Port City Community Church Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"The Hope of Connection" - Mike Ashcraft | CONNECTION, Part 4 Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

God designed our relationships to form us, not merely affirm us. He made us for connection, but we often settle for acceptance. To live safely in the care of another requires risk. It's easy to grow disenchanted when we recognize the difficulty and tenacity necessary to partake and participate in relationships that form and shape us. The source of our connections determines the strength and depth of our relationships. Formative connections flourish when the exchange of life is sourced by God's love and secured by our identity in Him. Without mutual trust and shared experience, the way of Jesus will only reach our heads and not our hearts. A trusted connection provides a space to be ourselves and to become ourselves.

"The Practice of Connection" - Mike Ashcraft | CONNECTION, Part 3 Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

We will always have an excuse for why we aren’t different. Whenever we struggle alone, we only increase the pressure of our temptation. The more we struggle alone, the more likely we believe that secrets are safe and acceptable. For deep, meaningful formative connections to flourish, trust is required. What we share allows us to be known and available to know another. Connection is to exchange life with one another as we trust enough to live safely within the care of our community. These relationships need to be fostered and nurtured - they require something of us and something from us. We need to be a safe place for everyone to share who they are (the good, the bad, and the ugly) as we learn to trust, walk, and step into our new identities in Christ and who God created us to be, both individually and corporately.

"The Currency of Connection" - Mike Ashcraft | CONNECTION, Part 2 Sep 11, 2022

Show notes

In our broken world, distrust is justified and seems the only way to protect ourselves. But our self-protection keeps us from embracing the kind of life God created us to experience together. The source of our connection will determine the strength and depth of the relationship. Humanity will only share the oneness we long for within the wholeness we are made for. Our wholeness is determined by how much of His life we are willing to receive. The currency of connection is trust. The goal is to learn to trust enough to live within the care of each other.

"Vision For Connection" - Mike Ashcraft | CONNECTION, Part 1 Sep 04, 2022

Show notes

Created in the image of a relational God, the desire for relational connections is wired into our DNA. Unfortunately, we often resist this depth of connection out of a fear of rejection and of what authentic connection may require of us. Yet, the collective reach of our church begins with the health of our connections, displayed in a willingness to include, to avail ourselves to others, and to allow our relationships to form and shape us into the people God is calling us to be. The implications of the Gospel are both personal and corporate. God's work isn't just about your life being changed, but life exchange with one another. Connection is to exchange life with another as we trust enough to live safely within the care of our community. It is the first step in the reconciliation we long for.

"Reach Redefined" - Mike Ashcraft | REACH, Part 2 Aug 28, 2022

Show notes

We all play a part in shaping the culture of our community. Culture is the spontaneous, recurring patterns that shape who we become. As our individual hearts expand, so does our collective expression. We bear the integrity of His image and bring the influence of His love. If we're to become a redemptive community that brings profound healing, it takes everyone. We can't mistake trivia, knowing about God, for depth, a deepening connection with Him. We cannot grow in our depth with God and remain indifferent toward others. God didn't command us to change the world; He called us to love it. Redemption is relational. Our blessing is for the world around us.

"Rethinking Reach" - Mike Ashcraft | REACH, Part 1 Aug 21, 2022

Show notes

Our mission as a church has always been “To reach people and help them walk with God.” But what do we mean by REACH? How do we know when we’ve done it? How can we do it better? This Fall, we want to rethink and redefine what we mean by REACH. Reach is not about building our brand or some attempt to boost attendance. Reach is not a strategy. It can't be measured by the number of people attending our gatherings or even the scope of our influence. That’s far too passive and outdated as our culture shifts. Reach is about paying attention to our hearts and what we are willing to care for. Reach is a mindset that shapes how we see the world around us.

Mike Ashcraft - "Start From Rest" | Summer Sabbath, Week 10 - Message Aug 14, 2022

Show notes

Many of us stand on the water’s edge, wondering why God won’t do anything extraordinary to show us the way. And the reason is that we haven’t yet done what He has asked us to do. God invites us to take a step, and when we follow Him, He shows us the next step and calls us to trust. Clarity does not come with knowing the path; it comes with taking the step. God is always leading us to have faith—and then more conviction. He doesn’t operate according to our version of normal. We are moving out into places where we don’t yet know. So, we prepare, resolve, and surrender today because tomorrow God is leading us into a place that will require us to trust.

Psalm 71 - “My Lips Will Shout” (Day 5) Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

All good things come to an end, including this podcast series. It seems like we started this journey only yesterday with a question: what if we treated the summer like a Sabbath? For the past ten weeks, we've embraced the disruption summer brings by slowing down and letting the words from the book of Psalms wash over us. By doing so, we gained insight into the profoundness of the human heart and the depth of God's love and faithfulness. In these quiet moments, we sensed God's presence, heard His voice, and gained clarity on the well-being of our souls. As this is our final Summer Sabbath podcast episode, we want to mark a moment with a special time of reflection and worship. We will take a journey through the Psalms one last time together, pausing to read a verse from each week and then leading you through a prayer prompt.

Psalm 71 - “You Will Restore” (Day 4) Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

Throughout his long life, the author of Psalm 71 faced adversity, misfortune, and times of trouble. But, as he reflected on God's faithfulness every step of the way, he remained confident God would be by his side during his present trials. Today, as we dig deeper into this passage, we'll see the transformational power in our difficult seasons.

Psalm 71 - “Old and Gray” (Day 3) Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

Our time together this week has us in Psalm 71, contemplating the words of an aging writer in trouble; his enemies look to capitalize on his fragile condition. While reflecting on a lifetime of faithful devotion, he declares his continued trust in God. He asks God to save him again - not so he can enjoy retirement, bask in his glory days, kick up his feet, and live the good life, but to do something unexpected: share his faith with the next generation. It is this point we want to consider today.