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If you're looking to grow in the Christian faith, or even explore it for the first time, then come and be part of the CROWD podcast. Each week we post our online church live stream which explores the big questions of life from a Christian worldview. We dig into your questions about meaning, faith and identity. We also add interviews with everyday people about their faith journey, what challenges they have faced and how they overcame them. Regardless of where you are on your faith journey, you are sure to find glimpses into the amazingness of Christ. Crowd Church is a non-denominational church and our commitment is not just to believers but also to those that might not see the point of church. Our commitment is to those who worship and those that are looking for answers to their questions. Everyone is welcome here, no matter where you are on your faith journey. For more information about Crowd Church visit: www.crowd.church. Subscribe to the Crowd Church podcast today.

  1. 5D AGO

    Facing the Unfaceable

    What do you do when life throws something at you that feels impossible to face? In this powerful episode of Crowd Church, Ade Birkby tackles the raw reality of suffering, fear, and what it truly means to follow Jesus through the hardest moments of life. Ade opens with a disarming question about vulnerability before sharing a gripping story about a kayaking crisis at sea [05:09]. From there, he takes us to the Garden of Gethsemane — not the peaceful park we might imagine, but an olive press where Jesus himself was crushed under the weight of what lay ahead [08:20]. Walking through the Gospel accounts [09:39], Ade draws out three lessons about honesty, crying out, and embracing suffering rather than running from it [11:17]. The conversation then turns to what God actually promises us in hardship [15:04], the role of community in carrying burdens [21:39], and a rich Conversation Street segment exploring Palm Sunday expectations and where God is when everything falls apart [23:44]. The Garden Was an Olive Press, Not a Park [08:20]Ade reframes the Garden of Gethsemane in a way that changes how we read the story. This was not a tranquil retreat — it was an olive press, a place of crushing. Jesus chose to go there, fully aware of what was coming, and his response was strikingly honest. As Ade highlighted from Mark 14:34, Jesus told his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” That kind of raw vulnerability from the Son of God gives permission for every believer to be honest about their own pain. Three Lessons from the Darkest Night [11:17]From the Gethsemane account, Ade drew out three practical lessons for anyone facing something that feels unbearable. First, Jesus was honest about his suffering. Second, he cried out to his Father. Third, Jesus embraced the situation rather than fleeing from it. Quoting Matthew 26:45-46, Ade pointed to Jesus saying “Rise, let us go” — walking towards the very thing that would destroy him, not away from it. God Promises Presence, Not Comfort [15:04]Ade argued that God is not a shelter from hardship, and that 1 Corinthians 10:13 is often misquoted. Matt reinforced this, saying, “God is not so concerned with our comfort as he is with our transformation and our freedom.” Dan noted that “people say 'I've lost my faith,' but often what they've actually lost is what they thought Jesus was gonna do for them.” Where Is God in the Suffering? [23:44]Ade offered this: “God was hanging on the cross for them, the same way he was hanging on the cross for you, for me, for everyone else. That is where God is in all of this — hanging on the cross. So the horrors that we see in this life are the last horrors that we will see in any life.” Sonia echoed: “One step at a time and know with complete confidence that God is with us.” Join the conversation at crowd.church For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/facing-the-unfaceable

