The Community Church, Kinnelon Podcast

In this episode of the Midweek Podcast, Abby reflects on Hope Tanner’s powerful testimony of navigating anxiety and depression and finding strength through faith, professional help, and spiritual community. Building on Pastor Mike’s message, “Trading Control for Trust,” Abby explores what it means to surrender the belief that we have to handle everything on our own and instead allow God to work through the people and resources around us. Through vulnerability, connection, prayer, and supporting one another, we can find hope and discover that we were never meant to carry our burdens alone.

Following Jesus means being willing to trade control for trust. Following Jesus is personal, but it was never meant to be private. 

In this week’s Midweek Podcast, Abby reflects on the “Personal, Not Private” sermon series and what Jesus’ call to care for others means for all of us—not just pastors or church leaders. Looking at the Great Commission, Jesus’ words to Peter, and the community of believers in Acts, Abby explores how we can foster meaningful community by reaching outward, making space for others, and being willing to connect with the people around us. Sometimes making a difference starts with something as simple as making room for someone new in our circle.

Following Jesus is personal, but it was never meant to be private. A life centered on Jesus intentionally makes room for others.

In this week’s Midweek Podcast, Abby reflects on the launch of the Personal, But Not Private sermon series and shares her own journey from simply learning about faith to experiencing the power of spiritual community. Through seasons of joy, hardship, prayer, and vulnerability, she discovered the importance of having people who can share our burdens, encourage us, and walk alongside us in faith. As she puts it, the church stretches far beyond the pews—we learn together in rows, but our faith grows best when we grow together in circles.

Faith in Jesus is deeply personal, but it was never meant to remain private.
Philippians 1:1-14

In the final week of the People’s Choice sermon series, we take a deeper look at one of life’s hardest questions: Why does God allow suffering? While Scripture doesn’t always give us a clear explanation for why difficult and painful things happen, it does reveal a God who enters into our suffering, walks with us through it, and promises that suffering will not have the final word. Reflecting on Jesus’ tears at the death of Lazarus and the hope of Revelation 21, this episode reminds us that even when we don’t know the “why,” we can trust the God who knows the end of the story.

Jesus does not explain every tragedy. He enters our suffering. And He promises that suffering will not have the final word.

In this week’s Midweek Podcast, we reflect on Week 4 of the People’s Choice sermon series and Pastor Mitch’s teaching on the Christian perspective of marriage. Together, we explore the idea of marriage as a covenant rather than simply a relationship or living arrangement, and how that covenant reflects God’s own faithful and sacrificial love for us. Whether you’re married, preparing for marriage, or simply curious about the Christian understanding of marriage, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the beauty, commitment, and purpose behind this sacred gift.

In the beginning was the covenant: the bond of love, purpose, and life in relationship with God. Jesus welcomes our real questions, meets us where we are, and leads us deeper in faith.