Church is Messy
Church Is Messy: Acts of Leadership week 6
Rick and Svea spend much of the episode discussing Paul's warning to the church leaders in Ephesus as found in Acts 20:17-38: watch out for the wolves among you.
A warning from Rick about this episode: It may contain meandering conversation with points of lucidity in a forest of discontinuity and convoluted word salads, but it has been fun.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro03:21 Serving is leading and leadership.06:35 The genius of Scripture: the same passage allowed Rick to pivot the emphasis in response to immediate needs...Church Is Messy: Acts of Leadership - Move Toward the Messes part 2
This week the Acts of Leadership series takes us to Acts 15. Rick and Svea look at circumcision and the old covenant, the new covenant, and James' declaration in Acts 15:19, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro02:41 We will always have to wrestle with issues that would seek to divide us.05:00 Circumcision: the sign of the old covenant.11:41 Baptism: the sign of the new covenant. Comparing circumcision with baptism.13:52 The new covenant is superior to the old covenant. Th...Church Is Messy: Acts of Leadership - Move Toward the Messes part 1
This week Rick and Svea look at Acts 10 and the story of Cornelius.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro06:11 Three questions about leadership: whom am I looking to for leadership, how am I leading myself, who looks to me for leadership.07:31 Cornelius in Acts 10. He was a complex character, we're all complex characters.10:12 We're never correct to reduce any person to one defining thing; it tends to bring out one of four bad responses. We're all multifaceted.13:08 In this passage we get to see how God saw Cornelius.15:52 A thought experiment.20:12 Good isn't bad; good is...Church Is Messy: Acts of Leadership week 3
Pastor Caleb Smith joins Rick and Svea to dig into the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro and Rick's Boundary Waters adventures.03:50 Week three of Acts of Leadership: what jumped out of this week's passage?07:43 Caleb's process in seeing discipleship in this passage.14:16 Who you are is a greater contribution than what you do.17:42 The Quadrants: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, unconscious competence.24:53 Jesus followers should be the most curious people around.31:11 Applying to whom do we look for leadership, self leadership, and others looking to us for...Church Is Messy: Acts of Leadership - Deep Community
Today Rick and Svea talk about the challenges to developing authentic deep community and provide some ideas for developing this community.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro00:48 This week's focus is on community and the requirement for leadership decisions to shepherd each other.02:15 We live in a culture that is driven by individualism and isolation.05:11 Authentic, biblical Christian community isn't easy; it requires bravery, intentional vulnerability, messiness, awkwardness, and sometimes pain.09:01 A framework for community: intimates, kin, village, tribe.11:53 Church gatherings at Autumn Ridge are a gathering of a tribe. Community can be experienced and enjoyed...Church Is Messy: Acts of Leadership - Am I a Leader?
In today's episode Rick and Svea open discussion on our new series - a survey of the book of Acts: Acts of Leadership.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro02:22 Exciting news about Autumn Ridge and Practicing the Way.05:18 Acts of Leadership message series: leadership is a destination of discipleship.07:15 "I'm not really a natural leader" or, "I don't really want to be in a position of leadership."08:13 Three questions about leadership.13:33 The disciples question for Jesus and his unexpected answer. He's in the driver's seat; we're not.20:43 The importance of community. We need to be in...Church Is Messy: Loving Our Enemies
In today's episode Rick and Svea have a discussion about loving our enemies and hating our enemies.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro - A Sunday afternoon gone wrong.04:05 An illustration from Rick's Sunday experience.06:11 Two visions: Love your enemy or hate your enemy.08:23 What does it look like to love your enemy?09:55 Paying a price for loving our enemy is a testing point. Not engaging in hero worship when someone says they forgive their enemy.14:42 The pressure to define "who is my brother" and "who is my enemy" devolves into who is human and who...Church Is Messy: A Response to the Assassination of Charlie Kirk
We begin a new season of Church Is Messy on a very serious note: A response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro - welcome back after Rick's sabbatical.01:46 A renewed sense of identity as a part of sabbatical.08:05 The assassination of Charlie Kirk.10:09 An email we received.12:22 We're a church that values questions - from everybody.14:40 Something Rick would do differently if he could.15:36 Rick's intent in the weekend services.16:40 At least three broad categories of people regarding Charlie Kirk among those who attend Autumn Ridge Church.19:55 Sunday morning is...Church Is Messy: Take Your Next Step and Trust the Process
