refuse, Kellie Carter-Jackson (Wellesley College) explore contemporary issues of gender and race in the evangelical world. Barr and Jackson share how their faith animates their work as historians of gender and race, respectively. Their discussion sheds light on how race issues and gender inequality manifest themselves in the church in both explicit and subtle ways. This conversation offers perspective for how the study of history not only changes what we know but who we are and who we...
2024-04-2443 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithDavid Brooks & Jim Wallis - Politics and EvangelicalismIn this discussion, David Brooks (New York Times) and Jim Wallis (Georgetown University) enter into a good-faith conversation on how Christians should engage in politics. They respond to questions like, What role should politics play in our lives? Has politics taken the place of religion in our society? What do compromise and mutual sacrifice look like for Christians engaging the issues that often divide us? (Discussion moderate: Rev. Dr. Walter Kim, National Association of Evangelicals.)Recorded March 12, 2023.Learn more about Highrock's Theology Lab: highrock.org/theologylabfacebook: / highrocktheologylab X: https://twitter...
2024-04-0455 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithKathy Khang and Dan Stringer: Wrestling with Evangelicalism Whether or not you call yourself an evangelical today, if evangelicalism has shaped you in the past, what does it look like to reflect on the evangelical tradition in a constructive way? How do we engage with honesty, wisdom, and insight? Kathy Khang author of Raise Your Voice and Loving Disagreement, and Dan Stringer, author of Struggling with Evangelicalism, talk through their own experiences with these questions and what they've learned about discerning some of the most pressing questions in the church today, both as individuals and in community. (Discussion moderator: Scott Rice, Highrock Church.)Recorded February 19, 2023.
2024-03-2231 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithKristin Kobes Du Mez & Walter Kim - Masculinity in the Church: Then, Now, and the FutureKristin Kobes Du Mez (Calvin College) and Walter Kim (National Association of Evangelicals) discuss the rise of a cultural form of masculinity that's taken hold in many evangelical communities and which is the focus of Du Mez's widely acclaimed book, Jesus and John and Wayne. Du Mez and Kim also address how the values of this movement compare to the person of Christ as depicted in the gospels, as well as Christian Nationalism, and how we might consider alternative forms of masculinity in the church today. (Discussion moderator: Meghan DeJong, Highrock Church.)Recorded January 23, 2023.Learn...
2024-03-1142 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithRussell Moore on Politics, Christian Nationalism & the Future of EvangelicalismRecording of the American Evangelicalism Theology Lab session from November 11, 2022 with guest, Rev. Dr. Russell Moore (Christianity Today).In this discussion, moderated by Rev. Dr. Walter Kim (president, National Association of Evangelicals), Russell Moore shares some personal stories about his relation to faith and political engagement. Russell speaks to the looming issue of Christian Nationalism, and what it means for Christians today to maintain both integrity and faithfulness in the public sphere. In the final part of his discussion with Walter Kim, Russell speaks to the crisis that evangelicalism faces today and the possibilities for revitalization and...
2024-02-2852 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithDominique Gilliard & Kurt Peterson - Unity and Diversity in the ChurchRecording of the American Evangelicalism Theology Lab session from October 23, 2022 with guests, Rev. Dominique Gilliard (Evangelical Covenant Church) and Dr. Kurt Peterson (College of Lake County; former History professor at North Park University).Dominique and Kurt, with Scott Rice (moderator), discuss what unity in the midst of diversity looks like, both within the tradition of the Covenant and in evangelicalism today. Other topics of discussion include individualism and a sense of collective identity, and how the church community is called to the work of racial justice. This conversation will be of interest for anyone who's curious about...
2024-02-2841 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithDennis Edwards & Hauna Ondrey - Why We Need to Talk About EvangelicalismWhat is evangelicalism? Why is it important for us to have open and honest conversations about it? What has the Bible and its authority played in the evangelical movement?Drawing from their respective areas of expertise in biblical scholarship and history, Dean Dennis Edwards and Prof. Hauna Ondrey reflect on these questions and the distinct ways that the Evangelical Covenant Church tradition has engaged evangelicalism, the Bible, and more. The unique ministry backgrounds and experiences of Dr. Ondrey and Dean Edwards offer a broad invitation to explore these topics in community, whether you have ties to the...
2024-02-2837 min
Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday FaithIntroduction: the Theology Lab podcastIntroduction episode! Theology Lab hosts (online) discussions with public figures and church leaders. With an approach to faith that values being open to questions and comfortable with nuance, courage and humility, Theology Lab is a place for those who see themselves as theologically curious. How can we be both grounded while pursuing a vibrant, expansive kind of faith? Theology Lab is offered by Highrock church.These discussions (available here and on YouTube as free resources) focus on important issues of our time – past topics include the state of American evangelicalism, God and money, interpreting Scripture, and theology th...
2024-01-2901 min