Willow Creek Community Church Weekend Podcast

In today’s social media-driven world, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, constantly measuring our lives against the highlight reels of others. But comparison steals our contentment, breeding envy that robs us of peace and joy. Over time, envy can distort our relationships and hurt our mental health. Proverbs 14:30 reminds us that “a heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones,” teaching us that gratitude is the cure for envy. By focusing on the blessings God has given us, we can embrace contentment and joy, radiating peace and encouragement to those around us.

There was a time when phrases like "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "It is better to give than to receive" were widely understood, regardless of faith. Both, rooted in the teachings of Jesus, emphasized generosity—a principle we’ve lost sight of in today’s pursuit of happiness. Proverbs 11:24-25 reminds us that true happiness isn’t found in holding on to what we have but in giving freely to others, with generosity enriching both the giver and the receiver. In this message, Pastor Dave Dummitt explores how embracing a generous spirit can transform relationships and communities, leading to lasting happiness.

"I want to be happy, but ___." We’ve all faced moments when life's challenges—like difficult relationships, health struggles, or career setbacks—leave us longing for happiness. But true happiness doesn’t come from our circumstances. Proverbs 3:13-14 shows us that happiness is found in wisdom, far more valuable than material wealth. Wisdom helps us navigate life’s complexities and empowers us to choose our responses to challenges. In this message, Pastor Shawn Williams explores how God’s wisdom leads to lasting happiness—through joy, purpose, and satisfaction—transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth and gratitude.

Have you ever tried talking about math with parents of elementary or middle school kids? You’ll likely hear things like, “It’s like a foreign language!” It’s funny, but also kind of frustrating. The truth is, math hasn’t really changed—one plus one is still two. Similarly, have we overcomplicated the Gospel? Pastor Shawn Williams and our creative team keep it simple and celebrate the Good News: God → Sin → Love → Grace → Life. The tomb is empty, death is defeated, and new life is available to everyone who chooses it!

It’s easy to get caught up in the culture of “Me, Myself, and I,” where self-help and self-care often take center stage. But for followers of Jesus, this self-centered mindset isn’t the answer—He calls us to humility and service. When we shift our focus from ourselves to others, using our gifts to serve and bless those around us, we live out the love of Jesus and reflect God’s heart of generosity. In this message, Megan Marshman looks to 1 Peter 4:10-11 to encourage us to move from selfishness to selflessness, living a life that honors God and makes a difference in the lives of others!

Loneliness is something we all experience, but true hospitality—offering warmth and genuine presence—can help create a place of connection. When we create spaces like this, our church and community becomes a place where no one is left feeling alone, and real, meaningful relationships can flourish!

When you scroll through social media or watch the news, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the negativity and hate around you—whether it's the latest conflict, violence, or tragedy. It’s a reminder that our world is often shaped by personal feelings of powerlessness, mistreatment, or fear. But there’s hope! Pastor Dave Dummitt highlights Peter’s antidote to hate: the power of the resurrection, which calls us to love one another in radical, transformative ways. In 1 Peter 4:8, we're encouraged to love deeply, as love has the power to heal, break down barriers, and unite us, just as Jesus loves us. In John 13:34-35, Jesus said, “Love one another... By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” It’s through this love that we can make a true difference!

Dave Dummitt, Willow's Elders, and Shawn Williams share an update on our senior pastor transition. You can learn more at https://www.willowcreek.org/updates/

Imagine the moments leading up to the feeding of the 5,000. Why was the boy so close to Jesus with five loaves and two fish when no one else had food? In our own lives, we often face moments where we can choose to give what little we have, and watch God multiply it in miraculous ways. In this story from John 6:1-15, Pastor Shawn Williams explores the amazing story of the feeding of the 5,000 and how we, as carriers of hope, have a part to play! Just like the little boy who offered his small lunch, we see that no act is too small for God to multiply into something miraculous. Whether it’s a little or a lot, we all have a role in spreading hope and making a difference in the world!

Stories help us make sense of the world around us. But in doing so, we often make assumptions—about people, situations, or circumstances—only to realize later that we were completely misguided. Pastor Dave Dummitt explores how hope gets curious, shatters assumptions, and breaks down barriers to restore what’s broken! The story of the blind man in John 9 challenges our misconceptions and shows how curiosity leads to powerful physical and spiritual healing. As Jesus brings hope, His light spreads, transforming not just the blind man’s life, but everyone around him. And we’ll also see how this ripple effect of hope is making a real impact through our global partners, bringing healing, dignity, and restoration in ways only Jesus can!

What was it like to be the leper in Matthew 8? How long had he suffered, isolated from others? What gave him the courage to approach Jesus? We explore the powerful story of the leper from Matthew 8:1-4 and Mark 1:40-45, where Jesus shows us that He is our source of hope—expressed in tangible, personal ways. Just as Jesus reached out to heal the leper, He brings us hope through compassion and tangible acts of healing.As we kick off Celebration of Hope, we’re reminded that Jesus draws near to the broken and outcast. He continues to transform lives today, and we are called to bring that same hope to others. Let’s open our hearts, understand their stories, and partner with God in His work!

