Port City Community Church Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"As We Gather" - Mike Ashcraft | Common Table, Week 4 Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

A meal is a family space. At the table, you’re treated like family. Showing up to the table requires preparation - to consider yourself in the context of others. The table reflects both our belonging and our invitation to belong. A meal is a common space and a leveling space. At the table, we experience the reality of what we have in common. It is both an abundant provision and a declaration of dependence; grace works similarly. When we receive communion, we receive a new reality and a new responsibility. Our interactions are expressions that reveal and contribute to what we think about others.

"The Foundation of Unity" - Mike Ashcraft | Common Table, Week 3 Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

Unity is one of the most widely accepted ideas, yet it is also one of the most challenging to put into practice. There are growing pains associated with learning to trust and be trusted. We value others for their sense of belonging and acknowledge their contribution to the whole. Mutual concern is what propels unity forward. We face struggles together; when we observe someone going through a tough season, we step into their struggle and offer emotional support. Likewise, when it's our turn to face difficulties, we invite others to stand beside us and do the same.

"A Place to Belong" - Mike Ashcraft | Common Table, Week 2 Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

The world needs the Church because that's how Christ designed it. Therefore, we must strive to become the kind of church Christ envisions. We reside in a world that has been greatly worn down, causing us to view trustworthiness as a high standard when, in fact, it should be a fundamental aspect of our humanity. We are responsible for nurturing a sense of belonging as we support one another in love. We aim to create a safe space where individuals can hear the Gospel and contemplate its implications. A disciple is a friend and follower of Jesus, empowered by Him to love. Being a follower of Jesus means organizing your life as a learner, and that's why we need each other because you have never learned anything without someone else.

"All Things in Common" - Mike Aschraft | Common Table, Week 1 Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

The table symbolizes both our sense of belonging and our open invitation to be a part of something greater. Here, we encounter the reality of our commonalities and receive the warm embrace of family. The Church should serve as a unique sanctuary for belonging—a community where our shared identity propels us towards collective responsibilities. This shared identity comes with a profound duty to care for, uplift, and support one another. We must cultivate a shared purpose by transcending our differences and nurturing an environment where love, understanding, and grace thrive. Our actions, or lack thereof, ripple through our community and beyond. One cannot engage in a community without leaving an imprint. The call to follow Christ is not a solitary journey but an invitation to embark on a shared path of faith.

"The Full Life" - Mike Ashcraft | Finding Fullness, Part 4 Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

ntegrity isn't something we reach like a destination; instead, it's a state where our inner strength guides our thoughts and actions. It means having the character to face reality faithfully while holding onto hope. Resisting dependence is rooted in pride, while fullness comes from experiencing God's sufficient grace. Wisdom helps us integrate our soul, and humility opens the door to grace, the source that sustains us in God's Kingdom. "Consider it joy" isn't just a mental exercise to make sense of life's challenges; it's an opportunity to find something greater amid life's difficulties. Navigating chaos with faith and hope isn't merely about willpower; it's a matter of embracing our true identity. God's grace is enough to support us through every season, and developing the character to face reality is an outcome of our faith.

"Life From The Center" - Mike Ashcraft | Finding Fullness, Part 3 Sep 03, 2023

Show notes

Life flows from our core, and it's vital to understand that the stability we yearn for cannot solely depend on the ever-changing world. True stability, unwavering in the face of life's storms, is found in integrity. By grounding ourselves in God's wisdom, we discover a kind of stability that doesn't waver with circumstances and frees us from the need for constant comparison and competition. This wisdom stems from faith, not mere certainty. As we embrace humility, recognizing God's grace and receiving it with open hearts, our souls find unity, no longer divided. In this journey, we learn that honesty and confession lead to the discovery of grace, and living in forgiveness allows us to dwell in His boundless grace.

"Life At The Center" - Mike Ashcraft | Finding Fullness, Part 2 Aug 27, 2023

Show notes

The way of life in God’s Kingdom is governed by trust, and you have to be able to trust yourself - that begins with learning to trust Jesus in everything and with everything. The war against sin isn’t your effort to behave but learning to trust—trusting Christ for your identity, sufficiency, and life. The application of wisdom is discernment, where we sense God’s voice and His movement and trust Him enough to take a step. In Christ, you can discern what to do in the life that you live to find the life that you actually want.

"The Life You Actually Want" - Mike Ashcraft | Finding Fullness, Part 1 Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

A good life in our world hinges on things falling into place just right, whereas the life Christ opened up for us is rooted in who we are at our core. Nowadays, we often talk about emotional health as the key. It's all about feeling good, but what we're really after is a sense of wholeness that goes way beyond feeling good about ourselves. This wholeness is about experiencing the kind of life Jesus offered and reflecting the amazing way God made us.

"Hold On To Delight" - Mike Ashcraft | Delight, Week 11 Aug 13, 2023

Show notes

During the summer months, we've learned that delight is a formative force that shapes the desires of our hearts. It requires intention and an act of our will. Without focus, our desires can run wild, and embracing these lesser things makes our hearts susceptible and vulnerable. Instead, God invites us to renew our desires in a way that makes our hearts and souls come alive.

Delight & Desire- With Mike Ashcraft, Laurelyn Shaw, and Zack Hamby Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

This week we conclude our Delight Podcast series by sitting down with Mike Ashcraft, Laurelyn Shaw, and Zack Hamby to talk about what this Summer of Delight has taught us.

For more Summer Sabbath resources, you can check out www.portcity.church/sabbath.

If this series has been helpful to you, we'd love to hear your feedback! Send us an email to Creative@portcitychurch.org.

Enjoy!