UNpolished Church

Jon Sherwood
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

Honest conversations about the complexity, frustration, and beauty of church life and following Jesus in community in the 21st century.

  1. 3h ago

    Can You Really Follow Jesus Without Christian Community? w/Keay's - Community as Covenant

    In this conversation, we explore what it looks like to search for real Christian community and what happens when the idea of church community meets messy reality.Jon Sherwood talks with a couple who found a microchurch online after struggling to build deeper relationships in a traditional Sunday church setting.They share how they researched the church, questioned its leaders, prayed through their decision, covenanted to a body of believers, and discovered that following Jesus in community is difficult, imperfect, and deeply worth it.The conversation explores Christian community, microchurch, house church, church membership, church covenant, biblical fellowship, discipleship, spiritual formation, carrying one another’s burdens, and the meaning of the body of Christ. It emphasizes that Christians were never meant to follow Jesus alone.Real church community is more than attending a weekly event. It means learning to love people with different backgrounds, supporting one another through difficult seasons, addressing conflict, remaining committed when relationships become uncomfortable, and continually pointing one another back to Jesus.If you have struggled to find a church, felt alone in a crowded congregation, wondered whether microchurch is biblical, or longed for deeper Christian relationships, this conversation offers an honest look at both the beauty and difficulty of following Jesus together.If you find this conversation helpful, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who is searching for genuine Christian community.Chapters00:00 Welcome to the UNpolished Church Podcast00:21 How We Found Our Church Through the Internet02:05 The Journey to Finding Real Community04:56 Vetting the Church: Making Sure They Weren’t Crazy09:15 Faith Interviews and Covenanting to a Body11:28 The Idea vs. the Reality of Community16:48 It’s Messy, but Beautifully Worth It18:57 The Body of Christ: We Need Each Other19:19 Remembering Jesus in How We Treat One Another20:15 Why Christians Aren’t Meant to Follow Jesus Alone21:45 Jesus Empowers Us to Love and Grow24:16 CommunionUNpolished Church Podcast exists to equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus’ redemptive mission in the world.If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share it with a friend and turn on notifications so you will be alerted to future episodes.Sign up to receive updates:https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast#ChristianCommunity #Microchurch #BodyOfChrist

  2. Jun 30

    Why is it so hard to talk about money in church? w/Martha Brown and Kathy Gibbons

    In this episode we explore why money can be so difficult to talk about in church, especially when it touches debt, shame, regret, generosity, stewardship, and our willingness to bring hidden struggles into the light. Jon Sherwood sits down with Martha Brown and Kathy Gibbons for an honest conversation about following Jesus with our finances, learning to live within our means, and discovering how freedom from debt can open the door to deeper generosity and love of neighbor. This episode looks honestly at credit card debt, consumerism, financial shame, church leadership, giving while in debt, the dangers of hiding money struggles, and the kind of Christian community where people can be met with grace instead of judgment. If you find this teaching helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with your friends! Chapters 00:00 Why is Money So Hard to Talk About? 01:48 Kathy's Story: The Wake-Up Call with Debt 06:22 The Trap of Credit Cards and Living Beyond Our Means 13:42 The Wake-Up Call: Giving with Debt 16:21 Leadership's Role: Creating a Shame-Free Environment 22:11 Theology of Debt: Living for Love, Not Status 29:24 Why Christians Struggle with Money: Control and Materialism 35:03 Countercultural Steps: Studying Jesus and Opening Your Finances 38:38 The Fruit of Repentance: Freedom and Generosity UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus’ redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast #moneyandchurch #christianmoney #christiandebt #debtfreejourney #financialfreedom #generosity #christiangenerosity #stewardship #christianstewardship #jonsherwood #unpolishedpodcast #unpolishedchurch #microchurch #microchurches #churchcommunity #christiancommunity #followingjesus #jesuschrist #discipleship #spiritualformation #kingdomofgod #churchleadership #pastors #consumerism #christianity #bibleteaching #theology #generousliving #debtfreedom #faithandfinances

  3. Jun 16

    Transitioning A Traditional Church To A Microchurch Network: One Pastor’s Journey

    In this episode we explore what it means to transition from a traditional church model into a decentralized microchurch network rooted in discipleship, mission, shared leadership, and the priesthood of all believers. Jon Sherwood shares the story behind his church’s journey away from measuring success by attendance, budgets, buildings, and programs, and toward releasing everyday followers of Jesus into meaningful kingdom work in their own contexts. This episode looks honestly at consumer Christianity, church growth metrics, the dangers of pastor-centered leadership, the beauty of microchurch communities, and the slow, difficult, Spirit-led process of reimagining what it means to be the church. If you find this teaching helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with your friends! Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:19 - The Journey to a Microchurch Network 01:06 - Rethinking Church Success 03:08 - Abandoning Outcomes and Ego 05:18 - From Consumer Church to Calling Culture 06:37 - Commissioning Everyday Missionaries 07:28 - Microchurches Are Not Mini Big Churches 08:26 - Why Slow Transition Matters 10:20 - What Makes a Church a Church? 11:21 - Shared Leadership and Plurality 12:48 - Life After the Transition 13:36 - Why Microchurch Is Not for Everyone 14:32 - Questions Before Starting a Microchurch Network 15:05 - Assessing the Call 16:12 - Assessing the Structure 17:09 - Assessing the Cost 18:22 - Final Encouragement UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus’ redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast #microchurch #microchurches #jonsherwood #unpolishedpodcast #missionalcommunities #organicchurch #housechurch #discipleship #christiancommunity #christian #christianity #spiritualformation #church #churchleadership #churchgrowth #followingjesus #jesuschrist #spiritualgrowth #theology #bibleteaching #kingdomofgod #priesthoodofallbelievers #churchplanting #missionalchurch #churchrenewal #decentralizedchurch #smallgroups #bodyofchrist #pastors