    58 min

  2. MAR 23

    You Don't Need Money to Leave a Legacy

    What if the most valuable thing you leave behind has nothing to do with money? In Part 5 of the Stewardship series, Dave Connolly explores what it means to build a living legacy — one shaped not by financial wealth but by faith, relationships, and the stories we pass on. Joined by John Birch and Matt Edmundson, the conversation moves through biblical examples of generational impact, the power of testimony, and what happens when legacy includes pain as well as blessing. In this episode, we cover: 00:00 — Welcome and introductions05:35 — Dave's teaching on living legacy24:19 — Conversation Street begins34:11 — Mentoring, accountability, and honest relationships51:38 — God as a generational God and the legacy of Paul A Living Legacy Starts Before You Die[05:35] Dave Connolly opens by reframing what legacy actually means. In the Bible, inheritance wasn't something you could only receive after someone died. The prodigal son received his while his father was still alive. Dave argues that building a living legacy requires intentionality — and that the riches we pass on may not be pounds, premium bonds, or property at all. "We may not have any grand financial inheritance to leave anybody, but we can leave a treasure. The memories that people have of us should help shape their lives to trust God." — Dave ConnollyHe draws on biblical examples including Abraham's obedience, Ruth and Naomi's loyalty, and how Timothy's faith was shaped not only by the Apostle Paul but by his grandmother Eunice. The thread running through each story is the same — legacy is built through modelling, not just talking. When Legacy Includes Pain[28:40] The conversation takes an honest turn when a viewer raises the topic of generational trauma. John Birch shares how one of his sons wrote a letter after counselling, describing a version of their family history that John and his wife Sally did not recognise. Rather than becoming defensive, John talks about the importance of staying open to those conversations. "Clearly we do our best as parents. We are learning on the job. And sometimes we get it wrong. But the important thing is to be able to have these conversations." — John BirchDave adds that broken people often break other people, sometimes unintentionally. He stresses the need for repentance and honest dialogue within families. John then shares a deeply personal story about his son's sexuality, and how choosing love over judgement brought them closer together. "I don't profess to understand it all, but I love him deeply. And we love deeply him and his partner. That's what it's about." — John BirchConsistency Over Perfection[39:17] Both Dave and John have faced serious health scares — Dave survived seven cardiac events in a day and a half, and John was resuscitated after a cardiac arrest. These experiences sharpened their thinking about what really matters. Dave recalls lying on the operating table, uncertain whether he would survive another stent procedure, and finding himself simply grateful — for Julie, for his children, for being part of what God had done. "People, when they look at us, they're not looking for perfection. They're looking for consistency, that we live out what we talk about." — Dave ConnollyThe practical takeaway is clear. Legacy is not built in dramatic moments but in the everyday pattern of how we live — showing up at 11pm to fix someone's shower, welcoming strangers into your home, or simply being faithful over decades. Legacy Without Children and the Power of Story[44:51] A viewer asks how someone without children can still leave a legacy. John responds with four words that sum up the possibilities — prayer, presence, participation, and provision. Matt draws out a wider point about God being a generational God — someone who identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, always thinking beyond the individual. He points to Paul writing letters from a Roman prison, never imagining those words would still be read 2,000 years later. "People may die young, but they never die early. God's time is perfect." — Dave ConnollyJohn recommends StoryWorth, a service that prompts you with questions about your life and compiles the answers into a book for your family — a reminder that recording your story is one of the simplest and most lasting things you can do. About Crowd ChurchCrowd Church is a digital-first church based in Liverpool, England, pastored by Matt Edmundson. Whether you have been following Jesus for years or are just starting to explore faith, you are welcome here. Sunday services include teaching, community conversation, and a live Q&A segment called Conversation Street. Join the conversation at crowd.church For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/you-dont-need-money-to-leave-a-legacy

