The Pioneer Assembly

Bethany Barr Phillips
  • 5.0 (24)
  • CHRISTIANITY

You’re invited to assemble with Bethany Barr Phillips and her friends as they do their best to pioneer faith conversations with honesty, encouragement, and sometimes, no resolve. With two types of episodes - traditional long form and short form (called Field Notes) - this podcast is for those longing to belong and maybe even longing to believe. It is not for the faint of heart or those easily offended by truth. It’s for those willing to assemble, not to rise up, but to go out. This is the Pioneer Assembly: A place to gather for those called to go.

  1. 08/21/2025

    10 Things You Need to Know About the Holy Spirit

    What if there were 10 things you needed to know about the Holy Spirit? While there are certainly more, in this episode of the Pioneer Assembly, Bethany Barr Phillips explores ten essential things to know about the Holy Spirit. This is the episode to save, review, bookmark, whatever you have to do to have a place to look back and brush up when you need it. We’d give the 10 to you in this description to give you a sneak peak, but then you might not get all of the explanation as to why we cover a few attributes we haven’t discussed in the Summer in the Spirit series. Did you catch that? There are a few twists. We’ll give it to you like this: The discussion covers the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit's nature, His guidance in our lives, and the empowerment He provides for believers. Let this episode serve as a comprehensive overview for those seeking to deepen their relationship with the Holy Spirit and understand His significance in their faith journey.   Takeaways “Never think of the Holy Spirit, as an it, an attitude, or an influence. He is a person and has very definite ways.” - RT Kendall Just because something is hard, doesn’t mean you misheard the Holy Spirit. When someone claims that they are speaking by the Holy Spirit, but what they are speaking, does not line up with the word of God, disregard it. Don’t discount that the Holy Spirit reveals the reality of Jesus. The guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life will reveal so much more to you than your own search ever could. When we display the fruits of the spirit in our life, we can be sure that the gifts of the spirit are operating where and how they’re supposed to be. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit Series 04:14 - Ten Key Insights About the Holy Spirit 17:06 - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives 30:55 - Conclusion and Reflection on the Holy Spirit   Links Pioneer Assembly Substack (for extra resources on the Holy Spirit) Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram R.T. Kendall’s book Holy Fire

    26 min

  2. 08/14/2025

    How are you “filled” with the Holy Spirit? Like, for real

    Can you really be “filled” or “receive” the Holy Spirit, or is it just a one time deal? In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores receiving and being filled with the Holy Spirit. She emphasizes that this experience is not merely a one-time event but a continuous journey of prayer, pursuit, and obedience. The conversation delves into the nature of the Holy Spirit, the importance of understanding indwelling, and practical steps to cultivate a Spirit-filled life. Bethany encourages listeners to embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives and to trust in God's faithfulness.   Takeaways Indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs at salvation. Sanctification leads to greater empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Obedience is crucial for being filled with the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the foundation for a relationship with God. Pursuing God helps us understand the Holy Spirit's guidance.   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit 04:46 - Understanding the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit 06:32 - Two Camps of Thought on Receiving the Holy Spirit 09:41 - Personal Experiences with the Holy Spirit 16:03 - Practical Steps to Receive the Holy Spirit 19:47 - The Importance of Obedience and Pursuit 22:04 - Conclusion and Encouragement   Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram

