Commons Church Podcast

Agnostic plus Jesus - Jeremy Duncan

What if your doubts don’t disqualify you from faith? In Mark 9, a father brings Jesus an honest prayer: “I believe; help my unbelief.” His story invites us to let go of perfection, make room for uncertainty, and take the next step toward the future we hope for. From the mountaintop transfiguration to Jesus’ compassion in the valley, this message explores how hope becomes tangible in ordinary life—and why imperfect faith is enough to begin. You don’t have to believe perfectly to belong. Bring your questions, your hope, and whatever faith you have today. Scripture: Mark 9:2–7, 14–18, 20–24 ★ Support this podcast ★

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We are all mystics - Scott Wall

In this return to the familiar conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, Scott explores how we regularly face experiences we can't explain. He considers how curiosity can be a form of faith when we're swept beyond our intellectual limits, how our hunger to start over is divine, how Jesus uses the metaphor of wind and Spirit, and how we can participate in a tangible mysticism every day. Scripture: John 3:1-21 ★ Support this podcast ★

When You Can’t Control What Happens Next - Jeremy Duncan

What do we do when life unfolds beyond our control? In the closing chapters of Acts, Paul learns to release the communities he helped build—and eventually loses control over his own journey. Yet even amid imprisonment, uncertainty, and shipwreck, he retains something vital: the freedom to choose how he will show up. Jeremy explores the difference between control and agency, the courage required to let go, and how we can meet life’s changing seasons with grace, hope, and trust in God. Scripture: Acts 20–27 ★ Support this podcast ★

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The Idea of Home - Yelena Pakhomova

In this sermon from our Soapbox Sundays series, Yelena explores the layered and universal idea of "home". Grounded in Ephesians 2:19–22, this message looks at how Christ breaks down dividing walls, invites outsiders into full belonging, and joins us together into a living sanctuary where God makes a home. Key Topics Covered: The Complexity of Home: How personal memories, mobility, and cultural contexts shape our understanding of home. Who Gets to Belong? Exploring Ephesians 2:19–22 and how Paul redefines household, citizenship, and community. Home as a Place of Becoming: Moving away from a static view of home to see community as an active, ongoing work in progress. Where God is at Home: Reflecting on the biblical narrative of home, homelessness, and homecoming. Scripture: Ephesians 2:19–22 ★ Support this podcast ★

What Minds Are For - Scott Wall

In the first message of the Soapbox Sundays series, Scott makes the case for how an intellectual, reflective life is a spiritual life. Looking at the wisdom literature of Proverbs 4, this teaching explores how engaging our minds across generations, embracing curiosity, and asking hard questions helps us love God and serve our neighbours more deeply. Key Takeaways & Outline: Welcome & Fall Outlook: Reflecting on community life and upcoming fall opportunities, including the Marda Loop parish launch. What Minds Are For: Why living a thoughtful and reflective life is integral to spiritual growth. All We Inherit: The importance of engaging with history, tradition, and wisdom passed down through generations. Getting Wisdom: How curiosity, courage, and wrestling with big questions shape a healthy faith. Learning as Love: Fulfilling the command to love God with all our mind and using knowledge to edify others. Scripture References: Proverbs 4:1–9 Proverbs 4:23–26 ★ Support this podcast ★

When Being Right Turns Into Revenge - Jeremy Duncan

Psalm 7 is a song for anyone who has ever felt falsely accused, misunderstood, or desperate to be vindicated. But underneath David’s very reasonable words is something more volatile: anger, frustration, and the desire for God to feel exactly what he feels. In this sermon, Jeremy Duncan explores the poetry of Psalm 7—from Taylor Swift and ancient Hebrew wordplay to necks, noses, swords, and bows—and asks what happens when our longing for justice begins to slip into a desire for vengeance. The Psalms remind us that we don’t need to sanitize our emotions before bringing them to God. But they also invite us to let the presence of God reshape those emotions so that we can pursue justice without becoming consumed by violence. Psalm 7 ultimately asks a difficult question: Do we want a God modelled after our anger—or will we allow our anger to be transformed by God’s righteousness? Recorded at Commons Church in Calgary, Alberta. #Psalm7 #Psalms #Bible #Sermon #CommonsChurch #Justice #Faith ★ Support this podcast ★

