AROUND THE TABLE

The Porch Missional Community

Around The Table is a discipleship podcast from The Porch, sharing teachings and conversations from our Bible studies and house church gatherings. These episodes are less about polished sermons and more about faithful formation—Scripture opened together, lives shaped in community, and hearts anchored in Jesus. Come listen, slow down, and build on what lasts.

Episodes

  1. Sep 9

    The Church | Part 3 | The Community of Faith

    What does it really mean to be a community of faith? In this episode of Around the Table, Levi explores the connection between community, covenant, faith, and surrender. Looking at Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus and God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, he challenges the idea that faithfulness is something we manufacture through our own effort. Instead, our faith rests first on the faithfulness of God. Faith is more than believing the right things. It is learning to trust God enough to surrender to what He is doing, and community means we don’t have to walk that journey alone. We are called to know the promises God has placed on one another, remind each other of what He has said, pray and believe together, share testimonies, meet practical needs, and help carry one another when faith feels weak. Through Scripture and a personal story of learning to let others into his own journey of faith, Levi reminds us that following Jesus was never meant to be an isolated experience. A true community of faith is a people learning to trust God together, surrender together, and steward what He is doing in each other’s lives. Pull up a chair and join us around the table as we ask what it looks like to become a people who don’t just believe in Jesus individually, but faithfully follow Him together. 00:00 Church in Ephesians 04:06 Saints in Christ 05:48 Faith as Covenant 10:27 Striving Detour 13:08 Genesis 15 Covenant 18:57 God Does Both Sides 24:14 Faith Means Trust 26:37 Surrender Not Striving 29:49 Community Practices 36:01 Tuition Miracle Story 42:09 Activation and Prophecy More about The Porch: www.theporchny.com Help us serve our city: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj

  2. Aug 31

    The Church | Part 2 | What the Community of God Looks Like with Jen Welsh

    What does it actually mean to be part of the Church—not just to attend, but to truly belong, participate, and become part of the community of God? In Part 2 of our series on The Church, Jen Welsh joins us Around the Table to explore what God’s community is meant to look like. Starting with a simple definition of the Church as “the community of believers in Christ,” Jen unpacks what community really requires: love, belonging, participation, shared responsibility, and a willingness to show up for one another. God’s family isn’t meant to be a group of people who simply occupy the same room. We have each been given something to carry, something to contribute, and a unique part to play. Healthy community happens when we take ownership of what God has placed in our hands, choose relationship over isolation, learn to genuinely know and love one another, and commit ourselves to participating in the family of God. Throughout the conversation, Jen and the group talk practically about loving people well, repairing relationships when we hurt one another, resisting judgment, serving, forgiving, showing up, and recognizing that the community is different when our piece is missing. The Church is more than somewhere we go. It is a family we have been adopted into, a people we belong to, and a community we are invited to help build. 00:00 Opening Prayer 01:47 Why We Shifted Topics 02:51 What Is the Church 03:36 Break It Down Method 05:46 Defining Community 07:23 Recap of Jay’s Teaching 10:06 From Israel to Ecclesia 14:55 Adopted Into God’s Family 18:35 Marks of Christian Love 21:28 Ownership and Participation 24:17 Commit to Community 24:53 Show Up and Participate 26:39 Your Gift Matters 29:01 Practical Giving and Tithing 30:29 Types of Community 32:08 Why Community Hurts 33:37 Healing Old Wounds 37:31 Jen Shares Church Hurt 40:25 Choosing Vulnerability 43:14 Forgiveness and Healing Process 46:24 Patience Builds Safe Community 47:23 Closing and Prayer Invite More about The Porch: www.theporchny.com Help us serve our city: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj

