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Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful." Of all the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, this is the only one that is truly reciprocal. Yet it’s this very quality of mercy that draws into question a person’s motive for compassion and kindness. Is demonstrating or showing mercy to another individual done out of a genuine sense of goodwill, or …

In the 21st century, we do not have a lack of food. Food insecurity does exist in America, but 39% of those living with food insecurity are obese. Why? Perhaps, the problem is simply the ineffectual distribution of food to the masses. Or could it be the food industry wants you to believe that hunger is a virtue, so you’ll continue to consume more s…

Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, the humble and the gentle...for they will inherit the earth." Meekness, gentleness, and humility are all notable traits. Unfortunately, it's those very traits that are often exploited by the boastful and belligerent. So, the question is, what kind of shape will the world be in when they inherit it? This Sunday, we…

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” A lofty notion considering the countless number of definitions of what it means to be "pure in heart". Throughout the centuries, Christians can't seem to agree on the meaning of this Beatitude. Is it a measure of one's devotion to God, or of one's internal character? Perhaps it's our intention…

A new sermon series begins! Join us as we begin a fascinating study of the eight Beatitudes or blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and depicted through the eight new paintings by artist, Julie Frye, recently installed on the south wall of our worship space. This week we'll explore the first of eight Beatitudes, "Blessed are the …

Ever hear your inner voice chiding you to bite your tongue, don’t say a word!? Temptation convinces, cajoles, or even threatens us into inaction. But when, if ever, is temptation good? Should we routinely pray "Lead us not into temptation" or is greater self-reflection the antidote? Today, Pastor Tony Minear, Ph.D. wraps up his sermon series on the…

"Forgive Us Our Debts." Forgive us our what?? Author Jon Bloom asks, "Ever find yourself reciting The Lord's Prayer outside of your home church and things usually go pretty smoothly till you get to the fourth line? Some will say 'forgive us our debts,' some will say 'trespasses,' and others will say 'sins'." So, which is it? If it is "debt," is it …

"Give us this day our daily bread." An appropriate petition for the Israelites wandering in the wilderness hungry for manna during their 40-year exodus, but what does it mean for society today? The majority of households in the U.S. today (about 75%) live above the poverty level and do not experience food insecurity. As a nation of abundance and fa…

"Perhaps no other words flow so freely from the lips of well-intentioned people as the phrase 'the will of God.' God is blamed for so much! – Bishop John Shelby Spong. Last week we explored Jesus’ vision of the kingdom of God and how it begins with ourselves. Can we also apply that same vision here when it comes to ‘the will of God’? Afterall, ‘the…

God, your kingdom come. 13 U.S. Service Members killed and 100's of Afghanis killed or wounded. Thy kingdom come. Americans and Afghanis fearful if they don’t get out of Afghanistan they will be executed. Thy kingdom come. Political parties in Washington D.C. play the blame game. Thy kingdom come. Your kingdom come. What does it even mean anymore? …

“Hallowed be your name...” A radical petition? Maybe not by today’s standards. For many Christians, The Lord’s Prayer holds a rich tradition of practice recited corporately each and every Sunday during worship. And although it may seem customary (perhaps even a tad banal given its repetitive formulary for today’s worship), it was in Jesus’ lifetime…

“Our Father...” These summoning first words of the Lord's Prayer immediately direct our attention to the divine as a patriarchal figure—a metaphor for a father watching over his household. Metaphors are a powerful and useful device for something abstract, like God. Where does this specific metaphor of a Father come from, and are you comfortable cal…

No matter your tradition, be it Christian or non-Christian, chances are you've heard The Lord's Prayer spoken or sung. Many presume it was first spoken by Jesus, but when was its liturgical debut and why are there several different versions of this prayer? Today we begin our new sermon series: “The Lord’s Prayer”. Pastor Tony Minear, Ph.D. invites …

In-between. It's that space of existence between the monsoon clouds and downpour of rain, the territory that lies between wakefulness and sleep, between pandemic and herd immunity, and the space traversing familiar rituals and evolutionary thought. What feels comfortable for you and where do you orient yourself when you're caught "in-between"? Join…

Homo Sapiens precariously set themselves atop the great chain of being right below their God. In doing so humanity boldly claimed dominion over all creation. Wildfires, a global climate crisis, the pandemic, and a growing list of endangered species plague our planet. Is this the tipping point? Has humanity finally been pushed from the pedestal, or …

Don’t be an ostrich. When your beliefs are under attack, what are you most likely to do? For most people, the easiest way to avoid or ignore the attack is to be like the ostrich and bury our head in the sand. It’s an effective posture to take to guard our beliefs. Evolution tells us we are wired to seek protection from attacks, especially those aga…

