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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. 23H AGO

    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...

    58 min

  2. 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....

    1h 1m

  3. 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...

    52 min

  4. FEB 1

    When Opening Your Door Feels Risky

    Ever talked yourself out of having someone over because the house isn't tidy, the food won't be good enough, or you just don't have the energy? Dan Orange gets it. And he's got a refreshingly honest take on why biblical hospitality looks nothing like a dinner party. In this warm and practical conversation, Dan — who grew up as a pastor's kid in a house church full of "aunties and uncles" who weren't actually family — unpacks what the Bible really says about welcoming others. From Abraham running to meet strangers to Jesus' stark words in Matthew 25, Dan shows that genuine hospitality isn't about impressing people. It's about not walking past them. The Conversation Street discussion takes things further with brilliant practical wisdom — including Matt Edmundson's concept of "fridge rights" and Will Sopwith's front-garden barbecue that connected neighbours who'd never spoken. Whether you're an extrovert who loves a full house or an introvert who needs recharging time, there's something here for you. [05:51] We've Made Hospitality Way Too ComplicatedDan addresses the pressure many of us feel around hospitality — the clean house, the perfect meal, the social performance. "When we entertain strangers, we don't know how much we're doing. Sometimes it's an actual meeting with angels, sometimes it's just food, sometimes it's the love that those people at the time needed more than anything."What we explore: Why hospitality with an agenda doesn't feel genuineGod's command in Leviticus 19 to welcome the stranger as one of your ownAbraham's spontaneous, extravagant welcome in Genesis 18The Hebrews 13:2 reminder about entertaining angels unawares Key takeaway: The best hospitality has no motive behind it other than love. [17:54] When Hospitality Costs You SomethingDan tells the story of the paralysed man whose friends ripped apart someone's roof to get him to Jesus — and asks what the homeowner's response would have been. "I want to be in that first response, the blue plaque response. But sometimes I'm too worried about what it would do to my house, my reputation, my family."What we discover: Hospitality costs something — your time, your comfort, your plansJesus' words in Matthew 25 about feeding the hungry and welcoming the homelessThe difference between sharing the gospel and being the gospelWilliam Booth's conviction: "I'm not waiting for a move of God. I am a move of God." Key takeaway: God can bring extraordinary things out of what feels like a messy, inconvenient moment. [22:34] Why Receiving Matters TooDan flips the conversation. Hospitality isn't just about giving — it's about learning to accept help, gifts, and generosity from others. "If you can't receive, then you're not allowing someone to give."Honest talk about: The classic British awkwardness around accepting giftsHow Jesus himself relied on the hospitality of othersWhy there are seasons when receiving is exactly what we needThe connection between receiving from others and receiving from God Key takeaway: Receiving is part of hospitality, not the opposite of it. [26:11] Conversation Street - Your Questions AnsweredThe community digs into the practicalities with stories, questions, and honest reflections on what hospitality looks like in real life. Highlights include: Will's story of unexpected hospitality in a Kyrgyz yurt — fried fish, vodka, and complete strangersMatt's "fridge rights" concept — telling friends they can help themselvesWhy the best hospitality is spontaneous, not stagedTeam hospitality — you don't have to do it...

    58 min

  5. JAN 26

    Loving Your Neighbour, Even When You Don't Like Them

    Got someone in your life you're supposed to love but honestly struggle to even like? Mike Harris tackles one of Jesus' most uncomfortable commands with refreshing honesty—admitting he's nowhere near where he wants to be either. In this conversation, Mike unpacks the Good Samaritan story and reveals why it was designed to shock its original audience. Samaritans weren't the nice charity shop people we think of today—they were enemies. Jesus deliberately chose the most offensive example to show that our 'neighbour' includes people we'd rather avoid. [04:26] More Than Just Being NiceOur culture has watered down love to mean 'don't be violent and remember to recycle.' But that's not what Jesus asks of us. "We demonstrate our love for God by loving those who bear his image. Every person we encounter carries the fingerprint of the Creator."What we explore: Why the greatest commandment joins love for God with love for neighbourHow the Good Samaritan story was designed to make people uncomfortableThe difference between compassion that watches and compassion that actsWhy costly love was built into God's design from the beginning Key takeaway: The Samaritan helped someone who could never repay him. That's the kind of love Jesus commands. [18:00] How We Actually Do ThisMike shared an uncomfortable confession about avoiding a woman who looked like she might be struggling with addiction—while listening to a Christian podcast. "My heart is not where I want it to be. I am on this journey with you."Four practices that help: Look at Jesus looking at you in love - Something shifts when we receive before we try to giveRead about how Jesus treated outcasts - Let his compassion slowly reshape yoursRemember what Jesus has done for you - Gratitude moves us from obligation to overflowWatch your reactions - The people closest to you will notice when you're changing Key takeaway: We can't manufacture this kind of love on our own. God is slowly morphing us into Christ's likeness. [26:20] Conversation StreetWho would be the Samaritan if Jesus told the story today?Someone who's been cancelled. Someone from the 'other side' politically. Someone whose association might cost you your reputation. Whoever represents 'the enemy' for you—that's who Jesus is calling you to love. If you don't like your neighbour, how do you love them?Jenny suggested starting with prayer—praying blessing, not 'God, change them.' Matt shared intentionally greeting a difficult neighbour with a smile to break down walls. Mike offered that refusing to speak negatively about someone is itself an act of love. Where do boundaries fit in?The Good Samaritan helped generously but didn't become a full-time carer. Costly love and healthy boundaries can coexist—it's something to keep wrestling with and talking to God about. [44:00] The Butterfly ReminderA butterfly is only a butterfly for about the last 5% of its life. We're in process—being morphed slowly, imperfectly, but genuinely into Christ's likeness. "This isn't about trying harder. It's about receiving more. More of his love. More of his grace. More of his Spirit transforming us from the inside out." For more info, please visit https://crowd.church/talks/loving-your-neighbour-even-when-you-dont-like-them

