Ten Minutes Or Less is the weekly(ish) podcast of The Local Church — a bold, inclusive new faith community committed to being with and for one another, our community, and the world. The Local Church is a new expression of Christ United Methodist Church.
May 5, 2024
In this episode, Pastor Brent Levy explores the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 and what it teaches us about embodying Jesus's mission to "set free those who are oppressed." You'll learn:
Pastor Brent challenges listeners to consider:
This message will inspire you to "grab your purple crayon" and courageously draw the world of justice and joy that Jesus makes possible now.
Scripture: Luke 19:1–10
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
April 28, 2024
This week, Pastor Brent shares a message about the transformative act of truly seeing one another, drawing on the rich narrative of Jesus' teachings and a modern-day story of social enterprise and empowerment.
What You Will Learn:
How It Will Help You:
Where to Learn More:
Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring messages and practical guidance for living out your faith in everyday life.
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
April 21, 2024
In this powerful sermon, Pastor Brent explores the well-known Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15, focusing on the theme of "release to the captives" from Jesus's Jubilee sermon in Luke 4.
Key Takeaways:
Practical Applications:
Scripture: Luke 15:11-32
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
The Speakeasy is a gathering for unfiltered conversations on faith and justice. At each gathering, we invite a special guest to share their personal experiences and stories in conversation around a particular topic or issue related to faith and justice. We hope these events inspire empathy, foster common ground, and cultivate deeper connections in our community and beyond.
This month, we welcomed The Rev. Katey Zeh (she/her) to help us navigate the intersection of faith and reproductive justice. The Rev. Brent Levy and Katey explored this complex intersection, discussing the historical and current challenges faced by those advocating for reproductive freedom within religious contexts.
The Rev. Katey Zeh is an ordained Baptist minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). The Center for American Progress named her one of their top justice-seeking faith leaders to watch for her work on reproductive freedom. Rev. Katey has written for many outlets, including the Washington Post, Sojourners, Religion News Services, and Religion Dispatches, and she regularly appears in the media, including The Atlantic, CNN, The Nation, BBC, NBC News, Newsweek, and The Christian Century. She is the co-creator of the Kindreds podcast and the author of two books, A Complicated Choice: Making Space for Grief and Healing in the Pro-Choice Movement and Women Rise Up: Sacred Stories of Resistance for Today’s Revolution.
🎧 Audio Version:
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience at The Plant in Pittsboro, NC, on April 14, 2024. To learn more about Katey Zeh and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, visit rcrc.org. To learn more about The Local Church, visit our website or connect with us on Instagram.
April 14, 2024
In this episode, Pastor Brent explores the Parable of the Great Dinner from Luke 14 and how it relates to the theme of Jubilee, a concept rooted in the Jewish law book of Leviticus. Through this parable, Jesus demonstrates the expansive love and radical inclusion of God, upending expectations and reordering the world.
Scripture: Luke 14:15-24
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
April 7, 2024
In this episode, we explore the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection. You'll learn:
This message will encourage you to find hope in the resurrection, knowing that because of Jesus' victory over death, there is no place or situation that is beyond God's presence and redemption.
Scripture: Luke 24:13–35
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
March 31, 2024
In this powerful Easter sermon, Pastor Brent reflects on the significance of remembering the resurrection of Jesus Christ and how this remembrance can transform our lives and bring hope in the midst of life's challenges.
Scripture: Luke 24:1–12
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
March 24, 2024
Rajeev Tiwari brings our Fast series to a close with this sermon set against the backdrop of Holy Week and Palm Sunday. Rajeev challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of power, salvation, and the way of Jesus.
Scripture: Luke 19:28–44
What You Will Learn:
How It Will Help You:
This episode offers valuable insights into navigating the complexities of faith in a world that often values certainty and control. By embracing the mystery of God's kingdom, listeners will find encouragement to:
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
March 17, 2024
This week, Brent invites us to fast from holding it all together. Drawing from personal anecdotes, cultural references, and poignant scriptural insights, Brent invites us into a space of vulnerability, showing us the strength in letting our guards down and the beauty in our shared humanity.
This episode is a balm for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life's pressures, struggling with the need to appear strong at all times, or simply seeking a deeper spiritual connection during Lent and beyond. It offers practical advice and spiritual wisdom for finding grace in vulnerability, transforming our tears into prayers, and opening our hearts to the transformative power of God's love.
Scripture: Luke 13:31–34; 19:41–44
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, [give online here](http://thelocalchurchpbo.org/give).
The Speakeasy is a gathering for unfiltered conversations on faith and justice. At each gathering, we invite a special guest to share their personal experiences and stories in conversation around a particular topic or issue related to faith and justice. We hope these events inspire empathy, foster common ground, and cultivate deeper connections in our community and beyond.
This month, we welcomed Susannah Tuttle, Director of the Eco-Justice Connection and NC Interfaith Power & Light, as she delves into the critical intersection of faith and climate justice. As you listen, you'll discover Susannah's journey from a passion for theater to becoming a leading voice in ecological ethics and her vision for a world rooted in love, kindness, and justice.
What You'll Learn:
How It Will Help You:
Where to Learn More:
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience at The Plant in Pittsboro, NC, on March 10, 2024. To learn more about Susannah Tuttle and NC Interfaith Power & Light, visit ncipl.org. To learn more about The Local Church, visit our website or connect with us on Instagram.
March 10, 2024
This week, Brent shares about fasting from planning and deadlines in order to embrace ripening.
Scripture: Luke 13:1–9
For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].
To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
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