Spark Cast

Job is not just wisdom literature, but permission, to ask questions, to speak, to be silent, to wrestle, and to say, "I don't know." That permission is a spiritual liberation from the expectations of other religious ideas.

This first Sunday of 2022, Pastors Kevin & Danielle reflect a bit on 2021, highlight a few key observations, and briefly share what's coming in 2022.

Each of the declarations by the angels is,...odd. Yet, precisely because they are strange are they also profound.

In a world of kings, rulers, authorities, and...well, adults, God's medium of salvation came in the form of a helpless child. What does that teach us about the message of Christmas and the radical shift in values that transformed our world?

”COP” stands for “Conference of the Parties,” the United Nations annual gathering of world leaders to address climate change. Pastor Danielle Parish of Spark. Church was an official United Nations Conference Observer at this year’s COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. At this event, Pastor Danielle shared a report on her experiences, key moments and decisions, and discussed how faith communities can contin...

Do not be afraid. Rather, be amazed. And through that amazement, tell the story.

This story we tell every year, when considered, is really a strange way to bring salvation. In this introduction, we consider one possible avenue of thinking about the Virgin Birth.

We do not give thanks because we are happy. We are happy, because we give thanks. Giving thanks, is good, and not just for the Thanksgiving holiday. It is good for our soul, all year round.

Pastors Kevin & Danielle give a brief report to the Spark community on climate change, COP26, and why it matters. We hope this is simply one part of our continued commitment to #GospelJustice through #CreationCare.

Service in The Way of Jesus is not a simple act. It is an entire posture of identity, living a life of simply being a servant to all.

Many consider communion deeply personal to one's spiritual life and identity. However, it is far from individual. This meal and sacrament calls the body together, imploring us to consider each other as the aim and goal of eating together.

What happens when we read sacred texts? In addition to it being a moment of meditation, it is the reading that draws us closer to the author.

Pastors Danielle & Kevin are going to #COP26, the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. In this brief introduction, we share a glimpse of what COP26 is, why we're going, and how you can journey with us. https://www.spark.church/cop26

Pastor Kevin and Spark's Worship Leader, Junior, sit down for a conversation on worship, what it is, why it is important, and what it tells us about our practice of faith. We discuss a bit about Junior's background and upbringing, in addition to his evolution of thinking over time. Together, we are inspired to consider worship far more than the "singing" portion of our services.

We introduce a new series on the presence of God IN PRACTICE. The characteristics of our faith are all encompassing of the fullness of our human experience. Embracing the contemplative, prayerful, and meditative aspects of our relationship with God is just as necessary as theology.

The conclusion of our series on Spark's core values.

Spark's next core value, Rescue, is our call to bring salvation to all, just as God brought salvation to us.

Last week's discussion on reconciliation culminates in the restoration of God's reputation, how God is viewed and understood by everyone, most especially Christians.

Our next core value of reconciliation is not only a prime characteristic of Jesus followers, but is also a worldview, and even an archetype of the progress of the universe. Embodied in Jesus followers is a cosmic force that exemplifies what we say in our services each week, that God really is "one."

As we approach Spark's 9th Anniversary, we'd like to revisit the foundational teachings, principles, and values that form the identity of our church.

Before his death, Jesus lived the life of a human being, but was MORE. After his resurrection, that MORE became evident to those with whom he interacted. The final chapter of the book of Luke gives us a glimpse into what that MORE is, and provides insight into how we can be MORE as well.

Chapter 24 of the Gospel According to Luke narrates some details of the morning of the resurrection, the most significant, meaningful, and central event of the Christian faith. And yet, to claim that a dead man rose from the dead is dubiously incredible. Our heritage and history affirm both of these perspectives as a challenge to carefully consider.

Chapter 23 of The Gospel According to Luke chronicles the trials of Jesus before he's crucified. The narrative culminates in a guilty man who goes free, and an innocent man who is condemned to die. It is upon the bodies of these two men that we see the dire need for the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

It may be easy to dismiss Judas Iscariot as an anomaly, a bad actor, or perhaps just a fulfillment of God's ordained prophecy. Perhaps we should consider more carefully the underlying lessons.

Jesus' description of the destruction of the Temple in Luke 21 is frightening and disheartening. The very center of socio-religious identity is going to be destroyed and desolated. Bad things are going to happen, and many persecutions. But while the heavens are shaken, the Son of Man is coming, and redemption is drawing near, and the Kingdom of God is about to be established. How in the world does...