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A Prayer for Disorientation - Yelena Pakhomova

What can ancient prayers teach us about our own experience of chaos, confusion, or distress? In this week’s installment of our Summer Songs series, Yelena walks us through Psalm 86—a powerful "psalm of disorientation." Whether life feels stable or everything is falling apart, the Psalms provide a sacred space for profound honesty with the Divine. In this message, we explore: Asks and Reasons: Why naming our disorientation is a time-tested religious practice. Communal Memory: How we lean on the stories of faith when our own words fall short. Undivided Heart: Moving toward wholeness in the midst of fragmentation. Relinquishment: Tracing the edge of chaos and trusting that we are held. About Commons Church: We are a community dedicated to loving God, loving people, and telling the story. Join us as we explore what it means to live out our faith together. Connect with us: Learn more about upcoming community events and gatherings at commons.church. #Psalm86 #SummerSongs #CommonsChurch #Prayer #Disorientation #Faith #Sermon ★ Support this podcast ★

Hope in Lament - Ben Hsu-Chan

What do you do when God feels far away? Psalm 13 is a song for those moments. In this message, we explore how naming our pain and shifting our perspective can help us move from lament to praise. Key topics covered: • The relationship between lament and praise: Why the "Book of Praises" is full of sorrow and how lament provides a place to stand while we grieve. • Challenging our categories: Understanding how we use bias to simplify the world and how to move past the "outgroup homogeneity effect" to see our neighbors more clearly. • Learning from diverse worldviews: Contrasting different cultural perspectives on suffering—moving from asking God to take suffering away to asking for the strength to endure it well. • Practicing the Examen: A practical 10-minute rhythm to notice God’s presence in both desolation and consolation, helping us become agents of God’s love in the world. Whether you are in a season of struggle or looking to deepen your trust in God, join us as we learn to bring our honest pain before a faithful God who is always at work. ★ Support this podcast ★

Cultivating Wisdom - Bobbi Salkeld

What do you do when the world feels unfair and you find yourself “fret-burning” with anger? In this message, we explore the wisdom of Psalm 37—not as a transactional set of rules, but as a roadmap for finding composure, delight, and hope in the midst of life's messiness. While many read the Psalms looking for guarantees, they are actually poetic invitations to engage with the world honestly. When we choose to notice the goodness around us—even in the face of injustice—we can metabolize our anxiety and find a way back to the source of our strength. In this sermon, we discuss: • The Difference Between Fret and Delight: How to stop "setting yourself on fire" with anger and practice intentional delight. • Moving Beyond Transactional Spirituality: Why the Psalms don't offer a simple "if/then" contract with God, but a way to walk through life's highs and lows. • The Power of First-Person Awe: How sharing our experiences of wonder helps us face threats and find meaning in hard seasons. • Guarding the Good: Wisdom isn't just about what we know; it’s about how we act on the goodness we see in the world. Whether you are navigating burnout, doubt, or the search for deeper meaning, these verses offer a way to stay anchored in the truth that God is our ultimate stronghold. ★ Support this podcast ★

Be Still and Know - Alexandra Chubachi

What does it mean to trust God when there are still very real reasons to be afraid? Psalm 46 doesn’t promise a life without chaos. Instead, it points to the presence of God—our refuge and strength—within our complicated histories, uncertain futures, and present moments. In this message, Alexandra explores how remembering, hope, creativity, mindfulness, and nonviolence can make us more aware of the God who is as close as our breath. “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” — Psalm 46:11 #Psalm46 #BeStill #ChristianSermon #Faith #GodsPresence ★ Support this podcast ★

