Forefront Podcast

Forever Forward | Steward Our Time & Treasure

Rev. Josh Lee draws from modern tips, personal experiences and wisdom literature in the book of Proverbs to discover some tips on how to steward our time and treasures (money) well. Where do we spend our money and our time? Do they align with our values? Long term goals? How might we realign and reassess as we enter a new year and find our way out of this pandemic?

Forever Forward | Follow The Light

Follow The Light | Sermon | Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins The season of Epiphany can help ground us in the light and love of Jesus even during unprecedented times. Watch Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins preach as she opens our new Sermon Series, Forever Forward.

Hidden Figures of Advent: Angels and the Eternal Message

At our Christmas Celebration service, Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins unpacks the hidden meaning behind Angels, hidden figures of Advent and Worship Pastor Angela Lockett leads the band in a powerful and inspiring 2021 finale!

Forefront Conversations with Wil Gafney

If you've followed this podcast for a while, then you've already heard the name of Rev. Wil Gafney when we spoke with Char Adams, who had written a thesis on Womanist Theology and in this episode, we get to speak directly to the Right Rev. herself! A leading voice and intimidating intellect in the study of Womanism, Rev. Gafney speaks to Forefront about many topics including why the phrase "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" neglects the importance of biblical women figures and is indicative of a long history of male-centric theology. Just in time for the holiday season, she also sheds light on approaches to studying both the Advent and Christmas seasons, what the Church means when it differentiates the two, and which figures have been overlooked in the long tradition of retelling the Christmas story. ABOUT REV. GAFNEY Womanist biblical scholar, the Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D. is the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is the author of Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to Women of the Torah and of the Throne, a commentary on Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah in the Wisdom series; Daughters of Miriam: Women Prophets in Ancient Israel; and co-editor of The Peoples’ Bible and The Peoples’ Companion to the Bible. She is the author of a Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church and translator of its biblical selections; the first two volumes, Year A and W (a stand alone volume) were published in August. Follow this link to order her new book, "A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A" https://www.churchpublishing.org/womenslectionaryforthewholechurchyeara

Hidden Figures of Advent: The Unseen Donkey

Rev. Josh Lee takes the stage and explores the hidden message behind the Advent figure: the Donkey. Have you every felt left out or unappreciated? Have you ever been the ass in a Christmas pageant? If you have, you probably weren’t very excited about it, few people want to be the donkey. The donkey is totally hidden and only a part of our sanctified imagination in the Christmas story. It’s only oral tradition, not written tradition that even has the donkey in the story. What can we learn from this hidden character? Who else is unseen or unappreciated in our Scriptures and in our lives?

Hidden Figures of Advent, Shepherds and The Good News

Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins reflects on the Shepherds and The Great Joy of Good News in our series: "Hidden Figures of Advent". The shepherds in ancient times were deemed to be unreliable witnesses, and these hidden figures received and shared the good news of the birth of the Christ child. There are things in our life which we may deem to be insignificant yet can bring great joy to someone else's life.

Hidden Figures of Advent, Herod and The Three Wise Men

This Sunday we began a new series: "Hidden Figures of Advent". Community Pastor Rev. Josh Lee took inspiration from the story of the three wise men and how the coming light of a star led the men to find hope and relief in a newborn baby. Are you in need of hope and relief? What burdens do you carry?

Forefront Conversations with Josh Lee

Let's be honest, y'all - there's been a lot of transitions at Forefront recently and many of you have certainly been wondering what the future of our church is going to look like. Thankfully, with the commissioning of new Community Pastor, Josh Lee, we're all celebrating knowing what the next steps are going to look like as we work towards ushering in the next 500 years of Christianity! Deacon Jim is joined by Teaching Pastor, Venida Jenkins, and Executive Producer, Makenzie Gomez, to chat with Josh and help you all get a clearer picture of his story, his background, and how his journey of overcoming shame as a queer man ultimately led him to becoming the person that he is and Forefront's newest member of the Executive Council. ABOUT JOSH Josh's experiences have exposed him to a wide spectrum of thought, that compelled him to create greater unity among diversity. He has served as an Associate Pastor in the Assemblies of God & United Methodist Church, Youth Director in the American Baptist Church, Senior Pastor at an Independent Christian Church, and most recently as Co-Pastor at an Inter-denominational Church. Throughout his career and education, he has lived at the intersectionality of both the Christian and LGBTQIA+ community, instilling him with empathy to love God and people without exception. Josh earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies from Moody Bible Institute and his Master of Divinity from Garrett Theological Seminary and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. Josh loves spending a night in with his partner Austin watching Netflix and enjoying peach cobbler or a night out together dancing with friends or shopping for more clothes!

Keepin It Real, Creating Space for Forgiveness

During those times that we wrestle with pain and challenging situations where we find it difficult to forgive, God can help us release the burden of un-forgiveness and live with peace and freedom. Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins explores forgiveness in this service. This sermon marks the end of our "Keepin' It Real" series. Watch the entire series here: t.ly/4B4s.

Keepin It Real, Walking Through Shame

We're excited to welcome our new Community Pastor at Forefront, Rev. Josh Lee to the stage today as he tackles shame and how we might overcome it in our own lives.