    1h 2m

  6. JAN 18

    Real Friends Are Rare. And Worth It.

    Do you have hundreds of social media friends but struggle to name someone you'd call at 3am? You're not alone in feeling alone. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Matt Edmundson tackles the modern epidemic of shallow friendships and offers something better. Drawing from Jesus's friendship with Peter (who denied him three times and was still restored), Matt explores what true friendship looks like - the kind forged through time, crisis, and the twin foundations of grace and covenant. Journey with us through: [03:14] Why we've stretched the word "friend" until it means nothing[10:11] Why even Jesus had an inner circle[15:07] The two ingredients every deep friendship needs[19:18] How friendships are forged, not found[24:20] Matt's story of a friendship that didn't survive[28:21] Conversation Street: Building real community [05:49] Jesus Calls His Disciples FriendsAt the Last Supper, hours before his arrest, Jesus looks at his disciples - including the one about to betray him - and says something extraordinary. "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends." (John 15:15)What we explore: Why this moment is so remarkable given what's about to happenHow Jesus restored Peter after his three denialsWhat friendship with Christ actually offers usThe invitation to be befriended by Jesus today Key takeaway: Jesus doesn't wait for you to get your act together. He doesn't keep score. He moves towards you, even after you've let him down. [15:07] Grace and Covenant - The FoundationMatt identifies two essential ingredients that make deep friendship possible - and explains why you need both. "Grace without covenant is warm but flaky. It's the friend who's lovely when it's convenient. Covenant without grace is loyal but heavy. It's the friend who stays but resents you for it."What this means practically: Grace makes a friendship safe - you can be your real selfCovenant makes a friendship secure - they'll still be here tomorrowTogether they create freedom and faithfulnessThis is what Jesus offers us, and what we can offer each other Key takeaway: When Sharon faced her cancer diagnosis, some friends pushed in while others went silent. That's the difference between grace-only and grace-plus-covenant. [19:18] The Best Friendships Are ForgedPeter and John didn't start as best mates - they were rival fishing operators. But look what they became. "The best friendships aren't found - they're forged. That word implies heat, pressure, and time. Like a blacksmith making a sword."Their journey together: Preparing the Last Supper togetherRacing to the empty tomb (John waited for Peter)Facing the ruling council and getting arrested togetherDecades of shared mission, suffering, and even shared failure Key takeaway: Forged friendships aren't perfect or easy - but they're incredibly durable. [28:21] Conversation Street"I'm surrounded by people but feeling alone"Anna reflected on how our generation has swapped depth for breadth. Sharon shared about a friend who used a season of loneliness to deepen her relationship with God - comfort she later gave to others. How do you actually build deep friendships?Anna got practical: after COVID, she joined a Pilates group, started a book club, tried a choir. Be proactive. Sign up for something. Risk rejection. See what sticks. Friendship with God changes everythingWhen you're secure in your relationship with God, the fear of

