The Church of the Heart Podcast

Avoiding Isolation It has often been said that among house churches the greatest strength is also the greatest weakness. The strength of the small group church is relationship, flexibility and intimacy. The weakness, of course, is the tendency to become isolated. In this episode I’m going to be talking about the necessity of avoiding the house church “silo” and to be part of the expanding Kingdom of God. I describe the network of the Summit fellowships as being composed of numerous small group/simple churches which are functionally autonomous (each fellowship is a church). But, in addition, as the term network assumes, each of the small group churches are to be voluntarily interconnected, even interdependent. Over the 30+ year history of the summit community that second descriptive term “voluntarily interdependent” has been, let me say, elusive. But as conditions of the world become more and more unpredictable it may be vital that this limitation be overcome. Moreover, simple churches from multiple geographical areas may find it helpful to participate in an expanded online community. For that purpose, the Summit community uses a platform called Zulip. It is uniquely capable of facilitating communication within individual fellowships, while allowing multiple, distributed church communities to be interconnected for the purpose of communication, planning, and mutual encouragement. Moreover, as an open source platform Zulip is not tied to for-profit corporate ownership (think Slack, Group Me, Discord and some others). We invite other small group fellowships, even from different regions, to consider signing on to what I call the, “Online House Church Campus.” Go ahead and drop me a note at [email protected] and we can talk about it.

Can Summit Fellowships live in a legacy church? Can partnerships develop between “one-another communities” and traditional churches? What does that kind of partnership look like? This is another chapter draft of an upcoming book about churches of the heart.

Defend the Unity in the Bond of Peace Another segment of the upcoming book, In Search of a Church of the Heart —The Journey from Where to Who. This episode discusses the potential of a church of the heart to rediscover the power of oneness. From the tower of Babel to the birth of the Church, unity releases amazing power. As the church of the 21st century, what might we imagine?

A podcast taken from two chapters of an upcoming book entitled, “In Search of a Church of the Heart.”

Whadaya do with the Kids? Dan continues to explore the all-important topic of how we in summit-style fellowships care for and encourage our children. Today’s episode is an excerpt from a future book called, “In Search of a Church of the Heart – The journey from where to who.”

A creative guide for all ages to learn God’s word together. Micheal Harris returns to discuss the Parables curriculum and it’s use in small-group church communities. At last there is an answer for the question asked by so many who meet in small, relational expressions of the church: So, what do you do with the kids? The answer to the question is found IN the question, namely “WITH the kids.” Parables curriculum is an incredible wealth of activities that parents, and other adults can do “with the kids.” The result is hilarious fun and marvelous opportunity for learning from God’s word. Parables is available from Micheal. Cost? Let’s just say, nothing is expected, but anything is appreciated. If you want to appreciate Parables with a gift, click “Donate” on this page and designate a gift. For more information, contact us at info@summithome. org

Micheal Harris talks about intergenerational fellowship Dan interviews Micheal Harris who has been engaged in children’s ministry for 50 years. His experience includes large traditional churches and simple churches of just a few families. In this interview, Micheal talks about his philosophy of ministry with children and some of his experiences with the youngest members of our community. Mentioned in the podcast is Micheal’s book called, “Parables – A creative guide for all ages to learn God’s word together.” Here is the link to a post we uploaded several years ago that includes a sample of some of the fun activities designed for small group fellowships. Watch for a future podcast that describes the book in more detail.

Evangelism by Overlapping Circles. Evangelism in small-group churches is by relationship. As new people come into a fellowship, it grows requiring the group to multiply. A few members start fresh, stepping out with a small footprint. The prayer is that eventually this new group leaves a bigger footprint.

Can You Ever Graduate from Church? Dan talks about a new demographic in the church: The “Dones. ” These are brethren who have decided there has to be something more than just going to church. Could this be the next church planting wave? People finding other people who love Jesus and building Kingdom communities. What a concept!

The church is meant to show the world the whole picture… The Enneagram assumes nine personality types. Are we more like Jesus when we are together?

The quarantine experience may very well have left a surprising legacy of church life. Maybe this lockdown was an incubator for new churches—vine churches—that are small, agile, and significantly, everywhere. Maybe online meetings can be seeds for new communities.

We’re called to be generous, so how does giving work in churches of the heart? As a humanitarian crisis emerges in Europe, house churches tackle the call to generosity and caring.

1st Thursday Today’s episode is a recording of a regular online gathering of house churches called “1st Thursday.” It is a glimpse of how a church of the heart looks in real time. The presenters are Benjamin and Heid Sadler of the Restoration Summit Fellowship. The Sadlers are also the lead musicians in a band called Chasing Ebenezer.

Dan waxes eloquent about time. How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon! December’s here before it’s June. My, how time has flown! How did it get so late so soon? ~ Dr. Seuss In a solo contribution, Dan breaks a long podcast silence with some thoughts about relationships and the time it takes to cultivate them.

