Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community

If Our Community is Like the Disciples, Who’s Judas?

What if the pursuit of authentic Christian community isn’t about rules, but about the vulnerable adventure of loving each other deeply? This episode examines how true discipleship means choosing the challenging path of intentional love over the safer route of rigid structure.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between love and rules in Christian community. This conversation delves into how authentic discipleship requires moving beyond superficial agreement to embrace the messy reality of genuine relationships.

Through thoughtful dialogue, Steve and Wes unpack how living in true Christian community means mirroring God’s intentional love for humanity. They examine why proximity, friendship, and small numbers matter in building authentic relationships, drawing parallels to Jesus’ own model of community with his disciples. As Steve powerfully observes, “The heart of community is… the attempt to restore the image of God in you… That’s what love is.” This discussion challenges listeners to consider what makes Christian community distinctive, with Wes asking the provocative question, “What does it mean to be free from shame and heartache and worry?”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– What does it mean to be set apart for love in Christian community?

– How do we balance structure and adventure in pursuing authentic relationships?

– Why is intentional proximity essential for genuine community?

– How does our fear of being known hinder authentic connection?

– What makes Christian community truly distinctive?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking, and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time, and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader, and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises, or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

Church? How Exciting.

Can our churches move from being places of boredom to spaces of genuine adventure and community? This episode challenges us to reimagine church life through the lens of authentic adventure and meaningful relationships.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between safety and adventure in Christian community. This conversation examines how churches can transform from spaces of tedium into environments where genuine connection and growth flourish.

The hosts delve into the paradox of modern church life: while we long for meaningful community, we often find ourselves feeling disconnected or bored by church experiences. Through personal insights and candid discussion, they explore how preparing ourselves for authentic relationships and embracing the inherent risks of community can lead to true adventure in faith. As Steve observes, “I don’t know Wes. I look around church and I think a lot of us are bored to death…We lack adventure.” Later in the episode, Wes adds a crucial perspective on authentic community: “What stops people from feeling fully alive is we think we’re supposed to do something to fix people.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– Where is the adventure in church life, and why does it seem missing?

– How can we prepare ourselves to offer something meaningful to our community?

– What does it take to re-enter community after experiencing hurt?

– How do we balance compassion with adventure in church life?

– Why is genuine care more transformative than trying to fix others?

– What role does conflict play in building an authentic community?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

What Does it All Mean?

In a world where we carefully curate our public personas, can authentic community survive our fear of being truly known? This episode explores the paradox of simultaneously yearning for and dreading genuine connection.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between our desire for authentic relationships and our instinct to hide parts of ourselves. This conversation delves into how Christian communities navigate the delicate balance between vulnerability and self-protection.

The hosts examine the complex dynamics of showing up authentically in community, comparing it to the unavoidable transparency of marriage. Through personal insights and thoughtful discussion, they unpack how our fear of being known shapes our approach to relationships, while simultaneously acknowledging our deep need for connection. As Steve observes, “A large part of our life is organized by the fear of being known.” Wes adds depth to this perspective, noting, “When you enter into community and say ‘how you doing’, you’re putting your head into the lion’s mouth at that point. Because you’re…now entering into the arena of someone else’s being.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– How do we balance our fear of being known with our desire for authentic connection?

– What role does vulnerability play in building a meaningful community?

– How does our fear of knowing others’ pain affect our ability to form deep relationships?

– Why is showing up consistently so crucial for building an authentic community?

– How does being made in God’s image inform our approach to community?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking, and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time, and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader, and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises, or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

Like Peter Gabriel said, Come Talk to Me

Can authentic Christian community survive deep disagreements and personal conflicts? This episode explores the challenging reality that true community requires choosing commitment over comfort, even when relationships get messy.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between our culture’s tendency to avoid those we disagree with and Christ’s call to prioritize love above all else. This conversation delves into how Christian communities navigate through conflicts, arguments, and the hard work of staying together when it would be easier to drift apart.

The hosts share vulnerable stories about their own community’s struggles with philosophical differences, political disagreements, and personal conflicts. Through honest reflection, they reveal how working through these challenges, rather than avoiding them, has actually strengthened their bonds. As Wes observes, “There’s an invisible agreement between us that we’re committed to each other beyond our own… disappointment.” Steve builds on this insight, noting, “That’s what holds us in common, and I think that’s what makes it uncommon.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– What does it take to stick it out in community?

