Project Arctos Podcast

Why is Community So Hard ?By Lilia TseFinding community has been so hard for the Christian Millennial and Gen Z generations. These generations have moved around much more than Gen X or Boomers. Most Gen X and Boomers grew up, went to school, went to church, found their spouses and even had their jobs exactly in the same area or town. If they moved, it would be a single big relocation. Meanwhile many Millennials moved for college, graduate school, internships, study abroad, jobs, spouses, parents, kids and more.Read more:https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/2025/why-is-community-so-hardSupport Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/donateContact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

Parents teach their children ideals for many different reasons. The main thing that parents want for their children is for them to live a healthy life. However, what parents want for their children can look different for everyone. Some believe that living a happy life can mean having a successful career where you have financial freedom to do anything you want. Some believe it’s getting married and starting a family of your own. And some believe it’s through a life in Christ. All of these beliefs can also be rooted from fears. Fears of the challenges the world has for us, including fear of rejection, not finding salvation, as well as believing we’ve wasted our lives. Read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/80/recognizing-generational-anxietySupport Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/donateContact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

In recent years, I’ve heard many Christians ex­press concern about the religious and moral fi­ber of America. Most of the time, America’s reli­gious fiber and moral fiber are treated as one and the same. The concerns that people express usually go something like this: The American public, and especially the younger generation, are increasingly areligious and anti-Christian. If this country turns away from God, then what will become of us?read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/76/religion-and-morality------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Support Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/donateContact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

This past year, I learned just how insubstantial my past achievements really were. I have finally come to the understanding that after doing 15+ years of ministry in all sorts of capacities and roles, this part of my life is truly over. I am no longer a minister, no longer a pastor, no longer a spiritual leader in any sense. And I guess I’m okay with that.read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/75/the-end-of-ministry------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Support Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/donateContact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

A few months ago, the New York Times did a profile on a man named Les Knight. Les Knight is the founder of the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement. The organization, created in 1991, has an incredibly threadbare website, with webpages proudly displayed in Times New Roman and looking as if the site had never been updated since its first years of existence. But despite the lack of modern design sensibilities, Voluntary Human Extinction is a philosophical worldview that has steadily gained popularity over the past few decades. The idea is one of environmental extremism, positing that in order to ensure the survival of the planet, humans should willingly refrain from procreation. If we want to reverse the damage that humanity has wrought, we need to have less kids, they argue. The movement does not advocate genocide, suicide, infanticide, or any other sort of violent solution in their zeal to save the earth. They simply want people to choose to end their family line.read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/71/resolution-for-self-extinction------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Support Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/donateContact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

My daughter Hanna was born in June 2023, and for the first time in my life, I became responsible for the life of another person. With this change came questions around my calling in Christ. What should come first, ministry or family life? Is my number one priority in life to raise my children or to go where God is calling me? How do we de­cide what comes first?read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/74/dad-ministry-or-church-ministry------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Support Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/donateContact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

In Ephesians 5:10, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to “find out what pleases the Lord.” There’s a very strong active sense to this instruction. Believers are called to take active responsibility with regard to searching out and, with great scrutiny, discerning how exactly they should live in order to please the Lord. Because the overall context of Ephesians 5 frames this “active search” by way of what it means for us to “live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” (vv. 8-9), there is definitely a moral component to the v. 10 instruction.Read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/73/why-we-need-both-a-holy-ruthlessness-and-a-holy-laziness--------------------------------------------------Project Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Learn more: https://www.projectarctos.com/Support UShttps://www.projectarctos.com/donate

Project Arctos Ep 58 Our Great DivideBy Abbey RobuckThe Church is no stranger to challenges. In our long and rich history, we have experienced everything from persecution to adoration. However, in recent years, the American Church has had to face a new foe: irrelevance. The General Social Survey (GSS) found that the number of Americans who identify as non-religious (23.1%) is close to the number of those who identify as Catholic (23%) or Evangelical (22.5%) (Sparks 2019).Read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/58/our-great-divide-----------------------------------About Project ArctosProject Arctos is a creative community for those caught between cultures, searching for belonging and purpose. Born from the English section of Kingdom Resources for Christ—a magazine started by the Chinese church in the U.S.—we help people grow in their God-given gifts through writing, mentorship, and community. If you feel like you don’t fit in, this is a space to rest, grow, and prepare for a greater mission.----------------------------------Learn more: https://www.projectarctos.com/Support UShttps://www.projectarctos.com/donate