What is the American dream? The founding fathers of our nation imagined a nation built upon the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But would they recognize today’s version of the American dream? Likewise, thousands of spiritual communities and churches like ours were once imagined and founded on a common vision. But will that…

This week Tony explores the third accusation and assumption thrown at Jesus and how he dealt with authority. What truly is authority and how does it play a role in our modern society? Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 06/20/21 Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. Scripture: Mark 11:15-18 Scripture Reader: ellie Hutchison, Member-In…

What a shakeup 2020 was for all of humanity. From the pandemic to Black Lives Matter, the rules of social order crumbled as confusion and division overshadowed the very fabric and health of communities. Jesus new all too well the importance of a shakeup. Join us this week as our sermon series, "Accuse me?!” continues. Listen as our Member-In-Discer…

Join us this week as Pastor Tony Minear, Ph.D. begins his new sermon series, "Accuse me?!” Jesus bore the brunt of abundant and caustic accusations: He socializes with the immoral...Check! He strays from tradition healing on the Sabbath...Check! He upsets the status quo ransacking Holy places...Check! And to what end? This week Pastor Tony explores…

Will your God survive the 21st century? As humanity's understanding of evolutionary theory and science continues to grow and evolve, what impact will it have on your concept of the divine? Will it remain the same or will it also shift and evolve to accommodate for new ideas and understandings? Join us this week as Pastor Tony Minear, Ph.D. conclude…

How is it that a benevolent God allowed 98% of all species throughout all history to become extinct? When you look at the natural world, you can find all kinds of pain and suffering. From caterpillars becoming fodder for wasp larvae, to antelope hunted as prey for leopards, how do you explain the prevalence of suffering and evil in the natural worl…

Speculations as to the origins and ancestry of humanity have divided and generated angst in cultures for centuries, and perhaps none greater than Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in 1859. Though revolutionary, Darwin’s theory of natural selection was incompatible with religious beliefs and further complicated the tenuous relationship between sc…

Why do you believe in God? For decades, humanity has struggled with the question. Life's complexities often leave us seeking answers and feeling alone. Until Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection, science could provide no better alternative to explain the Design in nature other than by the hands of an intelligent designer. But …

What impact does the theory of evolution have on our Christian beliefs? Can the science of evolution truly coexist with the Biblical narrative and who has the authority? Too often we separate the two and are asked to choose one over the other. As Christians, there is plenty of rationale to hang our hats upon the longevity and assured foundation of …

Almost 162 years after the publication of Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of Species,” humanity and especially Christianity continues to wrestle with its provocative and often divisive theory of evolution. Why the longevity of its divisiveness? For many Christians, be they fundamentalist or mainline, the prevailing belief is that science should never …

A few days ago, we celebrated Earth Day. The one day a year we have named to honor Mother Earth and reflect upon the creation story. Like the Earth, we all have an origin story. What creation story do you believe and how does the Earth play into that story? This week ellie hutchison, our Member in Discernment, explores humanity's connectedness with…

What are the roles of faith, hope and love for you in 2021? Perhaps it’s hard to discern given the disruption of the pandemic to all our lives this past year. For most of us, the pandemic broke through our individual spheres of comfort and safety causing havoc and a sense of brokenness in its wake. This week, our Member in Discernment, ellie Hutchi…

Uncertainty. If this past year of living with COVID-19 has been about nothing else, it’s been about uncertainty. An uncertainty about the future that quickly led to fear. The kind of paralyzing fear that drove us into our pandemic-safe houses and behind N95 masks. Scripture tells us the disciples too knew this same paralyzing fear on that very firs…

How difficult is it to be told you're wrong or to be corrected? After all, isn't that how a person grows? Our tendency is to internalize the reprimand and stall out rather than grow in the wisdom of our mistake. Yet "Lady Wisdom" cares enough to offer us just that. This week, Pastor Tony Minear continues his series on "Lady Wisdom" and re-examines …

Listen. Do you hear it? The voice echoing in the distance? That's her. Lady Wisdom. Let us introduce you to her today. She's unexpected and beguiling, yet safe and familiar. We’re celebrating Women's History Month at Beatitudes Church with a new worship series, "Lady Wisdom." Join us as Pastor Tony explores why we aren't necessarily better off toda…

The Good Samaritan. Most likely you've heard or read the story. This narrative of unconditional love was shaped to speak to all people throughout the ages of God’s intention to restore love with ourselves and with our neighbor. Join us this Sunday as ellie hutchison, our Member in Discernment, explores the acts of love found within the Parable of t…

Join us this week as we celebrate the black experience and Black History Month. Our guest is Rev. Judy Green-Davis with a special message exploring "Black Lives Matter" and the unifying responsibility of all people groups to serve one another in love. In a culture fraught with racial division, social injustices, and competing interests, it is hard …

