Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.

In this episode, the Stoop crew wraps up a conversation on evangelism on the topic of church confirmation. Practically speaking, what do we do when someone makes a profession of faith? We baptize. However, Baptism is not merely the decision of an individual (an individual can’t baptize herself), and it is not merely the decision of a pastor. Baptism is a congregational act of confirmation and union.

Join us as we consider the topic of baptism and church membership in our evangelism. Listen as the crew explains why they would be concerned if someone made a “profession of faith” but never joined a church. Learn how the Body of Christ is given as fruit inspectors for new believers, and how this helps our personal evangelism.

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.

In this episode, we bring on a friend! Stephanie and Eric invite Lisa LeGeorge to the stoop for a chat on evangelism. Lisa has traveled the globe and has a passion for unreached areas. Currently working at Children’s Hunger Fund, she wants to see suffering children served through Gospel-centered local churches. The conversation begins with addressing the question of "overseas missions” versus “local evangelism.” Lisa argues that it’s not an either/or but a both/and. She speaks on the benefits and limitations of para-church ministry and the need for the local church. Lisa gives tips from her own personal evangelism experience and shares how she turns random Sunday mornings at church into a new evangelistic opportunity. As both an academic and a practitioner, this episode hits on all things evangelism: from the para-church to the church; from the nations to the block; from the church’s corporate witness to personal evangelism.

Lisa LaGeorge serves as the senior director of CHF Academy at Children’s Hunger Fund. She has previously served as a professor at The Master’s University, where she met Stephanie. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill serves as an elder at The Garden Church and is a Physical Therapist Assistant by day.

Learn more about Lisa LaGeorge at www.lisalageorge.com

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.

In the last two episodes, we’ve highlighted “personal evangelism”—the individual Christian’s role and work in taking the Gospel to the lost. This episode asks the question: How does the church together evangelize? For some, they have unfortunately disconnected their personal ministry from the broader community of the gathered saints. For us, it’s not an either/or but a both/and. While we evangelize personally, we also evangelize together.

In today’s episode, Joel and Stephanie talk about the church’s role. Because the church feels different or irrelevant to our friends, it’s often hard to imagine how this church can help me reach my friends. Yet, we forget the power of the Gospel through the testimony of God’s people. If we combine our efforts and work together, we can make a bigger impact. Stephanie and Joel talk about the importance of starting with who actually shows up to your church services; How membership interviews can turn into evangelistic opportunities; The importance of asking professing Christians for their understanding of the Gospel; and How to tell someone they’re not a Christian (in a winsome and Biblical way). The episode closes with a look back to the need for personal evangelism and why being part of an “evangelistic church” doesn’t mean that I am personally doing any work.

Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church.

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.

As the Stoop crew continues their focus on personal evangelism, we offer Eric’s testimony as an example of how the Lord uses people, sometimes without their knowing, to lead another to Christ.

In today’s episode, Stephanie interviews Eric on how his cousin, CJ, shared the Gospel with him. Eric began attending a church after his daughter was born. Around the same time, CJ was coming to an understanding of the Gospel, reading, and talking about Jesus. CJ and Eric met weekly to read and talk. God used these meetings to bring clarity and faith. Listen and be encouraged to take the Gospel to your own friend’s and family, leading them to know Jesus.

Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day.

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.

This episode begins a conversation on evangelism. We get it—life is busy, you have tried to share Jesus with those you know, it hasn't seemed to “work,” and you don’t have time to develop new relationships. How can we possibly become better at personal evangelism when we’re just trying to get through life? Additionally, many are discouraged because they feel they’ve never effectively shared the Gospel or seen someone become a believer.

In today’s episode, the team discusses their own challenges as they seek simple solutions. Not all hope is lost. We can become better evangelists as we develop new eyes to see, strengthen our own understanding of the Gospel, and learn to help individuals from one step to another as they explore the faith. Join us as we consider the topic of personal evangelism: how to build strategic relationships, see opportunities we often miss, take the next step with an unbeliever, and share the Gospel with the lost.

Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day.

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.