    54 min

  7. JAN 11

    When Trying Harder Isn't Working

    Feeling like you're doing everything right and still going nowhere? You've got the skills, the experience, the morning routine that used to work - but lately it all feels like rowing through a storm at three in the morning. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Matt Edmundson shares about hitting that wall - the kind where your expertise runs out and your usual strategies stop delivering. Through one of the most dramatic stories in the Gospels, we explore what happens when trying harder simply isn't the answer anymore, and why that might actually be the beginning of something better. Matt doesn't sugarcoat his own experience: struggling to get out of bed, Bible reading that felt like reading Chinese, workouts at six out of ten intensity. But through Peter's impossible request to walk on water, we discover why exhausting our competence can open us to something beyond it. [02:19] The Nine-Hour StormProfessional fishermen - men who've worked the water since boyhood - find themselves completely stuck. They've been rowing for nine hours through a storm. The crossing should have taken four. "These guys were professional fishermen...but right at this point, their expertise, their knowledge, their insider trading - all that sort of stuff is not making one little bit of difference."What we explore: Why expertise reaching its limit isn't failureThe project manager parallel - six months in, still slippingThat voice that whispers 'You should be able to handle this'Matt's honest experience of rowing through his own storm in 2025 Key takeaway: Sometimes our competence has to run out before we're open to something beyond it. [13:15] Peter's Ridiculous RequestAt three in the morning, Jesus appears walking on water. The disciples think it's a ghost. And Peter, exhausted and bleeding, asks the most ridiculous question imaginable: Can I come out there with you? "The boat was safety, absolutely. But the boat was also the limitation. The boat was keeping him alive, but the boat was also keeping him stuck."What we discover: Peter wasn't asking for the storm to stopHe was asking to be with Jesus in the miraculousWhy his failure in faith put him further ahead than the others' success in self-relianceThe moment heart recognises truth before the mind has evidence Key takeaway: When you've exhausted your competence, you finally get to a place where you're open to something beyond it. [22:29] Jesus Gets in the BoatJesus doesn't teleport them to the other side. He doesn't drag them with a rope. He climbs into the boat - the very boat that had become their prison. "Sometimes God's grace when he gets in the mess with you doesn't mean you stop working. Peter had to pick up that oar again. But somehow it probably didn't feel like defeat anymore."What this means: They still had to row to shore - but now Jesus was with themThe difference between pointless exhaustion and purposeful struggleHow presence lifts the shame enough to finally talk to othersGrace adds his ability to yours - same work, but not alone Key takeaway: Grace doesn't make you stop rowing. But it means you're rowing towards something, not in circles. [28:16] Conversation Street Highlights"I saw myself in that boat"Jan shared how vividly Matt's description landed - cold, wet, and miserable. But she admitted: "I don't think I would ever have been the person to say, 'Can I come out?' I'd have been watching. And that makes me feel sad." How many times have we watched others in awe, thinking: why didn't I do it? This was their area of expertiseDan highlighted something...

    53 min

  8. JAN 4

    When Achieving More Leaves You Empty

    Ever ticked all the boxes and still felt hollow? You got the promotion, hit the target, maybe even managed that January gym streak. And yet, somewhere underneath the achievement, there's this nagging sense that you're running hard but not actually getting anywhere. In this refreshingly honest talk, Matt Edmundson opens up about flipping through his 2016 journals and finding the same resolutions we all write - get fitter, earn more money. But the question he never asked was: why? What he discovered wasn't a better productivity technique - it was an entirely different way of understanding who he was and why he was here. Journey with us through: [03:00] Matt's 2016 journal resolutions and why they didn't satisfy[12:00] Shadow boxing through life - lots of movement, no impact[15:00] The difference between author and character[19:00] Paul's remarkable calm on a sinking ship[28:00] Three practical steps: scripture, community, prayer[32:00] Conversation Street Q&A [12:00] Shadow Boxing Through LifePaul wrote to Corinth - a city obsessed with the Isthmian Games - using athletic imagery: "I do not run like someone running aimlessly. I do not fight like a boxer beating the air." "That image of shadow boxing is striking. Lots of movement. Lots of sweat. But no contact. No impact. And that's what self-authored ambition often looks like - training hard, throwing punches, but not actually hitting anything that matters."What we explore: Why "lifestyle creep" means salary increases fade within weeksThe exhausting weight of being responsible for everythingHow even achieving goals leaves us wanting more Key takeaway: We end up carrying a weight that was never really ours to carry. [15:00] From Author to CharacterWhat's the difference between writing your own story and being written into someone else's? "The Christian paradigm offers something radically different. You're not the author of your story - you're being written into God's story. The days aren't a blank page we have to fill. They've already been written."What we discover: Why New Year's resolutions are often about writing a better story for ourselvesThe relief of not having to invent yourselfPsalm 139 and the days already formed for us Key takeaway: You don't have to manufacture meaning - you receive it. [19:00] Paul on the Sinking ShipActs 27 tells the story of Paul - a prisoner in chains aboard a ship caught in a horrendous storm for days. The crew threw cargo overboard. All hope was gone. Yet Paul stood up and said: "Take courage." "How do you stay calm when everything around you is falling apart? Because Paul wasn't the author of this story. He was playing his part in God's story. He didn't control the storm, but he wasn't controlled by the storm either."Key takeaway: Knowing whose story you're in changes everything. [32:00] Conversation Street HighlightsWhy do we set the goals we set? Mike Harris shared how asking "why" behind his resolutions was challenging - because it highlighted insecurities he was trying to cover by getting stronger or fitter. How do we discern what God wants? Mike talked about his shift from PE teacher to self-employed gardener. The biggest factor? Community - people who could help him think things through rather than just going with instinct. What about fear of getting it wrong? Matt's response: "It's harder to miss God's will than people think. You run into the space...

    1h 2m
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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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