⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us🗣 For weekly event and ways to get plugged in, visit https://gracepointe.net/calendar🙌 To become a sustaining member of the GracePointe community, visit https://gracepointe.net/giveLike us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/gracepointetnFollow us on Instagram a…

⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us🗣 For weekly event and ways to get plugged in, visit https://gracepointe.net/calendar🙌 To become a sustaining member of the GracePointe community, visit https://gracepointe.net/giveLike us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/gracepointetnFollow us on Instagram a…

⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us🗣 For weekly event and ways to get plugged in, visit https://gracepointe.net/calendar🙌 To become a sustaining member of the GracePointe community, visit https://gracepointe.net/giveLike us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/gracepointetnFollow us on Instagram a…

The version of Easter we find at the end of Mark’s Gospel is very different from the other Gospels. It’s short, includes no appearance of the risen Jesus, and end abruptly. Yet, this is also the first Easter narrative, the one that Matthew, Luke, and John use as a springboard to tell their stories. What does Mark think Easter means? How does this s…

⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us🗣 For weekly event and ways to get plugged in, visit https://gracepointe.net/calendar🙌 To become a sustaining member of the GracePointe community, visit https://gracepointe.net/giveLike us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/gracepointetnFollow us on Instagram a…

This week we find ourselves in Mark chapter 10, where we meet a rich person who asks Jesus a big question. “What must I do to inherit eternal life,” he asked. Jesus’s answer might surprise us!

This week we are back into our series through the Gospel of Mark. In chapter 9 Jesus takes his closest disciples up a mountain and they have an experience that is both strange and transformative. What did the story of Jesus’s transfiguration mean for Mark? What does it mean for us, today?

What do we do when the portrayal of Jesus in Scripture shows us something we don’t like or agree with? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott shares one of his favorite stories in Mark, a time when Jesus refused to help someone and then changed his mind. Josh explains what this story has taught him about the importance of staying open to new perspectives, a…

Jesus’ vision of the kingdom was less about converting people and more about coming together to make sure everyone has what they need. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines three stories in Mark 6 that demonstrate the power of collaboration and cooperation. He reminds us that hospitality is a core tenet of the kingdom of God and shares some action…

Following Jesus is and always was a political act. So what did Jesus have to say about empire, and how can those teachings shape how we live? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott discusses two stories from Mark 5 that show us something important about who Jesus chose to embrace and how we can resist empire. Josh also opens up the floor for a conversation …

Why did Jesus choose to compare the kingdom of God to one of the smallest seeds? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott discusses the parable of the mustard seed and what it means for the way we view God’s kingdom. He reminds us that Jesus never wanted to create another empire, but to establish a new way of being in the world. He also talks about the concep…

None of the people who were closest to Jesus really understood who he was or what he was trying to do. And yet, we have the opportunity to join in on the work of bringing about the kingdom of God in our world. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines the times in Mark when people failed to understand what Jesus was doing. He also reminds us that part…

What might it look like for us to embrace Sabbath as a time for being, instead of doing? Today, Josh RadarLee, co-pastor at FOREFRONT Church, joins us to talk about Jesus’ perspective on Sabbath. He reminds us that Sabbath was put in place to help us flourish, not to hurt us. He also acknowledges some of the reasons why Sabbath can be difficult, an…

The good news Jesus proclaimed is that the kingdom of God is here and now! Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines Jesus’ first sermon in the book of Mark. He talks about what the kingdom of God is (and what it isn’t) and reminds us that Jesus’ vision was all about embracing human flourishing. He also reflects on the way that Martin Luther King Jr. …

How do we hold on to hope when it seems like the world is ending? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott kicks off a new series on the gospel of Mark by looking at the historical and political context Mark was writing in. He explains how Mark’s world must have felt like it was ending and draws encouragement from the fact that Mark still began his story with…

The good news of Christmas is not that we are bad and in need of saving, but rather that each one of us has divinity within us. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott talks about the things Jesus’ coming revealed to us about who God is and about who we are. He reminds us that being human is a good thing, and that there’s a reason why God chose us to carry o…

The Christmas story serves as a powerful reminder that fear and joy can often coexist. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines Matthew’s story of the Magi who visited Jesus. He talks about the different ways that both fear and joy show up in the story and encourages us to find joy in the hope of what could be, even when we’re acknowledging the pain …