    1h 2m

  3. MAR 16

    When Your Wealth Defines Your Worth

    The number in your bank account has nothing to do with how much you matter. In Part 4 of our series on money, Will Sopwith explores what the Bible actually says about wealth, poverty, and human worth. Using the contrasting stories of John D. Rockefeller and St. Francis of Assisi, Will unpacks why money has become a false measure of value — and why God sees things very differently. Drawing on research into privilege, cognitive bandwidth, and the empathy-eroding effects of wealth, this talk is both challenging and quietly hopeful. Timestamps: 07:28 — Two boys, two very different endings09:38 — What does God actually think about wealth?18:12 — The Monopoly problem and systemic inequality23:00 — When wealth becomes an anaesthetic35:45 — Conversation Street Q&A Two Boys, Two Very Different Endings (07:28)Will opens with a tale of two lives. The first boy grew up in a single-parent household, one of six children, largely abandoned by a conman father. His Baptist mother instilled hard work, saving, and generosity. Through relentless application of those lessons, he became the wealthiest man in modern history — John D. Rockefeller. What's less well known is how he used his wealth, giving hundreds of thousands to churches, schools, and missionary projects, founding universities and an international public health foundation. The second boy was born into wealth, destined for greatness. After being captured in war and falling ill, his old life of comfort started to feel hollow. At 24 he renounced everything publicly — literally stripping off his fine clothes in the town square — and became St. Francis of Assisi, taking a vow of poverty. Two lives that went in opposite directions financially. Both ended up recognising that wealth for its own sake was never the answer. "Money is just a thing. It was never meant to define you." — Will SopwithWhat Does God Actually Think About Wealth? (09:38)Does the Bible favour the rich or the poor? Both camps have their proof texts. Some Christians will tell you wealth is an unambiguous sign of God's blessing. Others argue God is primarily on the side of the poor. Research in America found that 80% of people believe the phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is in the Bible (it isn't. It's from an Aesop fable). But scripture doesn't take either side. Leviticus 19:15 says plainly — do not show favouritism to the poor or the rich, judge on the basis of what is right. God loves the rich. God loves the poor. God loves those who think they're poor but are actually rich. Where your bank balance sits has zero bearing on God's attention, love, or classification of you. "Wealth is neither a guaranteed sign of God's blessing, nor is a lack of it a guaranteed sign of God's curse." — Matt EdmundsonThe Monopoly Problem and Systemic Inequality (18:12)Will draws on research by Sendhil Mullainathan which found that poverty produces a genuine lack of mental bandwidth. Worrying about food, rent, and keeping the lights on literally reduces cognitive capacity — IQ scores drop, decision-making deteriorates, and the capacity to learn, network, and invest shrinks. It's not a character flaw. It's what chronic financial stress does to a human brain. Imagine playing Monopoly where your opponent gets both dice and starts with £2,000 while you get one die and £10. As your opponent starts accumulating properties, they might genuinely believe they're simply a better player. Will reflects honestly on his own salary — built on a stable family, a good postcode, an education, access to healthcare and the rule of law, and a skin tone and accent that weren't disadvantaged at job interviews. When Wealth Becomes an Anaesthetic (23:00)Paul Piff at UC Berkeley found that as people get richer — even in a game of Monopoly where the wealth isn't real — their empathy decreases. Wealthier participants became worse at reading facial expressions, more likely to attribute success to their own skill rather than luck, and less generous even in controlled experiments. In a separate study, Piff tracked which cars stopped at pedestrian crossings. Cars with higher values were far less likely to stop. "Wealth can act as an anaesthetic. It numbs you to the pain of others." — Will SopwithProverbs 22:2 says, "The rich and the poor have this in common. The Lord is the maker of them all." Both are made by the same maker, both made for relationship with God and each other. "Net worth doesn't change your worth." — Will Sopwith1 Timothy 6:17-19 is the instruction, "don't be arrogant, don't put your hope in wealth — but do be generous and willing to share." It's not about the amount. It's about the posture. "If you feel superior to the poor, you have forgotten your maker. If you feel inferior to the rich, you have forgotten your maker." — Will SopwithAbout Crowd ChurchCrowd Church is a digital-first church based in Liverpool, England, hosted by Matt Edmundson. Each week features a Sunday talk followed by Conversation Street — where the talk ends and the real conversation begins. This week's talk was delivered by Will Sopwith as Part 4 in our series on Money. Next week, Dave Conolly joins us to talk about Legacy. Join the conversation at crowd.church For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/when-your-wealth-defines-your-worth

