Advertise on podcast: LF podcast

It's okay to not be okay. But you were never meant to walk through it alone. In this week's episode of the Little Flock Podcast, Shane sits down with Pastor Brennan for an honest conversation about mental health, isolation, and the importance of Christian community. Brennan opens up about his own struggles with anxiety and depression, sharing how God has used those difficult seasons to help him connect with and encourage others. Together, they talk about why we tend to hide when life gets difficult, how shame keeps us from reaching out, and why being part of a church family means so much more than showing up on Sunday mornings. If you're walking through a difficult season, or you know someone who is, we hope this conversation encourages you to take that next step toward community and remember that you don't have to face it alone.

Moments to Movement Sermon Series Marked For a Movement: Acts 2:37–47 In this week’s message, Marked For a Movement, Pastor Nate reminded us that God uses our moment of conversion to create movements that impact others for the Gospel. Salvation is not simply a moment in our lives; it is the beginning of a life devoted to following Jesus and making Him known. Looking at the early church in Acts 2, we see believers who were devoted to two essential things: the apostles' teaching and community. They committed themselves to knowing God's Word and living in obedience to King Jesus. Their faith wasn't just something they professed—it defined how they lived. Their shared faith in Jesus brought them together, and their love for Him overflowed into a genuine love for one another. What began as individual moments of repentance became a powerful movement of the Gospel. Their devotion kept the church growing together. Pastor Nate challenged us to examine our own devotion through three important questions: Does your calendar and daily rhythm of life reflect a genuine devotion to Jesus? Are you simply attending church, or are you actively giving yourself to the movement of the church? Have you fully surrendered your life to Jesus? For those who have never placed their faith in Christ, the invitation is to go all-in with Him. No sin is greater than the cross or more powerful than the blood of Jesus. The challenge for each of us is clear: Don't settle for simply experiencing a moment with God. Live devoted to Jesus, invest in His church, and be part of a Gospel movement that reaches others and impacts generations to come. A moment of repentance can become a movement of the Gospel when we live devoted to King Jesus.

This week, Pastor Nate launched our new series, Moments to Movements, with a challenge from Numbers 13. Just as God was preparing His people to move into what He had promised them, God is preparing us for movement as well. The question is whether we will trust Him—even when the obstacles, struggles, and uncertainties before us seem overwhelming. In Numbers 13, the Israelites stood on the edge of what God had promised, but fear threatened to keep them from moving forward. Pastor Nate identified three things that can hinder us from experiencing a movement of God: Failing to recognize the authority of God. Failing to believe God’s promise. Focusing on the physical instead of trusting in the supernatural power of God. Little Flock has its own story of a moment becoming a movement. In 1810, seven people gathered together in Bullitt County, Kentucky, and Little Flock began. More than two centuries later, we are part of what God began through the faithfulness of those seven people. Jesus said in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Now the opportunity is ours. What might God do through this generation if we trust His authority, believe His promises, and refuse to let what we see keep us from following where He leads? The challenge: Are we simply satisfied with having a moment with God, or are we ready for a movement of God that will impact generations as we seek to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known?

Love Like Family | Romans 12:9–10 Pastor Nate continued teaching from Romans 12 with a focus on what it means for the church to love like family. Scripture doesn’t simply encourage us to love one another—it commands us to love one another with brotherly affection. As followers of Jesus, our relationships within the church should reflect the genuine care, commitment, and closeness of a family. This kind of love means having a genuine concern for one another. We notice when someone is hurting, struggling, or in need, and we care enough to step into their lives. It also means being intentional with one another. Biblical community doesn’t happen by accident. We must choose to invest in relationships, make time for one another, encourage one another, and walk alongside each other. When the church loves the way God has commanded us to love, the impact reaches beyond the walls of the church. By living as the family of God and demonstrating genuine, brotherly love, we can help rebuild the family structure in our community. The challenge: Love one another genuinely. Be intentional. Care for one another like family. When the church lives this out, we show our community what the love of Christ looks like through the family of God.

Turn Away from Evil. Hold Tight to What Is Good. Romans 12:9–21 In Romans 12, Paul shows us what a life transformed by Jesus should look like. Genuine love doesn’t simply recognize the difference between good and evil; it responds to it. We are called to turn away from what is evil and hold tightly to what is good. 1. In our actions, take a stand against sin. Following Jesus means taking a stand against sin, not only in what we believe, but in the way we live. We must intentionally turn away from attitudes, choices, habits, and influences that pull us away from God while actively pursuing what reflects His character. 2. In our convictions, refuse to excuse evil. We cannot allow the culture around us, our circumstances, or our own desires to redefine what God has called good and evil. Genuine love is grounded in truth. As followers of Jesus, our convictions must be shaped by God’s Word, refusing to justify, minimize, or excuse what He calls sin. Romans 12:9–21 reminds us that genuine faith is visible in both what we believe and how we live. We cling to what is good, love others sincerely, remain faithful through difficulty, pursue peace, refuse revenge, and overcome evil with good. Reflection: Are there areas where I have become comfortable with something God calls evil? What would it look like to take a stand in my actions and remain firm in my convictions?