In the final episode on our series on the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea discuss values seven and eight: 7) take your next step and 8) trust the process.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro02:37 Values 7 and 8: 7) Take your next step, and 8) Trust the process.07:28 Direction over speed.08:17 There is a logical progression, but there is no checklist in next steps.10:36 Some logical and some intangible next steps.18:30 Trust the process.20:41 Is the process internal or external?22:49 What does it look like to trust God when we're not seeing results?24:32 How can...Church Is Messy: Move Toward the Messes and Make Generosity Normal
In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values five and six: 5) move toward the messes and 6) make generosity normal.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro01:48 Our mission, vision, and values (mvv) are guardrails that keep us from straying into unhealthy practices.03:42 Move toward the messes.05:23 How did Jesus model moving toward the messes?08:25 What's a common thread Jesus exhibited to work through the messes he encountered?09:42 How do we follow Jesus in moving toward the messes in a healthy and...Church Is Messy: Honor Guests Enthusiastically and Belong Before You Believe
In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values three and four: 3) Honor guests enthusiastically and 4) belong before you believe.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro03:20 Coming to church can be difficult. Knowing people are coming in feeling anxious, what do we want them to experience?05:32 Hospitality in the church.07:09 Honor guests enthusiastically: we care more about your experience than our own.10:16 What are some practical ways we try to honor guests enthusiastically?13:54 What does it "cost" us to pursue honoring...Church Is Messy: Take Truth Seriously and Give Grace Relentlessly
In this continuing series of looking at the mission, vision, and values of Autumn Ridge Church, Rick and Svea turn their attention to values one and two: Take truth seriously and give grace relentlessly.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro02:10 Eight values at Autumn Ridge Church. Why do we have them?05:14 Values one and two: 1) take truth seriously and 2) give grace relentlessly.06:45 We happily place ourselves underneath the authority of Scripture - even if it means we're out-of-step with culture.08:28 Is it possible our understanding of truth could change?11:39 What does it look like for followers...Church Is Messy: Our Mission, Vision and Values
Rick and Svea kick-off a five-part series on the Mission, Vision, and Values of Autumn Ridge Church.
Topics discussed in this Episode:
0:00 Intro02:47 Why does Autumn Ridge have a mission statement? Knowing why we say "Yes" and "No" to various opportunities.04:02 Most of life's hurts happen when we live in contradiction to our purpose.07:10 Our vision: communicating the kind of church we desire to be.09:15 Why is it important we have a vision statement?12:18 Digging in: Every single word in our MVV has been labored over and is important.12:23 Our Mission - Disciple vs follower of...Church Is Messy: Holy Lit - the Bible as Holy Literature
Rick and Svea discuss the three major goals of the summer's Holy Lit series.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro02:46 Holy Lit - three goals03:05 Goal one: Uncomplicate our relationship with the Bible.09:59 If you have a simplistic understanding of the Bible you're going to have a more complicated relationship with it.12:01 Goal two: Energize our engagement with the Bible.15:33 Goal three: Expand our ability to understand the Bible.16:48 Series thesis: This is a backstory to the story of the Bible.19:36 Why is this important? Aligning with truth.24:46 The Bible is overwhelming, I don't even know...Church Is Messy: Loaded Questions - How do I not feel like a failure?
Pastor Caleb Smith joins Rick and Svea to close the Loaded Questions series. They discuss success and failure and how society's framework for success is at odds with the Gospel's framework for success.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro00:57 Reflecting on the Loaded Questions series.04:42 What was it like preparing to speak on failure?06:20 Svea to Caleb: Did your definitions of success and failure change or grow as a part preparing for this message?09:46 Embracing the tension of the gospel's framework of success and the inescapable realities of life.17:17 The rich, young ruler: a case study...Church Is Messy: Loaded Questions - Can I believe and still have doubts?
Rick and Svea have a robust conversation about doubt. They talk about the connection with doubt, faith, and belief. Are there unsafe questions to ask? They also discuss the role of community in removing doubt.
Resources:
A. J. Swoboda's book, After Doubt
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro02:31 Summary of what Svea learned about herself, doubt, and Jesus in preparing for this message.09:58 1 Corinthians 4: 20 - The kingdom of God isn't a matter of talk but of power.12:38 What is doubt?18:00 What do we mean when we talk about faith or belief?23:40 Is it...Church Is Messy: Loaded Questions - Does faith fix mental health?