    1h 2m

  4. MAR 8

    Your Money Has a Grip on You

    Ever noticed how tightly you hold onto money — and how uneasy you feel whenever someone mentions generosity? Matt Edmundson explores why giving feels so risky, and why it has very little to do with your bank balance. We look at what Paul meant when he called giving "grace," why a poor widow's two coins outweighed millions, and what happens when you finally open your fist. Jump to a section: 09:19 — Why a monkey trap explains your relationship with money10:27 — Grace changes how you count14:32 — Two coins that outweighed millions18:12 — You can tithe and still have a closed fist24:30 — Conversation Street Why a Monkey Trap Explains Your Relationship with Money[09:19] There's a piece of Victorian folklore about catching a monkey. You hollow out a coconut, chain it to a tree, cut a hole just big enough for the monkey's hand, and drop some peanuts inside. The monkey reaches in, grabs the peanuts, and now its fist is too big to pull back out. The monkey isn't trapped by the coconut. It's trapped by its own refusal to let go. Matt uses this as a picture of how many of us relate to money. A closed fist keeps us stuck in more ways than we realise. And it's the act of letting go — not holding tighter — that sets us free. Grace Changes How You Count[10:27] In 2 Corinthians, Paul is organising a financial gift from the church in Corinth — a prosperous trade city, a lot like Liverpool — to Jewish believers in Jerusalem who were facing real hardship. The word Paul keeps using to describe this gift isn't "obligation" or "duty." It's grace. Grace is when someone gives you something you didn't earn and can't repay. Matt was honest about getting this wrong over the years — seasons of token tipping, treating giving like a deal ("I gave, so where's my blessing?"), and a stretch where church giving felt like a membership fee. None of that is what Paul is describing. Instead, Paul points to the Macedonian church — people in extreme poverty whose "abundance of joy" overflowed into "a wealth of generosity." These are people choosing between feeding their children and sending money to strangers. And choosing to give. Not recklessly, but because they had experienced God's grace. "Grace opens a fist, because a closed fist cannot receive." — Matt EdmundsonTwo Coins That Outweighed Millions[14:32] Jesus is sitting in front of the offering box at the synagogue. The box was shaped like a trumpet — metal — so that when coins dropped in, they made noise. The more you gave, the louder it was. The wealthy givers made a lot of noise. Then a poor widow dropped in two small coins. It would have been almost silent. "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has." — JesusHeaven's accounting doesn't measure amount. It measures sacrifice. Matt reflected on this and suggested Jesus didn't whisper it — everyone would have heard. Because in God's kingdom, two small coins can mean more than millions. You Can Tithe and Still Have a Closed Fist[18:12] Matt addressed the tithe question directly — giving a percentage of your income to the church, which depending on your theology ranges between 10% and 23%. He believes regular proportional giving is important. But he didn't want to spend time on the mechanics, because the heart has to come first. "You can tithe and still have a closed fist. Which is why grace has to be the foundation of your giving and definitely not legalism." — Matt EdmundsonGenerosity isn't a formula. It's a posture. Matt shared a personal story from early in his faith, when he went overboard with credit cards, thinking God would simply provide. Wrong thinking produced a wrong outcome, and he ended up tens of thousands in debt. It was in that season — buried in debt, newly married — that he had to figure out not just what to give, but why. One moment stood out. He put his watch in the offering. Not because he had to. Because he wanted to. And at that point, he was a cheerful giver. "And you know what?" he said. "It was really, really freeing." Conversation StreetIs it harder to be generous when you're comfortable?[25:38] Matt raised a striking observation — Africa, the poorest continent, gives proportionately almost double what Europe gives. Many of the best stories of giving and God's provision come from seasons when people didn't have much to spare. He wondered whether comfort quietly kills the adventure of generosity. Anna shared a powerful story from her gap year. She had just £160 to her name when someone prayed with her and said, "I just feel like you need to give." She gave £100 anonymously to someone she knew needed it. The next day, the exact amount appeared through her door. But the point, she said, wasn't the money. "It was about breaking that hold of fear. Money had a grip on my life." Is generosity just about money?[29:58] Dave challenged the assumption that giving is always financial. He shared his ongoing relationship with a man called Peace who begs outside Tesco — remembering his name, his sandwich order, his coffee. "Time is really important," Dave said. "He needs to know he's valued." Alicia commented that time is what she has most trouble giving because she's an introvert and feels depleted after giving a lot of herself. Dave's response was gentle but direct — do it joyfully, and God always honours obedience. Matt pulled the threads together — your time, your treasure, your talent, your tongue. All of these are areas where generosity can flow. And God tends to challenge us in the area where we have least, because that's where the faith is. Should we give a flat percentage or more if we earn more?[36:48] Dave's advice was straightforward — give what God has laid on your heart and give it joyfully. Don't overthink it. He shared his own story of when he and his wife Julie, just married with a new baby, felt prompted to empty their entire bank account. They told no one. Within days, bags of food started appearing on their doorstep. Matt added an important caveat — these stories can be dangerous if we hear them as formulas. "You give away a car, God gives you a car." That's not how it works. The point isn't the transaction. The point is the heart behind the open hand. Something to Try This WeekGive something that costs you this week. Not out of guilt — out of grace.Ask yourself where money has a grip. Where does fear tighten your fist?Try generosity outside of money. Give your time to someone who doesn't expect it.If you're struggling financially, hear this clearly. This is not a message asking you to give instead of paying your bills.Sit with this verse. "God is able to make all grace abound towards you, so that you, having all sufficiency in all things at all times, may abound in every good work." A closed fist can't hold what God is offering. But an open hand? That's where grace flows. For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/your-money-has-a-grip-on-you