– What do you do when you don’t agree with each other over emotional issues?

– What’s the highest value in community?

– How can we maintain commitment when personalities clash?

– Why is choosing to stay and work through conflict worth the risk?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking, and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time, and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader, and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises, or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

Where’s the Flannel Graph for David Naked?

What happens when the freedom Christ promises collides with our deep-seated need for religious order? This episode explores the paradoxical tension between spiritual liberation and our instinct to create restrictive systems of faith.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between Christ-given freedom and our human tendency toward rigid religious structure. This conversation delves into how Christian communities navigate the challenging space between tyrannical order and chaotic freedom.

The hosts examine how authentic Christian community can help believers untangle themselves from religious knots while avoiding descent into chaos. Through personal experiences and candid discussion, they challenge the traditional perception of church as a place of joyless rule-following, contrasting it with the vibrant freedom Christ intended. As Wes observantly notes, “Nobody looks inside the church and says ‘there’s a bunch of cool and free and joyful people’… But we know theoretically we should be.” Steve adds depth to this perspective, pointing out that “The church fears… the chaos and disorder that is potentially there with freedom because it is potentially there.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– What is a saint?

– Is our view of a saint tainted by the guilt and judgment we often feel when involved in a church?

– What does it look like to be free in Christ as a saint?

– Why are there no flannel graphs of David dancing before the ark of the Lord?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

Heaven is Going to be Crazy Balls

What if our vision of sainthood has been far too tame? This episode challenges conventional notions of Christian holiness by exploring the wild, celebratory heart of authentic faith.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between our sanitized ideals of Christian living and the raw, adventurous reality exemplified by biblical figures like King David. This conversation examines how modern Christians often tiptoe around celebration and expression, missing the very freedom that God intended for his people.

The hosts dig into our conflicted relationship with spiritual freedom and authentic expression in Christian community. Through engaging discussion about heaven, celebration, and true sainthood, they challenge listeners to reimagine what it means to be fully alive in Christ. As Steve observes, “I think David’s a much better ideal as a saint, but that seems scary, doesn’t it? David’s kind of a crazy person.” Wes adds a pointed critique of modern Christian attitudes toward celebration: “We all go, ‘Yeah, Jesus saved the day,’ and turn the water into wine, but we are not going to do that today…. We don’t want to celebrate too hard.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– What does it truly mean to be a saint, and have we made sainthood too boring?

– How do proper boundaries actually enable greater freedom in Christian community?

– What role should celebration and adventure play in Christian life?

– How can we create spaces that allow for both authentic expression and loving correction?

– What can biblical figures like David teach us about being fully alive in God?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Can the profound mystery of God’s trinitarian nature be reflected in human relationships? This episode explores how marriage and community can mirror the divine dance of unity and individuality.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between the ideal of family as God’s primary vehicle for community and the reality that not all families fulfill this purpose. This conversation delves into how Christian communities can step in to recreate familial bonds when biological families fall short.

The hosts examine how marriage and community serve as earthly reflections of God’s trinitarian nature, where individuality and unity coexist in perfect harmony. Through theological exploration and practical application, they discuss how understanding ourselves as image-bearers of God transforms our approach to relationships, whether in marriage, family, or broader community. As Steve powerfully observes, “You’re the image of God, my goodness, shouldn’t I treat you like that? The store clerk, the person at the hospital, the deacon at church,… the homeless people… they’re the image of God.” This recognition calls us to a higher standard in how we treat everyone we encounter. Wes adds depth to this perspective, noting that “We have the capacity and the opportunity and the obligation to try to express that image as best we can.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– Why is there suffering in the world?

– What is the image of God?

– How do these things relate to community?

– How can marriage reflect the trinity of God as community?

– What role does choice play in expressing God’s image?

– How can broken families be restored through Christian community?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

I Can’t Stand Worship Music

What happens when your experience of God doesn’t match the emotional high that seems expected in modern worship? This episode explores the diverse ways people connect with God and challenges the notion that authentic worship must always “feel” a certain way.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between emotional and devotional expressions of faith. This conversation delves into how Christian communities can sometimes oversell or narrowly define what a “proper” connection with God should feel like.

