This week on Cultivate, we dove into the rich history and diversity of the church in our ongoing ecclesiology series. Charlie and Abigail traced the journey from the early church in Acts, through the rise of structures like bishops and councils, all the way to the denominational splits that shape our Christian landscape today. We examined how gatherings shifted from small groups of believers following Jesus to established institutions, discussing moments like the rise of the Pope, the Great Schism, and the Protestant Reformation. Biblical passages from Acts and letters to Timothy helped ground our conversation about church roles like elders, deacons, and pastors. Along the way, we considered why these structures matter—not just as history lessons, but for how we relate to Christianity and community today. Whether you’re curious about denominations or what it means to belong to "the church," this episode offers helpful context to reflect on your own connection with God’s people. Take time to consider where you see yourself in the unfolding story of the church.

This week in our Unity series, we discussed what it really means to live as citizens of God’s kingdom—together. Guest speaker Mark guided us through Matthew’s gospel, highlighting Jesus’ teaching on the “kingdom of heaven” and why our primary allegiance is to Christ, not ourselves or our smaller circles. Mark shared stories from his own ministry and explored how, even in moments of conflict or difference, the call of Jesus is to gather and unify, not to scatter. We considered how phrases like “kingdom” and “unity” connect to our modern lives, where individualism often wins out over togetherness. Mark challenged us to seek unity as an identifying mark of following King Jesus, looking for what we share in Christ rather than what separates us. No matter our background or differences, being part of God’s global family shapes the way we love, serve, and connect. Reflect this week on how you can be a “gatherer”—bringing others in and letting kingdom unity shape your everyday life.

Questions:

1. In what way is thinking of Jesus as KING different than how you normally picture Him?

2. What about the idea of ONE KINGDOM is helpful in our pursuit of unity?

3. What does it look like to be a gatherer instead of a scatterer?

4. When are you most tempted (like the disciples in Mark9) to disapprove of someone that Jesus approves?

5. What would it look like for you to actively embrace citizens of the KINGDOM in distant places?

6. What other steps are you encouraged to take as a result of this series?

This week on Cultivate, we continued our deep dive into ecclesiology—the study of what it means to be the church. Charlie and Abigail tackled some big questions: What really defines a local church? How do biblical principles guide our methods and traditions? Pulling from passages like Matthew 28:19–20, Ephesians 4:11–13, and Acts 2:42, we explored how baptism, teaching, fellowship, and serving are central to the church’s mission. The conversation also addressed how different structures and traditions develop, and how we can hold to core biblical truths while staying flexible about non-essential details, like service formats or leadership roles. If you’ve ever wondered why churches do what they do—or wrestled with the difference between core theology and church customs—this episode is for you. We invite you to reflect on how the church’s mission shows up in your own life, and to join us in looking for ways to live out faith in community, wherever you are.

This week in our Unity series, we discussed the challenge of finding true unity in a world full of divisions—be they racial, cultural, political, or economic. Pastor Charlie walked us through Acts 10 and the pivotal encounter between Peter and Cornelius, showing how deeply-ingrained tribalism can blind even well-meaning believers to God’s heart for inclusion and togetherness. We reflected on Jesus’ vision for His followers: not showing favoritism or placing our identity in any tribe other than Him. Instead of letting secondary differences become barriers, we’re invited to model unity in diversity and deal honestly with our implicit biases. The message emphasized that real unity means loving one another well, especially across lines of disagreement, and letting Jesus—rather than our tribal identity—define us. As you listen, consider where you might be holding onto tribal thinking and how you can pursue the kind of unity that reflects Christ’s love to the world.

This week on Cultivate, we kicked off a new series on ecclesiology—exploring what “the church” truly is and why it matters. Charlie and Abigail dug into the popular and biblical definitions of church, clarifying the difference between the universal (capital “C”) Church and local churches. Drawing from Jesus’ words in passages like Matthew 16 (“on this rock I will build my church”), we discussed how church isn’t just about a building or a Sunday service, but about a called-out community on mission together.

We unpacked the Greek word ekklesia, meaning an assembly or gathering of people with a purpose, and wrestled with what really distinguishes a church from other Christian ministries or small groups. Through honest questions and personal experiences, we explored how being part of the church can shape our understanding of faith, belonging, and following Jesus in everyday life.

We encourage you to reflect on what “church” means for you, and how you can live out your faith both inside and outside Sunday gatherings.

This week in our Unity series, we discussed what it truly means to be united as followers of Jesus, especially during turbulent times in our culture. Drawing from Acts 15 and Romans 14, Charlie explored the foundations of Christian unity—anchored in who Jesus is and what He accomplished for us on the cross. We looked at the early church’s struggles over essential and nonessential beliefs, learning how to distinguish core convictions from personal preferences. With practical metaphors and biblical wisdom, we considered how our “theological house” is built and why it’s crucial to show grace when we disagree on less central matters. Charlie encouraged us to model Christ-like love and unity—to be a community where diverse perspectives don’t divide but instead strengthen our witness to a watching world. As you reflect this week, consider: what really holds us together, and how can we bring hope and kindness in moments of division? We invite you to engage these questions and journey deeper into unity with Christ and one another.

This week on Cultivate, we wrapped up our series exploring the Holy Spirit by tackling some of the big questions Christians often wrestle with: How do we truly know God’s Spirit is with us? What does it look like to grow in faith and live by the Spirit day to day? Abigail Boone and Pastor Charlie discussed how spiritual growth is a blend of God’s work and our own intentional actions. Drawing from Galatians 5, they unpacked the difference between the “fruit of the Spirit”—like love, joy, and peace—and spiritual gifts, clarifying how everyone in Christ is invited to reflect God’s character, not just certain personalities or giftings. They also highlighted the power of community in discerning God’s voice, and reminded us that our feelings are real data, but don’t always reveal the whole truth. Whether you’re new to faith or looking to grow deeper, this episode encourages thoughtful reflection on your daily walk with God—and invites you to consider how the Spirit might be shaping your own life.

This week in our Unity series, we discussed the challenges and beauty of living out genuine unity in the church. Charlie walked us through several key passages—Luke 22:24–26 and 1 Corinthians 1 and 12—to show that relational divisions aren’t a new problem for followers of Jesus. From the disciples arguing about who was the greatest to early church members aligning with different leaders, we saw how comparison and pride quickly make differences feel like divisions. But Paul and Jesus both point us to a better way: serving, focusing on Christ over our camps, and recognizing our diverse gifts as intentional and valuable to the body. Charlie encouraged us to shift from comparing to serving, and to let our differences strengthen rather than separate us. This message is a practical call to resist comparison and choose unity, whether in our own church or among fellow believers everywhere. Take some time this week to reflect: How can you celebrate and serve alongside those who are different from you?