In this episode Svea is joined by pastors Otis Hall and Jodi Quinn as they look at faith and mental health.
Resources:
Jodi Quinn's email: care@autumnridge.church
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:21 The number of Americans dealing with mental health issues is staggering.02:03 We seem to be afraid to talk about mental health.04:37 Being real about mental health issues. Otis' struggles.06:42 Prayer and following Jesus doesn't mean all our mental health issues will go away.08:42 Svea to Otis: how have you felt Jesus support you in your own life.10:38 Shouldn't I...Church Is Messy: Loaded Questions - Is our church a welcoming place for the LGBTQ Community?
This we we certainly live up to "church is messy." If time allows, we would encourage you to watch the sermon before listening to this podcast. We're also providing a number of resources on the topic of sexuality.
Resources:
Sermon Video URL: https://youtu.be/DidFo1xj9owCenter for Faith, Sexuality and Gender (https://www.centerforfaith.com)Greg ColesPreston SprinkleRebecca McLaughlinChristopher YuanSam AllberryJackie Hill PerryMark YarhouseThree sermons by Jon Tyson:
The Controversial Jesus | Jesus and the Gay Community – Jon Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqF0MwqjuBU&t=37sThe Controversial Jesus | Jesus, Ge...Church Is Messy: Loaded Questions - how do we know what's true?
Rick and Svea answer your questions about truth.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:58 Loaded Questions takes on a different format from other messages06:38 Why does truth matter?10:51 Is it possible for Christianity to be true and other religions to be true?15:05 How can we know Scripture is true?19:06 In Scripture is it possible the authors were biased?22:48 What do I need God for?24:43 How can you discern if what you're hearing is from God or the devil?26:48 Do you obtain knowledge at all? How do the disciples know they saw Jesus?31:49 How do we know...Church Is Messy: Galatians - Something to Boast About
Rick and Svea finish off the series on Galatians mostly focusing on burdens, loads, and pride.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro03:26 A LOT of diverse topics to cover is Galatians 6.04:44 What resonated with Svea that she wasn't able to cover in this passage?05:41 Carrying our own load and bearing each other's burdens.11:40 God isn't calling you to fix the people who sinned against you.17:21 I'm responsible for what I contribute, now necessarily how other people respond.20:01 How do you tell the difference between someone caught in sin and someone doing something you don't like?22:00 Presenting...Church Is Messy: Galatians - Free and Fruity
Today Rick and Svea contrast works of the flesh with fruit of the Spirit.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro02:21 "Don't bite and devour each other..."04:50 Defining ourselves by obeying rigid rules or religious structures invites comparison on who is and isn't achieving and breeds pride.06:09 How might Jesus has told the parable of The Good Samaritan to Autumn Ridge Church?08:16 If the Gospel stops messing with us, we're changing it; it's not changing us.11:09 Paul was writing to believers, not unbelievers. Works of the flesh happen within church people.13:38 We don't conquer works of the...Church Is Messy: Galatians - Cutting Remarks
Today Rick and Svea look at the allure of certainty instead of clarity, creating environments where litmus tests are the norm vs being in Christ.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:46 Crawford Loritts was at Autumn Ridge Church.03:31 Back into Galatians. Svea says it's a difficult book.05:06 Gravitating toward environments and activities where we feel significant.08:34 Getting into the shoes of a typical Galatian man.11:29 Giving in to the allure of certainty instead of clarity.13:25 Putting so much emphasis on circumcision.15:55 Modern-day litmus tests to see if we're in the "in crowd."16:43 We are people of...Church Is Messy: Galatians - Good News
Welcome to episode 100! Today, as they discuss Galatians chapter 4, Rick and Svea dig into having everything in Christ but living as though we have nothing.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro00:38 Episode 100: Where did the name "Church Is Messy" come from?03:15 Galatians 4, we've been given everything in Christ but it's so easy for us to live as though we have nothing.06:33 A specific example of how we get it wrong: conflict.17:21 Paul leans in on conflict.18:43 Adoption: the irrevocable security we have in our standing with God.Church Is Messy: Galatians - Ragamuffins
Today Rick and Svea acknowledge Galatians is a difficult book to understand, especially if we don't have an understanding of the Old Testament. They talk about tools to help gain understanding and spend some time discussing "the law".