What Does the Bible Call Love? | Romans 12:9 We use the word love in a lot of different ways, but what does the Bible mean when it calls us to love? In Romans 12:9, Paul doesn’t leave us guessing: “Let love be genuine.” Biblical love is more than words, feelings, or appearances. It is sincere, authentic, and without hypocrisy, a love that can be seen in the way we live and the way we treat others. So how do we grow in this kind of genuine love? Pastor Nate challenged us to pray, asking God to shape our hearts and help us love others genuinely. We must also remember the Gospel, keeping before us the incredible love God has already shown us through Jesus. And finally, we are called to obey even when we don’t want to. Genuine love chooses to act in obedience to Christ even when our feelings don’t naturally follow. As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to manufacture this kind of love on our own. As we draw closer to Christ and remember how deeply He has loved us, He teaches us to love others with a love that is genuine, sincere, and increasingly reflective of Him. Reflection: Where is God calling you to choose genuine, Christlike love even when you don’t feel like it?

1. See yourself clearly 2. See your place in the body 3. Serve with what God has given you

The Purpose of a Renewed Mind Romans 12:2–3 | Pastor Nate Ashbaugh This Sunday, Pastor Nate continued our study in Romans 12 by focusing on the purpose of a renewed mind. God doesn’t renew our minds simply so that we think differently. He renews our minds so that the way we think transforms the way we live. God renews our minds so that we can imitate the character and priorities of Jesus to those around us. From Romans 12:2–3, Pastor Nate shared three ways a renewed mind shapes our lives: A renewed mind enables us to recognize God’s will. As our thinking is transformed by God’s truth, we become better able to discern what He desires and recognize what is good, pleasing, and aligned with His purposes. A renewed mind enables us to respond according to God’s will. Recognizing God’s will is only the beginning. A renewed mind changes how we respond to the people, circumstances, and decisions we encounter each day. Instead of simply following our own instincts or the patterns of the world, we learn to respond in ways that honor Christ. A renewed mind produces a life that reflects God’s character. Ultimately, renewed thinking should lead to transformed living. As God changes our minds, His work becomes visible through our attitudes, choices, relationships, and priorities. The purpose of a renewed mind is not simply to know more—it is to become more like Jesus. As God transforms the way we think, He transforms the way we live so that those around us can see the character and priorities of Christ reflected through us. The question for us is not only, “Is God changing the way I think?” but also, “Can others see Jesus more clearly because of the way I live?”

After 13 years in the same career, Aaron Orrender suddenly found himself without a job and facing a season he never expected. Months later, with hundreds of applications, dozens of rejections, and no clear ending in sight, Aaron shares what God is teaching him in the middle of the waiting. In this episode, Shane and Aaron talk honestly about doubt, identity, anxiety, obedience, and what it looks like to trust God when you still don’t know what He’s doing.

This Sunday, Pastor Nate continued in Romans 12:1–2, focusing on what it means to have a renewed mind and the ways God works to transform our thinking. There are many lies that work against the renewing of our minds. One is the belief that we are autonomous—that we are completely self-sufficient and don’t need anything beyond ourselves. But Scripture points us toward dependence on God and a life continually transformed by His truth. How Does God Renew Our Minds? Pastor Nate shared seven ways God works in our lives to renew our thinking: Scripture — God renews our minds as we open His Word and allow His truth to shape how we think. Prayer — We bring our thoughts, concerns, and desires before God and seek His wisdom and direction. The Holy Spirit — The Spirit works within us, guiding us toward truth and helping us become more like Christ. Christian Community — God uses other believers to encourage us, challenge us, and help us grow. Singing — Worship helps fill our hearts and minds with truth about who God is and what He has done. Confession & Repentance — We acknowledge what is wrong, turn from it, and realign our thinking and lives with God’s truth. New Habits — As our minds are renewed, we intentionally develop patterns and practices that help us walk faithfully with Christ. Pastor Nate also gave us a practical way to examine the thoughts that enter our minds. Instead of simply accepting every thought, we can stop and ask: Is this thought true? Does it agree with Scripture? Does it reflect the character of Jesus? Where is this thought leading me? What truth from God’s Word should I replace this with? Romans 12 reminds us that transformation involves the renewing of our minds. Rather than allowing the world or our own thoughts to determine what is true, we can continually return to God’s Word and allow His truth to reshape the way we think and live. This week, pay attention to the thoughts you allow to take root. Bring them before God, test them against His Word, and replace what is false with what is true.