The idea that Jesus had a miraculous conception entered the early Christian Tradition with Matthew’s Gospel. Why did he tell the story that way? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott continues our Advent series by examining the historical and cultural context around Matthew’s version of Jesus’ birth story. He also reminds us that the Christmas story is ult…

We often talk about Advent as a season where we’re waiting on God to act. But what if God is also waiting on us to take an active role in the work of human flourishing? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott begins our Advent series with a look at the story of John the Baptist, the voice in the wilderness calling people to remember that God was still at wor…

Suffering is a part of being human, but maybe we can find ways to suffer less and hold onto hope in the process. Today, Colby Martin reflects on the three practices that have helped him learn to suffer better and suffer less: The hourglass, the bar, and the seed. He offers words of encouragement for anyone who’s struggling to find hope and reminds …

What does it mean to practice progressive Christianity, and how can we thoughtfully engage with the people around us who don’t share our views? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott wraps up our series on progressive Christianity by leading a question and response time with the GracePointe community. Topics covered include deconstruction, what it means to …

Many of us are tempted to either view our faith as the only right answer or to water down our beliefs in deference to others. But it’s possible to have a strong, hospitable faith that acknowledges the beauty of other beliefs without denying our own. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines this idea and encourages us to hold fast to our own identitie…

Every single person who reads the Bible brings their own perspective and interpretation to it. And yet so many people have weaponized this text based on their one specific lens. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott reflects on what it might look like for progressive Christians to take the Bible seriously. He breaks down the three key areas of disagreement…

What would it look like for us to practice justice that’s restorative, instead of punishing? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott explains why justice and generosity are two of the central focuses of progressive Christianity. He reminds us that God cares more about justice and human flourishing than about what rituals we do or what doctrines we believe. H…

If we want to practice radical inclusivity, we need to start by facing and accepting ourselves. Today, Mike Maeshiro shares his experience of serving in the church as a gay Christian. He explains how his experience of God forced him to re-evaluate the theology he believed in, and he encourages us to move beyond performative inclusion into radical, …

What does it mean to be Jesus centered when you separate him from all the harmful things people have said and done in his name? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott talks about some of the key things he does and does not believe about Jesus, reminding us that believing in a specific doctrine matters far less than believing what Jesus said. He then takes t…

Progressive Christianity starts from the belief that humans are not born disconnected from God, and that nothing can separate us from God. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott begins a new series where we’ll unpack some of the key factors that set progressive Christianity apart from more conservative theologies. He explains where the doctrine of original …

Between the crucifixion and the resurrection, there was a silent Saturday of uncertainty and fear. And many of us experience that same kind of season when we begin to deconstruct our theologies. Today, GracePointe’s founding pastor Stan Mitchell reminds us that it’s OK to miss what we’ve left behind and to still feel the effects of the wounds we’ve…

The GracePointe of 20 years ago may look radically different than GracePointe today, but this community has always existed to create space for growth and deconstruction. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott and founding pastor Stan Mitchell celebrate GracePointe’s 20th anniversary by reflecting about the past, present, and future of GracePointe. Stan also…

We tend to idealize the early church, but were things actually as good as we might think? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott leads us through Paul’s letters to examine some of the conflicts and complexities that defined the early Jesus movement. He reminds us that mess is a part of being human, but that we can create a space where that mess doesn’t turn…

Most of our lives are lived in the ordinary, but how often do we take the time to notice the beautiful moments all around us? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott wraps up our series on spiritual practices for progressive Christians with a conversation about awareness. He explains how the story of Jacob reminds us to pay attention to God’s presence all ar…

Curiosity can be a powerful spiritual practice, but only when it’s rooted in empathy. Today, GracePointe’s founding pastor Stan Mitchell explains how empathic curiosity can help us deepen our connection with other humans and have more grace for ourselves and others. He describes Jesus’ radical empathy for Judas and for the people who crucified him,…

Is church a place we go to please God, or can it be something more? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott reflects on the complicated role church has played in many of our lives. He then shares a few roles church may still be able to play in our lives today: connecting us with community, inspiring us to imagine a different future, and allowing us to connec…

Prayer can still have a place in your spiritual practice, no matter what you believe about God and God’s role in the world. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines some of the harmful ways people tend to talk about prayer. He then reflects on some of the positive ways prayer or meditation can help us slow down, process our feelings, and show up in t…