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:32 Galatians is a hard book to get through and understand. Use tools like The Bible Project or The Message to help understand the deep content of Galatians.09:05 Looking at Galatians 3, an understanding of the Promise, the law, and Jesus' role in them is crucial.11:02 Understanding "the law."13:29 Misconceptions about the law.22:42 Galatians...Church Is Messy: Bonus Episode - Answering Your Questions
This episode is focused solely on answering your questions. We've received four very different questions and today we're putting out this bonus episode to answer them.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro00:50 Question 1 - In Galatians 2 Paul specifically says gentiles don't need to be circumcised after following Christ - but yet he directs Timothy to get circumcised (Acts 16). This seems like a double-standard.10:29 Question 2 - Jesus became sin for us on the cross. How can God become sin when he's perfect and can't even look upon sin?15:50 Question 3 - What is the difference between an Apostle...Church Is Messy: Galatians - Fluency or Gibberish
In this episode Rick and Svea dig really deep into gospel fluency vs gospel gibberish. The gospel isn't just trusting Jesus for salvation, it's trusting Jesus for and with the rest of your life.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro00:57 Garrison Keillor and fake spring.02:29 "You foolish Galatians..."04:49 The Christian life is NOT trusting Jesus for salvation and then living the rest of your life doing things on your own and following rules.10:40 The problem with trusting in something or someone other than the Holy Spirit to fill the various "holes" in our lives.14:52 Digging in...Church Is Messy: Galatians - Undivided
In week two of our Galatians study Rick and Svea discuss conflict, the freedom we have in Jesus, and gospel fluency.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:40 Answering your questions: Does Galatians give a hierarchy of how we should relate to other people?07:16 Galatians chapter 2.09:33 Addressing conflict with other Jesus followers.15:53 The intersection of conflict, freedom in Christ and gospel fluency.18:52 The framework of gospel fluency.20:13 A summary of the gospel.24:05 Practical hand-holds to gospel fluency.27:35 Accepting and loving people vs endorsing practices contrary to the gospel.30:54 Explaining behaviors and lifestyles contrary to the gospel to...Church Is Messy: Galatians - Make It Count
As we kick of our new series on the book of Galatians, Rick and Svea discuss false gospels and answer a listener question.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro03:23 Whose approval are you seeking?06:37 An example of appropriate and missing the gospel.10:03 The specific problems the Galatian church faced - adding to the gospel.14:10 We're all trying to reflect Jesus, not each other.17:41 How do we discern legalistic practices vs healthy practices in our own life?22:03 The progressive gospel and the regressive gospel: current, deadly false gospels.28:06 Listener question: How do we balance loving people without...Church Is Messy: The Lion's Share - Why Is our Church so Expensive?
We're putting a bow on The Lion's Share series. Today we scrutinize our own church and discuss our ministry method.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:06 Turning the focus on how Autumn Ridge handles money. Being transparent.03:29 Where is the organization: more than enough, just enough, less than enough? Our strategy.10:58 Year-end giving.12:46 Why this timing (January) on a series about finances?14:54 Our ministry method - the hub model.25:26 The kind of church we aspire to be.27:22 The upcoming Galatians series and a "Thank You."Church Is Messy: The Lion's Share - Faithful and Generous
Today Rick and Svea talk about their own struggles with greed and simplicity and the New Testament framework of faithful giving and generous giving.
Bible passages referenced in today's episode:
1 Timothy 6:17-19; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
Church is Messy: The Lion's Share - the False Promise of the Prosperity Gospel
Today Rick and Svea dig deep into the essence of the prosperity gospel, it falsehoods, and the various expressions of the prosperity gospel.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:47 Intro to the prosperity gospel.02:50 The real essence of the prosperity gospel.03:42 Live Q&A after most Saturday services (when Rick preaches).04:22 From the Q&A session last weekend: what is the fallout of the prosperity gospel?06:01 The year was 2013.14:48 The ditch: manipulation vs. grace.17:55 Why do we obey God?20:07 Different expressions of the prosperity gospel.20:41 Health and Healing prosperity gospel,26:13 The inverse: the poverty gospel,28:24 The...Church Is Messy: The Lion's Share - More than Enough
In the first half of the episode Rick and Svea share where their vulnerabilities lie regarding money. In the second half they dig into contentment.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:12 Rick's history with Football.04:25 Rick and Svea wrestle through how calendars and money demonstrate who or what has our hearts.07:05 Svea talks about being vulnerable to finding security in money.11:32 Rick talks about his primary vulnerability comes through the satisfaction and significance money can bring.13:48 This series reveals deep soul issues and the opportunity we have to invite God into those spaces.14:52 Svea and her...Church Is Messy: The Lion's Share - Just Enough
In this episode, Rick and Svea unpack some of the ideas behind "Just Enough."
