The Berean Project Podcast

In this message, we take a fresh look at the table in Luke 22—not as a ritual, but as a moment that shapes identity. Why did Jesus choose a meal? What was the table meant to do? And what might we be missing when we reduce it to something smaller? This is the beginning of a conversation about communion, belonging, and the kind of story that changes us.

Most people can tell you what they’ve done. Very few can tell you who they’re becoming. In this episode of The Berean Project, we ask a deeper question: What does success actually look like? Is success about doing the right things, following the right patterns, and maintaining what we’ve been taught? Or is it something else entirely? This conversation challenges the idea that success is measured b...

The Context Checklist is a simple, practical tool designed to help you slow down and see Scripture more clearly. Instead of relying on quick interpretations or isolated verses, it guides you to ask better questions—about the story, the audience, the culture, and the literary setting—so you can understand what’s actually being communicated before jumping to application. Built from years of study, r...

This final conversation isn’t a conclusion as much as it is a pause. Throughout this series, we’ve talked about culture not as something you install, enforce, or fix—but something you inhabit. We explored posture before instruction, trust before compliance, process before outcomes, and context before conclusions. Each episode pulled at a different thread, but all of them pointed to the same quiet...

Most churches don’t choose their culture. They inherit it. Over time, that inherited culture can feel spiritual—even when no one ever named it, questioned it, or chose it on purpose. In this episode, we slow down and talk about what it means to notice the culture that is already forming us. Rather than offering a new framework or a set of steps, this conversation invites listeners to spend time ob...

The modern church is incredibly good at keeping itself running. Week after week, the gears turn. Services happen. Scriptures are listed. Programs are maintained. Everything works—efficiently, faithfully, predictably. But what if that efficiency is the problem? In this episode, we explore how the church can slowly drift into becoming a machine—one that only needs power to keep spinning—while missin...

The Story of Culture, Do you Trust the Story? Another episode in building the understanding of how to create culture in a church.  This is a two campfire conversation episode that starts off with the question of the year that asks: "Are you excited about your place in the churches future?" This generates a deep discussion about unpacking what it really means to trust the story verses the obedience...

Most people say they’re waiting on God. But what if God is actually waiting on us? In this episode of The Culture Series, we dive into Preparation—not as a checklist, but as a posture. Drawing inspiration from the story of Nehemiah’s watchmen, we explore what it means to live with spiritual readiness in a church culture that often drifts toward comfort and sameness. Preparation is more than planni...

Culture, Part Three, Posture and Process Today we continue with storytelling our way through some sample values that you might want to add to your church culture discussion.  Stories are a great vehicle to make a point and to reflect on.  No sermons here, just another short journey on the road to understanding and building culture in your church.

Have you ever met someone that works for a company or a corporation that loves where they work because of the companies culture?  We have all heard of some of those companies and the way they set themselves apart.  The real question is, why are churches not doing the same thing?  The answers may surprise you as we unwrap several stories and incorporate them into figuring out how to choose values....

Beliefs and mission statements matter—but they’re not what makes a church thrive. In this kickoff to our Culture Series, discover why a formal culture statement is the “secret sauce” most churches are missing, and how it can transform everything you do.

We’ve all been there — circling the same questions, holding back from deciding, hoping clarity will magically appear. But what if staying undecided is the very thing holding you back from growth, truth, and being part of something bigger than yourself? In this episode, we explore why conclusions are so hard to reach, how they shape our future, and why this moment might be your historic opportunity...

What If the Bible Isn’t an Instruction Manual at All? "Bible = Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. It’s catchy. It’s popular. But it may be shaping our faith in ways we never intended. What if the Bible was never meant to be a universal rulebook? Join us as we explore the historical and cultural context of Scripture and discover why reducing it to ‘instructions’ could be missing the point ent...

Is the Bible Written To You or For You?  A Deep Look Want to understand the deepest question of modern day Christianity?  Ask someone if the Bible is written to you or for you and you will be shocked at the look of confusion on most people.  Which is it?  And before you say "both", have a listen to this compelling content.

Being Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself, Episode 10 Part two of the three part series of being a part of something bigger than yourself.    

Supplemental Information on Prooftexting, a Fresh Approach, Episode 9 We had the opportunity to release a supplemental episode to help with the prooftexting problem in our churches today.  This is getting a lot of feedback and will most likely rise to the top of the pile of issues that need to be addressed in the future.  Instead of giving you a typical podcast with information, we have tried a ne...

An Introduction to Context, A Two Campfire Conversation So what is context?  In this episode we will begin to explore the basics of using context in the Bible.  As usual we are not using any scriptures to explain anything but taking a step back approach to understanding our shortcomings of scriptures through the way we were taught (myself included)  Be sure to start with episode 1 since each of th...

Manipulation, A Campfire Discussion This one is a campfire discussion about how we can accidently manipulate the church.  Its not for the faint of heart and to be honest, not a very fun thing to think about.  However if you have listened to the first four episodes you will see a theme start to develop that makes you dismantle some narratives.  To be honest hard discussions are essentially good for...

The Berean Project Episode 4 This is where the first three episodes come together and start to formulate how we can view our spiritual journey even if we are not sure we are on one.  Again, we are emphasizing on the fact that we are not using scripture here to muddy the waters of interpretations.  

Tools   Episode #3 Before you study one word in your Bible, before you listen to another sermon on sunday, you should have these two tools in your toolbox so they are ready to be used.  Why?  Because when you start listening or reading with a couple of really good questions or tools in your mind, a whole new world opens up, and this is even before the Word of God is explored.. Curious?  Start with...

What is the Goal?   Episode #2 Asking questions should be a part of any spiritual journey, yet questions are rarely encouraged.  Just sit there and listen to what someone tells you is mostly the theme of today's faith gatherings.  Lets start off with good questions. The first one has to be, what's the goal, or more importantly what is your goal?  Everyone has a different goal, why should we be all...

What are you looking for?  Episode #1 Ever walk into a church trying to figure out what they are all about?  You don't get much with most churches "about us" sections since they just rattle off a bunch of beliefs.  Have you wondered, am I going to get fed something that I need or something that someone else thinks I need?  Asking questions is the key and this episode has zero scriptures in it so t...