Missiongathering Bellevue

Labor day began, not as a fun day off of work, but as a demand for justice in the face of oppression and labor abuses. The story of labor day connects with a letter the brother of Jesus wrote to early followers of Jesus that reminds us that our faith must be expressed through caring for people, otherwise our faith is worthless.

There is a weird story of Jesus in Mark 6 where he tries to do miracles, but can't because the people weren't willing to see the sacred in the mundane. I thought Jesus could do anything? What does this story say about how God works in the world? What if faith is not about belief, but about being open to the divine in all things? Where do you find God, hope, beauty, love beyond the walls of a churc...

Kyle Reynolds, a doctoral student in multi-cultural engagement, discusses with honesty and vulnerability what it means to step forward on the path to wholeness.

How do we move forward when our spirit seems crushed? What are some contemplative practices to use to help us connect deeply with God, ourselves, and the world when we feel down and lost?

The biblical command to rule the Earth has been misused and abused by Christians leading to colonialism. What if we've misinterpreted scripture? What would the world be like if we loved the Earth as we loved ourselves?

The Palm Sunday Jesus story has been told for thousands of years with services of praise and waving palm branches, but the deeper meaning of this politically provocative act of Jesus has a lot to teach us. And, we can't understand Palm Sunday without Hanukkah!

Jesus says blessed are the peacemaker for they will be children of God. Peace is not the absence of conflict, nor is it avoiding conflict. Peacemaking requires a third way. A way of bringing wholeness and healing without using hate and violence.

The idea that a God would become a human was a ridiculous and offensive idea in the ancient Greco-Roman world, yet this is exactly what the followers of Jesus claimed. That God would want to become like us, to be with us, to love us, and to show us that humanity is good and loved.

God entered our world through vulnerable humanity and God is still entering our lives in the most vulnerable and difficult places. How do we live out of the Holy power of vulnerability? Speaker: Missiongathering Charlotte pastor Andrew Shipley

What if gratitude is not a response to a circumstance, but a grounded way of being in the world? Hear therapist Kate Creech discuss how to move toward a grounded gratitude!

In the midst of our chaotic lives and world, how can we look to the values of the early followers of Jesus to help us live more meaningful and engaged lives? This week we're looking at Rule #2 and the importance of living simply, resisting greed and consumerism, and living generous lives.

In the 5th century as Rome fell, St. Benedict fled to the countryside to discover a way of following Jesus that led to a more harmonious, peaceful life in the midst of chaos. What are these rules of life that can help guide us today?

If you could change anything about church or Christianity, what would it be? We're beginning a new series on the future of church and how to live the Way of Jesus today.

Dr. Frank Rogers Jr. is the co-director of the Center for Engaged Compassion, professor of Spiritual Formation at Claremont School of Theology, and author of Compassion in Practice: The Way of Jesus. Dr. Rogers shares with us a way to cultivate compassion in the midst of injustice.

Lisa van Leeuwen shares her story of growing up in a religious cult and how the views of God given to her impacted her self-image, leading to an eating disorder. She shares practical steps on how to recognize our true worth and how to cultivate compassion for yourself.

How do we move from pity to compassion? How can setting boundaries actually be compassionate for yourself and others? Kyle Reynolds is a Doctorate of Cross-cultural Engagement, small business owner, and a former pastor and nonprofit worker.

During this time of political and racial unrest, how do we move forward with compassion for ourselves and those with whom we disagree? Jesus taught us to love our neighbors and enemies as ourselves, but what does it look like to have compassion for ourselves?

The word "progressive" carries a lot of connotations in our politically polarized world. Some Christians call "Progressive Christians" dangerous. What does it mean to be a "progressive" Christian and church?

Kyle is a former pastor, small business owner, and 3rd-year Doctorate student in Cross-Cultural Engagement. Kyle shares five things that make this church unique.

God and Christ were talked about with feminine metaphors for the first 1400 years of Christianity. In the last 500 years, we have referred to God almost solely as male and Father. What would it look to honor the tradition of the early Church and Hebrew scripture and recognize God as both Mother and Father who is also beyond gender?

Easter Means God's Love is Inclusive by Devin Wright

Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey while palm branches are being waved is a strange story. What if this event was not a celebratory parade, but a political protest? What can this story teach us about what true power looks like?

Hear Kate Kilroy's powerful story of reclaiming faith in the aftermath of trauma, patriarchy, and a religious cult. How do we rebuild our faith when our beliefs have been turned upside down?

The story of David and Bathsheba is famously portrayed in art, pop culture, movies, and songs (Leonard Cohen's, "Hallelujah"). Is this a story of seduction and a love affair? Or is this a story of abusing power?

Deborah the prophetess, the "fiery woman," the judge, the ruler, the military leader, the poet. What can her story tell us about the God-given power, strength, wisdom, and worth of women? How do we carry her story into our lives and the world today?