The Messy Walk Podcast

After Sunday, there is a whole week full of opportunities to be aggravated and annoyed. There's a misconception that the Bible teaches it is sinful to be angry. While it's true that human anger often leads to sin, Jesus became angry too, yet he showed us how to live a righteous life. Pastor Adam and Steph guide us in recognizing the warning sign that we call anger by acknowledging its causes, and they provide examples of when being ticked off is and isn't a reasonable response. *Scripture referenced in this episode: Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:21-24

Although you may spend time joining others in worship, praying with fellow believers, or serving God in church, there is still one practical area of life you may keep separate when service is over: your finances. On Monday, when the bills are due, your priorities become clear. If you want to know what a person values most, looking at what they spend their money on is a clear indicator of where their treasures lie. Yet Jesus is generous, and if we aim to be like him, we must determine which master we are loyal to. Pastor Adam and Steph share their two cents about what it means to give Jesus your whole bank account and trust him more than you trust your money. *Scripture referenced in this episode: 1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 6:19-21, 24

Everyone has their pet peeves, and we all think and act differently. In everyday life, it's a guarantee that at some point people will meet whose ways clash. In times like those, it's hard to behave like a faithful Christian. How can I love my neighbor as Jesus requires of me when I don't even like them? Pastor Adam and Steph help us see that friction between people whose personalities don't mesh helps build patience and Christ-like character in us. Yet we cannot, under any circumstances, allow ourselves to treat anyone else with disrespect or without human dignity. *Scripture referenced in this episode: John 13:34-35, Colossians 3:12-13

At the end of each faith-filled Sunday, the weekend comes to a close. Monday is creeping up, preparing to rear its ugly head, and you feel the dread of your to-do list for the next day. You may feel out of place in the routine of the real world, where people get on your nerves and the mention of God is most often done in expletives. Just the thought of all you have to accomplish the rest of the week makes you feel tired, but you wear your exhaustion like a badge of honor, knowing what you achieve is for Christ. Pastor Adam and Steph launch a new series to help us navigate practicing our beliefs on a daily basis. Sunday faith has to survive Monday life. We do not get bonus points for feeling burned out. Jesus encourages and offers rest, but we cannot use tiredness as an excuse to procrastinate. *Scripture referenced in this episode: John 4:6, Mark 6:30-32, Galatians 6:9

Many people think of church as primarily a weekend experience, but true faith is practiced on a daily basis, even in the middle of the week. At work, at home, or wherever else we go, Sunday service should set a precedent for our lives on Monday and every day in between. Who will teach us to pray on our own? How can we learn to love, serve, and connect with people in godly ways throughout our regular activities? In an appeal to the Church, Pastor Adam and special guest Olivea Cook ask on behalf of Gen Z for Christian leaders to teach people how to be Christ-followers not just on Sunday, but on a 24/6 basis as well. *Scripture referenced in this episode: James 1

The word "judgy" is an informal adjective that many may not know how to define in words, but we all recognize it when we experience the behavior. It can come across as condescending, passive-aggressive, or just downright uncaring. Other times, even in the Church, judgment may present itself as concern, but at its root are gossip and dissension. There is a necessary balance between telling someone the honest truth and letting them off the hook. Pastor Adam and special guest Olivea Cook categorize condemnation, discernment, and restoration, and weigh how each lines up with core Christian teaching and with the example of Jesus, who always communicated in equal parts grace and truth. *Scripture referenced in this episode: Matthew 7:1-5, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

One might assume that younger generations, like Gen Z, have no interest in spending time with older adults, but every age group benefits from staying interconnected. While the young learn from the old, wisdom flows both ways, and even those with decades of experience have something to learn from the youth. Pastor Adam and special guest Olivea Cook open up about what they need from the elders in their own lives and highlight the importance of the life experience, the love, and the consistency of mentors for the growth of everyone in the Church. *Scripture referenced in this episode: 2 Timothy 1:5

Now more than ever, people have grown up displaying certain parts of their lives online, consuming content from influencers across the world, and sharing meticulously curated posts that present only the best parts of themselves. Unfortunately, the Church has been known to get caught up in manufacturing its own image as well. Pastor Adam and special guest Olivea Cook point out the irony of Gen Z—a generation that values expressiveness and authenticity, yet is also known for hiding elements of their lives they don't want others to see. The conversation shifts to the importance of the Church being led by people of integrity so that younger generations have role models they know they can trust. *Scripture referenced in this episode: Matthew 23:25-28

As culture changes rapidly and churches' continue the unending pursuit of engagement with the people around them, it can feel like many pastors and spiritual leaders only want to chase trends to maintain relevance. However, the apostle Paul and the other early disciples of Jesus did not make eloquent speech or flashy antics the focus of their preaching because they knew that Jesus is the main attraction. Pastor Adam and special guest Olivea Cook maintain that an overemphasis on trends or looking cool risks making leaders seem immature, and what Gen Z is truly looking for are authentic role models who love Jesus. *Scripture referenced in this episode: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, John 12:32

Between 1997 and 2012, a whole generation of people was born and named "Generation Z." Now, as Gen Z reaches adulthood, their lifestyle choices and perspectives differ from those of older generations in matters of daily life, social mindsets, and even faith. Pastor Adam is joined by his special guest and daughter, Olivea, to provide insight into the minds of older and younger generations and to tear down the overly simplistic assumptions made about Gen Z rejecting Christianity and the Church. *Scripture referenced in this episode: Revelation 2:1-4; 3:1, 16