Shows
Madison ChurchEmbracing the In-Between: Finding God in Life's Waiting SeasonsHave you ever found yourself caught in life's waiting room? That space between where you were and where you're headed, but with no clear roadmap for how to get there?In this powerful message on waiting, Pastor Stephen Feith gets refreshingly honest about his own struggles with patience and the tendency to either rush ahead or delay too long. Drawing from Acts 1, we witness the disciples' confusion after Jesus ascends to heaven—standing, staring at the sky, uncertain what to do next. It's a scene that perfectly captures our own spiritual limbo when we're waiting for God's di...2025-05-0624 minMadison ChurchFaith That Returns: Recognizing God's Hand in Our LivesPastor Stephen Feith takes us on a profound journey through three powerful narratives from Luke's gospel that reveal what authentic faith looks like in daily life. Beginning with the story of ten lepers healed by Jesus, we discover that while all ten received physical transformation, only one—a Samaritan—returned to express gratitude. This singular act transformed his experience from mere physical healing to complete salvation. The stark contrast challenges us to examine how we respond to God's work in our lives: do we walk away with the blessing, or do we return to worship the giver?The...2025-03-1226 minMadison ChurchBuilding Faith and Community from the Ground Up | Created For Community (Part 1) | Stephen FeithHave you ever wondered about the story behind Madison Church, and how it transformed from a single Facebook post to the vibrant community it is today? I'm Stephen Feith, your host and lead pastor, and today, we're taking a walk down memory lane. We'll revisit our early days, when Anthony, a young man I met through a Facebook post, became our first member, our first baptism, and one of our first leaders. Through trials and tribulations, we've grown organically, carrying the faith and dedication of our members as our backbone.Then, we shift our focus to the...2023-08-3128 minMadison ChurchNavigating Spiritual Warfare | Unseen (Part 2) | Stephen FeithWhat if there’s an unseen realm that impacts our everyday existence? Get ready to pull back the curtain and journey with us into the uncharted territories of the supernatural, where we’ll explore spiritual warfare and demons. We recognize this topic may be a no-go zone for some, but our aim is to help you reevaluate and reconstruct aspects of spirituality that may be misaligned with biblical teachings. It’s not about dismantling your faith, but rather encouraging renovation and growth.Ever considered how our understanding of evil in the unseen realm can be similar to our un...2023-07-0232 minMadison ChurchAngels Unveiled | Unseen (Part 1) | Stephen FeithAre you ready to challenge your perspective on angels and the unseen realm? Join us in our latest Unseen series as we dive into the fascinating world of angels and unearth the truth behind these powerful spiritual beings. With expert insights from Professor Andy Angel and author Scott McKnight, you're in for a thought-provoking and eye-opening experience.In this conversation, we debunk common misconceptions about angels - no, they're not just chubby babies with harps. Instead, we explore their true nature as divine messengers sent by God to bring news, comfort, and deliverance. We also...2023-06-2726 minMadison ChurchExploring the Holy Spirit's Role in Empowering Believers | The Holy Spirit (Part 4) | Stephen FeithHave you ever wondered about the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit and his true value in our lives? Today, inspired by the surprising story of George Walton and his 1913 Liberty Head nickel, we uncover the incredible power of the Holy Spirit and explore his potential to transform our lives in ways we never thought possible.Join us as we dive into Jesus' prediction in John 14:12, where he said that believers would perform even greater works than he did. With a closer look at four stories from the book of Acts, we examine the various ways the...2023-06-1927 minMadison ChurchExploring the Mysteries of Your Spiritual Capabilities | The Holy Spirit (Part 3) | Stephen FeithAre you ready to uncover your unique spiritual gifts and learn how to harness them for the greater good? Join us as we dive into an enlightening discussion on the mysterious world of spiritual gifts, bestowed upon believers by the Holy Spirit to help God's people and bring glory to his name. Discover how you can transform your life and the lives of others by embracing and utilizing these divine abilities.In this captivating episode, we take a closer look at the wide array of spiritual gifts described by Paul, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and the...2023-06-1227 minMadison ChurchDiscovering the Life-Changing Power of the Holy Spirit | The Holy Spirit (Part 1) | Stephen FeithDo you ever feel like you're missing out on something powerful and transformative in your life? On this special Memorial Day weekend and the day of Pentecost, we're uncovering the incredible role of the Holy Spirit and how you can experience its fullness in your own journey. From the Holy Spirit's presence in creation to its encounters with various individuals throughout the Old Testament, we'll explore the unique experience of Pentecost and share a touching story of a woman named Amanda, whose connection to her late mother will prompt you to ask yourself if you're open to hearing from...2023-05-3028 minMadison ChurchWhy Does God Allow Pain & Suffering? | Searching For Answers (Part 6) | Stephen FeithWe take an introspective look at how suffering and pain can affect our faith through the trials of biblical figures like Naomi, Job, and Habakkuk. Our conversation highlights the importance of embracing our imperfect faith and exploring