    1 hr

  5. MAR 1

    When Work Feels Like All You Are

    Does your job feel like it's slowly becoming the whole of who you are? When someone asks what you do, does your answer make you stand a little taller — or quietly shrink? You're not alone. And you might be living inside a story about work that isn't serving you well. This week, Mike Harris — former professional footballer, PE teacher, and now full-time gardener — brings an honest and surprisingly liberating look at what the Bible actually says about work, identity, and who we're really doing it all for. What We ExploreMike's journey through several careers gives him real credibility here. He knows what it's like to introduce yourself as a footballer before you even say your name — and then feel the quiet shame when that's gone. He also knows what it's like to leave a secure job because you've decided God is your provider. This conversation draws on all of it. [05:00] Two Stories Culture Tells Us About WorkMike identifies two narratives most of us unconsciously absorb. The first is the weekend warrior idea — work is just what you do to fund the good bits. The problem is you never have quite enough, so the chase never ends. The second is more insidious: your job is your identity. What you do is who you are. "I would introduce myself as a footballer before I told people my name. When that ended, I felt the embarrassment of being 'just a student.' My job had become part of my identity."What we explore: Why both cultural narratives ultimately fail usThe story the Bible tells instead — from Genesis to RevelationWhy the narrative we live inside shapes everything about how we work Key takeaway: The story you think you're living in determines how you see your work. [15:00] Work Before the FallOne of the most grounding ideas in Mike's talk: work was not a consequence of the fall. It was there from the beginning. God created order out of chaos — the Hebrew tohu vohu, wild and waste — and then placed humans in the garden to continue that work. "Work is not the problem. It's the toil that was the result."What we explore: What Genesis actually says about work and its originsThe difference between work and toil — and why that matters on a MondayWhy we won't escape work in the end, but we will escape the weeds Key takeaway: The hope isn't to escape work. It's to one day work without the toil. [19:00] Working for an Audience of OneIf work was designed by God and we bear his image before we've done a single day's work — what does that mean for how we approach it? Mike argues we work for an audience of one, and that this is genuinely freeing. "Work does not appease God, but it can bring him glory."What we explore: Why your value is established before you start workingWhat it means to imitate God in everyday workHow creating order, beauty, and service connects us to our creatorMike's blind client — and why he doesn't take shortcuts Key takeaway: You bear God's image before you've done a thing. Your worth isn't in your output. [26:47] Conversation StreetThe discussion after Mike's talk got honest quickly. Will shared that he's leaving his job on Tuesday — and unpacked the pressure of feeling like you should be "fulfilling your potential" through a career. Sonia shared from the community chat that being medically retired had cost her her identity for a long time. And Matt brought a story about prayer, provision, and what happened when he stopped treating his employer as his provider. "I think it's a lie to believe you're not enslaved to anything. We get to choose what we are enslaved to. I've just chosen to enslave myself to God." — Mike HarrisCommunity wisdom: When potential becomes a burden, it's probably gone too farSonya from the chat: "When I was having a bad day at work, I'd take a breath and remember I was working for God. It allowed me to give people more grace."Mike: if work is genuinely damaging your health, you are not trapped — God is your providerMatt: Paul wrote his most joyful letter from a jail cell, chained to his jailer — and it's still changing lives 2,000 years later Key takeaway: We all choose what we're enslaved to. The question is whether we're choosing wisely. About Mike HarrisMike Harris is a former professional footballer and PE teacher who spent 15 years as head of department at a Catholic comprehensive school. After leaving due to work-related stress, he retrained as a gardener — a decision he says only made sense because he genuinely trusted that God was his provider. He now brings both practical experience and theological reflection to questions about work, vocation, and what it means to do things well. For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/when-work-feels-like-all-you-are

