In this episode of The Unpolished Church, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) explores what it means to wean disciples off of consumer church culture. Drawing from his experience leading a micro church in Asheville, Jon unpacks how traditional church setups often encourage passivity—and how shifting into different environments, like living rooms, parks, and community spaces, can invite deeper participation and spiritual formation. From roundtable gatherings to catch mics and shared service projects, Jon challenges us to rethink what it really means to be the Church in the world today.[00:00] - Intro[00:23] - Can We Break Free from the Consumer Church?[03:13] - Changing the Environment to Change the Disciples[05:15] - Ask Yourself: Where Is Jesus Calling You to Give?[07:09] - OutroUNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus' redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes!⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast#churchleader #church #bible #christianity #leadershippodcast #churchbeyondsunday #christiancommunity #jesuschrist #microchurch #housechurch #churches #christian #jesus #god #biblestories

Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) has a conversation with Perrie Keeve, Lead Evangelist of a 300-member at The Columbia Church of Christ, who stepped into leadership during the upheaval of COVID. In this episode, Jon and Perrie discuss how the church faced an identity crisis and transitioned from a traditional Sunday-focused model to a rhythm of house churches centered around communion, discipleship, hospitality, and community service.

Jon and Perrie dive deep into the realities of post-COVID church life, the dangers of spiritual complacency, and how to shift power away from centralized leadership toward the priesthood of all believers. If you are a church leader, small group facilitator, or someone longing for a more intimate, missional, and healthy church experience, this episode is for you!

[00:00] Intro

[01:50] Balancing Big and Small Church Expressions

[05:10] The Power of Human Contact in the Christian Community

[13:23] What Does It Mean to Be Spiritually Healthy?

[16:06] How Christ’s Example Shapes Church Structure

[20:10] Do House Churches Meet on Sundays?

[23:17] Challenges of Sunday Worship in House Churches

[26:02] What Does a 300-Person 'Nuclear Family' Really Mean?

[32:28] Advice for Church Leaders Looking to Create Change

[36:54] Outro

UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus' redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast

#churchleader #church #bible #christianity #leadershippodcast #churchbeyondsunday #christiancommunity #importanceofchristiancommunity #whyweneedchristiancommunity #christianfriends #community #jesuschrist #microchurch #housechurch #churches #christian #jesus #god #biblestories #jesuslovesme #biblestory

In this episode of UNpolished Church Podcast, Jon Sherwood (https://www.jonsherwood.com) explores how the early Church model offers a powerful antidote to today’s culture of isolation. From Genesis to Pentecost to Acts 2, Jon looks at God’s design for community, the role of small church expressions, and why microchurches may be the future of the Church in the West.

[00:00] Intro

[00:56] Loneliness: The Epidemic the Church Can’t Ignore

[04:10] When Church Feels Lonely: The Challenge of Modern Structures

[06:24] Small Churches as the Future of the Church in the West

[08:34] Outro

UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus' redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast

#churchleader #church #bible #christianity #leadershippodcast #christiancommunity #christianfriendship #community #jesuschrist #microchurch #housechurch #churches #christian #jesus #god #biblestories #biblestory #mentalhealth #howtoovercomeloneliness #howtocopewithloneliness #howtostopfeelinglonely #feelingalone #stopfeeling #lonely #anxiety #selfimprovement #depression #loneliness #personaldevelopment #icantstoptheloneliness #howtodealwithloneliness #lonelinessepidemic #maleloneliness #isolation