Spark Cast

In overwhelming times of doubt, fear, anxiety, and anger, how do you find your spiritual footing again? Our special guest, Justin Lee joins us for an exploration of ways we can rebuild our faith (and find joy again!) when everything else falls apart. Conversational Q&R (Question & Response) Interview

In overwhelming times of doubt, fear, anxiety, and anger, how do you find your spiritual footing again? Our special guest, Justin Lee joins us for an exploration of ways we can rebuild our faith (and find joy again!) when everything else falls apart.

Since the beginning of Spark, we have taught the Grand Narrative of the Bible, interpreting this ancient text from "Garden to Garden." How did the Grand Narrative of Israel's story shape the understanding of Jesus' first followers as they proclaimed the death and resurrection of Jesus?"

In his first letter to the Church in Corinth, Paul declares, "The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." As the letter continues, Paul writes, "When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the testimony of God to you with superior speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling." This is not how powerful movements begin, confessing weakness, suffering, and foolishness. Never before or since in the history of the world has humanity conceived of the worship and enthronement of a crucified man. And yet, the early church did not hide from the scandal of this message. Declaring the Roman execution of Jesus as "the power of God" on display sounded insane 2000 years ago. And, it sounds insane to many today as well.

As we celebrate this milestone, our eyes are firmly set on what is ahead, to where the trail boss, scout, and buffalo hunter will lead and guide us.

What will it look like "to Spark Church" for the next generation, when its founders and day-ones have passed the torch?" We shall explore living out our Sparky vision of following Jesus in ways that last beyond us.

Rescue, one of Spark's five core values, is an outpouring of the freedom and hope we experience through Christ's sacrifice and Resurrection. As a people who have been set free, rescued from sin and death, we are called to extend that rescue and justice to all we meet.

Our tradition recognizes that the reputation of God through the reputation of disciples of Jesus is paramount to the Gospel. That reputation comes through a deep and profound understanding of our text and tradition that can only come through study, which is, according to some Jewish traditions, the highest form of worship. And as we study, we recognize that this world has been broken, and the right relationship with the divine, with creation, and with each other has been damaged. Through Christ, the great reconciler of all, we work to advance that ethic, to bring all back into proper relationship.

Of the 613 commandments found in the scriptures, for followers of Jesus, there really is only one commandment: Love God and love others. The rest is commentary. Why? "For God so loved the world." This covenantal love is the foundation for the entire Grand Narrative of the biblical story. When we see the world through the lens of God's indescribable love, our lives and the lives of those around us are transformed towards the way of Jesus. This is so high, so wide, so long, so deep, it is beyond our understanding.

Most people know WHAT a church does. Few understand WHY. In this series, we are exploring the core WHY of Spark, our mission, and our values and the teachings, perspectives, and texts that form the foundation of our community. To state it plainly, Spark exists to inspire people to live the Way of Jesus. In short, "Get Dusty."