Conversations about Connection with the Local Church
Episode 15 | Cultivating Community
August 1, 2024 • Bryan H Kim, Heidi Dixon Kwon , Kevin Pak
Many of us struggle with finding community within the church. Why is it easy for some and hard for others? Are we supposed to find our friends within the Body?
In this episode, we talk about: What is Community? What are the expectations and what is the posture that we come into the church? How do we begin to cultivate a community around us?
At the end of the episode, we hear from one of our longtime members and Ekklesia leaders, Kevin Pak. He shares his experience and perspective on building a community.
The article mentioned in this episode is written by Sophia Lee, "Confessions of a Loner". You can read it here: https://http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/july-august/confessions-loner-community-loneliness.html
Episode 14 | Let Your Life Speak
May 11, 2023 • Heidi Dixon Kwon, Bryan Kim
We are back for season two of MCWPB! This season, we are doing something a little different. For the first few episodes, we are doing a book club-style chat to discuss books everyone should read.
In this episode, we dive into "Let Your Life Speak" by Parker Palmer (https://http://rb.gy/m0lg6) and process some of the book's main ideas. It's like being able to read the book, without reading the book (but we suggest you read the book).
Musicbed SyncID: MB01ZG9JZFA6IQP
Episode 13 | On the Topic of Spiritual Abuse
September 12, 2022 • Heidi Dixon Kwon, Bryan Kim
What is the difference between being edited, being offended, and being abused? These seem like they'd be clear enough, but when something hurts our feelings, our egos… especially in the church setting, how can we tell the difference? Because let’s be real, sometimes being held accountable or being called out can feel terrible - especially when we’re not in a good place.
The church is a place and a community that can hold many layers of experiences. Some people come to the table with memories of pain, and trauma, while others experience healing and restoration. We bring both before God and one another. And when you bring humans together who are broken and messy and trying to wrestle with faith and the gospel in one place, we are bound to bruise one another as we learn to love, give grace, forgiveness… all in the hopes of being formed into the likeness of Christ.
Episode 12 | Character over Calling
August 12, 2022 • Heidi Dixon Kwon, Pastor Bryan H Kim, Pastor Michelle
Many of us have had these questions: "Am I in the right lane?" "Am I in the right career?" We go through life sometimes thinking that our decisions are like switches on the railroad track. But what if God cares more about who we are than what we do? And what does it look like to live that out practically in our lives?
We sit down with Pastor Michelle and hear about her story which includes many career shifts and many transitions. But mostly we hope you catch the way in which she submits herself to the slow and steady work of God forming her through it all.
For the sermon referenced in the podcast: Names of God Series: Yahweh Yireh https://subspla.sh/rjbbdma
Music featured: Funky Thing by Mullaha, Beginning Light by 24th and Haven, and Be With Me All My Days by John Lucas (SYNC ID: MB011BOSQFEL2EQ, MB01JCKYM57BAKL)
Episode 11 | Our Friends at the Border Pt. 2
March 15, 2022 • Heidi Dixon Kwon, Nixon Ma
We continue our conversation with Pastor Alma and Dr. Will of Practice Mercy. In this Pt. 2 episode, you'll hear from Nixon Ma who also joined us on the Border trip. At the end of the episode, you'll actually get to hear the voices from the Mothers of Reynosa.
Episode 10 | The Month of LURVE
February 14, 2022 • Bryan Kim, Heidi Dixon Kwon
We often know how love begins and how it ends... but we rarely get to talk about how love endures.
Take a listen to this conversation where we talk about a random assortment of topics orbiting the understanding of love.
Episode 9 | Our Friends at the Border Pt. 1
January 13, 2022 • Bryan Kim, Heidi Dixon Kwon
This episode is for those of you who have heard about the migrant crisis and wondered: What is happening? What is our role as Christ-followers? And what do we pray for?
Pastor Bryan and Heidi sit down with Pastor Alma and Dr. Will of Practice Mercy in this special two-part series recorded in McAllen, Texas. Practice Mercy is a ministry committed to serving indigenous asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border.
In Part 1, we have a conversation about what is going on at the border, why it is happening and why it is crucial for us as Christ-followers to witness, understand and amplify the voices of those seeking asylum.