This episode rounds out a 3-part conversation on the topic of wealth. As the crew has discussed, the topic of wealth is one that affects everyone, whether rich or poor. Money is needed for physical survival. So it matters. And, at the same time, greed isn’t limited to the wealthy. While wealth can certainly be a blessing from God, the Bible doesn’t emphasize the goodness of wealth but rather the dangers of wealth. While it’s good to pursue money to meet our needs, Biblically we should not good to set our eyes on money. In this third part, we call Christians to something greater than acquiring material things and building barns. Whether poor, middle class, or wealth, our goal must be living for the glory of God.

Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day.

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, a ONE HOPE podcast bringing you conversations about urban ministry from the stoops of Baltimore. Today, our hosts, Eric, Stephanie, and Joel, continue a discussion on the topic of wealth. Talking about wealth should not only the topic of the wealthy. In our own context, money comes up. Those who come from little, at times, fall prey to the love of money. Wealth can become a god. At the same time, it’s sometimes assumed that ministries which are concerned about the poor despise the rich. This is not true of us. Money and wealth presents traps on all sides. Join us on the stoop and we discuss it.

While our last episode asked: “Can Christians have wealth?” This episode asks, “Should wealth be pursued?” Listen as the team pursues a Biblical vision of wealth. Is wealth inherently good or dangerous? Should wealth be viewed as the goal or a byproduct? As the episode concludes, we’re challenged to not seek our satisfaction in wealth but to view all things as a matter of stewardship.

Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

In ministry, we are tempted to turn to everything else. For many, the Bible is just one tool for knowing God, ourselves, and faith—but is the Bible sufficient? In this sermon, Kevin Smith discusses the sufficiency of Scripture.

The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from years past. Kevin Smith preached at the 2017 ONE HOPE Conference on the question: “Is the Bible enough?” In this episode, we present Kevin’s message for your edification and enjoyment.

Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com.

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

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Listen to this message from Thabiti Anyabwile at a previous ONE HOPE Conference in 2017. The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from year’s past. In this episode, we present Thabiti’s message for your edification and enjoyment.

Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com.

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

On one hand, the world increasingly disregards the Bible. God’s Word is not believed. On the other hand, Christians often minimize the necessity of Scripture in preaching, missions, and evangelism. Is the Bible needed?

The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from year’s past. Shai Linne preached at the 2017 ONE HOPE Conference on the necessity of Scripture. In this episode, we present Shai’s message for your edification and enjoyment.

Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com.

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Is addiction a disease? If so, is it unloving to exercise church discipline for someone who is in unrepentant drug use? Are we lacking understanding and compassion? If addiction is not a disease, why does drug addiction feel so hopeless and consuming. In this episode, the Stoop crew talk addiction. Listen as Joel, Stephanie, and Eric work through these questions and more. The word “addiction” needs to be defined. As does the word “disease.” Sometimes, the very words we use are unhelpful and don’t communicate what is to be meant. Additionally, we have to understand the church’s role in the life of the sinner. What role does the church play in the life of a church member who has fallen back into drug addiction? Listen, shoot us an email, and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Register for the ONE HOPE Conference: www.onehope.gives/onehopeconference

Email: info@onehope.gives

Paul instructs Titus to train up the older women to instruct the younger women. In some church circles, the man’s role in the home and church is devalued through a lack of emphasis on the man. This is also seen in the context where men are often absent from the church and home. On the flip side, many churches, often in our own theological circles, have placed an emphasis on training men to the degree that women are overlooked and sometimes not even trained at all. Still others merely focus on determining what women should not do in the church. Theology is frequently watered down in women’s studies. Women may be overlooked for roles in ministry in which they may faithfully and Biblically serve. Jesus spent time with women, affirmed them, and the New Testament calls women to serve the church. This episode discusses the importance of having Godly women in the church. Additionally, as women are more likely to be affected by poverty and violence, this necessitates outreach that is empathetic to their past, as well as, current experiences. Listen as Stephanie, Joel, and Eric discuss training women for the work.

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

“Discover your destiny.”

“Find your purpose."

We live in a world which has turned “purpose” into some mysterious secret you need to figure out. It grips many in our context. And it, strangely enough, gets tied up with our pride and the flesh. In a culture so obsessed with being seen as exceptional, driven to discover your purpose, the pressure to fulfill some yet unknown destiny becomes paralyzing. This week’s episode delves into the difference between purpose and calling, and whether the world’s wisdom aligns with the wisdom given in scripture. Are we left to forge our own path? What reasons does God have for choosing us at all? Do we contribute to His kingdom by having the right job which showcases our gifts? Listen as Stephanie, Eric, and Joel discuss our freedom as we move toward a destiny determined by God, and with the assurance that Christ’s success will overrule our insufficient record.