Ritual has too often been used to control and exclude others, but does it still have value for progressive Christians? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott continues our series on spiritual practices by examining the ways ritual can connect us to ourselves, to our neighbors, and to the divine. He encourages us to reject any rituals or systems that have to…

Whether you’re parenting a young person or trying to figure out your own faith journey, sometimes it’s helpful to get back to the basics. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott and Children and Youth Director Tiffany Dowdy talk about some spiritual practices for beginners. They also discuss the challenge of parenting when you’re on your own deconstruction j…

Many of us have been harmed by the ways people use the Bible, but it’s possible that the Bible still has something to offer you. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott talks with Zack Hunt about some ways we can approach the Bible as progressive Christians. They talk about what it really means for scripture to be “God breathed” and remind us that it’s OK if…

Just as our physical bodies need rest, our souls need rest in order to connect with humanity, with the divine, and with the world around us. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines the role rest plays in the creation story and talks through some of the ways rest can restore us so we can better show up in the world for ourselves and the people around…

Our experiences are not something to invalidate or ignore, they’re a gift that shapes how we view the world. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott begins a new series on spiritual practices for progressive Christians. He reminds us that the Bible is full of people who changed their minds based on experiences, even if that experience contradicted the things…

Something miraculous can happen when we hear a familiar story told from a new perspective. Today, Hunter Wade explains why it’s so important for us to listen to new voices and perspectives that differ from our own. She examines a passage in the Bible where Jesus was faced with a new point of view and chose to respond, and she reminds us that there’…

Despite what many of us have been told, there’s a version of faith that allows us to be fully human and fully ourselves. Today, Mike Maeshiro talks with us about his experience of growing up as a gay Christian, finding freedom through the process of coming out, and deconstructing many of the things he once believed about God. Mike also challenges u…

For Jesus and the tradition he was raised in, you cannot serve God without pursuing justice. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines the role justice plays in Exodus, in the messages of the prophets, and in Jesus’ own worldview. He also discusses the way Christianity has changed into something completely different from its roots, and he challenges u…

If you’re on a journey of deconstructing or seeing your worldview evolve, know that you’re not alone! Today, lead pastor Josh Scott interviews Heather Hamilton about the spiritual awakening that inspired her to deconstruct her fundamentalist evangelical views and begin to see the divine in all people and all of creation. Heather is the author of “R…

If you want to understand what it’s like to experience the world with imagination and wonder, look at how kids interact with the world. Today, Children and Youth Director Tiffany Dowdy discusses the holy imagination that can inspire us to envision a better world and move us into action. They remind us that we’re each on our own spiritual journey wi…

The Holy Spirit is not something we can control or fit inside neat boundaries. Instead, the spirit calls us to move beyond fear and exclusion and commit to continually reimagining our faith. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines the “Gentile Pentecost” story in Acts 10. He draws parallels between this story and other moments in scripture where we …

In the story of Pentecost, we see how the spirit of wisdom stands in direct opposition to the empires that try to control us. Today, Kat Armas shares how Acts 2 changed her view of the Holy Spirit. She invites us to reexamine the way we think about wisdom, and to oppose the efforts of empire to force assimilation by stamping out wisdom. Episode Rec…

The story of Pentecost reminds us that we’re all invited to participate in the movement Jesus started. Today, lead pastor Josh Scott begins a new series about Pentecost by reflecting on the type of movement Jesus wanted to create. He talks about the way peace and nonviolence play an integral role in Jesus’ story, and he reminds us that transformati…

Today, we’re celebrating our first service in GracePointe’s new space, reflecting on how we got here, and looking ahead to what comes next! Lead pastor Josh Scott shares why he’s so excited for this new chapter in GracePointe’s story, and he reminds each of us that we belong. Episode Recap: It’s time for change, and change is possible (0:10) How we…

What can the life and death of Jesus tell us about who God is and who we are? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott wraps up our “Meeting Jesus Again” series with a question and response time. He responds to questions about Jesus' death, the contradictions we see in scripture, Jesus’ identity, doctrines around the trinity and atonement, and more. Episode R…

Are we being transformed by the message of Jesus, or are we transforming Jesus to fit our agendas? Today, lead pastor Josh Scott examines some of the images of Jesus we see in the 21st century and compares them to the Jesus we see represented in scripture. He also reminds us that faith is meant to grow, change, and evolve, so our creeds and doctrin…