    21 min

  3. 08/07/2025

    Spiritual Gifts 101: What You May Not Know About Spiritual Gifts

    Have you ever felt too intimidated to ask questions for fear that everyone will already know the answer? In this episode of Pioneer Assembly, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the foundational concepts of spiritual gifts, emphasizing their importance in the life of a believer. She discusses how to identify one's spiritual gifts, the purpose they serve within the church, and the significance of love in utilizing these gifts effectively. The conversation addresses common misconceptions and encourages listeners to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and trusted friends in their faith journey.   Asking the Holy Spirit for guidance is crucial in discovering gifts. Spiritual gifts are meant to serve the church and community. Public gifts are not more valuable than behind-the-scenes gifts. Love is essential in the exercise of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are given for a purpose, not for personal gain. Knowing your spiritual gifts won’t simply make you a better Christian. It will make you a more fruitful Christian. “Some people have a warped idea of living the Christian life. Seeing talented, successful Christians, they attempt to imitate them. For them, the grass on the other side of the fence is always greener. But when they discover that their own gifts are different or their contributions are more modest (or even invisible), they collapse in discouragement and overlook genuine opportunities that are open to them. They have forgotten that they are here to serve Christ, not themselves.” - Billy Graham Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Instagram   Spiritual Gifts Assessment Spiritual Gifts List      Chapters 00:00  Introduction to Spiritual Gifts 01:38  Understanding Spiritual Gifts 05:20  Defining Spiritual Gifts 09:18  Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts 15:42  The Importance of Spiritual Gifts 19:34  Misconceptions About Spiritual Gifts 24:05  Conclusion and Resources

    19 min

  4. 07/24/2025

    Can you grieve or quench the Holy Spirit?

    Can you grieve or quench the Holy Spirit? Is it as trivial as the elderly lady in your home church telling you to hush or the Spirit “is quenched?” In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the realities of grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of knowing the Holy Spirit personally. She breaks down what each means and how they effect the daily lives of believers. The conversation is part of the 'Summer in the Spirit' series, aimed at helping believers understand the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Book mentioned: Sensitivity to the Spirit - R.T. Kendall Takeaways if our choice is to simply know about him and not grow in him, we will find ourselves grieving him because we’re not living for him. “When we discover what grieves the HS, we learn more deeply what sin is.” - R.T. Kendall If grieving is continuing to live with or in sin, to cause sorrow, then quenching is putting water on the fire that is offered by the Spirit. “The fire of the Spirit is suppressed when he is rejected, when his convicting power, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8–11) are ignored. We douse the Spirit’s influence in our life through doubt, we drench him with anger, we drown his power with immorality.” - Knute Larson Choosing sin can limit the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. To live without grieving or quenching the Spirit, we must adjust our lives to align with Him. Chapters 00:00 - Understanding the Holy Spirit 03:47 - Summer in the Spirit Series 06:57 - Grieving the Holy Spirit 12:17 - Quenching the Holy Spirit 20:12 - Living in Alignment with the Spirit   Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram Contact Bethany

    20 min

  5. 07/17/2025

    Omnipresence vs Invitation: If the Holy Spirit is everywhere, why do we "invite" Him?

    If the Holy Spirit is everywhere, then why do we "invite" Him? In this episode of the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips delves into the concepts of the omnipresence and invitation of the Holy Spirit. As part of the "Summer in the Spirit" series, Bethany explores how understanding these aspects can transform our spiritual journey.  Through personal stories and insightful discussions, listeners are encouraged to invite the Holy Spirit into their lives, recognizing His constant presence and the power of His manifest presence. Whether you're familiar with these ideas or exploring them for the first time, this episode offers a thoughtful examination of faith and the Holy Spirit's role in our daily lives. Join us as we embark on a journey of spiritual growth and discovery.   Takeaways People often avoid discussing the Holy Spirit due to uncertainty. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, we are inviting Him to do what He does… not what we can do. Weakness and dependence are crucial pieces to the manfiest presence of God. You can’t expect the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in your attempts to do things on your own. Invitation points to a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram Bethany's Website

    23 min

  6. 07/10/2025

    How Do You Know the Holy Spirit's Voice?