Episode 8 | Our Lives, A Gift
December 20, 2021 • Bryan H Kim, Heidi Dixon Kwon
We love new beginnings, don't we? The hope of change, the brightness of starting over.
But many of us struggle with sticking with new year's resolutions, and often a new year is really just a change in the date. So how can we enter into the new year with intention and celebration?
We look back. We remember and reflect on this last year. So here's to entering into 2022 together: With joy, with gratitude, and with hope, knowing that our lives are gifts to be given back to God.
Episode 7 | Making Room
November 17, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon, Nixon Ma, Bryan Kim
Pastor Bryan and Heidi sit down with one of our members, Nixon Ma, to talk about what it means to live invitationally and to carry the spirit of hospitality. What does it look like to make room for the Other, and to give God the space to move in our lives?
We ask the questions: What if we, as Christ-followers, were known for our hospitality over ideology? Invitation over exclusivity? And what has God blessed you with to bless others?
Episode 6 | The 3AM Scaries
October 14, 2021 • Pastor Isaac Chong, Bryan Kim, Heidi Dixon Kwon
In this episode of Morning Coffee with PB, we sit down with Intern Pastor Isaac to have a candid conversation on social anxiety, an OCD diagnosis, and navigating the vulnerability of showing up fully as yourself.
This one is for the chronic overthinkers, the insecure, the unsure. The ones who can't shake that feeling of "did I understand the assignment?" or "Can I really be myself here?"
Episode 5 | Too Blessed to be Depressed?
September 22, 2021 • Bryan Kim, Heidi Dixon Kwon
Pastor Bryan and Heidi talk candidly about their personal journeys with depression, mental health and stigma within the church. Please note that this episode also mentions suicide and suicidal ideation, so this conversation may not be suitable for children or those of us who aren't ready to listen to that right now.
The presence of mental illness isn’t a metric of your faith or spirituality; it can affect members, leaders, and pastors. And healing can be in a moment for some, but for many, it can take a lifetime.
God can heal our deepest hurts and pains, but if you break a bone, you need to see a doctor. In the same way, if you are suffering from a mental health condition, therapy and medicine are God-given tools to guide you toward healing and recovery.
Please find lists for group therapy and therapists below. You can also email http://heidi.kwon@ekkochurch.com for a list of Spiritual Directors.
Episode 4 | The Breakup
September 2, 2021
In this episode of Morning Coffee with PB, we're talking about when we come to the end of things: of a journey, of a relationship, of a season. We generally know how to start things... but how do we end things well?
Some questions we're asking: What do we do when we sense something is ending? How do you breakup well? Or leave a community well?
Episode 3 | Enduring Love, Inexplicable Joy
August 20, 2021
Heidi Kwon and Pastor Bryan sit down with Pastor Moses and his wife, Pastor Sung Chil Park, of Shalom Disability Ministries to hear their story and their heart for people with special abilities.
Their mission was forged out of the unimaginable. After a horrific accident killed their two young daughters and left Pastor Sung Chil Park a quadriplegic many years ago, Pastors Moses and Sung Chil have dedicated their lives to serving people with special abilities and sharing the gospel. But what is captivating about their story and their presence, is not just how their vibrant ministry began and continues to this day, but how their personal love for God and for one another endures every day.
In this episode of Morning Coffee with PB, we see the living proof that God makes beauty out of the broken and that the joy of the Lord is our strength. We ask the questions of "What can we do when the unimaginable happens?" "Can joy exist after inexplicable grief?"
Episode 2 | Burn to Learn
July 20, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon, Bryan Kim
It's hard watching someone crash and burn. We want to rescue others and we want to be rescued. But, in most cases, the most loving thing is to let someone burn - even if that person is yourself.
In this episode of Morning Coffee with PB, we're talking about natural consequences, burning to learn, and discipline. How God, in His infinite love and wisdom, disciplines & allows consequences for us to break, to grow and to heal.
Some questions we're asking: Do you always need to crash and burn in order to learn? How do you know you're being disciplined?
Episode 1 | Return from the Global Funk
June 25, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon, Bryan Kim
Take a listen to our conversation about the transition back from pandemic living to in-person gatherings. We ask the questions: Why do we need to meet in person if we can do so online? And how can we prepare ourselves for a post-pandemic living?