Aloneby Brandon MorganBelonging. When originally approached about this theme, I had topics in mind, some fun stories, perhaps a joke or two. But as I compose this article, none of these come to mind. All that pervades my consciousness is the loneliness and isolation I have experienced in terms of community.read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/47/alone---------------------------------------------------About Project ArctosProject Arctos is a creative community for those caught between cultures, searching for belonging and purpose. Born from the English section of Kingdom Resources for Christ—a magazine started by the Chinese church in the U.S.—we help people grow in their God-given gifts through writing, mentorship, and community. If you feel like you don’t fit in, this is a space to rest, grow, and prepare for a greater mission.Learn more: https://www.projectarctos.com/Support UShttps://www.projectarctos.com/donate

The Four Days in the Graveby Anonymous“Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”- John 11:41-44, NKJVRead the full artifulhttps://www.projectarctos.com/archive/72/four-days-in-the-grave?rq=The%20Four%20Days%20in%20the%20Grave——————————————————About Project ArctosProject Arctos is a creative community for those caught between cultures, searching for belonging and purpose. Born from the English section of Kingdom Resources for Christ—a magazine started by the Chinese church in the U.S.—we help people grow in their God-given gifts through writing, mentorship, and community. If you feel like you don’t fit in, this is a space to rest, grow, and prepare for a greater mission.Learn more: https://www.projectarctos.com/Support UShttps://www.projectarctos.com/donate

Legacies, the Past and Looking ForwardAuthor Hua OuA little girl and her friends climbed the hill, jumping, skipping, panting, letting loose giggles like shiny bright bells jingling and echoing along the way… At the top of the hill, she gasped and let out a joyful shriek at the arresting scene that invaded her sight—a field of long stemmed flowers of stunning scarlet swaying freely and vibrantly on the arid highland, calling her to embrace. The little girl ran, submerging herself amid the ocean of fiery red. She cupped her hands around the flowers to make a bouquet, and put her face against the brilliant petals, gazing for a long time.Read the full articlehttps://www.projectarctos.com/archive/75/legacies-the-past-and-looking-forward?rq=Legacies%2C%20the%20Past%20and%20Looking%20Forward——————————————————About Project ArctosProject Arctos is a creative community for those caught between cultures, searching for belonging and purpose. Born from the English section of Kingdom Resources for Christ—a magazine started by the Chinese church in the U.S.—we help people grow in their God-given gifts through writing, mentorship, and community. If you feel like you don’t fit in, this is a space to rest, grow, and prepare for a greater mission.Learn more: https://www.projectarctos.com/Support UShttps://www.projectarctos.com/donate

I was standing in the church pews after I had just graduated from college with tears streaming down my face and my hands clasped together. I was looking for something, had been searching for years for resolve and contentment, and when I couldn’t find it, I was in emotional heartache. On that day, I had, finally, found purpose and fulfillment. My shoulders felt this immense release that I have never experienced before in all my 20+ years of life.read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/74/how-to-bridge-mental-health-and-christianity-together------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Contact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

If you’re like me, you may have grown up thinking white supremacy meant the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) and other extremist racist groups that took extreme action including acts of physical violence (e.g. lynchings) to ensure white people maintained power. While this is a subsection of white supremacy, it is an incomplete view of it. White supremacy is the idea that white people are superior to other people and that because they are superior, they should “hold the reins”, hold power over others in the world.read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/69/white-supremacy------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Contact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

The Church’s problem with gender roles is a distillation of personal and cultural sin, spiritual forces at work (Ephesians 6:12), and an inadequate understanding of God’s purpose and power. I’ve seen and experienced all sorts of discrimination over the years. But when it comes to unfair gender expectations, there is perhaps no greater reflection of this problem than society’s expectations of pastors and pastors’ wives.read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/60/submitting-to-god-not-stereotypes------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Contact Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/contact-------------------------------------------------------------Project Arctos is a ministry of Kingdom Resources for Christ: e-krc.org

God’s Surprising IntimacybyMatt Reffie"...There are a handful of times in my life where God has surprised and ‘spoken’ to me even more overtly than I’d ever expected. At a time when I was feeling particularly discouraged with the re­turn on my efforts in life, I was grumbling internally (partly to God, but mostly to myself) as I walked the short distance from my mom’s house down the street to my dad’s..."Read or follow along: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/75/on-gods-surprising-intimacy