    How many times have you prayed that God would give you an audible or visual sign that He wanted you to do something? If we're honest, we often want God to speak but aren't very quick to listen. In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips dives into how to know the Holy Spirit's voice. Is it some mystical moment? (Quick answer... no) It’s more about relationship than a neat and tidy formula. She gives practical ways to hear the Holy Spirit like being a willing vessel, and sobering truths such as: “The Holy Spirit doesn’t need you to agree with everything He wants to do in your life.”  Don’t miss this episode if you’re longing to hear the Spirit’s voice and wiling to adjust accordingly.   Takeaways The Holy Spirit's voice aligns with the Word of God. Familiarity with God's voice comes from spending time with Him. The Holy Spirit will never lead you to error. Hearing God’s voice is not about a formula. It’s a relationship. Distractions and unresolved conflicts can hinder our ability to hear God. "We often miss hearing God's voice simply because we aren't paying attention." - Rick Warren Chapters 00:00 - The Quest for God's Voice 02:08 - Understanding the Holy Spirit's Guidance 03:53 - The Role of Scripture in Hearing God 06:30 - The Process of Being Shaped by the Holy Spirit 08:59 - Trusting the Leading of the Holy Spirit 11:37 - Finding Peace in God's Direction 14:03 - Practical Steps to Hear God's Voice   Pioneer Assembly Instagram Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Learn more about Bethany

    17 min

  7. 06/26/2025

    What does the Holy Spirit do?

    What does the Holy Spirit actually do? We often relegate Him to only gifts or a moment, but He’s so much more… right? In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the multifaceted role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. It’s important to understand the Holy Spirit not just as a theological concept but as an active presence that guides, strengthens, and connects individuals to God. Through a four quadrant approach, Bethany breaks down the various roles of the Holy Spirit highlighting that ultimately each role works together in tandem with the Father.   Quotes: “1.The Spirit awakens a person’s heart. 2. The Spirit teaches a person’s mind. 3. The Spirit leads to the Word. 4. The Spirit convinces of sin. 5. The Spirit draws to Christ. 6. The Spirit sanctifies. 7. The Spirit makes a person spiritually minded. 8. The Spirit produces inward conflict. 9. The Spirit makes a person love the brethren. 10. The Spirit teaches a person to pray. These are the great marks of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Put the question to your conscience and ask: Has the Spirit done anything of this kind for your soul? “  — JC Ryle   “The HS never enters a man and let’s him live by the world.” AW Tozer   Takeaways He is not just a concept but an active presence in our lives. The holy spirit converts what’s in your mind into your heart. What we know about God will only stay as knowledge unless we know the Holy Spirit and allow him to turn it into experience. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and points us to Jesus. Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit upon faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit is not a prescription but the power and presence of God.   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit 01:15 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit's Role 01:29 - Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit 03:46 - The Holy Spirit as a Helper and Guide 06:28 - The Active Presence of the Holy Spirit 09:10 - The Strengthening Power of the Holy Spirit 11:33 - The Gifts and Access Provided by the Holy Spirit 16:08 - Invitation to be a apart of the Pioneer Assembly   Connect with Bethany Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram

    18 min

  8. 06/19/2025

    Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit

    Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit aren’t anything new, but they are definitely something to look out for. Why? Because at some point in your faith, having a misconception about the Holy Spirit will cause faulty thinking and frustrated living. In this episode of the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips discusses common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of understanding His true nature as a person rather than a force or mere feeling. She shares personal experiences that shaped her understanding and encourages listeners to engage with the Holy Spirit, highlighting that He is available to all believers. The conversation aims to clear up misunderstandings and foster a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.   Takeaways Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit can weaken faith. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. If the enemy can’t convince you the Holy Spirit is real, then he’ll try to convince you the Holy Spirit is something he isn’t. The Holy Spirit is available to all believers, not just a select few. Comfort in misconceptions will hinder spiritual development.   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Summer in the Spirit 01:42 - Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit 06:16 - The Holy Spirit: A Person, Not a Force 11:53 - The Holy Spirit: More Than Just a Feeling 16:48 - The Holy Spirit is for Everyone 19:03 - Conclusion and Call to Action   Bethany's website

    19 min
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About

You’re invited to assemble with Bethany Barr Phillips and her friends as they do their best to pioneer faith conversations with honesty, encouragement, and sometimes, no resolve. With two types of episodes - traditional long form and short form (called Field Notes) - this podcast is for those longing to belong and maybe even longing to believe. It is not for the faint of heart or those easily offended by truth. It’s for those willing to assemble, not to rise up, but to go out. This is the Pioneer Assembly: A place to gather for those called to go.

Information

  • Creator
    Bethany Barr Phillips
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Pioneer Assembly