Because Jesus understood in a deep way where he came from, he was able to be creative about where he was going - incorporating the good of his tradition and also departing from or reimagining his tradition when it ran counter to what he knew of God's heart for humanity. Kyle reflects on how Jesus has led him in his own version of such a journey.
Read MoreVince shares about the unique impact friendships in a spiritual context have had on him. And various leaders in the church share about ways Brown Line Vineyard can help you connect with other people in spiritual community this fall.
Read MoreEven though he didn’t grow up spiritual, Vince found himself experiencing faith in a powerful way as he reached college age. But he slowly started to feel like a cultural outsider in churches. That led to some tension… until he discovered a new way to think about faith.
Read MoreKyle invites us to participate in some of the church’s plans for caring for families this fall.
Read MoreWhen the writers of the Bible referred to “The Coming of the Lord” or “the Judgment at the end of time”, it was not a threat (“shape up, or you’ll be left behind by God!”), it was a word of comfort and promise: The injustices and senseless sufferings of your life and your world are NOT lost on God! He sees! He takes notice! And he will, in the end, right every wrong and wipe every tear from every eye. Vince takes us to the comforting words of James, the brother of Jesus.
Read MorePeople of privilege (like Vince: a white, straight, middle-class American male) need to be rattled to see that societal autopilot doesn’t just lead to the existential angst of “a meaningless life”, but, beyond that, it is a life and death matter for many! The New Testament book of James offers that needed rattling, and Vince leads us in asking how we can pursue our biggest values, even if that leaves us rattled.
Read MoreVince wants to rescue prayer from the “obligation zone” in people’s brains and put it in its right place in the “rest zone” in people’s brains. He shares from his own life a number of prayers that help him, and then Kyle shares why prayer is the key ingredient to this summer’s vision for BLV on being a “community of care”.
Read MoreVince shares how he learned to swear in his prayer life, and we further discuss the amazing connection between prayer and a community that feels caring — to the people in it, and to anyone such a community comes into contact with. Passionate about making BLV a place that cares for everyone? Consider joining our Pastoral Care Core!
Read MoreKyle and Vince share the beginnings of a vision for this summer at Brown Line Vineyard: leaning into one of our core values in particular — being a “community of care.” How? By creating more space for more people within the community to pray together for the needs of the church and people in the church. BLV is empowering a new level of leadership, a Pastoral Care Core. Hear how you can be a part of it!
Read MoreWhy is favoritism toward the rich and powerful so easy to fall into? Because we show favoritism toward what hold up as ideal. And the sneaky truth is that, setting our few more noble aspirations aside, we all still kind of think the good life is being rich and powerful. The book of James from the Bible has lots of help to break this tendency in us!
Read More
