S5 Ep8: Finding a Good Local Church

In this episode of the Ragged Podcast, Ian and Mez sit down with Dr. Ethan Jago, Lead Pastor at 5 Bridges Church in Panama City Beach, Florida. Ethan shares about growing up as a pastor’s kid, his formative years serving in the military, and the path that led to his own ministry today. Together, they dive into the complex intersections of faith, toxic masculinity, modern politics and more importantly the undisputed comfort classic: chips and gravy.

More Than a Preacher | The Ragged Podcast From a life of crime and violence to preaching Christ and pastoring a church plant—Sam Wilkins joins us on The Ragged Podcast to share his remarkable story.Sam, a church planter at Gorgie in Edinburgh, sits down with Mez and Ian to talk about how Jesus saved him and how eight years of intentional discipleship and training prepared him to serve others. Together, they explore the patient, long-term work of growing in faith, the critical role of working-class ministry training, and the essential people who walked alongside Sam on his journey.In this honest conversation about grace and changed lives, Mez, Ian, and Sam dive deep into what it truly takes to train people for ministry. They emphasise that when equipping leaders—especially in working-class contexts—they need to be more than a preacher: never less, but always more. Preaching the Word is essential, but faithful ministry requires stepping into the messy, relational reality of being a true pastor who shepherds, loves, and walks with people through everyday life.Key Themes Covered: A Transformed Life: Sam’s journey from crime and violence to finding salvation in Christ. Patient Discipleship: The vital role of an eight-year journey of training, mentorship, and spiritual growth. Working-Class Ministry: Preparing gospel workers specifically for the unique opportunities and challenges of working-class communities. Shepherd's Heart: Why preaching alone isn't enough, and why ministry candidates must be formed into holistic pastors.

What does it take to be a church where people on the margins find welcome, care and belonging? In this episode of the Ragged Podcast, Ian and Mez talk with Jonathan Parkinson, CEO of Caring for Life and pastor of Grace Community Church Leeds North, about how churches can better reach and care for those society often overlooks. Together, they explore what it means to share the hope of the gospel through practical compassion, faithful friendship and a commitment to walking alongside people for the long haul.Sign up for the Caring for Life Weekender here https://www.caringforlife.co.uk/events-1/caring-for-life-conferenceAnd follow the Ragged Podcast here:www.raggedpodcast.com InstagramFacebook Youtube

The in Context Podcast will be returning in November. Until then you can listen to The Ragged Podcast. You can find out more about the Ragged Podcast by visiting www.raggedpodcast.com Tim Farron’s article on patriotism and idolatry prompted Ian to write Before You Diagnose Idolatry, Listen to the Working Class. In this episode of The Ragged Podcast, Ian and Mez pick up that conversation. Why do some working-class people feel that Tommy Robinson hears their concerns more readily than church leaders do? The conversation takes in flags, migration, cultural loss and the difference between challenging those who think differently to you and assuming you know what is in someone’s heart. Ian and Mez ask whether Christians have spent enough time listening to the communities they hope to reach. If we want to speak faithfully about Jesus, we need to understand what people mean before we tell them what they’ve got wrong.

In this weeks episode, Mez and Ian introduce The Ragged Podcast — a collaboration between 20schemes and Medhurst Ministries, bringing honest, gospel-centred conversations about life and ministry in some of the UK’s poorest and most overlooked communities.They explain why the podcast exists, what listeners can expect, and why reaching working-class and deprived communities with the gospel matters.

In this episode of the In Context podcast, Mez McConnell—Pastor of Grace Church Orkney and Director of 20schemes—opens up Ephesians 3 and explores what it means for the church to know and experience the fullness of God.Mez reminds us that true Christian unity is not built on personality, background or shared preferences, but on a deepening knowledge of Christ and his love. In the midst of the pressures, disappointments and trials of life and ministry, our greatest need is not simply greater comfort, visible success or easier circumstances. It is to be strengthened by God in our inner being.This encouraging message calls us to become increasingly rooted and established in the love of Christ, to grow in our understanding of the gospel, and to seek spiritual depth before outward success. Mez challenges us to pray for more than relief from difficulty: to pray that God would fill us with his presence, deepen our faith and enable us to grasp more fully the immeasurable love of Christ.

In this episode of the In Context podcast, Jonathan Parkinson, Pastor of Grace Community Church in Leeds and CEO of Caring for Life, opens up 2 Timothy 2 and explores what it means for the church to live visible Christian lives.Jonathan challenges believers to display the reality of the gospel through faithful endurance, godly character and everyday obedience. In a culture that often misunderstands or dismisses Christianity, how can local churches live in a way that makes Christ clearly seen?A timely and practical message for Christians seeking to live faithfully and bear witness to Jesus in their communities.

Is sanctification simply the result of God’s grace, or does growing in holiness require real effort from us?In this week’s episode of In Context, Ian and Steve discuss the relationship between grace, obedience and personal responsibility in the Christian life. They ask whether trying harder undermines the gospel, what it means to work out our salvation, and whether there is ever a right time to tell someone struggling with persistent sin to “man up” and take action.A frank and practical conversation about resisting sin, pursuing holiness and depending on Jesus every step of the way.

In this week’s episode of In Context, titled Encouraged, Ian and Steve reflect on the recent Medhurst Ministries event. They share how uplifted they were by the turnout, the many new faces, the new venue, and the wonderful hospitality of their hosts, Caring for Life. From the brilliant children’s work to teaching and worship that was good for the soul, the whole event left Ian, Steve, and many others grateful for the fellowship, refreshed by the teaching, and reminded most of all that they are deeply loved by Jesus.

In this episode of In Context, Ian and Steve reflect on the challenges of finding a good local church after stepping down from pastoral ministry. They discuss the tensions involved in choosing a church: should we stay local and sacrifice some of our preferences for the sake of community and commitment, or travel further afield to find a church that better serves the needs of our families? With honesty and pastoral insight, they also ask whether, when we struggle to find a church we like, the problem may sometimes lie with us rather than the churches around us. Together, they explore what really matters when looking for a church family and how Christians can think wisely about belonging, serving, and worshipping in a local congregation.