The key to house church intimacy begins with a meal. Dan and Jody talk about the importance of sharing a meal in a house church. In addition, they offer some tips about how to pull it off. A Word About This Episode Please forgive some of the sound quality. We’re still getting dialed in as we adjust to new studio space. Stay tuned!

Part 2 of 2 episodes about home as ministry outpost When the church meets in a home, it isn’t about decor and “feng shui.” it’s about the touching of hearts and the presence of the Spirit. Dan and Jody talk about the special “furnishings” of a church of the heart. Mentioned in this Episode When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community by Joseph Hellerman. From Tablet to Table by Leonard Sweet.

Part 1 of 2 episodes about home as ministry outpost. Is your home your castle? Refuge? Hiding place? Or can your home be a ministry outpost and a place for a church of the heart? Dan and Jody talk about the implications of bringing the church home. Mentioned in this Episode The Great Good Place by Ray Oldenburg Post about the cost of a building

Part 2 of the discussion of authority and submission. The second episode of a discussion of submission and authority based on Dan & Jody’s book, Sword of Submission. This interview/discussion was originally posted at the Two Worlds Media website in February of 2017 as an episode f the Read Between the Worlds Podcast.

Each Member’s Unique Gifts are Discovered in a Church of the Heart As members of a Church of the Heart grow together it is an adventure to watch as the Holy Spirit draws spiritual gifts from out of the group. Dan and Jody talk about this journey of discovery. Mentioned in this Episode The Open Church by Jim Rutz

A Look at Ephesians 4 The New Testament isn’t to be seen as a set of rules to obey, but as an instruction manual or a “playbook” for the church to use as she grows and matures as the Body of Christ. Today’s discussion draws from Ephesians 4 where the Apostle Paul describes the work of what are called the “the equipping gifts.”

Discovering the Jewels in a Church of the Heart At the table is where everyone in a church, adults and children, discover they belong and deserve to be heard. In the midst of it all is the person and presence of Jesus.

Ongoing Discussion from Acts Dan and Jody continue the discussion about the importance of cooperation and contribution within a church of the heart.

Part 2 of a discussion about leadership in churches of the heart. In modern churches, elders often look like a board of directors. Is that what leadership is in a church of the heart? Dan and Jody discuss leadership and how it relates to servanthood. Mentioned in this Episode Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You by E. James Wilder, et al. Paul’s Idea of Community by Robert Banks Acts 19:21

A Look Back to the Young Church As the young church began to reach out into other cities, leaders emerged. The term, “elder” was used to describe some of them. How were these early leaders different from what we commonly think of. Dan and Jody begin a multi part discussion of this and other aspects of a church of the heart.

Episode 3 in a series about how to meet as a Church of the Heart What does it mean to be lead by the Holy Spirit? In Acts 2 we see the church meeting and responding to the Spirit. Can we expect Him to lead in the church today?

The first in an ongoing discussion about meeting together as a simple church. Below is a video clip that appears elsewhere on the Summit Fellowships site. It makes a fitting beginning to a series of discussions about meeting together in a church of the heart. Hope you enjoy the clip! https://youtu.be/aQbmaKuT0Oo In this episode, Dan and Jody begin a discussion of what a church of the heart may look like in real time, beginning with Acts 2:42.

Part 3 of 3 Artwork by Alex Levin. Dan and Jody talk about the difference between structure and presence illustrated in the Old Testament accounts of David’s priestly kingship. How can we apply what we learn in the Old Testament about the habitation of God to our church experience?

Part 2 of 3 Dan and Jody continue the conversation about the habitation of God. From the Garden of Eden, to the tabernacle, temple, and to the Church, God has provided a spatial reference to His heavenly dwelling and invited us to be His household and habitation.

First of Two Episodes When God created the earth He made a place for the first inhabitants. It was an intersection between heaven and earth and a garden where God, himself, could inhabit with His creation. What are the qualities of a habitation of God?

Second of Two Parts In this second of two parts on overcoming offenses, Dan and Jody talk about patterns and kinds of offenses. There is a difference between “stuffing” and “cleansing” our offenses. Mentioned in the Podcast A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

Part 1 of 2 parts Are you offended with someone? What would it be like not to be offended? Today, Dan and Jody talk about the removal of offenses. The first of a two-part discussion.

Part 2: When the new wears off… This episode is a continuing episode about the challenges on the road to oneness and what happens when you find some rough spots on the road to relationship.

Things start so well… Churches, groups, new jobs, even marriages, often start off with thrills and excitement. Unfortunately, that kind of fun doesn’t last. In this episode Dan and Jody discuss the importance of being prepared for the challenges of life in a Church of the Heart. Mentioned in this episode… Steve Meeks (also referenced in a previous podcast. Dr. Meeks is formerly of Calvary Community Church of Houston, TX. He is presently engaged in an equipping ministry called Fresh Water.

