Summit Podcasts: BACK40, Sermon Audio, and Leadership Night

In a special edition of Leadership Night, Mel teaches principles he has learned from time spent working on his Jeep. Working through a list of ten points, he explains how these principles apply to leadership in business and in your personal life. The ideas include being careful to invest in critical infrastructure before spending on flashier, more attractive purchases: "lockers before light b...

In the opening message of our series It's a Wonderful Life, Pastor Mel investigates the meaning of biblical love. He talks about the problems associated with the culture's fantastical infatuation with being "in love." He explores the self-sacrificial love of called agape, and then he explains why it's a bad idea to follow your heart when it comes to loving others well. Preach...

Pastor Christina tells a personal story explaining the negative consequences of envy. Preaching through James chapter 3, she teaches us what we should do if we discover that jealousy is a problem in our own lives. Christina makes it clear jealousy is not an attractive vice, and that it is the product of earthly, unspiritual, and demonic tendencies. She contrasts these attributes with godly wisdom...

In the third and final message of our series on Habakkuk, Pastor Mel walks us through the prophet's song detailing the wrath of God. Habakkuk's song inspires fear, awe, and confidence in the glorious power of God. Mel explains the Hebrew term "selah" to indicate a moment of pause and praise. So we get to see the moments when the prophet reflected on the movement of God which adds...

Mel, Todd, and Michael discuss how to spot false teachers. What are some qualities to look for in a good teacher? Are there more false teachers inside the church or outside the church? How should a pastor react when a false teacher emerges within the congregation? They also talk about the role of rituals in the Christian life. Can rituals change the quality of your spirit and help you mature as a...

The second message in our series on Habakkuk brings us exposition of chapter 2. Pastor Mel teaches that it is through faith that a righteous person has life. He draws a distinction between righteousness and pride, citing that righteousness results in firmness, steadiness, fidelity, and steadfastness. Habakkuk cried out to God wondering how long before He will help. The prophet also faces frustrati...

Mel, Todd, and Michael discuss Christ's distinction between the broad path which leads to destruction and the narrow path which leads to life. What does this illustration mean for theological concepts like justification, sanctification, and entire sanctification? What is Summit's official position on these doctrines? Once we've established our convictions on what sanctification looks l...

Pastor Mel begins our series on the book of Habakkuk, who was one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. This oft-neglected book teaches us invaluable wisdom concerning how we should receive God's correction. Habakkuk's prayer presented in the first chapter comes in the form of a complaint. Mel explains to us why it's okay to complain to God when facing difficulties in life. Compl...

Mel gives strategies for how to lead your team well through an internal crisis. It's important that you gather as much information as possible during the discovery phase. Once you know what's happening, proper communication throughout your team is critical. Bad behaviors like gossip and dishonesty should be struck down as soon as you notice them. One of the most challenging aspects of navi...

Our guest speaker and keynote from She Is Transformed, Andi Andrew, preaches a message about preparation. Teaching through the parable of the ten virgins, Andi explains why we should be prepared for anything. She argues that the unwise walk in presumption while the wise walk in anticipation. Andi also teaches that we should not live on borrowed oil, meaning we should look to Jesus as our source ra...

Pastor Mel finishes our series on 2nd Peter with exposition of chapter 3. This chapter takes a look at end-times prophecy and discusses how we should act as Christians who are expecting the return of Jesus. There will be scoffers who mock the truth of Christ's return and there will be hypocrites who claim themselves to be the saviors of mankind. A proper Christian should understand that God ex...

The second week of our series on 2nd Peter brings a message explaining the dangers of being driven by your feelings and desires. Mel goes to the Greek to explain the subtleties of illegitimate desire and sensuality. He also discusses the meaning of greed and cautions us against false teachers who love to make personal gains by teaching bad doctrine. Mel explains how false teachers are like unthink...

What makes a good leader? What are the character traits of a good leader? What are some skills we can learn to develop our leadership? Mel teaches about these topics and more in this episode of Leadership Night. Mel and the audience discuss the importance of self-awareness, the necessity of asking for feedback, and the value of delegation. They also explore the importance of leaders taking on new...

In the first message of our series on 2 Peter, Pastor Mel teaches about qualities you should develop as followers of Jesus. These qualities are: moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love for everyone. Mel's exposition of 2 Peter 1 explains how lacking these qualities makes you ineffective, unfruitful, shortsighted, and blind. The mes...

In session 3 of The Back40 Leadership Conference, Pastor Brad Price talks about what it’s like to lead a church in a small town. Through his experience pastoring in Alum Bank, Pennsylvania, he explains how churches should look for gaps in their community when strategizing which ministries to support. Brad argues that planting seeds through benevolence and community-service is one of the greatest w...

Mel, Todd, and Michael discuss the concept of reproof and how to determine who is fit for it and who isn't. Jesus said, "Do not cast your pearls before swine." and so as Christians we need to use discernment in who we attempt to correct. How fast can you tell when a person is not fit for reproof? What does this person look like? The conversation turns to the topic of cynicism, and ho...

In the fifth and final part of our series on the five solas of the Reformation, Pastor Mel teaches about the doctrine of Soli Dec Gloria (which means glory to God alone). Christians are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. The essence of Soli Deo Gloria is that everything is done for God's glory alone to the excl...

In part four of our series on the five solas of the Reformation, Pastor Mel teaches about the doctrine of Sola Scriptura (which means scripture alone). Christians are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. Mel sets up the message by arguing that if the Bible is true, then any claim in conflict with what it says is fals...

In the third installment of our series on the five solas of the Reformation, Pastor Mel teaches about Solus Christus, which means Christ alone. The thesis for this series is: Christians are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. Mel explains who Jesus is in various world religions like Buddhism and Islam, and then he p...

In session 2 of The Back40 Leadership Conference, Pastor Rob McClure presents a message on the value of staying close to the Shepherd. As a pastor, your job more than anything else is to follow close to Jesus. Ministry is full of important responsibilities and if you’re not careful these responsibilities can cause you to neglect your proximity to Christ. Trusting that Jesus knows where He’s going...

Mel, Todd, and Michael discuss how a person can harbor ambition without becoming arrogant. How do you pursue being the best at something while maintaining godly humility? They also talk about the role of mercy in effective leadership. How does a good leader discern when to punish, when to restore, and when to show grace? The conversation finishes with strategies for young leaders who are trying to...

Pastor Todd teaches about the second of the five solas of the Reformation: sola fide. Sola fide means "faith alone" and Todd explains how we are saved entirely by grace through faith in Jesus. He also makes the case that while we are saved by faith alone, that faith itself is never alone but always expresses itself in demonstration. Using selected scriptures, Todd shows three ways faith...

Todd, Gilbert, and Michael discuss whether there are differences in spiritual health based on a person's financial well-being. They also talk about the value of being present in the moment. Where should you draw the line between working ahead, developing yourself for the future, and being focused on your immediate surroundings? Is being the best at something even desirable once you realize how...

In a special edition of Leadership Night, Pastor Todd walks us through what means to elevate the limitations of our leadership. He explains how intentionally including others in your workflow can expand the limits of your productivity. If you work for a boss or a manager, you should try to work with them rather than work for them. If you are a boss or manager, you should be quick to take on the di...

In the opening message of our series on the five solas of the Reformation, Pastor Mel explains the meaning of Sola Gratia (by grace alone). He teaches the difference between justice, mercy, and grace as well as why all three are important elements of God's character. Contrasting Christianity with other world religions helps define biblical grace as an unmerited gift from God. Mel cautions agai...