Empathy seems to be a lost art these days. It has even been villainized by certain segments of our political discourse. Empathy is not a weakness; it is a demonstration of strength, of security in oneself, and a reflection of the character of G...

n Week 2 of Say Less, Matt Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega dig deeper into Romans 12 and the tension between what we believe and how we live. Their conversation moves from Paul’s shift from belief to practice into the communal roots of faith, dr...

One of the hardest times to practice good listening is with people who have opposing viewpoints. Indeed, the polarization in our society seems to be getting worse, not better, over time. Yet Paul is clear with the Christians in Ephesus: Unwhole...

In this Beyond the Sermon conversation, Magrey deVega and Matt Hoto dig into the ideas behind the “drum major instinct” and why the pull toward attention, affirmation, and influence shows up so naturally in our lives. They walk through how Jesu...

 The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously diagnosed the problem with pride as having a “drum major instinct,” adapting a phrase from the Methodist preacher J. Wallace Hamilton. Indeed, much of the hostility and tension in the world ca...

Baptism reminds us of who we are in Christ, and the calling Christ gives us to live a holy life. It is a notion underscored by 1 Peter, which tells us that the waters of baptism do not as much cleanse us physically, but spiritually, empowering ...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Matt and Magrey reflect on Baptism of the Lord Sunday by sharing personal baptism stories and exploring why baptism is more than a single moment in time. They talk about baptism as an intergenerational promise, t...

Just as a tree digs its roots deeper to find water and nourishment during times of drought, times of unsettledness are an invitation for us to hone our commitment to Jesus. The year kicks off with a time of obedience to the will and way of Chri...

In this Week One Grounded conversation, Magrey and Matt reflect on what it really means to begin a new year with intention. From an unexpected video game metaphor to Wesleyan roots, they explore how personal spiritual rhythms, shared faith prac...

The incarnation is the ultimate act of drawing near, as God bridged the gulf between God and humanity by becoming like us. We celebrate the birth of Christ by making room for him in our hearts, as we share the message and love of Christ with a ...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho reflect on Mary’s role in the Christmas story by placing it within the much longer arc of Israel’s history—from tabernacle and temple to incarnation and church. They explore how Luke c...

Mary and Elizabeth were the original collaborators, co-laboring to provide the world with the hope and promise that it needed. In drawing near to each other, they discovered mutual support and joy, and the strength to encourage each other throu...

The first-century Roman Empire faced the same kinds of injustices that we face today: growing inequality between the rich and the poor, abusive oppression by those in power, and a disregard for decency and civility. John the Baptist’s message i...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho revisit John the Baptist’s call to repentance as a turning toward something better, exploring it as a shared, lived practice that reaches beyond individual behavior and into the system...

No journey to Christmas would be complete without John the Baptist, the iconic figurehead of Advent preparation. His message is one that people then and now are reluctant to hear: Repent, seek justice, and live righteously. His is a timeless tr...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Mat and Magrey dive into Luke 1 with a surprisingly “Wicked” twist (some of us just can’t help ourselves). What starts as a chat about Zechariah’s song turns into a reflection on stability, spiritual practice, an...

The first Sunday of Advent often catches us by surprise, still plumped from Thanksgiving leftovers and not yet fully in the swing of Christmas preparations. But Luke’s gospel greets us with a jarring reminder that something bold and wondrous is...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Sally Campbell-Evans and Matt Hotho open Advent with an unexpected text—Jesus’ apocalyptic warnings in Luke 21. Instead of forecasting the end of the world, they explore how these passages uncover God’s presence ...

The draw near theme encompasses 1) an affirmation that God has drawn near to us by taking on flesh and experiencing what it is to be human, 2) a plea for God to draw closer to us and to the spaces in the world that are broken, and 3) a charge f...

As we wrap up Christ the King Sunday—and the Christian year—Magrey and Matt reflect on where we've been, what’s grounding us right now, and where our faith might carry us next. They share a simple three-part gratitude practice perfect for your ...

This iconic text from Paul on giving reminds us that our truest and most faithful generosity does not happen through rote obligation, but through a spirit of joy and gratitude.Reflection Questions:1. When have you been misunderstood,...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey and Mat dive into Paul’s letters to the Corinthians—letters written to a city full of wealth, ambition, and ego. They unpack how Paul uses the language of farmers to teach a lesson about ge...

Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the heart behind generosity—what drives us to give, and how to keep it from becoming self-serving. They unpack the danger of “propositional faith,” the belief that generosity guarantees reward, and con...

Our simple acts of generosity are part of a continuum of God’s reciprocal work of grace. God blesses us, then blesses others through us, and then we are blessed in return, which enables us to give thanks to God. It is a true full circle of grac...

Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans joins Mat Hotho for a heartfelt Beyond the Sermon conversation on the meaning of All Saints Sunday—a day to honor those who shaped our faith and reflect on how God’s grace shines through ordinary people. Sally shares...