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Stephanie begins this episode by asking Eric: “How do you feel about middle class congregants in an inner city church?” Listen as Joel, Stephanie, and Joel chat about the challenges and benefits of having middle class folks in a low-income church context. We discuss the issue of those who grew up on the context, achieve a middle class income, and want to leave. This presents unique challenges. We also discuss middle class people from outside the context, who choose to attend the inner city church. This also creates unique challenges. The team calls our middle class listener to consider the cost and see the benefit of sacrificially integrating yourself into the community. Additionally, for the skeptic, we hit on a few ways middle class folks can help the work. Join us on the stoop for this conversation.

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Does theology matter in urban ministry? Most definitely. Healthy ministry in tough places isn’t driven by good programming, it’s driven by good theology. As we kick off year two, we want to focus on the topic of justification by faith. How can a sinner be right with God? Is it really by faith alone? The answer is more crucial than any other question we could ask ourselves. Yet we are prone to attach to our works to our justification. That Christ has done it all, can simply sound too good to be true. Understanding justification by faith begins with knowing our own hopelessness. A clean outward appearance is useless, unless we are washed in the blood of Christ. On this episode, Stephanie, Joel, and Eric dive into the doctrine of justification by faith, exploring its impact for the urban context.

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Watch for updates on ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone at faithalone.eventbrite.com

Can we ever be content? From childhood to adulthood, nothing is ever enough. We believe that we will be content if we receive. And then we receive, only to discover continued discontentment. Christians are not exempt from this problem. Pastors and ministry leaders can be driven by a lust for more. Church members are often discontent with the state of their church and the maturity of other members. Is there hope for contentment? In this episode, Eric, Joel, and Stephanie chat on the stoop, seeking contentment. Listen as the crew explores how to be content.

The church is weakened when its mission is unclear. Is the mission of the church simply to make disciples? Or is it also expanding or ushering in God’s kingdom? How does community transformation relate to our mission? Is it the church’s mission to paint every fence and feed every belly? If not, should the church do these things anyway? It is easy to confuse the church’s mission, and start acting as if we are God, instead of relying on God. In this episode, the Joel, Eric, and Stephanie discuss the primary mission of the church, as well as, the nuanced role it plays in the community. As the church makes disciples, disciples “love their neighbor.” And things change. Listen in and join the conversation!

Is seeing community change a good thing? Absolutely. Can “Change the Community” become a false gospel. Absolutely. While “Transform the Community” is a tag used by many non-profits, churches, and developers alike, is that the “good news” of the church? Is bettering the community be the mission of the church? Is a blighted, unchanged community a sign that the church is not loving their neighbors? How should Christians think of Gospel-centeredness and community transformation? Listen as this final episode on “false gospels” examines how a “Change the Community” false gospel can be stumbling block to truly reaching the community.

This week’s episode looks at another common excuse used to reject the gospel: God knows my heart. Many cling to the belief that salvation can be found in having good intentions, in being “less wicked” than your neighbor, in the hope that good deeds will outweigh the bad. God does know our heart, but do we? Are we autonomous and good intentioned, or actually in bondage to sin? To recognize our guilt without hope is a burden that crushes the spirit, overwhelmed with the reality that we are never going to be good enough. Listen as Eric, Joel, and Stephanie examine the phrase “God knows my heart” through a theological and Biblical worldview. But they don’t stop with a critique. The Stoop crew presents a Savior who can remove our hearts marred by sin, and replace in us, a heart that holds the promise of eternal life.

“I’ve gotta get myself together,” is a refrain which aptly marks our present culture. It can be a point of pride, and a stumbling block for any who believe they have to “arrive” before meeting to Jesus. Must we reach a certain standard, accomplished by their own power, before coming to God? We think outward to appearances, when change can only come through the inward work of Christ. And while “I gotta get myself together” can be a works-based salvation, it can also simply be an excuse. In this episode, Joel, Eric, and Stephanie discuss some of the narratives that drive this false gospel, the barriers we put up, and excuses we make to put off the clear call of the true Gospel.