The Idols We Don't Recognize - Jeremy Duncan

What if the greatest idols in our lives aren't statues—but fear, security, money, and the stories we tell to protect them? In Acts 19, Paul arrives in Ephesus and unintentionally sparks a city-wide riot. On the surface, it's a conflict over religion. But beneath the shouting lies something far more familiar: economic anxiety, fear of outsiders, and the temptation to use spiritual language to defend our own interests. As we conclude our series in Acts, we explore how the earliest followers of Jesus weren't called to conquer culture, but to become a different kind of people—people whose security wasn't rooted in wealth, power, or identity, but in the story of Christ. In this message: • Why the riot in Ephesus wasn't really about religion • How fear becomes disguised as faith • The idols that shape our decisions today • What Acts teaches us about following Jesus in a polarized world • Why the Church is called to embody a different story Scripture: Acts 19:23–41 If this message encouraged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need it. #Acts #BookOfActs #ChristianSermon #Faith #Idolatry #Church #Jesus #BibleTeaching ★ Support this podcast ★

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Far Off Places - Scott Wall

In this episode of our spring series, The Way Forward, we walk through Acts 17:16-34 to explore Paul’s encounter in Athens. As Paul engages with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at the Areopagus, he provides a model for how we can navigate unfamiliar cultures and carry on thoughtful, faith-filled conversations in our own time. How do we move forward when our efforts seem to go unnoticed, or when we feel like we are investing in places where there is little immediate "fruit"? In this talk, we reflect on: The challenge of exceptionalism: How the gospel invites us to dismantle the walls we build between ourselves and others. The "Unknown God": Paul’s sermon on the universal intent of God’s care and renewal. Overcoming discouragement: Why your life’s service, creativity, and love are never just "throw-away lines," even when the results are hidden from view. Join us as we explore what it means to faithfully pursue the "way forward" in the far-off places of our lives. Scripture Reference: Acts 17:16-34 ★ Support this podcast ★

What to Keep, What to Leave - Bobbi Salkeld

In this message, we explore the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, examining how early believers navigated deep conflict and cultural shifts within the church.1 Key topics include: The Nature of Conflict: Why "certain people problems" are a normal, albeit challenging, part of community growth. Navigating Change: Understanding what to keep from the past and what to leave behind as the mission evolves. The Power of Conversation: How the Jerusalem Council demonstrates that holy, transformative dialogue is central to the life of the church. Grace and Inclusion: A look at the paradigm shift that expanded the circle of belonging, prioritizing grace over legalism. Bobbi also shares updates on the upcoming Marda Loop Commons launch and current community life at Commons Church. For more details on upcoming events and team-building opportunities, visit commons.church. ★ Support this podcast ★

Church That Refuses to Stand Still - Jeremy Duncan

In Acts 13, the spotlight shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch—a diverse, unexpected community where the Holy Spirit is doing something entirely new. From former outsiders and unlikely leaders to the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas, this chapter reveals a church that chooses mission over comfort, creativity over control, and expansion over preservation. In this message, we explore how God's grace continually pushes the church beyond its assumptions, why the most transformative movements often emerge from the margins, and what it means to trust the Spirit enough to send our best into the unknown. Whether you're navigating change, wrestling with tradition, or discerning what's next, Acts 13 reminds us that the future of God's kingdom has always belonged to communities willing to follow where the Spirit leads. ★ Support this podcast ★

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A Surprising Way Forward - Scott Wall

How does faith change us over time? In Acts 10, Peter encounters a vision that challenges everything he thought he knew about who belongs, who is welcome, and how God works in the world. As he meets Cornelius—a Roman centurion and outsider to Israel's covenant story—the early church discovers that the Spirit of God is already moving beyond the boundaries they assumed were fixed. This message explores slippery slopes, spiritual growth, unexpected relationships, and the surprising truth that transformation is normal in the Christian life. What if the Spirit is at work in places, people, and experiences you never expected? 📖 Scripture: Acts 10:1–45 In this teaching, we explore: Why Peter's vision was so shocking How spiritual growth often happens gradually The role relationships play in transforming our theology What it means that Jesus is "Lord of all" How the Spirit continually pushes beyond our assumptions Commons Church exists to create space for spirituality, curiosity, and community. We'd love to connect with you. 🔗 Learn more: https://commons.church 📍 Calgary, Alberta, Canada #Acts10 #CommonsChurch #ChristianFaith #SpiritualGrowth #BibleTeaching #PeterAndCornelius #HolySpirit #Theology #Church #Sermon ★ Support this podcast ★