the complexities of believing in God's goodness even amidst injustice. Ponder the impact these biblical stories have on our own families, communities, and relationships with God.Let's also discuss the power of free will and its role in our lives. We'll uncover what it means to truly love, along with the idea that pain and suffering were not part of...2023-05-2234 minMadison ChurchHow Do I Read the Bible? | Searching For Answers (Part 4) | Stephen FeithCan you imagine starting a church in one of the most post-Christian cities in the U.S.? That's exactly what Megan and Stephen did when they moved to Madison, Wisconsin, with a mission to create a community that fights loneliness and isolation while connecting people with God and each other. Despite being told that a fast-growing or large church would never work here, they believed Jesus goes to the dark places and wanted to be his hands and feet in the city.One common belief we encounter is that if people simply read the Bible, they'll become...2023-05-0829 minMadison ChurchCan I Trust the Bible? | Searching For Answers (Part 3) | Stephen FeithAs someone who once lost faith in the Bible during his time in seminary, Stephen knows firsthand the struggle many face when it comes to trusting this sacred text. Surprisingly, his journey to find faith in Jesus without the Bible led him to a strong confidence in its reliability. With a significant decline in trust amongst Americans, Stephen shares with us how he found answers to his questions and ultimately came to believe in the Bible's reliability.Join us as we explore the epic story of the Bible, composed of 66 books written over 1500 years by 40 different authors...2023-05-0129 minMadison ChurchWhat Am I Supposed To Do With My Life? | Searching For Answers (Part 1) | Stephen FeithAre you struggling to find your true purpose in life? Do you ever wonder if there's something more out there for you? In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into these pressing questions and embark on an exciting journey to find the answers you seek. We'll explore how a good God could allow pain and suffering, where the Bible came from, how to read the Bible, and how faith and doubt can coexist.As we continue our search for meaning, we ponder why we were created and what our God-given purpose might be. Join us as...2023-04-1731 minMadison ChurchPray Like This... (Part 6) | Amen | Stephen FeithLet's talk about Jesus' Kingdom. Jesus is a king of a different kind of Kingdom. He is the king of a Kingdom overflowing with goodness and perfect peace. It's the only Kingdom story that will not end in tragedy.Even when we pray for someone, and they're not healed, or when we pray for ourselves and don't get the promotion, or when we worship and don't feel God's presence, whatever it might be, something still happens. We should not forget that prayer is ultimately about connecting with God and having fellowship with him regularly. As we pray...2023-04-0428 minMadison ChurchPray Like This... (Part 4) | Confession | Stephen FeithNone of us genuinely enjoy admitting when we’ve blown it. There’s a lot of shame when acknowledging that we’re wrong. This stunts our spiritual growth and connection with God.We’re in the fourth week of a series called Pray Like This… We’re taking The Lord’s Prayer and breaking it down line-by-line to learn about different tools and ways to pray. Today, we’re talking about confession. Which means we’ve got to talk about the s-word: “Forgive us of our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12, N...2023-03-2231 minMadison ChurchPray Like This... (Part 3) | Petition | Stephen FeithToday, we’re studying the line within the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus says, “Give us the food we need today…” This has been more commonly called “our daily bread.” It’s a phrase that doesn’t hold much meaning for most of us. “Giving us our daily bread” seems like the most insignificant part of the prayer.Petitionary prayer is the most commonly associated with prayer. Prayer means many things to many people, but at its most straightforward and apparent, prayer is about asking God for help. Petitionary prayer is simply asking God to meet our needs and, sometimes...2023-03-1328 minMadison ChurchPray Like This... (Part 1) | Adoration | Stephen FeithAll of us have skills or abilities we wish we had. This includes the disciples of Jesus. We see all over the Gospels the disciples coming to Jesus and asking specifically for him to teach them something. The one we will talk about for the next month and a half throughout this Lent season is when they asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1)The disciples wanted to pray better. They’ve seen Jesus go away to pray often and have witnessed many signs, wonders, and miracles. This has prompted them to say they want to pray l...2023-02-2829 minMadison ChurchSimplifying Life for Authentic Financial SerenityEver wondered what happens when a die-hard member of the Crappy Car Club gets the keys to a shiny new ride? I, Stephen Feith, take you on a comedic yet thought-provoking journey through my own transition to new car ownership and the surprising anxieties that come with it. From the fear of parking lot dings to the quest for financial peace, we'll explore how the state of our bank accounts affects not just our wallets, but our wellbeing and faith. As we confront the American millionaire's happiness paradox with insights from Harvard Business School, we'll challenge the a...2023-02-0627 minMadison ChurchLife-Changing Relationships | Circles (Part 4) | Stephen FeithHave you ever seen the Disney movie "Finding Nemo?" "Finding Nemo" came out 20 years ago. For those who haven't seen the film in 20 years, it's about an overprotective dad clownfish whose son gets taken from him. The dad goes on the adventure of a lifetime across the ocean, looking for a son.Meanwhile, the lost son finds himself at a dentist's office in Sydney, Australia. The other fish freak out when Nemo, the little fish, is thrown into the fish tank at the dentist's office for the first time. Their home is not sterile anymore. The other...2023-02-0124 minMadison ChurchInclusive "Circles" | Circles (Part 3) | Stephen Feith"Circles" are essential to us at Madison Church. They're part of our strategy for connecting people with God and each other. We have systems to help people read the Bible daily and pray regularly. We also have a plan for sharing meals with one another.