    1h 2m

  6. FEB 22

    When Enough Is Never Enough | Money Part 1

    Does the question of money keep you up at night? Or do you ever wonder why — no matter how much you have — it never quite feels enough? Pete Farrington opens a new five-part series at Crowd Church with a question that gets to the heart of it all: is money your servant, or your master? This is a refreshingly honest conversation about something Jesus talked about more than almost any other subject. Pete draws on Matthew 6, 1 Timothy 6, Psalm 24, and Psalm 49 to build a picture of money that challenges both the prosperity gospel and the poverty gospel — and points instead to something genuinely good. [03:36] Why the Bible Talks So Much About MoneyPete opens by noting that Jesus spoke about money more than he spoke about heaven and hell combined. But the reason, he suggests, is that we're never really just talking about money. We're talking about longing, desire, hope, safety, and fear. "It only took me about two minutes to realise we're not really talking about money. We're talking about something far deeper than that."What we discover: Why the Bible's teaching on money is as relevant now as it was 2,000 years agoJohn D. Rockefeller's famous answer to "how much is enough?" — and why we all recognise itWhy money is never a neutral topic Key takeaway: Our relationship with money reveals far more about us than we might be comfortable with. [05:48] God vs Mammon: Matthew 6:24Pete walks through Jesus' startling statement in the Sermon on the Mount — that we cannot serve both God and mammon. The Greek word mammon, he explains, means treasure or riches, and Jesus is personifying wealth as a rival master competing for our allegiance. "Money isn't neutral. It's an excellent servant, but it's a terrible master."What we explore: What it actually means to "serve" money — and how it mirrors what it means to serve GodWhy you don't have to be rich to serve mammonJohn Piper's framework: both money and God demand that you arrange your whole life around what they promise to give you Key takeaway: The question isn't how much you have. It's where you've placed your trust. [12:05] The Love of Money — and the Misquote We All Know1 Timothy 6 is one of the most frequently misquoted passages in the Bible. Pete clears up the confusion: it's not money that is the root of all evil. It's the love of money. "If you love money, you will dash the system of your heart to pieces so that all you have left are broken shards with which to scoop up sewage water that will only poison and kill and never satisfy. And all the while, the waterfall of God's love stands behind you, just waiting to quench your thirst."What we discover: Why you can be broke and still love moneyWhy you can be wealthy and hold it with an open handThe difference between desiring to be rich and desiring to fund God's work in the world Key takeaway: Godliness with contentment is great gain. The problem is never the money — it's what we trust it to do for us. [14:52] Stewards, Not OwnersPsalm 24:1 makes a radical claim: the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. Pete unpacks what this means for how we think about the things we own — drawing on King David's response when he handed over a vast fortune to build the temple. "Everything comes from you, and we have only given you what comes from your hand." — 1 Chronicles 29Practical questions Pete raises: When you give, do you feel like you are losing something — or returning something?How would you manage your finances differently if you genuinely believed you were managing someone else's money?What does tithing actually mean — and why does the other 90% matter just as much? Key takeaway: We are stewards, not owners. That changes everything about how we hold what we have. [18:58] The Rich Young RulerA young man with great wealth comes to Jesus asking what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. He's done everything right. Jesus looks at him and says: sell everything, give to the poor, and come follow me. The man walks away sad. "His problem was not that he had great possessions. His problem was that he was unwilling to give them up — because he viewed them as a surer source of satisfaction than Jesus."Key takeaway: Too many of us are planning for retirement but not for eternity. [24:36] Conversation StreetIs debt the same as serving mammon — even when you haven't got much?Matt Edmundson and Dan Orange explore Pete's point that a poor person can serve mammon by obsessing over getting it just as easily as a rich person can serve it by obsessing over keeping it. The love of money is not dependent on wealth levels — you don't need money to be mastered by it. How do you actually live contentedly? Is it possible to enjoy money without being mastered by it?This is the real tension — and the hosts sit with it honestly. God gives good gifts and intends us to enjoy them. But the same gifts can become gods. Ade Birkby shares how health challenges in his household over recent years have unexpectedly clarified what actually matters. Matt reflects on the boat he nearly justified as a ministry tool. Dan wrestles with holidays, home repairs, and where priorities really lie. Ade sums it up: "Who's the tool?" — are you using money, or is money using you? Can you share a personal example of trusting God with money?Three stories — each worth hearing. Ade on a difficult season early in his marriage when he couldn't find work, and what that time built in his relationship with his stepdaughter. Dan on leaving a secure job at BT without a clear plan and finding freedom on the other side. Matt on praying for Duracell batteries as a student — specifically Duracell — and finding a pack of four on his doorstep the next morning, two already removed. Key takeaway: Very often the things we pray for deliverance from turn out to be some of the greatest areas of God's grace in our lives. Join the conversation at crowd.church For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/when-enough-is-never-enough