The hosts examine how understanding God’s love for us individually forms the foundation for authentic community. Through theological reflection and personal experiences, they discuss how the image of God in humanity manifests in various ways, challenging the common assumption that spiritual authenticity must always be accompanied by emotional expression. As Steve observes, “The culture of our church is that you have to feel it, as the sign, that you really believe it…. But for some of them, the connection resides in their orientation towards God.” Wes adds a profound perspective, noting, “Adam didn’t hit the ground running, worshiping and singing songs. He just walked with the Lord,” – reminding listeners that the first human’s relationship with God was fundamentally about presence and companionship rather than emotional expression.

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– What is the image of God, and how is it expressed in humanity?

– How does loving ourselves relate to experiencing God’s love?

– What role does the Holy Spirit play in transforming our ability to love?

– Must authentic worship always be accompanied by emotional experiences?

– How can we recognize and value different expressions of devotion to God?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking, and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time, and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader, and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises, or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

Cousin Eddie Moved Next Door

What happens when you try to turn the ideal of Christian community into reality by literally moving next door to your friend? This episode explores the raw challenges and unexpected revelations of attempting to live out radical community in modern America.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between idealistic visions of Christian community and the messy realities of actually living it out. This conversation delves into how Christian communities navigate the countercultural call to genuine, close-knit relationships in a society that often prioritizes independence and privacy.

The hosts examine the profound connection between God’s image in humanity and authentic community living. Through personal experiences and theological reflection, they unpack how true Christian community requires more than just good intentions – it demands proximity, reciprocity, and the willingness to choose each other daily, much like in marriage. As Steve poignantly observes, “Love is not love until I do it. Unless I intend it and express it.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– What are the practical boundaries and limitations of sustainable Christian community?

– Why is physical proximity essential for genuine community to flourish?

– How many people can realistically participate in deep, meaningful community together?

– What can marriage teach us about the commitments required for lasting community?

– How does our understanding of being made in God’s image shape our approach to community?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking, and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time, and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader, and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises, or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com. 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share this with a friend struggling with this hard topic. Contact us anytime to share your experiences and questions. Until then, don’t give up on sharing the bread and wine.

Selling Used Cars in Church

Can the transformative power of authentic Christian community be bottled up and sold somewhere else? This episode explores the bittersweet reality of trying to recreate meaningful spiritual experiences in new places.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between preserving cherished spiritual communities and the inherent “go and tell” nature of Christianity. This conversation delves into why believers often feel compelled to leave thriving communities to start something new, and what happens when those efforts don’t go as planned.

The hosts examine a profound paradox in Christian community through personal experiences in California, Kansas, and a failed church plant in Boulder, Colorado. While we naturally want to preserve meaningful spiritual experiences, the very essence of Christianity calls us to spread out and share them with others – much like the early church. Through honest reflection, they unpack how expectations shape community building, particularly when transplanting successful models to new soil. As Steve poignantly observes, “We say we talk the language of love and commitment, but we leave over politics and music choice. If we were leaving the church over politics and music choice, love was never in the equation – it was never part of why we were there. I wasn’t dedicated to you – I was dedicated to you as long as we agreed.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– How do we aspire to Christian ideals but work in the reality of an imperfect life and imperfect relationships?

– What role does naïvité play in trying to live out your ideals?

– Why did Steve’s house church ultimately fail?

– Why does community take practice?

– How is marriage a good parallel example of living in a community?

– Why is this so hard, man?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

If you’re looking for a new way to do life, networking, and especially business, this just may be the book you’re looking for! Collaboration is the New Competition demystifies how to choose the right people, time, and place to collaborate. I provide a framework to help you make the most of this tool to solve daily problems and even wicked challenges while also broadening your sphere of influence. You’ll discover how effective collaboration propels you from problem solver to major influencer, thought leader, and true competitor, regardless of what business or organization you’re leading. 

Collaboration is the New Competition on Amazon in old-school paperback format, Kindle ebook, or Audible download. For more information, downloadable exercises, or to book the author for a keynote or book signing, visit https://priscillamckinney.com/

If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, send us a line at breadandwinepod@gmail.com.