The North Parkway Podcast

Jesus gave the greatest mission in history to the church, but then He said to wait for one key ingredient before we set out to do it. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the empowerment of the Holy Spirit - why it’s more important and less weird than you think.

Jesus talked a lot about money, but not a lot about tithe. How much are Christians expeted to give? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the bigger issue, and how following The Way affects the wallet.

There’s a disconnect between God’s gospel and the American church’s, and it’s a gap so wide it drives people away. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the Good News the way Jesus described it, and what our role in it should look like.

Life is hard enough as it is - you sure don't need to raise the difficulty! In this week's talk, we'll show you how to avoid a common mistake that adds unnecessary challenges to your spiritual life.

Most Christians want to read the Bible more often, but it’s hard to add yet another “to-do” to an overloaded calendar. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the surprisingly scientific approach God gave to help people engage with the Bible.

The term, “Christian” can apply to anything from what you believe about God, to a government, to a genre of music, but what should it mean? In this week’s talk, we’ll learn why the early church used a different term, and what that teaches us about following Jesus.

The goal at North Parkway is not just to learn about God, but to experience Him - but what exactly does that look, sound, and feel like? In this week's talk, we'll learn how to keep dry seasons of faith from becoming distant seasons.

Are some things okay for some people and wrong for others? If so, how do you know the difference? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at things that are sometimes wrong, and how to balance freedom and wisdom.

The Bible’s full of rules, but if Christians are saved by grace, do you still have to follow them? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the laws from the Old Testament and explain which ones still apply in 2026.

Goals in life are great as long as you’re making progress, but what about the times when you’re not? The gap between tomorrow’s goal and today’s grind can be demoralizing. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at how to navigate it better.

We all know the disappointment of falling short of a goal, but sometimes failure becomes a crisis of faith. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the gap between intention and action, and how to respond well when you blow it.

Let’s face it: sometimes the Bible seems out of touch with the modern world - but the truth is still the truth. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the gap between the Bible and culture, and how you can navigate it better.

There are few things in life more frustrating than being misunderstood, and yet - it happens all the time. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at why that is, and share one simple strategy to close the gap between what you say and what they hear.

There’s no gap you feel more than the space between what you want and what you have. God wants to fulfill your heart’s desires, but probably not in the way you expect. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the secret to living a fulfilled life.

Life is full of gaps between where you are and where you want to be. God can help you get where you’re going, but that means crossing the hardest one first - the gap between His standards and your life. In this week’s talk, we’ll show you how to get there.

We all want to fit in, but sometimes the only categories available don’t leave room for us. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at how “normal” sexuality is defined, and what it actually takes to be accepted by God.

In this bonus episode, we address 2 questions:"If God made people and doesn't make mistakes, why would He blame someone for being gay or lesbian?""Is it okay for a Christian who believes homosexual marriage is wrong to attend a wedding between same-sex people?"

God designed sex, which means only He can define it, but that doesn’t stop us from offering our own take on the matter. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at God’s definition of sex, and how He expects us to respond to it.

Sex is a fundamentally social experience, but that’s not always how it’s approached. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the promise and the payout from making a social thing into a solo thing.

Sex is more than just a physical activity - it’s a bonding experience, for better and for worse. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the science behind why sex has strings attached, and how you can avoid getting tangled up.

There’s probably not a topic more awkward to talk about in church than sex. But, is that what God intended? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at what the Bible has to say about the value of sex, and why we need a wholistic view of sexuality.

All of the Christian faith hangs precariously on one historical event. If that’s not real, then none of the rest even matters. In this week’s talk, we’ll tell you what that event is, and why there’s more evidence for it than you think.

Pastor Chris responds to questions inspired by session 4 of the series, Science & Faith. This week's questions:Why have people replaced the name of God, YHWH, with other terms like "God," or "Lord?" Can we trust texts that do that?Enoch was a good man - why was his book removed from the Bible?

Faith that’s built on the Bible is only as solid as the Bible itself. How can you know you can trust it? In this week’s talk we’ll look at observable, measurable data that supports the Bible as a reliable document.

Pastor Chris responds to questions inspired by session 4 of the series, Science & Faith. This week's question:Did the flood described in the Bible (Noah's ark, etc) happen literally? If so, how can we reconcile the Bible's account with observable scientific data?

When science and faith overlap, how do you know which one is right? In this session of “Science & Faith,” we’ll address a few of the most common battlegrounds between the Bible and the microscope by explaining what kinds of truth each source focuses on.

Pastor Chris responds to questions inspired by session 2 of the series, Science & Faith. This week's questions:If God made the universe, who made God? How did He become God, and how is He both "Alpha and Omega?"How do we know for sure which passages from the Bible are literal and which are poetic?If Jesus referenced Bible characters like Noah and Jonah, doesn't that mean they're real people?