This Sunday, guest speaker David Doyle shared from John 10:9–10 and Jesus’ powerful declaration, “I am the door.” Jesus doesn’t simply point us toward salvation, hope, and abundant life—He is the Door through which we receive them. David shared five important truths about Jesus as the Door: The Door is a PERSON — Jesus Himself is the Door. Christianity is not simply about following a religion; it is about a relationship with Jesus. His declaration reveals His pursuit of our hearts. The Door is a PROPOSAL — Jesus extends an invitation: “If anyone enters by me.” His invitation is open to anyone, regardless of past sin, mistakes, shame, or circumstances. The Holy Spirit invites and draws us to choose Jesus over the world. The Door is a PROMISE — Jesus promises that the one who enters through Him will be saved and find pasture. In Christ, we have hope, healing, security, and an identity that remains with us wherever we go. The Door is PROTECTION — Jesus is our Good Shepherd who protects His people. Although the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, we can run to Jesus rather than allowing the enemy to deceive or distract us. The Door is PROVISION — Jesus came so that we could have abundant life. That life is found in our identity in Christ rather than comparing ourselves with others. As David reminded us, “Where comparison begins, contentment ends.” David also challenged Little Flock to be a church whose doors are wide open—a place where anyone who enters can encounter love, belonging, and hope in Jesus. God can use the people of Little Flock to make a difference in our community for Christ. The message concluded with Revelation 3:20 and a personal invitation. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Whether we need to come to Him for salvation or simply need to run back to Him, Jesus is inviting us to meet Him at the Door.

This week, Pastor Nate continued in Romans 12. Romans 12:1–3 reminds us that following Jesus changes not only what we do, but also how we think. We must first recognize the pressure of the world around us. Every day, the world seeks to shape our thinking, priorities, and perspective, but God calls us to something different: the renewing of our minds. A renewed mind isn’t simply the result of reading our Bibles. Renewal happens when what we read in God’s Word begins to change how we see and interpret everyday life. It’s when biblical truth shapes the way we respond to our circumstances, relationships, decisions, struggles, and even an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. As Romans 12:2 teaches, rather than allowing the world to conform our thinking, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. God’s Word should become the lens through which we understand and live every part of our lives. Pastor Nate will continue “A Renewed Mind” in two weeks as we continue our journey through Romans 12.

After years of returning to Ecuador, Anthony Parker has seen firsthand how simple obedience can bear incredible fruit. He joins Shane to share what God has done through long-term relationships, why you don’t need special skills to serve, and how living on mission starts right where you are.

A Church I Want to Belong To | Acts 2:42–47 During Family Worship today, we looked at the early church in Acts 2 and saw a beautiful picture of what the church is called to be. The early believers were devoted. They committed themselves to the teaching of God’s Word, to genuine fellowship with one another, and to prayer. These weren’t simply activities they attended; they were priorities that shaped their lives together. As they lived with this kind of devotion, they experienced the presence of God among them. Their belief in Jesus changed the way they viewed the here and now. The Gospel transformed their priorities, their relationships, and the way they cared for one another, bringing them into a deep unity as the body of Christ. And that kind of church was attractive to the world around them. People could see that something was different. Their love for Jesus was evident in their love for one another, and God used their faithfulness to draw others to Himself. May we be a church devoted to God’s Word, committed to one another, faithful in prayer, and living in such a way that those around us see Jesus through us.

Today, Pastor Nate continued in Romans with a message from Romans 12:1–2 about what it means to live a life fully surrendered to Jesus. We behave in accordance with what we believe. When we truly understand the mercy of God and what Jesus has done for us, it changes the way we live. Because Jesus gave Himself completely for us, our response should be to give ourselves completely to Him. Surrender is our response to God’s mercy. We don’t have to earn or chase after His mercy. Mercy is running to us. It has already been given! What does a surrendered life look like? Surrender starts with submitting to God. James 4:7 Surrender looks like humility. 1 Peter 5:6 Surrender requires discipline. Surrender means knowing what is helpful and what is hurtful in our walk with Christ. Surrender is continual. It isn’t a one time decision, but a daily choice to give ourselves to Him. Surrender is worship. Offering our lives to God is an act of worship in response to His mercy. Romans 12 reminds us that God isn’t asking for just a portion of our lives. He desires all of us, including our plans, priorities, desires, habits, and decisions, surrendered to Him. As we reflect on today’s message, Pastor Nate left us with an important question: What do you need to put on the altar and surrender to Jesus so He can use you for His glory? Because Jesus gave Himself completely for me, I’ll give myself completely to Him.