Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community

A Cheeseball Kind of Love

What makes true Christian community different from just another social club? This episode explores the profound distinction between merely gathering together and experiencing genuine, transformative love in community.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis examine the tension between casual social groups and authentic Christian community. This conversation delves into how their early experiences with transformative church communities shaped their understanding of what genuine fellowship can be.

Through personal stories from California to Kansas, Steve and Wes unpack how true Christian community demands more than just showing up – it requires the humility to be transformed by love. As Wes observes, “I had grown up in church my whole life, but I’d never experienced something like this.” They explore how this kind of authentic community creates a sacred discomfort by calling us to become more than we are, while simultaneously providing the support to answer that call. Steve echoes this transformative experience: “It’s not something you could walk out of and ignore, and if you did it was symptomatic of something deeply wrong, because it was so deeply right to be a part of that church. And I’ve chased it ever since.”

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– What creates such a deep need for authentic community in us?

– How can we define true community and how does it differ from social clubs?

– What makes Christian community transformative in a way other gatherings aren’t?

– Why do some people embrace community while others walk away?

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. 

Find 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.

Can authentic Christian community transform your life forever? For Wes and Steve, one unexpected night at a firefighter’s Bible study changed everything – and “ruined” them in the best possible way.

In this episode of Bread & Wine: In Relentless Pursuit of Christian Community, hosts Steve McKinney and Wes Davis explore the tension between seeking meaningful community and the institutional church’s sometimes paradoxical role in both fostering and impeding it. This conversation delves into how their own transformative experiences with Christian community shaped their lifelong pursuit of authentic relationships within the church.

Their journey begins with an unlikely meeting – Steve with a dislocated shoulder and Wes filling in as a speaker to an almost empty room. But this connection sparked a deeper exploration of what makes Christian community truly transformative. Through their personal stories of discovering genuine fellowship – Wes despite his formal theological education and Steve as someone new to faith – they unpack why such experiences both fulfill us and challenge us to create them for others. As Wes reflects, “I had two masters degrees, but my real education came at that community. I really learned what I thought the church could be and what community could be. I tell people it forever ruined me.”

This transformative experience led them to a profound understanding of community’s essence, as Steve powerfully observes: “What does it mean for me to actively seek your good, even if you don’t see it?” This question lies at the heart of their ongoing journey to build and maintain authentic Christian community.

Questions Explored in this Episode:

– How did two strangers become lifelong friends dedicated to building authentic Christian community?

– Why does formal church structure sometimes impede the very community it aims to create?

– How can parents help their children maintain a meaningful relationship with the church?

– What does it mean to actively pursue someone else’s good, even when they don’t see it?

– Why are young people leaving the church, and what role does community play in their exodus?

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.