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro00:27 Review of 202404:45 The Lion's Share.07:37 The tension and awkwardness of a money message series.08:20 Wanting for people not from people.12:53 Resisting the temptation to sit the series out.15:00 The topics this series will cover.16:07 Just enough.18:23 Do I find significance, security, or satisfaction in what I have or who I have?23:06 The challenge: what is "just enough"?33:41 The emphasis Jesus put on the motivations of our heart.Church Is Messy: Jonah Week 6 - Unrelenting Grace
Rick and Svea close out Jonah talking about traps, windows and mirrors, God's judgement in the Old Testament, and how we can apply the themes of Jonah to life after elections (this episode was recorded on Election Day, 2024). Ultimately, it boils down to this week's sermon topic: Unrelenting Grace.
Topics discussed in this Episode:
00:00 Intro01:22 Election Day banter.02:46 A pastoral encouragement about election anxiety.05:09 Keep looking up - keep your eyes fixed on God.07:06 The early Church.09:53 Like Jonah, we all have traps we fall into when we find our security, significance, or satisfaction in something...Church Is Messy: Jonah Week 5 - God's Compassionate Love
The roles are reversed: Rick asks Svea about her message on Jonah and we get insight into what didn't make it into the message this past week.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro01:33 Believing God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love at the heart level banishes fear, heals hurts, and melts anger.04:00 How do you recognize the real ugliness and brokenness in the world that touches our lives, remember who God is and what we're like in him in such a way we are not angry people?08:12 What was left on the...Church Is Messy: Jonah Week 4 - Freedom
Rick and Svea grapple with a number of important themes from Jonah this week:
God's provisionJonah is full of biblical parallelsObedienceTopics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro00:59 Lots of fun aspects and different connections in the text a more casual reading may miss. (Such as the fish in Jonah switches from masculine to feminine in Hebrew.)04:25 The fish: tomb or womb?05:51 Did Jonah's view of the fish change in retrospect? God's provision may look different than we're expecting.07:21 Two rabbit trails: the fish-historical narrative vs parable vs satire and womb-God's compassion.10:06 Parallel between Jonah's fish and...Church Is Messy: Jonah week 3 - Repentance
Rick and Svea make light of finally getting to "the whale" and how this is often given the lion's share of the messaging about Jonah when it's really an insignificant element of the story. This week's episode drips with challenges to go deeper and looking at what the text is actually saying.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro01:33 Svea is struck by how many of us grew up with a child-like level of understanding of the book of Jonah.05:00 For many the focus of the book is on a very small part of the story...Church Is Messy: Jonah Week 2 - The Line
This week Rick and Svea look at Jonah 1:1-16. Jonah acts as an enemy of God and yet God shows him grace. They draw out a number a parallels between Jonah and Jesus and how they differ in their motivation.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro01:42 Where is the line?06:51 Rick gets honest - some of his backstory.10:29 God sets his heart on his enemies and loves his enemies like a son.11:41 Jonah acts as an enemy of God but God shows him scandalous grace. 18:14 Jonah is the entire Bible in miniature.20:17 Jonah goes down in t...Church Is Messy: A Question from Jonah Week 1
In the weekend message introducing the book of Jonah, Rick stated there are two common views to interpreting the story of Jonah: historical narrative or primarily parable. In this episode Rick and Svea discuss a question posed to them: Does Jesus' reference to Jonah in Matthew 12, when foretelling his own death and resurrection, support a particular interpretation of Jonah?
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro01:04 Our unity isn't based on everyone agreeing on everything. Our unity is based on inclusion in Christ. It's okay to have different understandings on a variety of topics and still maintain...Church Is Messy: Intro to Jonah
Rick and Svea introduce us to the book of Jonah and its timeframe in history. This is a book filled with comedy and satire; in many ways hundreds of years before its time, and yet is has profoundly important questions and themes it wants us to deal with.
Note: this episode was recorded prior to the first message being given.
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Intro.02:20 Background of the book of Jonah - it's like the arc of the entire Bible condensed into a few chapters.05:01 Synopsis of Jonah.08:33 The focus: are we aligned...
