The Neighborhood Church, Bentonville, AR

This week Pr Joe is joined by Roseann Bowlin and Tevo Christmann discussing the purpose of hosting a Snack Pack even during worship and meditating on the role of service in the Christian life. Philippians 3: 7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe is joined by Roseann Bowlin and Tevo Christmann in going over 1 Peter 5. In this passage Peter exhorts the church on how to reconcile the hierarchical structures needed to organize large groups of people on the one hand, with the agape love that is to be the mark of a healthy Christian community on the other. His answer: humility. 1 Peter 5: 1 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it —not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 12 Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe is joined by Roseann Bowlin, Tom Helmich, and last and for sure least, Tevo Christmann. We talk about Brandon Cox's message on Sunday when he reminded the Church that (read in Oprah's voice) "you're a priest, you're a priest, you're a priest, everyone's a priest." 1 Peter 2 4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe is joined by Roseann Bowlin and Tevo Christmann in going over the book of 1 Peter, more specifically the first 10 verses of the 4th chapter. Peter urges the church in Rome to be hospitable to one another. In the context of persecution Peter appeals to the hope of heaven as an impetus for love when all else seems to be failing. 1 Peter 4 7 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Support the show Check out more here...

This week we are joined by none other than our most specialest Director of Operations Roseann Bowlin, who graced us with her easy going joy and faithfulness. You can expect to hear more from here going forward! We continue going over Pr Joe's suggestions for starting the year: 1) Find one person to walk your faith WITH... start by praying with them 2) Write down your prayers to reflect on them at the end of the year 3) Find a time to do a digital detox and replace it with devotion 4) Sacrifice your time in service of others 5) Make it your mission to make a path for others to meet Jesus Support the show Check out more here...

To start off the year Pr Joe and Tevo begin to breakdown the 5 challenges Pr Joe presented to the church on Sunday. The book of John tells us that the in the beginning the Word was WITH God and the Word WAS God. In what is one of the most revealing Christological passages in Scripture we are shown that God inherently relational. As image bearers, we are relational as well at the deepest possible level and by design, not by accident. Pr Joe challenged the church to recording their prayers in order to see God's actions in our life and be a witness to Him like John the Baptist was a witness to Jesus. This triggers a conversation on prayer which will be picked up again next week. BONUS: Empire, whose theme song may or may not sound like little like our jingle, is a carpet and flooring company. Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe is joined by Tom Helmich and Tevo Christmann for a podcast that was supposed to be about Christmas but turned out to be mostly Tevo sharing stories of praying, hoping, and seeing it happen. In a way that surprised us too, the podcast did turn out to be about Christmas because Christmas is precisely a story of praying, hoping and seeing it happen - in this case hoping and seeing our Savior. We delve into the Luke 2;21-24 and reflect on the names of Jesus and their meaning. Support the show Check out more here...

This Week Par Joe, Tom and Tevo recap the joy of the KidCity Christmas play "The Bethlehem News Network" and we reminisce on the not-so-behind-the-scenes mishaps during the play. Today's passage comes out of Luke 3, when John the Baptist announces the coming of the one who yields the winnowing fork and separates the wheat form the chaff. Hint: It's Jesus. Plus: it's good news! Support the show Check out more here...

This week Kim returns and brings an extra special guest. You cannot hear him because he is at this stage mostly non-verbal, but trust us Luke Kirby is on this podacst. Pr Joe, Kim and Tevo read out of Matthew 2 the announcement heard by the magi and reflect situations in our lives when God speaks unexpectedly and changes everything. Support the show Check out more here...