    58 min

  7. FEB 15

    Dating isn't shopping

    In this Crowd Church conversation, Sharon introduces the idea of "covenant dating" — an ancient framework built on shared values, character revealed in the mundane, and the wisdom of community. She also shares the moment she turned down someone she was genuinely attracted to, and why she's never regretted it. --- Ever swiped through a dating app and realised you're browsing people the same way you'd scroll through ASOS? Sharon Edmundson asks what happens when we bring a consumer mindset to dating — and whether an ancient biblical framework might offer something better. In this Crowd Church Livestream, Sharon (married to Matt for 28 years) unpacks why modern dating leaves so many of us exhausted. With 78% of Gen Z reporting dating app burnout and 65% of young adults in the UK feeling lonely, something clearly isn't working. Sharon traces the problem back to a consumer mindset — swiping, filtering, situationships, impossible checklists — and offers a covenant dating alternative rooted in biblical wisdom. From Genesis 24's practical principles for finding a partner, to the passionate love poetry of Song of Solomon, to the panel's candid conversation about sexual boundaries and the courage to break things off, this is practical wisdom for anyone navigating modern relationships. [03:35] Why Dating Feels So ExhaustingSharon addresses the elephant in the room — why dating has become such a draining experience for so many people. "With dating apps and the culture around it, it's easy to get into that same consumer mindset and treat people as though they're just products to obtain or fit our requirements."What we discover: Why 78% of Gen Z report dating app burnoutThe four consequences of consumer dating: endless swiping, situationships, impossible checklists, and vulnerability without commitmentWhy dating apps aren't the problem — our mindset isHow everyone becomes disposable, including us Key takeaway: The perfect person doesn't exist. And searching for them leaves us exhausted. [09:06] Every Person Carries the Image of GodSharon explores what the Bible actually says about how we treat people in romantic relationships. "According to the Bible, no one is a product to be consumed. We are all image bearers of God, and that gives us worth and value."What we discover: Genesis 1:27 as a starting point — every person carries God's imagePhilippians 2:3-4 — dating shouldn't be about getting our own needs metWhy this perspective changes how we see every person on every app Key takeaway: Every person we swipe past carries the image of God. And so do we. [11:03] The Covenant Dating MindsetSharon introduces a radical alternative — dating as the beginning of a covenant process rather than a shopping experience. "Dating for the Christ follower is about finding a suitable covenant partner to marry — someone with whom you would be able to live out a covenant relationship that honours God and his design for marriage."Three principles from Genesis 24: Choose shared values over shared interests — true faith works itself out in every area of lifeCharacter is revealed in the mundane — watch how someone behaves when they don't know they're being evaluatedGet input from others — sometimes a trusted friend sees the red flags we miss Key takeaway: Commitment and vows came first in biblical covenant. Physical intimacy followed. [19:46] Grace for the Mess-UpsSharon addresses anyone thinking they've already blown it. "The good news is that when we turn from the way we've been living and turn to him, he's gracious and he's loving and he accepts us with open arms. And that invitation is always open to us."Key takeaway: You're in good company. We've all blown it in one way or another. The invitation to start fresh is always open. [21:27] Conversation StreetMatt, Sharon, and Mike discuss the questions and comments from the community, covering everything from whether dating is harder now, to why covenant love isn't transactional, to the courage needed to break off a relationship that isn't right. Highlights include: Matt on the paradox of choice — more options can make us more indecisive, not lessMike on how discovering God's love made him less needy and more attractive to dateSharon's personal story of saying no to a guy she really liked because their values didn't alignMatt's observation that loneliness isn't the absence of people — it's the absence of being truly knownThe panel's honest discussion about why the church has sometimes communicated sexual boundaries through shame rather than vision Key takeaway: If you're in your early twenties and breaking off a relationship feels heartbreaking, your 40-year-old self is thanking you. For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/dating-isnt-shopping

