The Madison Church Podcast

What happens when you check your bank account and wonder where all the money went? Join me, Stephen Feith, on a journey through life's losses as we explore not just financial dilemmas but the deeper losses we all face. From lost pets to missing people, I reflect on how these universal experiences mirror God's longing for those who are far from him. Together, we traverse the Gospel of Luk...

What if the kingdom of God isn't just a distant hope, but a vibrant reality unfolding right now? Inspired by theologian N.T. Wright, we explore this transformative concept, challenging the notion of an untouchable heaven by highlighting how Jesus's work reveals an overlap between heaven and earth. Through the lens of the Gospel of Luke, we grapple with the cost of discipleship and the un...

Imagine a world where baking sourdough becomes a profound metaphor for spiritual introspection. That's exactly what we explore as we reminisce about our sourdough-filled adventures, from crafting loaves of bread to unexpected creations like chocolate cake. These culinary experiments become a lens through which we examine deeper truths, inspired by Jesus’ caution against the "yeast of the...

Ever wondered what it truly means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? Dive deep into the essence of authentic discipleship in this transformative episode. We promise you'll explore the profound journey of aligning your internal values with your external actions, illuminated by the teachings of Jesus in Luke 11. Join us as we tackle the struggles of divided loyalties, spiritual blindness, and the...

What does it truly mean to live a life that matters? Uncover transformative insights from Luke's gospel as we navigate the profound journey of discipleship. We're not just talking about gaining knowledge or adhering to rituals; we're exploring a life reshaped by love, prayer, and relationships. This episode promises to challenge your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, a...

Ever wondered why so many of us abandon our New Year's resolutions before January even ends? Join me, Stephen Feith, as I uncover the hidden motivations behind our commitments and reveal how understanding your "why" might just be the key to lasting change. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical insights, I explore the significance of setting compelling reasons for our action...

What if the path of faith meant embracing the unknown, where logic and divine promises seem to clash? Join us on this spiritual journey as we explore the lives of biblical figures like Samuel, Moses, Gideon, and Abraham, who exemplify the art of listening, trusting, and obeying God's call. We promise you'll discover how to tap into the profound strength and courage necessary to navigate...

What if embracing doubt could actually deepen your faith journey? Today, we unravel the powerful story of Gideon from Judges chapters 6 and 7, where faith isn't the absence of doubt but the bravery to move forward amidst it. Through Gideon's experience, we uncover insights on how God sees our potential even in our weakest moments and how we can learn to trust and take action despite over...

What happens when the ordinariness of life suddenly becomes an extraordinary calling? Discover how Moses, a humble shepherd, found his divine mission amidst the mundane and how his journey can illuminate your path. Join us as we discuss the transformative power of God's presence, even when we doubt our abilities or feel overwhelmed by life's chaos. Through Moses's encounter with the...

Ever felt spiritually disconnected, like a phone stranded in a dead zone? Join us as we unravel the metaphor of spiritual connectivity, inspired by a recent leadership retreat in Wisconsin Dells. This episode uncovers how we can feel spiritually adrift despite having all the right tools, just like a smartphone that's useless without a network. We reflect on strategies to reposition ourselves...

What happens when life's challenges seem overwhelming, and self-care feels inadequate? Join Sarah Hanson as she recounts a particularly tough week marked by the loss of a cherished family cat, and the emotional task of breaking the news to her daughter Maggie, serving as a missionary far from home. With her husband's medical issues requiring a grueling visit to the Mayo Clinic, she finds...

Have you ever pondered Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" This compelling episode wraps up our "Finding Your Place and Purpose" series by challenging you to explore the depths of your faith through the lens of Jesus's profound teachings and miracles in the Gospel of Luke. By embracing the transformative power of true discipleship, we promise to guide you in a jou...