Life stages are inevitable as we age and make our way closer to eternity. We come into the world needing those around us to care for, nurture, lead, teach, and love us. As we near the end of life, we often find we need similar things: care, nurturing, guidance, and love as our minds and bodies decline. The full-circle nature of life is inevitable. Pastor Dave Dummitt teaches from Exodus 20:12, Matthew 18:1–5, and Colossians 3:18–25 to show what God says about parenthood and childhood—reminding us how we will always retain our childhood as God’s kids.

Trad wives. Toxic masculinity. Fourth-wave feminism. The “manosphere.” Egalitarianism. Complementarianism. What do all these terms have in common? They represent ways to view or interpret what it means to be a woman or man. They have helped shape our culture both within and outside of the church. Pastors Megan Marshman and Shawn Williams unpack Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 2:15–22, and  Ephesians 5 to show the beautiful harmony that can be achieved when tradition and cultural expectations are put in their proper place, and God’s vision for manhood and womanhood is elevated.

We all have multiple roles we play in life, whether that be a son or daughter, friend, parent, or spouse. From the moment we are born, expectations are placed on us that seep into the identities we take on. Sometimes, these identities fit, and other times, they feel like clothing three sizes too big—they weigh us down. We are products of our families, cultures, and environments—often, our circumstances feed more into who we see ourselves as than anything else.Pastor Dave Dummitt opens up Genesis 1:26-28 and Luke 3:22 to show the remarkable foundation of a life lived with purpose and meaning—the truth of Jesus’ identity. If the Son of God was assured of His identity before He set out to live into His purpose, how much more do we, as His followers, need the same?

There are real and major conflicts constantly going on throughout the world. When the conflict feels far, it can feel overwhelming to the point of paralysis. How could I possibly help? We might also tune it out because, after all, it doesn’t affect our day-to-day lives. In this message, we look to 2 Samuel 19:9-15, where David builds a bridge with his enemies. When we see the reality of conflicts, prayerfully seek God for guidance, and take a step forward, we can collectively make our world a better place.

You make choices that impact those around you every day. But what happens when the internal conflict you are dealing with hurts others? How do you deal with the conflict you have caused? Pastor Dave dives into 2 Samuel 12 and narrows in on a moment in King David’s life where he mismanaged things in a way that deeply and tragically impacted the lives of those around him. King David decided to take a step back from his kingly responsibilities and instead, ended up initiating an affair with a woman named Bathsheba. A marriage is destroyed, a couple of pregnancies happen, and people end up suffering. What a mess—and one we can learn from.When we have caused the conflict around us, the best course of action is to turn to God, acknowledge our responsibility, repent, and repair the conflicts we’ve caused.

The earliest conflict between people in the Bible occurs between two brothers, Cain and Abel. All the way back in the beginning of humanity, rivalry and dissension were present—everything from sibling rivalry, failed marriages, broken friendships, arguments in the workplace, conflicts in neighborhoods, wars, and much more. Pastor Dave Dummitt uses 2 Samuel 6 to bring understanding to the cause of conflict around us and to teach different strategies that help move us toward healing in those relationships.

We want to eat healthy, but we grab the donut. We want to stay focused, but we grab the phone and mindlessly scroll. We commit to prioritizing our friends and family, yet work obligations continuously win out. We experience trauma or grief, but avoid it instead of healing from it. We pictured our life one way, but we’re living another reality. Our lives are filled with internal conflicts. Megan Marshman teaches out of 1 Samuel and Psalm 13 to remind us that when we’re faced with conflict in our hearts and minds, we can find healing by surrendering to Jesus.

What is worship? We often think of singing, the worship band, or worship artists that lead us through songs praising God. That is a part of worship–but not all of it! Worship can be a much larger part of our lives than we might think. It can be extended into our prayers, our service, and even through Christian meditation. Put simply, worship is a way to remember what God has done for us, to thank Him for it, and to demonstrate to those around us what a relationship with God looks like; all while acknowledging His power and help. Pastor Thomas explores Romans 12 as he explains how worship extends into every part of our lives—from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep again—and how we can live our lives in worship.

Christmas might not always be “the most wonderful time of the year.” For some, it really is wonderful. But for others, it can be the hardest time of the year. Mourning of the life we thought we’d have or experiencing the first holiday without a loved one—Christmas can be filled with more anxiety than joy. In the midst of the challenge, Luke 1:46–55 points us to Jesus—the Prince of Peace—who is making all things right. Jesus, as the Prince of Peace, reminds us that this is only a glimpse of the goodness He ushered in at His birth and continues to unfold.