  3. Aug 11

    The Church Series | Part 1 | A People Unto Himself with Jay Urena

    What does it truly mean to be the Church? In this opening message of a new series, Jay traces God’s desire for a people of His own from Genesis through the covenants and into the New Testament. From humanity’s original calling to bear God’s image, to Abraham’s family, Israel’s holy nation, David’s kingdom, and the new covenant established through Jesus, we discover that the Church has never primarily been a building, denomination, or weekly gathering. The Church is the family of God, the holy nation of God, and the kingdom of the Messiah. We are a people called out of darkness, restored to communion with God, and invited to carry His image into the world. This episode challenges us to move beyond simply “going to church” and begin living from the glorious reality that, together, we are His treasured people. 00:00 Opening Prayer 01:34 Series Shift to Church 03:15 God Wants a People 04:11 Genesis Image and Dominion 08:20 Living Image Not Idols 11:24 Shame Fractures Communion 15:42 Covenants Restore a People 17:04 Abraham Covenant Family 22:57 Mosaic Covenant Holy Nation 26:45 Davidic Covenant Eternal King 29:24 God Wants a People 30:31 Church as Family Nation Kingdom 31:21 New Covenant Identity Restored 32:14 Scripture Defines the Church 34:20 Not a Building or Denomination 36:26 Living as God’s Image 43:52 Communion Not Just Knowledge 46:14 Unity and Shared Gifts 50:05 Who Is the Church 50:41 Closing Prayer and Sending More about The Porch: www.theporchny.com Help us serve our city: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj

  4. Aug 3

    The Gospel Series | Part 5 | The Veil is Open with Levi Crognale

    For generations, humanity stood separated from the presence of God—but at the cross, everything changed. As Jesus gave His life, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, announcing the good news that the way back to God is now open. In this episode, Levi traces the image of the veil from humanity’s shame and separation in Genesis to the temple curtain and its ultimate tearing through the body and sacrifice of Jesus. Through Hebrews 10, personal testimony, prayer, and honest conversation, we explore what it means to confidently draw near to God—not merely as an idea or theological concept, but through real, tangible relationship and encounter. We no longer have to remain outside, hide beneath shame, earn our way into God’s presence, or wait until we have fixed ourselves. Jesus has already opened the new and living way. The invitation is simple: come closer, practice His presence, listen for His voice, and allow nearness with Him to transform every part of your life. The veil is torn. The distance is gone. The way is open—so draw near. 00:00 Why the Veil 01:51 Gospel Series Recap 03:16 The Way Is Open 03:52 2017 Anchor Encounter 08:36 Nearness Must Be Tangible 11:09 Hebrews 10 Read Aloud 13:55 Four Kinds of Nearness 17:59 Genesis and the First Veil 22:50 Exodus and the Temple Curtain 25:18 Crucifixion Tears the Veil 29:11 Draw Near Exhortation 31:25 Adoption Means Access 31:32 How We Draw Near 35:24 Faith From The Heart 37:46 Grace Effort Not Earning 38:51 Practicing Nearness Daily 41:10 Gifts Spirit And Holiness 44:02 Worship With Your Body 46:55 Discipleship Without Curtains 52:07 Guided Encounter Yahweh 01:00:47 Sealing Prayer And Amen More about The Porch: www.theporchny.com Help us serve our city: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj

  5. Jul 28

    The Gospel Series | Part 4 | The Wonder of the Gospel with Erinn Urena

    In this episode of Around the Table, Erinn Urena invites us to rediscover the awe, beauty, and transforming power of the gospel. The good news is more than a familiar story or a message about getting into heaven—it is the announcement that Jesus is King, the victory has been won, and everything has changed. Through Scripture, reflection, and honest questions, Erinn challenges us to consider whether we have become too comfortable with the gospel or lost our sense of wonder. When we truly encounter the kindness, sacrifice, resurrection, and ongoing presence of Jesus, our natural response is to repent, believe, follow, and surrender every area of our lives to Him. The gospel is not simply information—it is the invasion of heaven into our lives. It moves, heals, restores, frees the captive, brings sight to the blind, and sends us into the world to reveal the kindness of God through encouragement, generosity, service, and love. May we never lose our wonder. May we live each day aware of His presence, moved by His goodness, and ready to carry the reality of heaven into the lives of those around us. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 02:00 Theme Wonder of Gospel 02:49 What Is the Gospel 03:28 Saved and Still Saving 05:23 Good News Is Jesus 07:58 Repent Believe Follow 10:56 Moved by Cross and Tomb 16:13 Kingdom at Hand 18:04 Isaiah 61 in Action 20:25 Meditation and Focus 24:57 Ceiling and Community 27:28 Rome Versus Kindness 31:26 Facets and Wonder 34:49 Heart Check Questions 37:40 Practical Kindness Steps 40:22 Reflection and Worship 42:30 Weekly Charge and Prayer Check out more about The Porch here: www.theporchny.com Support The Porch as we serve our city and beyond here: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj More about The Porch: www.theporchny.com Help us serve our city: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj

  6. Jul 13

    Gospel Series | Part 2 | Come & See w/ Rachel Stalker

    In this powerful House Church gathering, Rachel Stalker invites us into the deeper call of the Gospel—not just to believe it, but to follow Jesus wherever He leads. Building from the invitation of Jesus in John 1 to “come and see,” Rachel walks through the journey of surrender, discipleship, and perspective-shifting faith. This episode challenges us to ask honest questions: What am I seeking? Will I follow Jesus even when it doesn’t look the way I expected? Do I love Him enough to keep saying yes? Through Scripture, reflection, and a call into deeper waters, Rachel reminds us that the Gospel is not just an answer we hold—it is a Person we follow. Come sit with us as we explore what it means to surrender our stumbling blocks, follow the Rabbi, and step into the deeper life Jesus is inviting us into. 00:00 Opening Prayer 01:31 Gospel Victory Recap 03:15 Signs Wisdom Stumbling 07:38 What Are You Seeking 11:23 Naming False Gospels 14:11 Surrender And Follow 16:58 Come And See John 1 22:39 King And Lamb Tension 26:27 Deeper Roots Ongoing 29:11 Are You Really King 31:32 John Needs Gospel 33:04 Peter Declares Christ 34:52 Rebuking the Cross 36:59 Follow Me to Death 38:29 Denial and Restoration 41:26 Love and Obedience 43:31 Naming What You Seek 44:51 Breaking the Self-Protection Lie 49:23 Surrender and Listen 51:54 Closing Prayer for Depth More about The Porch: www.theporchny.com Help us serve our city: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj

  7. Jul 6

    The Gospel Series | Part 1 | The Power of the Gospel w/ Russ Alder

    In this first episode of Around the Table, Russ unpacks the Gospel as more than a message to believe—it is the very power of God that brings us out of sin, death, striving, and heaviness, and into the abundant life of the Kingdom. Through Scripture, testimony, and a passionate call to experience the presence of God, this conversation invites us to see salvation not just as forgiveness, but as transformation: becoming sons and daughters of God, filled with His Spirit, renewed by His grace, and awakened to the life Jesus made available to us. Join us as we explore the “too-good-to-believe” good news of Jesus, the reality of Zoe life, and the invitation to walk in freedom, righteousness, peace, and the overflowing presence of God.  00:00 Why Jesus Came 01:51 Born Again Kingdom Life 02:24 Power of the Gospel 04:43 Heaven Invading Iran 07:05 Zoe Life and Revelation 08:53 Rhema Words Wash You 10:44 Goodness Leads Repentance 13:24 Identity and Inheritance 17:28 Riches of Love and Glory 23:01 Reconciled One Spirit 27:15 Seated and Reigning 30:00 Grace Through the Ages 30:58 Worthy by the Blood 32:00 Salvation Includes Healing 32:57 Inheritance Within You 34:24 God’s Ongoing Workmanship 37:45 Paths Prepared for You 39:02 Living the Good Zoe Life 41:10 Come to Jesus for Rest 44:57 Yoked Up Like Horses 46:32 Miracle Stories of Revivalists 52:47 Abundant Life of the Kingdom 54:58 Grace Reigns Over Sin 56:59 Final Prayer and Amen More about The Porch: www.theporchny.com Help us serve our city: https://givebutter.com/xIPrFj

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Around The Table is a discipleship podcast from The Porch, sharing teachings and conversations from our Bible studies and house church gatherings. These episodes are less about polished sermons and more about faithful formation—Scripture opened together, lives shaped in community, and hearts anchored in Jesus. Come listen, slow down, and build on what lasts.

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