The Bible has some seriously weird descriptions - talking snakes, ten-headed monsters, angels covered in eyeballs. How is an educated person supposed to take it seriously? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the artistic language of the Bible, and how something can be truthful even if it’s not literal.

Pastor Chris responds to questions inspired by session 2 of the series, Science & Faith. This week's questions:Why do some people "experience" God, while others don't, even if they want to?The origin of life points toward intelligent design, but why would that indicate the God of the Bible, and not a different deity/intelligence?

No matter what your view of the world is, it requires faith - but it shouldn’t be blind faith. In this week’s talk we’ll look at the value and necessity of basing what you believe on evidence.

Pastor Chris Clark offers his perspective on your questions related to science and faith.Science & Faith continues this Sunday with a fresh look at the value of basing what you believe on evidence.

Guest speaker Dr. Mike Tenneson and Pastor Chris Clark offer perspective on your questions related to science and faith.Science & Faith continues this Sunday with a fresh look at the value of basing what you believe on evidence.

Biologist and intelligent design advocate Dr. Mike Tenneson explains how science and faith are not opposed to each other, but rather, depend on each other for a full understanding of the world.

If you’re a christian, you know you *should* read the Bible, but sometimes it feels like such a chore! In this weeks talk, we’ll show you how changing your expectations and approach can breathe new life into studying the Bible.

God has a lot to say to humanity, but not everyone's ready or able to hear it. In this week's talk, we'll show you how to develop a spiritual sense of hearing.Connect with us: Call 309-347-2163 or text “prayer” to 309-271-2791Give: northparkway.org/give

Learning to stay on the ready for the enemy's attacks. Using the tools given to us to protect us daily.

Jesus humbled Himself to serve humanity - not just to save the world, but to set an example. In this week’s talk, we’ll explore what it looks like when it’s your turn to serve, and show you how to do it without wearing yourself out.

God’s supposed to be all about love, but sometimes He’s presented more as a threatening task-master than a kind father. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the way Jesus came to earth, and how that can help you reframe the way God feels about you.

God didn’t just appear on earth as a human - He was born. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the importance of Jesus’ birth, and why God’s choice for His parents means good things for your home life.

We all know the image of a baby in a manger, but we don’t always think of the implications. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at what it means for God to be born as a human, and how that can change the way you value yourself and the world around you.

There’s a burden you’re carrying that’s causing you stress and anxiety, but if you unload it, you can actually make things worse. In this week’s talk, we’ll show you what that burden is, and how to manage it for a healthier mind and stronger relationships.

We all lie more that we realize, but what’s the long term cost of living that way? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the danger of living by lying, and learn how to embrace the holistic, “real” you.

The words you speak carry more weight than you realize. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the power of words to wound or to heal, and learn how to leverage them to enrich the people around you.

Something you do almost daily is damaging your brain! Literally. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the science of complaining and how to use the power of perspective to get into a healthier headspace.Connect with us: Call 309-347-2163 or text “prayer” to 309-271-2791Give: northparkway.org/give 

Ever grown weary in your spiritual journey? Guest speaker David Womelsdorf talks about the frustration of that middle ground between meeting God and reaching maturity, and gives some advice on how to frame that season in your life.Connect with us: Call 309-347-2163 or text “prayer” to 309-271-2791Give: northparkway.org/give 

The Bible says God is good, and that He’s able to do miracles… but what do you do when you pray in faith and He doesn’t come through? In today’s talk, we’ll show you how to respond when faith checks bounce.Connect with us: Call 309-347-2163 or text “prayer” to 309-271-2791Give: northparkway.org/give Follow along in the Bible app: http://bible.com/events/49506770

Did God really promise to make Christians rich if they give? If so, why are so many...*not*? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at what to do with promises that have multiple applications, and see what God actually said about generosity.Connect with us: Call 309-347-2163 or text “prayer” to 309-271-2791Give: northparkway.org/giveFollow along in the Bible app: http://bible.com/events/49503631

Sometimes life gives you more than you can handle - but, didn’t God promise He wouldn’t let that happen? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at abstract truths, and learn how to handle them the way God intended.Give: northparkway.org/give Follow along in the Bible app: http://bible.com/events/49500044

Sometimes the “promises” we borrow from the Bible are actually principles, but that doesn’t make them any less true or less powerful. In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the value of principles and probabilities, and how following them can improve your life.

What if God’s broken promises were never promised to you in the first place? In this week’s talk, we’ll look at the sneaky danger of borrowing promises and show you how to build your faith on a better foundation.