It seems like our society has never been more divided and polarized than these days. Much of the recent influence includes a "Cancel Culture" that's quick to define and label what we're against. But what if, instead, we focused on clarifying what we're for? Could we actually learn to embrace the tension of living in unity-in-diversity, by emphasizing what we're commonly and collectively for, more than what we're against? How can we learn to embrace a faith that opens doors of commonality with each other, instead of one that creates walls of division?

As connected as we are these days, one of the defining features of our culture is rampant aloneness. But what if we appreciated that, amidst our sense of isolation, there's a God who isn't just there for us, and doesn't just love us, but is actively pursuing us? Have we fully grasped the fierceness of the love of God, that chases after us even when we're not searching for Him? What would it look like to lean into that kind of love to a greater degree, both with God and with each other?

In biblical culture, meals were significant. Sharing a meal said something about your relationship, and significant things happened through its intimacy. But what if the spiritual impact of sharing meals together wasn't just for their time, but for all time? How could our lives, pace and culture better capture the spiritual impact that the simple sharing of meals could provide? And who could we include around our table, to better leverage the impact of Jesus' power of hospitality?

Especially as we come out of this season of COVID, there are plenty of reasons to say no to things - especially to God. But what can happen if we open our hearts to give God a, "Yes!" What happens when we're willing to embrace scary, uncomfortable and even unplanned opportunities that God might have for us? Hear the story of a re-directed trajectory, through turning spiritual no's into yes's. And consider where you could give God a, "Yes!" in this season of your life!

It's assumed that wisdom comes from experience, but what happens when you take time to listen to younger voices? Hear from pastor John Garner, a long-time friend of Southridge and mentor to many of our church's current leaders when they first started in ministry, as he not only shares about what happened when younger voices were empowered a quarter century ago, but what he's doing to help empower the younger voices of our church today. Come celebrate the beauty of inter-generational ministry, as we launch into a teaching series that hears from some fresh perspectives!

People often say they go to church (i.e, attend weekend services, participate in community events, or volunteer in a ministry) to recharge their spiritual batteries. But do these programs actually have the kind of battery-charging capacity that can fuel all 168 hours of our week? Can a song sung on Sunday equip me to face what life throws at me on Tuesday? Can coffee and conversation on Wednesday evening compensate for the loneliness I feel on Friday night? How can we approach our spiritual lives in a way that fills and fuels us 24/7? Instead of constantly running on depleted batteries, how can we plug into the power source of Jesus say in order to live life at its best?

Life is made up of choices, big ones and small ones. Every day, we make decisions that affect the course and trajectory of our lives. At times, we're all only one bad decision away from total disaster. But the impact of making good choices can be equally significant. So what is the very best choice we can make for our lives? And how do we make that choice not just a one-time thing, but a daily decision? Join us as we celebrate baptism this morning, and are inspired by the choices of people across our church family!

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future! The truth is, we are shaped more by the relationships we choose than by any other thing. That's why around here we often say, "Life change happens best in relationship." But depending on the relationships we choose, they may or may not be bringing out the very best in us. How do we make sure we're investing our best relational energy into the very best of friends, whom God can use to form His very best life in us?

It's said, You are what you eat. Beyond our diet, our lives are increasingly defined by the content we consume. It's never been easier to scroll, stream, and shop for anything our hearts desire. But how has this affected they way we think about our spiritual lives? Is faith just another product and service to be enjoyed? What if, at our best, our lives are meant to be defined, not by how much we consume, but by how well we contribute? And if, according to Jesus, it's better to give than to get, how do we become people who give our very best, and truly gain in the process?

Xunzi, a Confucian scholar who lived 300 years before Jesus, once said, “What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand.” Modern science confirms that humans learn best through active participation and experience. But does this also apply to how we grow spiritually? Can true discipleship happen in an exclusively classroom-style environment, or does Jesus invite us into something far greater? If we desire a life of faith at its best, what kind of experience, according to Jesus, is the best teacher?