With exponential advances in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), biotechnology, and robotics, what will mean to have a job in the next 20-30 years? Could anything Jesus have said possibly prepare or help us manage life during this period of transition? Join us for Pastor Tony's new message in our worship series "Choose: God or money?" as he explores wh…

Would it surprise you to learn that 90% of American debts (personal and public) are owed to the richest 10% of the population? This disparity was a reality in Jesus' time as well. In a voice aligned with the prophets before him, he denounced economic disparity—an action that likely resulted in his execution. And yet, Christians continue to want and…

Economic disparity in the United States has increased by 20% in the last 30-40 years. However, this distinction between the “haves” and the “have nots” is not something new. In fact, unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society has been around for centuries and was just as prevalent in Jesus’ time as it is toda…

Transformation of body, mind and spirit can happen on many levels. Take minimalism. Many believe that you can have a better quality of life if you minimalize your possessions and downsize. Jesus admonished this same notion in Mark 10:17-27, when he asked a wealthy man to give up all his possessions, give to the poor and follow him. But was Jesus sp…

Join us this week for our new worship series "Choose: God or Money." Scripture gives us no lack of references to money, being mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible. But what exactly did Jesus have to say about the role of money in our lives and why is he so polarizing when it comes to speaking about money? Listen as Pastor Tony Minear unpacks …

Happy New Year! Pastor Tony Minear along with Janelle Tapphorn and Charity Gleason-Davis invite you to join the conversation as they discuss "A New Year's EVOLUTION." While most people set to crafting New Year's RESolutions at the beginning of the year that are often short-lived and perfunctory, discover how to have a more balanced and lasting mind…

Merry Christmas to you from Beatitudes Church! Like most Christians, you’ve probably seen countless Christmas pageants. This is just one of many Christmas traditions we hold dear. Who can forget the little four-year-old sheep that wanders stage right to stare off seemingly dazed by the big audience? Each year we gather together in worship to watch …

Rest. For you. For the earth. Shabbat reminds us of our rightful place to the rest of God's creation. Shabbat chastises us for forgetting that the land does not belong to us. We belong to each other. Therein lies our HOPE. Join us today as Pastor Tony reflects on restoring HOPE by accepting our own and nature’s limitations. Reflect on the wisdom of…

Is it possible to have no enemies? Jesus taught us to “love your enemies,” but maybe it’s time to recast that appeal with a new and more relevant translation for today? What if instead we were to “have no enemies?” As evolutionary biology concludes, it is instinctual for Homo sapiens to have enemies; it’s how we survived as a species. Old Testament…

Ever felt left out or found yourself relegated to the “third wheel?” Quite often the “odd one out” finds themself being leveraged to help the other two succeed. Throughout the ages within Christianity, you can identify three entities that constantly juggle this precarious balance of relationship: God, humanity, and the Earth. This is especially tru…

Hope is not something that is static. It is adaptable and always shifting. Similarly, the gospel narratives regarding hope are fluid and don’t always match. Nevertheless, it is through this messiness and discrepancy that the full reflection of the human condition is realized, and hope can be restored. Join us this week for our new Advent worship se…

All of us have experienced a time of hardship and struggle, a time in which our spirits are low and brittle. The global pandemic of 2020 has equalized the playing field for all of us and left most of our spirits brittle. But at the same time, it has also manifested a spirit of hope through our shared stories of the struggle. Join us this week as we…

Ever find yourself in an awkward situation? A moment when your actions didn’t align with your heart? When the pressure is on to perform or behave in a prescribed way, it’s not always easy to remain true to self and take the road less traveled. Join us as we continue our worship series, "JOSEPH." This week, Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. examines the life …

Our nation is divided. Divided by racism, by ideology and by party lines. Our recent election cycle has proven such. Although, you may think we’ve got the market cornered on division and polarization, the story of Joseph as told in Genesis tells an equally compelling saga of humanity in need of reconciliation and forgiveness. Join us as we begin ou…

**THIS SERMON WAS RECORDED ON OCTOBER 6TH** Do not be anxious about anything. Anything. But wait! Isn’t it Election Sunday? And isn’t our nation just days from a major election? Sure, you’ve carefully reflected on the five moral foundations of care/compassion, fairness, loyalty, authority/subversion, and sanctity over the past weeks, but will you a…

We all want to “fit in” and feel accepted. Think back to your early school yard experiences. No one wanted to be the last kid picked for foursquare or dodgeball. Although we may have blamed others for making us feel as though we didn’t measure up, it is innately human to feel inconsequential and unimportant; perhaps, even unclean. The human conditi…