Courageous Witness - Yelena Pakhomova

What gives ordinary people the courage to speak truth, resist fear, and remain hopeful in a fractured world? In Acts 4 and 5, the early church faces its first wave of persecution after Peter and John heal a man at the temple gates and boldly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus. Confronted by powerful religious leaders, threatened, imprisoned, and punished, the apostles discover that true power is not found in coercion or control, but in resurrection, community, and the Spirit of God. In this sermon, Yelena explores: • Why the message of Jesus provoked opposition • What Acts teaches us about power and courage • How community helps us face fear • Why joy can still exist in suffering • What it means to live nonviolently and faithfully today Whether you’re wrestling with fear, longing for deeper community, or trying to live with integrity in a divided world, this conversation invites us to become people of courageous witness together. Scripture: Acts 4–5 Commons Church Love God. Love People. Tell the Story. ★ Support this podcast ★

Peter’s First Sermon Changed Everything - Jeremy Duncan

What if the judgement of God looks nothing like we imagined? In Acts 2 we step into Peter’s first sermon after Pentecost—the moment the church begins to find its voice. But instead of fear, vengeance, or religious certainty, Peter announces something radically different: resurrection changes everything. Together we explore: - The real miracle of Pentecost - Why not everyone recognizes new movements of God - “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” and the expansiveness of the Spirit - The Day of the Lord reinterpreted through Jesus - Resurrection as God’s victory over violence and death - Why Peter sees the cross not as divine punishment, but divine participation This is the story of a church learning to see the world differently in the light of Christ. Scripture: Acts 2 Commons Church — Calgary, Alberta ★ Support this podcast ★

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Moving Forward When God Feels Silent - Bobbi Salkeld

What do you do when the future feels uncertain, God feels quiet, and the old season is clearly over? In Acts 1–2, the early church finds itself in that exact moment — caught between resurrection and Pentecost, between promise and fulfillment, between what was and what will be. And somehow, in the waiting, God is already moving. This week at Commons Church, we explore how faith often begins not with certainty, but with trust in the middle of transition. — 📍 Commons Church 🌐 https://commons.church 📷 Instagram: @commons.church #Acts #BibleTeaching #ChurchOnline #Faith #HolySpirit #CommonsChurch ★ Support this podcast ★

Love That Actually Lasts - Jeremy Duncan

What if the real miracle of love isn’t finding the right person—but becoming the kind of person who can stay? In this final message of The Miraculous series, we explore the ancient story of Ruth and uncover a vision of love that goes far beyond romance. This is a story about commitment, community, and the quiet, steady work of choosing one another—again and again. From friendships to family, from social responsibility to romantic connection, love is revealed as something we build, not something we stumble into. And maybe, just maybe, it’s this kind of love that holds everything together. ✨ If love is more than a feeling… what does it look like to practice it this week? — Commons Church Calgary, Alberta More messages: commons.church/watch ★ Support this podcast ★

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Can Coincidences Be Miracles? - Jeremy Duncan

What if the most meaningful moments in your life aren’t random at all? In this talk, we explore a surprising story from Acts 8—the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian traveler—and ask a simple but unsettling question: Can coincidence be a miracle? Rather than focusing on miracles as interruptions of nature, this message reframes the miraculous as something formed over time—through attentiveness, presence, and the kind of person we are becoming. Maybe the miracle isn’t just in the moment things come together… but in the quiet ways our lives are shaped to notice those moments at all. From desert roads to everyday conversations, this is an invitation to rediscover wonder—not in spectacle, but in the ordinary intersections of our lives. If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the middle of your everyday routines, this conversation is for you. 📖 Scripture: Acts 8:26–40 📍 Commons Church, Calgary 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, culture, and the way of Jesus ★ Support this podcast ★

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