We believe and pursue living in biblical community, often saying that we don’t find community, we fight for community. On today’s episode, Tory and Mary share what fighting for community has looked like in their friendship, with Ephesians 4 as the backdrop. How do we speak the truth in light of betrayal? What does it look like to be angry and not sin? How do we reconcile, be kind to one another, be tenderhearted, and forgive despite deep wounds?

We believe that God intentionally created a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-layered universe in order to display His extreme complexity and diversity through various individuals and cultures. More simply put, God is eternally complex, and we as humans, being the chief of His creation display various aspects of His beauty. Therefore, to be able to see, celebrate, and honor our cultural differences is a part of how we actually see and honor God. Therefore, racial reconciliation isn’t just a hip topic so we can all get along! It is a direct fulfillment of us loving our neighbor and an ability to love, honor, and see God as we love and honor God’s creation.

We believe that studying the bible is essential to growth, maturity, and spiritual effectiveness in the life of a believer. The acronym E.F.A.P. helps us to read scripture in light of the Gospel and through the lens of Christ. When reading, is there something that reminds you of the person or work of Jesus and is an example to follow? Are there find roles, relationships, or characteristics ruined by sin that display Jesus as the true and better, fulfilling every promise and command? Do you see ways in which Christ traded places with us taking the punishment to atone for sin even though He did no wrong? How do you see Christ giving us his power as he invites us to partner with Him in ministry? Join us as we show you how to find Jesus as our Example, Fulfillment, Atonement, and Power throughout all of scripture.

We believe in multiplication. From God’s commission in Genesis 1, “be fruitful and multiply,” to its echo in Matthew 28, “make disciples of all nations,” we see that we are all called to be spiritual mothers and fathers. On this episode of Well Said, Mary and Tory talk about one relationship we didn’t talk about in our Loved to Death sermon series, parenting. Join us as we discuss the impact, the struggles, and the cost, but the immense beauty and privilege we have in making disciples.

We believe in the spiritual realm. The Bible is explicitly clear, that there are spiritual forces at war with God and those loyal to Him. You don’t have to get far in reading the scriptures to see it. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve are deceived by a serpent. The father of lies and those who rebelled against God along with him, continue to assault, oppress, and attempt to thwart God’s plans and his people throughout the bible's pages. When things are awry is it physical or is it spiritual? The Bible at times intentionally blurs the lines between the physical world and the spiritual one to help us see there is an overlap. What if things are way more spiritual than we think? What is idolatry really? What does Timothy mean when he says “God did not give us a spirit of fear”? Join us as we begin to unpack spiritual warfare.

In The Unseen Realm, by Michael Heiser, he says, “When an enemy wants nothing, but your defeat and annihilation, neutrality means choosing death.” We believe that there is no neutrality. We can’t and don’t sit on the sidelines. We are loyal to God, or we are loyal to something else. Although Christ has won the ultimate and final victory, we live in the already but not yet defeat of Satan and his followers. What does this mean then? What do we do? How do we fight in the spiritual war? In this episode, Mary and Tory continue the spiritual warfare conversation and get practical as we discuss what it means to push back darkness.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “for we are his (God’s) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God has graciously given us characteristics of Himself and a part to play in His grand plan to reconcile and redeem all things. But, how do we know we are living in the giftings and calling that God has for us? What does calling look like in the bible? Do natural and spiritual gifts matter? How about our unique passions and desires? What about the words of those in our community? If we don’t know what are gifting and calling is are we missing out? Join us as we discuss finding and living into our gifting and calling.

Acts 17:24-25 says, “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” Why does God, who owns everything and can control everything, call for our generosity? What are we called to be generous with? Scripture is clear that God commands us to be generous people, but why? What if generosity was actually designed for our benefit? What if God wants something for us, not from us? Join us as we answer these questions and more on this episode of Well Said.

You asked and we answered! In this episode of Well Said, Mary and Tory answer listeners' submitted questions on spiritual warfare. Can believers be possessed? Why does spiritual warfare seem more “obvious” in other countries compared to America? We walk through passages such as Saul raising Samuel from the dead and discuss why the disciples couldn’t drive out the demon in Mark 9. Listen in for these and many more. We hope you enjoy our first Q&A episode!

As shepherds and overseers of a local church, elders are entrusted with protecting, leading, equipping and caring for the corporate church body and her individual members. In this episode, Daniel, a current elder, and his wife Marina Lentz join Tory and Mary to discuss eldering and share their wisdom and experiences from their last 4 years of faithful service.

Wait what?! How is sorrow better than laughter? What is grief? Is it different than lament? What makes lament inherently Christian? Why should we lament and what do we even lament in the first place? Join us as Tory and Mary dive into the gift of sorrow and how God invites us to turn to to him and confront the brokenness in and around us.

In this episode, Tory and Mary continue their conversation on lament. How do we move from sorrow to laughter? How do we receive good in the midst of loss, disappointment, anger, etc.? Can you hold sorrow and joy? How do we learn to trust Him? How do we see suffering as a good gift from our loving Lord? For truly, “the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning (Ecc. 7:4).”

What is discipleship? How does this belief influence and shape our relationships with the opposite sex? Can men and women disciple each other? Does this glorify God? What does it actually look like? What about boundaries and convictions? Join us as we answer these questions and explore loving, following, and serving Jesus together.

In this episode, Tory and Mary do live discipleship… there’s no pre-planning or structure, just one simple question, “what is the Lord teaching you?” Join us as we vulnerably share and intentionally point one another towards Christ, ultimately finding truth in hard places.

In this episode we have a special guest, Carlos Jones, discussing why we tend to not share the gospel. Although tools, methods, Biblical reasoning, etc. are all helpful, the biggest motivator towards sharing our faith is not found in methods, but in our relationship with Jesus. If we love him, if we frequently encounter Him, we’ll share not out of duty or obligation, we’ll share out of joy and for more joy. Join us as a meditate on the goodness of Jesus together!

Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, “and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” But, why?! What actually happens when we gather? Why is it so important? Join Mary and Tory as they discuss on this episode of Well Said.

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength…’” Isaiah 30:15. Each year The Well purposefully sets aside one Sunday a year to reset. We desire to stop, slow down, and personally remember the works of the Lord over the past year. We intentionally look forward and anticipate how He will move in the year to come. Why is this rhythm important? How do we thoughtfully engage with the Lord to reset? Join Tory and Mary for season one’s last episode.