From the archives, a favorite episode . . . We’re on vacation this week, so here is one of the most popular episodes from the Church of the Heart archives. It dropped in December of 2016 (yes, the podcast goes back that far! You should check out some of the earlier episodes!) This interview deals with finances and the practical ways that one church of the heart helped each another. It’s a bit longer than our usual 15 minutes, but we think you’ll enjoy it.

We Will Resume Our Regular Podcast Schedule on Thursday, July 22nd. We’re away with the whole clan on our annual family getaway. See you soon! We invite you to leave your feedback. Just click on the “Contact Us” link above and let us know what you think. For the redeemed! And for the King!

When lies and deception creep into the a fellowship, division isn’t far behind. The unfortunate story of Ananias and Saphira. Mentioned in this Episode Steve Meeks – Stages of Community

Acts 1 and 2 speak of the infant church as being of one mind and even one soul. Dan and Jody talk about the importance of a conviction of corporateness in churches of the heart. Mentioned in this Episode Until Unity by Francis Chan

Lessons from the early church… In Acts chapter one an two, the church begins to live and thrive in the power of oneness.

What is oneness? Why is unity in the church so important? Today, Dan and Jody talk about the way of oneness and power it releases. Mentioned in this Episode Sword of Submission by Dan and Jody Mayhew

Five Steps to Impact Dan and Jody discuss an illustration they learned in Pastor’s Prayer Summits. The road to impact begins with an encounter with God.

Dan & Jody in their trailer “studio.” Are you detecting a pattern in the Gospel of John? More than once, Jesus calls us to love and to be one so the world will recognize His message through our lives. Today’s discussion is drawn from what has been called the “high priestly prayer.”

This is episode 70 of the Church of the Heart Podcast and episode 17 of the change of format that we’ve called Church of the Heart 2.0. We invite you to check back in the archives of the podcast and enjoy interviews we’ve had with practitioners of what is called “simple church.” Paul wrote that there are no unneeded parts of the body of Christ. All are significant in the work of the Kingdom. In this episode, we talk about using that reality to inform our search for the, sometimes elusive, church of the heart. Mentioned in this Episode The Ancient Deceptions– Discover the Oldest Tricks in the Book by Jody Mayhew and Julie Tadema. Lion and Lamb– The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brennan Manning. Secular Squeeze by John Alexander.

#16 in Series So many choices! Where does somebody find church? More than that, what are we looking for? Dan and Jody discuss the nature of church, contrasting the church as a place and the church as a people. Mentioned in this Episode When Church was a Family-Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community by Joseph Hellerman Finding Church by Wayne Jacobsen

#15 in Series The New Testament refers to the church as a body, a family, a bride. There is very little that would lead us to assume it is an organization, and certainly not a corporation or an institution. Listen in as Dan and Jody discuss the implications of being part of an organism. Mentioned in this Episode Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the Church in America by Craig Van Gelder and Dwight Zscheile Quote from Jim Wallis author of God’s Politics and other books. The Hilarity of Community by Marva Dawn

#14 in Series The idea of submission is perplexing to many. Domination or passivity is not Jesus’ example. Real submission is something quite different and Jesus models the difference among his people. What does oneness look like when Jesus demonstrates it? What does is mean to the church? Mentioned in this Episode Sword of Submission by Dan & Jody Mayhew

#13 in Series So many good things in the Garden of Eden! Still, the Creator wasn’t satisfied with something. It was not good for Adam to be alone. From the beginning we discover God’s design includes community. Now, as the Kingdom unfolds we are convinced, more than ever, that a foundational reality of God’s plan is corporateness, the bringing together of the redeemed of the Lord. Listen in on a discussion of this essential truth. Mentioned in this Episode Marriage RX, Prescription for a Radical Marriage by the Mayhews.

#12 in series God said it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone. If that’s not a call to corporateness I don’t know what is. Moreover, God, Himself is a community. It seems this idea of oneness from many goes back a long time. And it was all our Creator’s idea! Mentioned in the Episode The Divine Council worldview (Michael Heiser)

#11 in Series When Paul tells the Ephesians to put on the whole armor of God, did he mean individuals or could he have been talking about the whole church? What are the implications of the body of Christ engaging in spiritual warfare as a corporate reality?

# 10 in Series When God calls His people together, from unity comes the release of power. It is a restoration of the power forfeited in Genesis 11. It is the power of the fullness of Christ in His church. Dan and Jody continue a dialog about fullness, unity, warfare and the release of power. Mentioned in this episode That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis.

#9 in series When scripture tells us that we can experience fullness in Christ, what does it mean? Today, Dan and Jody talk about the fullness that comes as a community of believers come together.