PR Joe and Tevo get together to muse on the church goings-on leading up to what some believe to be the most wonderful time of the year. Today's reading is out of Luke 2:8-20, the story of the angel's announcement of Christ's to the Shepherds in the field. In an unexpected moment, these lowly shepherds receive the most wonderful news: our savior is born! At first they are afraid but they find Jesus at the end. When God breaks the silence it can be terrifying at first but there are wonders to see along the way and worship at the end. Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe Liles is joined by Tom Helmich and Tevo Christmann in reflecting on the story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10. Cornelius was a Roman centurion who believed, gave alms and prayed constantly. However, as a gentile and a Roman, he did not enjoy participation in the Jewish community. After Pentecost, gentiles were coming to Christ and so there was a decision to be made about whether gentiles, unable able to join ranks with Jews, would be able join in with Christians. How is such a decision to be made? Through prayer God made it clear to Peter that gentiles were welcome. Today, let us seek God in prayer that our eyes would be opened to ways in which we erect religious barriers to the kingdom. Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe is joined by Tom Helmich, Tevo Christmann and very special guest Emily Harkins who, having preached at church on Sunday, stayed a couple of extra days to share a bit more of how she creates room for unlikely people to have a seat at the table. Emily Harkins was ordained as a Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in May of 2020 and serves as the Lead Pastor and Founding Developer of this new community of faith, The Dwelling. Since 2013, Emily has worked alongside persons experiencing homelessness through the City with Dwellings Emergency Overflow Shelter at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem and the City with Dwellings Community First Center. She also was one of the founding board members of City with Dwellings and continues to serve as an advisor to the organization. Find more about The Dwelling at https://www.thedwellingws.org/ Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe is joined by Tom Helmich, Tevo Christmann and first-time special guest Bryan O'Patry to discuss the first chapter of the book of Acts. This discussion follows up Tom's message this past Sunday where he talked about the primacy of the work of the Holy Spirit over any thing done by human beings. As an example he discussed baptism as a sacrament performed in obedience, but whose validity really comes from the Spirit rather than any sacred rite or special pastoral ordination. This means that anyone who has the Spirit has a seat at the Table of Christ. No one can take that away from us. "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Romans 8:9) Support the show Check out more here...

In the Church today, like in the time Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, it is possible to hold different opinions from our brothers and sisters in Christ. In Romans paul sets out to explain how that is possible. First, he explains that we are all fallen, and therefore are are all equal. Then he explains that our justification comes from Christ and not our deeds. How then should we live? Pr Joe Lies is joined by Tom Helmich and Tevo Christmann in discussing the 14th chapter of Romans where Paul concludes that the Christian life is to be lived according to one's conscience. "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin." -Romans 14:22-23 Support the show Check out more here...

**We are aware of the problem with this audio and decided to post this podacst anyway** Pr Joe returns with Tom Helmich, Tevo Christmann and second time special guest Taylor Smith in reading from Romans 5, exploring the meaning of Mission, and understanding that the mark of justification, which we are given by faith, is what leads us to mission in all its forms. As mentioned by Taylor, a quote from Karen Watson, a missionary to Iraq, killed by unknown assailants on March 15, 2044: "You should only be opening this in the event of death. When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn't called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward . . . The missionary heart: Cares more than some think is wise Risks more that some think is safe Dreams more than some think is practical Expects more than some think is possible. I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience. . . . There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you two and my church family. In His care, Salaam, Karen" Support the show Check out more here...

While Pr Joe Liles travels and Tom Helmich enjoy vacation, Kim and Ryan Kirby, Cheryl Schilb and Tevo Christmann get together to discuss the necessity and purpose of hard conversations. Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe Liles is joined by Tom Helmich, Tevo Christmann and our very special and distinguished guest Taylor Smith! Taylor is a worship leader at TNC, former CORE Team member, a dad to 4 awesome girls, avid board gamer, and an all-around great guy to be around. Following the kick of to the series "Can We Talk?" where Pr Joe invited the congregation to think through our differences and how to resolve them in love, we sat together and asked questions like "what de we do with our emotions?" or "when is the right time to initiate a hard conversation?" Join us as we together explore the ins and out of this important tool for pursuing unity in the church: the hard conversations. Support the show Check out more here...

In this episode Pastor Joe, Tom Helmich, Kim Kirby and Tevo Christmann share each other's strategies and hopes for growing in spiritual disciplines as they reflect back on the impact The Elimination Of Hurry study and series has had on their lives. Support the show Check out more here...

A late and short episode this week because of a total technical halt during our regularly scheduled recording. This week Pr Joe is joined by Tevo Christmann and his wife Kara in exploring strategies for simplifying life and making room for devotion. The question that opens up the podcast is "What do you hope for your devotional life to be?" which leads to a beautiful discussion about our current devotions and spiritual practices! Support the show Check out more here...

This week Pr Joe is joined by Tevo Chrsitmann and special guest..... wait for it.... KIM KIRBY! That's right, she's back! Almost as if she never left. They share about each other's habits and strategies around building a rhythm of Sabbath in their lives. What if Sabbath was the one day a week God asked you to live as if you were already in heaven, unconstrained by the "oughts" of everyday life? Support the show Check out more here...