UNpolished Church

In this episode we explore why money can be so difficult to talk about in church, especially when it touches debt, shame, regret, generosity, stewardship, and our willingness to bring hidden struggles into the light. Jon Sherwood sits down with Martha Brown and Kathy Gibbons for an honest conversation about following Jesus with our finances, learning to live within our means, and discovering how f...

In this episode we explore what it means to transition from a traditional church model into a decentralized microchurch network rooted in discipleship, mission, shared leadership, and the priesthood of all believers. Jon Sherwood shares the story behind his church’s journey away from measuring success by attendance, budgets, buildings, and programs, and toward releasing everyday followers of Jesus...

In this conversation we explore what it means for the church to practice biblical love through discipline, repentance, restoration, and real Christian community. Jon Sherwood talks with Russ & Kim Pullen about microchurch, church discipline, confronting sin, marriage restoration, the Lord’s Table, spiritual maturity, and the courage it takes to speak the truth in love. This episode looks hones...

In this conversation we explore what it means for the church to be the practice field for becoming like Jesus. The network leadership team discusses Christian community, micro church, communication, discipleship, forgiveness, conflict, and the challenge of learning to love one another in real relationships. It emphasizes the importance of shifting our view of church away from a product to consume...

In this episode, Jon Sherwood sits down with Connor Fodel to explore the practice of Sabbath (Shabbat) why it can feel new, weird, and clunky at first, and how learning to stop can become a doorway into delight, freedom, and deeper community. We talk practicing Sabbath with roommates and micro church rhythms, cooking as a surprising form of rest, and the call to “make space where rest can exist” f...

In this episode we explore what a micro church is and why smaller, participatory gatherings can still embody the full life of the church worship, maturity, and mission from living rooms to local service. We talk autonomy (it’s a church, not just a “group”), a multigenerational picture around the table, Matthew 18, and a 1 Corinthians 14 rhythm where everyone comes to give. We also share real stori...

In this episode of the Unpolished Church Podcast, host Jon Sherwood engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tony about his life, faith journey, and the transformative power of Jesus. They discuss Tony's deep family roots in Black Mountain, his initial hesitance towards church, and how a welcoming community helped him embrace his faith. Tony shares personal struggles, including his son's h...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood sits down with Xam and Maui Vang to explore something many Christians talk about but struggle to practice: spiritual formation in everyday life. This isn’t theory. It’s as tangible as buying blankets for neighbors, handing a stranger your extra pair of shoes, and choosing Scripture over the next dopamine hit on social media. Through honest sto...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood sits down with the Jeter's to explore something many Christians talk about but struggle to practice: spiritual formation in everyday life. This isn’t theory. It’s as tangible as buying blankets for neighbors, handing a stranger your extra pair of shoes, and choosing Scripture over the next dopamine hit on social media. Through honest stories,...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood sits down with James & Daniella Hatfield from the Asheville Church Network to explore something many Christians have heard of but few have truly experienced: spiritual formation. Coming from a low-church evangelical background, James & Daniella Hatfield had almost no exposure to ancient Christian practices. But what began as curiosity...

In this sermon we explore the grand metanarrative of Scripture, the story of the Bible from creation to new creation. We explore the essence of the Christian faith as a narrative that provides a true story of the world. It emphasizes the importance of Christians sharing this story to disrupt competing narratives and offers a metanarrative that helps in understanding truth, reality, and the human c...

Is Christianity a bookish faith? For much of Christian history, Scripture was heard together, not just skimmed alone on a screen. Today we’re recentering the text in community and learning to read the unified story that leads to Jesus (Luke 24, John 14:6-9, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:15, John 5:39). In this conversation, Jon unpacks why the Bible is not an “IKEA manual,” why “Word” in John 1 isn’t...

In this episode of the Unpolished Church podcast, host Jon Sherwood explores the definition of church, particularly in the context of microchurches. What is the minimum elements required to call something "church"? Jon outlines three core elements that define a church: lordship, mission, and maturity, and explains how these elements guide the formation and function of microchurches. He e...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) discusses the concept of the whole Gospel and distinguishes it from common incomplete Gospels as seeking to be centered on the Well of Jesus' lordship. If you find this episode helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with friends! Chapters [00:00] Introduction [03:03] Metaphor of Wells vs. Fences [0...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) explores the profound connection between prayer and the manifestation of God's kingdom on earth. Jon delves into Romans 12, emphasizing the call to offer our bodies as living sacrifices and the importance of transformation through the renewing of our minds. The discussion highlights the significance of unity i...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) calls us back to Jesus’ way of praying honestly, bringing who we actually are before the Father, not a polished “digital self.” We explore C.S. Lewis’ wisdom to “lay before God what is in us,” then exposes the Matrix-style trap of presenting a simulation of ourselves to God instead of the real thing. Together we p...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) calls us back to Jesus’ own invitation: deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him. Not a consumer gospel real discipleship that transforms everyday life. We confront the trap of consumer Christianity what some call “Happy Meal Jesus” that promises comfort without transformation. Instead, Jon calls us...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) explores the themes of generosity, suffering, and the role of the church in a post-Christian era. Jon discusses the importance of understanding suffering as a form of generosity from God and how technology and AI impact modern Christian life. The conversation delves into ethical dilemmas surrounding technology and...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) sits down to explore the transformative call to live generously as part of Jesus’ mission of reconciliation. Drawing from scripture, including Peter’s vision of believers as the new temple and Paul’s message of ministry, the conversation challenges us to see ourselves as priests and ambassadors tasked with embodyi...

In this episode of the Unpolished Church Podcast, Jon Sherwood discusses the importance of spiritual practices, particularly focusing on generosity as a practice rather than a discipline. He explores biblical teachings from Matthew 6, emphasizing the contrast between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset. Through personal anecdotes, he illustrates how generosity can be cultivated and the sig...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) consider the source of all generosity ... God. Considering the generosity of God as revealed by Jesus in the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16, we discuss applications in our context around issues of immigration and loving our neighbor. Jon walks listeners through how this story confronts c...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) interviews Ammi Zimmerman. Raised within a diverse range of Jewish traditions—from Torah-Observant “Tanakhism” to Conservative Rabbinic Judaism—Ammi has always held a deep love for YHWH, the God of Israel, and for the rich history of the people of Israel from the time of Abraham to the Second Temple period. During...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) delves into the often personal and complex decision of choosing a church. Drawing from years of pastoral conversations and experience with microchurch communities, Jon unpacks the deeper motivations behind church-hopping, preference-driven decisions, and the search for the “perfect fit.” He challenges the cultural...

Spiritual Depth without Programming in Micro Churches with James & Daniella Hatfield In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) interviews James & Daniella Hatfield. James became a Jesus follower in 2000 while studying at N.C. State University, while Daniella was converted to Jesus in 1996 while in high-school outside of London, England. They have...

In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) interviews a prominent New Testament scholar, author, and speaker known for his work on early Christianity, the historical Jesus, and Christian living Dr. Scot McKnight. Drawing from decades of teaching, writing, and walking with the church, Scot shares his thoughts on how Jesus-centered communities can navigate t...