Why pray? For some Christians, prayer seems unnecessary. In some churches, prayer has become a mere transition between the songs and ceremonies of the service. In contrast, prayer should be our natural habitat, as water is to a fish. Is prayer absent in today’s church? Does prayer feel too holy, mystifying, boring, or awkward? In this episode, Joel, Eric, and Stephanie discuss public prayer, what holds us back from it, and why it’s vital for our spiritual well being and growth.

Burnout is not simply being tired, but a state of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual exhaustion. Burnout can stem from a wrong perspective, measuring worth in what we produce, and measuring ourselves against others. When our eyes are set on outward performance, our ego can work us like slaves. Eric, Joel, and Stephanie discuss the signs of approaching burnout, and how we can avoid or recover from it, even when our lives are “crazy busy”.

Living in a fallen world, we will at times face discouragement, whether it’s personal, spiritual, or in ministry. Discouragement can stem from a false view of self and of Christ; the feeling of losing ground and losing patience. It can remain and derail us from our mission. Discouragement comes from looking to ourselves for the fix, not Him. In this episode, Stephanie, Eric, and Joel have a conversation on what is right and wrong about discouragement. Exploring Biblical examples and relating them to their work in the inner-city, the crew discusses dealing with their own discouragement through a Biblical lens.

In scripture, elders are addressed as a plurality, not as a role to be served by a single individual. Joel and Eric, both pastors at The Garden Church, share insight into the importance of having both paid and lay (unpaid) elders serving the inner city church. What does it look like for an elder to have full-time secular work, but still hold the same authority as the senior Pastor? Listen in as we discuss various challenges and dangers from the lack of a plurality of elders, to unchecked authority and the weight of ministry. God’s grace remains necessary in equipping all elders.

In this episode, Marla Walker, a member of The Garden Church and ONE HOPE intern, shares her story of addiction, shame, and feeling not good enough to go before God. Being introduced to alcohol at only 8 years old, Marla was put on a path to drug dependency and a series of recoveries and relapses. From trap houses to recovery houses, Marla’s life represents the cycle of so many. Yet, unlike many others, Marla has found forgiveness and healing in Christ. No depth and no transgression could hide her from the reach of God. Through the love of Christ and the church body, listen to how God has set Marla on a new path of reconciliation and redemption.

“Intentional” may be a buzzword of contemporary Christianity, but what does it tangibly look like for the church to be living with intention? 

Joel Kurz, Eric Hill, and Stephanie Greer discuss the benefits and difficulties of intentionally living in the same neighborhood they serve. In a city like Baltimore, where many might see only a ministry “project,” they have seen a home and how a constant presence, and investment, extends the scope of evangelism. 

In this episode, we hear what shaped their decision to be planted in the uncertainty of violence, and how intentional community helps the church fulfill the commands of Jesus, to love, encourage, and bear the burdens of one another.