  4. Jun 2

    The Role of Church Discipline in the Life of Christian Community with Russ & Kim Pullen

    In this conversation we explore what it means for the church to practice biblical love through discipline, repentance, restoration, and real Christian community. Jon Sherwood talks with Russ & Kim Pullen about microchurch, church discipline, confronting sin, marriage restoration, the Lord’s Table, spiritual maturity, and the courage it takes to speak the truth in love. This episode looks honestly at the pain of discipline, the danger of avoiding hard conversations, and the beauty of God using Christian community to bring healing, repentance, and reconciliation. If you find this teaching helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with your friends! Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - The Microchurch Journey 06:09 - The Value of Networked Community 09:54 - A Story of Sin and Restoration 16:54 - The Theology of Church Discipline 23:52 - Reflecting on Healing and Maturity 38:55 - Navigating Hard Conversations 48:39 - Closing Thoughts on Reconciliation UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus’ redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast #ChristianCommunity #microchurch #jonsherwood #unpolishedpodcast #missionalcommunities #community #organicchurch #housechurch #discipleship #christian #christianity #spiritualformation #church #churchleadership #churchgrowth #followingjesus #jesuschrist #spiritualgrowth #spiritualpractices #spiritualdisciplines #theology #bibleteaching #practicingtheway #communitypractice #smallgroups #bodyofchrist #forgiveness #reconciliation #christcentered #kingdomofgod

  5. May 19

    What is Christian Community? w/ACN Network Leadership

    In this conversation we explore what it means for the church to be the practice field for becoming like Jesus. The network leadership team discusses Christian community, micro church, communication, discipleship, forgiveness, conflict, and the challenge of learning to love one another in real relationships. It emphasizes the importance of shifting our view of church away from a product to consume or a spectator sport to watch, and toward a family where we are formed into the image of Christ together. If you find this teaching helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with your friends! Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:19 Network Leadership and Communication Patterns 01:16 Why Micro Church Feels Different 02:04 The Challenge of Living in Community 02:28 The Church as a Practice Field for Becoming Like Jesus 03:19 Church Is Not a Spectator Sport 04:03 Introducing the Community Practice 05:09 Meet the Network Leadership Team 05:57 What Scripture Says About Community 07:03 Galatians 6 and Carrying One Another’s Burdens 10:41 Voice Order and Loving Others in Group Conversation 12:59 Forgiveness, Patience, and Ephesians 4 14:17 Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ 17:09 Why We Need Different People in Community 19:04 Loving God’s Family as Our Joy 20:30 Early Church, Discipleship, and Measuring Success 22:07 Rethinking Church Growth and Transformation 24:43 Shifting Goalposts and Paradigm Shift Farms 28:16 Moving from Attractional Growth to Formation 30:23 Making Disciples as an Ongoing Process 32:38 Loving People Without Turning Them Into Metrics 33:34 You Can’t Marry Jesus and Divorce His People 35:08 Why Long-Term Community Forms Us 36:14 Freedom from Production and Performance 39:09 Practicing Conflict, Reconciliation, and Love 41:21 The Beauty of Every Generation in Micro Church UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus’ redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast #ChristianCommunity #microchurch #jonsherwood #unpolishedpodcast #missionalcommunities #community #organicchurch #housechurch #discipleship #christian #christianity #spiritualformation #church #churchleadership #churchgrowth #followingjesus #jesuschrist #spiritualgrowth #spiritualpractices #spiritualdisciplines #theology #bibleteaching #practicingtheway #communitypractice #smallgroups #bodyofchrist #forgiveness #reconciliation #christcentered #kingdomofgod