(We literally have "eat together" on our website.)As such, we host a free community lunch on the first Sunday of every month. We also put it in our bylaws that for people to be members of our church, they must be involved in at least one small group a...2023-01-2626 minMadison ChurchWhen You Have No One To Talk With | Circles (Part 2) | Stephen FeithIf you’re a follower of Jesus today, part of what you “signed up” for was a relationship with God and other people. It’s mission-critical that you do. Why don’t we do it more often? There are obstacles. Here are the three most significant barriers people tell us: fear, tiredness, and busyness.Fear. We have to talk, open ourselves up, and be vulnerable. That’s difficult. It can be scary to let people see us. What if you go out to brunch with that person who asked you to, and they’re a weirdo? Or what if they f...2023-01-1927 minMadison ChurchIlluminating Dark Days with Everlasting Biblical PromisesAs we convene at Madison Church, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of our lives, I, Stephen Feith, share heart-wrenching yet uplifting tales of lives forever changed by divine encounters. This season, when weariness seems to cling to our bones, we embrace the stories of those who walked with Jesus and found their burdens transformed into beacons of hope. My own journey through grief—a miscarriage and the loss of a cherished pet—serves as a testament to the restorative power of faith. Together, we uncover the parallels between the ancient narratives of the first Christmas and our current adversities, finding sola...2022-12-2417 minMadison ChurchUnwrapping the Profound Love of Christ This Festive SeasonAs the twinkling lights of the holiday season cast a warm glow over our homes, I, Stephen Feith, invite you on a journey that transcends the bright decorations and festive cheer. Picture this: a home brimming with the sounds of Christmas music, the laughter of children anticipating their birthdays, and a heartwarming transition from Thanksgiving to a season that's not just about merriment, but about embracing God's greatest gift to humanity. In our latest podcast episode, I reveal the intimate moments that make my family's celebrations special, my personal triumph over a fear of heights to adorn our abode...2022-11-3018 minMadison ChurchChoosing Unity and Love in a Divided World | Talking Points (Part 2) | Stephen FeithAre you feeling exhausted by the upcoming election and the relentless attack ads? It's time to take a step back and explore the intersection of faith and politics in this week's eye-opening episode. We dive into the importance of putting our faith first when it comes to our political party affiliations, discussing how no political party perfectly aligns with the values of Jesus, yet both parties can represent some of his values. We continue by examining Paul's journey to becoming a slave to all people, in order to bring many to Christ. Discover how Paul strategically chose h...2022-11-1026 minMadison ChurchFaith, Politics, and Pursuing Unity | Talking Points (Part 1) | Stephen FeithCan we all agree that faith and politics are a touchy yet undeniably important topic? Join us as we dive in head-first, exploring Jesus' teachings on politics and their modern-day relevance. We'll navigate the excitement and apprehension surrounding the upcoming midterm elections while examining how Jesus' teachings transcend the political climate of any era.We're challenging ourselves - and you - to be better followers of Jesus by filtering our politics through our faith, not the other way around. Let's explore together the idea of disagreeing politically but loving unconditionally, as we delve into John 17. Are we prepared...2022-11-0331 minMadison ChurchBiblical Holiness in Money, Marriage, and Hospitality | Living Like Never Before (Part 6) | Stephen FeithWhen Stephen embarked on the journey of establishing Madison Church, the vision was to create micro locations fostering healthy, quality communities rather than attracting huge crowds. Join us in this episode as we share the incredible story of Madison Church's growth, the many lives transformed through baptism, and the power of Jesus to bring healing, purpose, and life.We also discuss the impact of friendship and perseverance in faith, as shown through Jason's journey from moral failure to working at Madison Church, where he helped reshape our leadership team. Dive into the potent message of the Hebrews...2022-10-2728 minMadison ChurchReconnecting with the Divine | Living Like Never Before (Part 5) | Stephen FeithHow often do you find yourself consumed by the daily distractions of life, struggling to reconnect with the divine? This episode reveals the power of music in worship, as a tool to help us refocus our attention on our spiritual connection with God. Join us as we share our journey in founding Madison Church and the vital role music plays in creating an impactful, meaningful worship experience.Discover the significance of persevering faith as we delve into the lives of individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 and the lessons we can learn from their faith in action. Learn how the...2022-10-1827 min