Like, Share, Do Nothing: The Sad State of Christians and PoliticsbyBy Matt Reffie"If the past few years of American politics have taught us anything, it should be that neither extreme of the political spectrum is worthy of our time and attention. Unfortunately, the political dichotomy of Left (liberal) and Right (conservative) has so dominated American culture that even we “good Christians” have been too often woefully swept up in it. Instead of being salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16) we’ve conformed too much to either the Left or the Right, embodying the same flavor as our non-Christian friends and neighbors in each of these camps..."https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/65/like-share-do-nothing

Grieving, Struggling, and Healingby George Kuo"...On December 20, 2022, my wife, Linda, and I celebrated our 52 years of marriage. Throughout our marriage, she had enjoyed excel­lent health, getting only a minor cold once in a great while. Back in the summer of 2022, we had our an­nual blood tests. After our family doctor looked over her blood test results and some other tests, she said, “I could not find anything wrong. You are a very healthy 76-year-old!” And we were very pleased and encouraged to hear that..."https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/2023/10/19/grieving-struggling-and-healing

Participation or Trophies - How Do You Measure Your Faith?by Matt Reffie"For many of us it is far too easy to fall into a pattern of what I call “collecting Christian trophies” rather than staying focused on daily participation with God. A “Christian trophy” is anything we point to in our walk to indicate a completed accomplishment even though it pertains to something that is intended to be ongoing in the Christian life. One of mine is “I’ve read through the Bible cover to cover multiple times.” It’s a little trophy I bring out to show I’ve engaged the Scriptures seriously and might know what I’m talking about in Bible discussions. The trouble is..."https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/58/participation-or-trophies

"Every now and again, as you’re reading your Bible, sitting in a church service, or participating in a Bible study, there is a verse that just strikes you… let’s say, oddly. As you’re listening to it, you’re saying ‘yeah, amen’ in your head, but also slowly realizing the heart of the verse doesn’t always quite jive with either your personal faith practices or the practices of your faith community..."https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/49/church-disagreements-and-hebrews-1025

Mental illness and mental health is a topic that has been considered taboo for a long time in general society. In order for professionals and personal supports to adequately walk alongside individuals with mental health challenges, it would be helpful to learn about what the Christian faith has to say about this topic. Mental health issues can include depression, anxiety, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and psychosis, just to name a few. For the purpose of this article, most of the focus will be on depression and anxiety because they are common phenomena for the average layperson to understand. Depression is something that I myself have struggled with since my early college years, and it can be life-dominating because it affects every part of our being. It has affected and still affects my ability to keep up with my daily routine, maintain relationships, and even focus on my faith in Christ.https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/52/the-intersection-of-mental-illness-and-the-christian-faith

“What is time?” My friends and I have blurted out this question many, many times over the last fifteen months. From the early onset of quarantine when we couldn’t tell the difference between Tuesday and Saturday anymore to the shock of how long our small group has been meeting via Zoom, the way I interpret and measure time has been one of the biggest shifts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.The impact of the pandemic is vast and broad...https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/65/times-are-changing

Recently, I attended a retreat at a different church and had a unique experience that led me to some new reflections. The church I usually attend is a relatively diverse large church with various ministries, while the church I visited for the retreat is a small church focused on student ministry and consisting of a single ethnic group, which is similar to the on-campus Chinese fellowship that I usually attend. As I arrived at the retreat location, I immediately felt the difference in culture and tradition...https://www.projectarctos.com/archive/72/navigating-cultural-differences-in-the-body-of-christ

We drew near to our destination as I mentally flipped through the itinerary for the weekend. Dinner and fellowship with the youth group Friday. Then the “Understanding to Compassion” workshop on Saturday–the reason we were there. The workshop’s purpose: to help build bridges in communication between youth staff and youth as well as parents and children.read more: https://www.projectarctos.com/archive...------------------------------------------------------------www.projectarctos.comProject Arctos exists as a space for those who may not feel they belong, who desire guidance in mastering their gifts, and who are ready to be empowered through a supportive community to bring their gifts to a world often not yet ready to welcome them. Born out of the Chinese church yet focused on English-speaking populations, we know what it is like to not belong to the world. We know what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water, trying to live by rules we didn’t grow up with. Whether you’re an outcast or simply looking for a place to fit into, this is a space where you may find rest and prepare for entry into the wider world, where a mission much larger than yourself (or any one of us) awaits.Support Ushttps://www.projectarctos.com/donate