  6. Mar 10

    Is Sabbath a Privileged Practice? w/Connor Fodel

    In this episode, Jon Sherwood sits down with Connor Fodel to explore the practice of Sabbath (Shabbat) why it can feel new, weird, and clunky at first, and how learning to stop can become a doorway into delight, freedom, and deeper community. We talk practicing Sabbath with roommates and micro church rhythms, cooking as a surprising form of rest, and the call to “make space where rest can exist” for others. We also wrestle honestly with the question: Is Sabbath a privileged practice? Connor shares about margin, surplus, and how God invites those with more to give toward those with less so Sabbath becomes more than “me and my rest,” but a practice that can create horizontal impact in community. Finally, we discuss how to delight in God’s goodness while the world is still broken, and we close with Lord’s Supper, the hope of John 16:33, and a prayer that remembers God bringing His people out of slavery into rest. If you find this teaching helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with your friends! Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:50 Practicing Sabbath with roommates + micro church rhythms 01:21 The early “clunkiness” of learning to Sabbath 01:35 Cooking for others as generosity (and rest) 02:07 “Make space where rest can exist” 02:34 Is Sabbath a privileged practice? 03:36 Surplus + margin: not just for me 04:21 A countercultural vision: abundance for others 06:05 Sabbath becomes community: vertical faith, horizontal impact 06:21 Enjoying creation—and seeing beauty in people 07:13 Micro church story: seeing Jesus in others 09:14 Sabbath in a broken world: why we need it 10:38 Lord’s Supper + John 16:33 11:34 Prayer: Exodus, freedom, and delight in God’s creation UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus’ redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast #Sabbath #Shabbat #Rest #SpiritualFormation #Prayer #ChristianPodcast #John1633 #LordsSupper #MicroChurch #jonsherwood #unpolishedpodcast #missionalcommunities #community #organicchurch #housechurch #scripture #truth #faith #jesuschrist #discipleship #christian #christianity #spiritualgrowth #spiritualpractices #spiritualdisciplines #theology #church #bibleteaching #biblicalstory #metanarrative #practicingtheway #storyofgod #creationtonewcreation #howtoreadthebible #spirituality #christcentered #livingtheword

  7. Feb 11

    What is a Micro Church?

    In this episode we explore what a micro church is and why smaller, participatory gatherings can still embody the full life of the church worship, maturity, and mission from living rooms to local service. We talk autonomy (it’s a church, not just a “group”), a multigenerational picture around the table, Matthew 18, and a 1 Corinthians 14 rhythm where everyone comes to give. We also share real stories—like a Sunday spent serving at a soup kitchen followed by prayer and communion—and why this can be a gentler on-ramp for skeptics and the hurt. You’ll hear how calling and creativity open space for diverse expressions (from neighborhood meals to hospice worship) while staying humble: this isn’t “the only way,” just a fruitful one for many. If you find this teaching helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with your friends! Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:38 Definition & autonomy: a micro church is a church 03:32 A living-room picture + Matthew 18 presence 04:08 Participation over performance; shrinking the stage/audience gap 05:25 1 Corinthians 14: everyone comes ready to give 08:13 From big church to built-in community 10:18 Mission in practice: “soup kitchen Sunday” + communion 12:02 Calling & creativity: diverse expressions of church 13:04 Not the only way: humility & unity across expressions 14:44 Overcoming “living-room nerves”: safety & expectations 18:12 Beauty in vulnerable moments & shared worship 19:12 A safer entry point for seekers; bringing church to people UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus’ redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast #MicroChurch #biblestudy #jonsherwood #unpolishedpodcast #missionalcommunities #community #organicchurch #housechurch #scripture #truth #faith #jesuschrist #discipleship #christian #christianity #spiritualformation #prayer #spiritualgrowth #spiritualpractices #spiritualdisciplines #theology #church #bibleteaching #biblicalstory #metanarrative #practicingtheway #storyofgod #creationtonewcreation #howtoreadthebible #spirituality #christcentered #livingtheword

  8. Jan 14

    Everything Belongs To God w/Tony Hooper

    In this episode of the Unpolished Church Podcast, host Jon Sherwood engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tony about his life, faith journey, and the transformative power of Jesus. They discuss Tony's deep family roots in Black Mountain, his initial hesitance towards church, and how a welcoming community helped him embrace his faith. Tony shares personal struggles, including his son's health crisis, and how faith and community support played a crucial role in navigating these challenges. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accountability, truth, and the sense of belonging within a faith community, culminating in a prayer of gratitude for Jesus and the hope He brings. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Tony's Journey and Family Roots 03:01 Finding Faith in Community 06:47 The Impact of Jesus in Personal Struggles 09:17 Miracles and Transformation Through Faith 11:14 Community, Truth, and Accountability 14:23 Conclusion and Prayer UNpolished Church podcast exists to help equip and resource Christians toward experiencing greater intimacy with one another, transformation into Christ, and impact for Jesus' redemptive mission in the world. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast, please share with a friend and be sure to turn notifications on so you will be alerted to future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcast #biblestudy #jonsherwood #unpolishedpodcast #unpolishedchurchpodcast #microchurch #missionalcommunities #community #microchurch #housechurch #truth #spiritual #study #faith #believing #jesuschrist #disciplesofchrist #debates #theology #christian #amicrochurchnetwork #ashevillechurchnetwork #microchurches #sermons #give #prayer #holyspirit #sermon #deliverance #decisionmaking #spiritualwisdom #spiritualdepth #christianity

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5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Honest conversations about the complexity, frustration, and beauty of church life and following Jesus in community in the 21st century.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Sherwood
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jon Sherwood
  • Show Website
    UNpolished Church

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