Artisan Church Podcast

The good news of resurrection told at Easter came from unexpected voices. “It was the women,” says Luke. What happens when unexpected people proclaim unexpected news? The gospel goes to all the world.  Speaker: Dr. Kristen Brown

Sometimes, God gives the people what they want, but not in the way they were expecting. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem is a classic example: Jesus enters as a conquering king, not on a war horse and wielding a sword but on a donkey and prepared to die. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together ”

The famous Gospel story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness offers a hint to how the forces of evil work: it is only at the very end of Jesus’s time of wilderness and deprivation, just when he is about to “go back to normal,” that he is truly tempted. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together ”

The story of God’s people includes many turning points: new revelations, new realizations, and grace upon grace. But God’s people have not always responded well to these changes. Are we ready for what God is making new, or are we too committed to the status quo to see it? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together ”

A peculiar parable by Jesus about a tree that can’t produce fruit gives us hope after a season that has often seemed fruitless, and maybe even pointless. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together ”

A conversation about life together with a panel of Artisans. Part of the series “ Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together ”

An introduction to the biblical concept of Jubilee, and an explanation of why it might be appropriate for the season of Lent—at least this year. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together ”

As we look ahead to the beginning of Lent, we will consider the most common Lenten spiritual practice: fasting. Whether it is a traditional food fast, or another form of voluntary self-deprivation, fasting can be a powerful practice. Yet it can also feel oppressive, and we may carry some baggage from previous attempts. One helpful key: adding in something to replace whatever you’re “giving up” for...

It is so easy to get distracted in our spiritual practice. Centering Prayer teaches us to regain and return our attention in a non-judgmental way. We use images from scripture as a focal point, receiving God’s love and guidance in renewed ways. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ First Light: Spiritual Practices After a Long Night ”

It could be said that all spiritual practices involve noticing one’s presence with God, and the daily examen is all about this kind of noticing. For this reason, it is our first spiritual practice; it will provide a good basis for all that follow in this series. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ First Light: Spiritual Practices After a Long Night ”

(God works in the darkness, too.) Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Gradual Light: emerging from darkness ”

Once we have “seen the light” and allowed Jesus to change us, we may occasionally have the privilege of providing light to others. We should bear this responsibility with humility and gentleness. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Gradual Light: emerging from darkness ”

Having one big epiphany is not enough to sustain a healthy spiritual life. Instead, we can find value in shifting our expectations toward a gradual, ongoing revelation: a life lived in the posture of seeing the light. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Gradual Light: emerging from darkness ”

“Epiphany” is a holy day on the Christian calendar, but it’s also a word used to describe a momentary realization—seeing the light. It is important to seek out these moments, notice them when they occur, and learn from them. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Gradual Light: emerging from darkness ”

The language of salvation in scripture is rich and varied. Today, we look at a passage from Ephesians that illustrates this breadth of beauty. Which image connects to your soul today? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Christmastide ”

On December 26, the church marks two special days that are mostly unfamiliar to American Christians. We look at the meaning of these two observances and think about what God might inspire us to do in our own place and time. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Christmastide ”

The incarnation of God in the person of Jesus means so many things to us, but perhaps the most important is that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God: God’s will, God’s character, and God’s love. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Advent ”

Mary’s song-prayer reverberates across the centuries, inspiring and challenging untold millions of people. Will we be bold enough to embrace the vision of the world that this provocative song contains? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Advent ”

John the Baptist offers a sober warning to religious people who he thinks will not be ready for the kind of king Jesus will be. He does not mince words in warning them that their lives are not even ready for repentance, let alone holiness. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Advent ”

This week’s Advent texts remind us of the theme of preparing the way for the Messiah. As we think of Advent as so many types of anticipation, perhaps we can think of preparedness as a past/present/future spiritual practice. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Advent ”

Waiting isn’t easy! It requires its own special type of endurance. The readings for this week emphasize this, indicating that we should pray for the strength to last until the appearance of the Lord. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Advent ”

On the final Sunday in the liturgical year, Christians celebrate the reign of Christ in the world. But for so many reasons, it is hard for us to grasp what it means to think of Jesus as our king. His words say it well: “My kingdom is not of this world.” Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Giving thanks even in the midst of our suffering is easily one of the most difficult concepts for Christians to practice, or even accept. We will take a gentle look at the idea and see how we might be able to apply it in our time. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Thankful ”

Sometimes it is easier to start out small with a spiritual practice. Before we can even begin to think about giving thanks in the midst of suffering, we must learn to recognize God’s small gifts in ordinary life, and to give thanks as our gift back to God. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “ Thankful ”

We share and hear brief stories from other Artisans to inspire and encourage us, whether we’re feeling saintly or not! Part of the series “ All the Saints ”