    1h 1m

  8. FEB 8

    When Submission Feels Dangerous

    Ever noticed how the word "submission" clears a room faster than a fire alarm? Whether it's marriage, church, or life in general, most of us carry real baggage around authority. Dave Connolly doesn't pretend otherwise. This week, Dave — a church leader with decades of experience walking alongside people through the best and worst of life — tackles submission and authority head-on. He acknowledges the pain, names the abuse, and then carefully rebuilds a picture of what these words were always meant to look like. With contributions from Anna Kettle and Sharon Edmundson hosting Conversation Street, this becomes a genuine community conversation about trust, safety, and what healthy authority actually means. Journey with us through: [01:00] Why Submission Makes Us FlinchDave names the elephant in the room — our deeply rooted need for autonomy, the constant news stories of leaders who've abused trust, and why most people shut down the moment these words come up. "When lots of people think of authority and submission, it conjures up a whole lot of thoughts and past experiences."What we explore: Why our culture celebrates autonomy but struggles with authorityThe difference between focusing on rights versus responsibilitiesWhy Dave is "heartbroken and a little angry" about leadership failuresHow dismissing submission robs us of something valuable Key takeaway: Our reaction to submission often reveals more about our past experiences than about what God intended. [05:07] What the Bible Actually SaysDave draws a clear line between submission as control and submission as God designed it — starting with the foundational truth that authority flows from God and exists to benefit us. "Submission isn't about being less valuable than somebody else. It's about aligning yourself to God and his purposes."What we discover: How Jesus modelled authority through service, not domination (Matthew 20:25-28)The process in James 4:7 — surrender to God first, everything else followsWhy authority was given to protect, not suppressThe biblical framework across marriage, church, and society Key takeaway: Authority is best exercised in service, not control and domination. [11:35] What This Looks Like in Real LifeDave explores submission across marriage, church leadership, and society — including a fascinating story about an MP from an unexpected political party who prays weekly with colleagues across the political spectrum. "It's partnership, but with different roles."Practical insights: How to "safe-proof your marriage" through preferring each other's needsWhy church leaders are accountable to God for how they care for peopleThe privilege and weight of walking with people through celebration and griefHow Christians from opposing political parties found unity through mutual submission Key takeaway: Biblical submission is about partnership and mutual service, not one person dominating another. [28:52] Conversation Street — Your Questions AnsweredThe community dives deep into the hardest questions — from what to do when leaders are harming people, to whether it's possible to be too submissive, to how leaders should handle those who struggle with authority because of past trauma. "As you live with people and you see people living in freedom, not perfection, it just stirs hope in you."Community wisdom: How to recognise genuine servant leadership versus its counterfeitJesus as the model of someone who was both authoritative and submissiveWhy struggling with submission isn't always rebellion — sometimes it's woundsThe clear message: do not stay in a place that is not safe for you Key takeaway: God is never on the side of abuse. When authority goes wrong, walking away isn't rebellion — it's wisdom. [47:48] Final EncouragementDave closes with a powerful reminder that submission reveals where our heart is — and that moving forward takes humility and trust in God, not in someone else's story. "I'll never leave you or abandon you. And you can stand on that, solid regardless of what you're going through. But that takes submission — because you have to align yourself to that."Key takeaway: We're not choosing between safety and submission. When it's done right, submission is the safe place. For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/when-submission-feels-dangerous-and-why-authority-was-meant-to-protect-you

    52 min
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About

If you're looking to grow in the Christian faith, or even explore it for the first time, then come and be part of the CROWD podcast. Each week we post our online church live stream which explores the big questions of life from a Christian worldview. We dig into your questions about meaning, faith and identity. We also add interviews with everyday people about their faith journey, what challenges they have faced and how they overcame them. Regardless of where you are on your faith journey, you are sure to find glimpses into the amazingness of Christ. Crowd Church is a non-denominational church and our commitment is not just to believers but also to those that might not see the point of church. Our commitment is to those who worship and those that are looking for answers to their questions. Everyone is welcome here, no matter where you are on your faith journey. For more information about Crowd Church visit: www.crowd.church. Subscribe to the Crowd Church podcast today.

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