Note: Unfortunately, the introduction and series overview were not captured due to a technical issue. The remainder of the talk is intact, and we hope you still find it helpful and encouraging. What happens when you suddenly find yourself in the midst of life's fiercest storms? Discover how an ancient tale of fishermen gripped by fear in a relentless tempest can still speak volumes to us toda...

Can generosity and inclusivity truly redefine your purpose in life? We promise that by listening to this episode, you'll uncover how the profound teachings from the Gospel of Luke can guide you toward a life of purpose centered around these principles. We focus on Jesus' mission challenging us to step out in faith, embrace our unique callings, and find strength in the Holy Spirit. By exa...

How do you build a life of purpose and resilience? Join us as we explore this profound question through the lens of Jesus’s transformative teachings in the Gospel of Luke. This week, we emphasize the importance of constructing our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus's teachings, such as the Beatitudes and the radical command to love our enemies. Discover the revolutionary nature of Jesus&a...

What if you knew the exact moment when Jesus declared his mission to the world? Journey with us as we explore Luke 4:14, where Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, returns to Galilee and reads from Isaiah. This pivotal moment sheds light on Jesus' divine mission to bring good news, heal the blind, and release the oppressed, setting the stage for his transformative ministry. Our new series, &q...

Ever felt overwhelmed and unqualified for a task you knew you were meant to do? Join us as we explore one host’s personal journey of faith, beginning at a pivotal youth retreat where they found Jesus and ending with a transformative mission trip to Jamaica. With emotional support from a friend and invaluable advice from a mentor, this spiritual awakening shifted their career path from psychology t...

What if institutional rules are keeping you from true compassion? Join us as Lead Pastor Stephen Feith brings to life a story from Mark 3, where Jesus challenges conventional Sabbath laws with an act of healing. This episode is a powerful reminder that the essence of God's commands is to promote rest and goodness, not strict adherence to rules. You'll hear inspiring personal stories from...

Experience the transformative power of the APEST culture and discover how it can advance Jesus' mission in your community. Join us as we celebrate 10 years in Madison with a vibrant gathering on Sunday, September 8th, and embark on part five of our series "Rediscovering Our Forgotten Ways." We revisit essential elements such as declaring Jesus as Lord, disciple making, and community...

Ever wondered how a Pixar movie could unlock profound theological insights? Join us as we explore the spiritual depths of "Finding Nemo" and discover how Marlin and Nemo's ocean adventures mirror the journey of stepping out of our comfortable, controlled church environments. Learn how embracing the messiness and unpredictability of the real world, just as Jesus did, can lead to genu...

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to live out your faith beyond Sunday gatherings? Join us as we break down the missional incarnational impulse, inspired by Alan Hirsch’s book, "The Forgotten Ways." We discuss how aligning our lives with God’s will can transform our communities and everyday interactions. Discover how we, as Christians, are called to actively participate in God’s...

Can the essence of your faith be captured in six core values? Join us for a special episode as we revisit the fundamental beliefs that have shaped our journey. Drawing inspiration from Alan Hirsch's "The Forgotten Ways," we dissect our missional DNA, emphasizing that "Jesus is Lord," and the critical roles of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers in our...

What if the secret to transforming your entire life lies in a daily, conscious choice? As we embark on our new series, "Rediscovering Our Forgotten Ways," we're taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of Madison Church as we approach our 10th anniversary. From initial excitement to the struggle of preparation, I share my personal challenges in crafting this talk and how...

What if we told you that the "edutainment" approach in youth ministry has failed to produce lasting faith among students? Reflecting on a transformative mission trip to Niagara Falls, we delve into our journey as former student pastors and the realization that glitzy programs often lack the depth needed for genuine spiritual growth. Listen as we critically examine the shortcomings of ent...

Ever felt overwhelmed by life's demands and wondered if you're truly grasping the essence of love? Join us on an eye-opening journey as we recount personal experiences of exhaustion and the profound realizations that followed. Through intensive counseling, we discovered a critical truth: understanding and living out love isn't as straightforward as years of teaching and preaching mi...