Worth the Wait

How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?

Mercy Church Pastors Spence Shelton and Scott Urbanek discuss the question "how could a good God allow suffering?" They talk about how suffering is part of living in a broken world and why following Jesus does not guarantee an easy life, but does promise that Christ is with us in the middle of it. This conversation points listeners to the hope and trust found in God’s sovereignty, even when life doesn’t make sense. HAVE QUESTIONS FOR PASTOR SPENCE? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60 RESOURCES Pastor Spence's quote, "The Christian is always facing basically three enemies at once: the sinful flesh, the fallen world, and the devil himself," has been used by many pastors from several denominations.The Problem of Pain by C.S. LewisMember Care - https://mercycharlotte.com/members/WANT MORE?For more content, follow Spence Shelton on Instagram at @PastorSpenceShelton. We would love for you to visit Mercy Church! For more information about our campuses, visit https://mercycharlotte.com. SHOUTOUTThank you to our production and editing team for putting together this episode. Research & data: Matthew Esposito, Michele TempletonContent & marketing: Laura GoodyearVideo & Audio capture: Ian Sarmiento, Chris Smith Editing & production: Erik Button DISCLAIMERThis podcast is intended for informational and spiritual encouragement purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice of any kind, including but not limited to legal, medical, financial, mental health, or other licensed professional services. Listeners should seek qualified professionals for advice specific to their individual circumstances. Mercy Church is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party resources, organizations, or individuals referenced in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Pastor Allan is Here!

Mercy Church Pastors Spence Shelton and Scott Urbanek are joined by Mercy Nairobi Church Pastor Allan Waruhiu and talk about why short-term trips matter and how God often uses them as a catalyst for long-term discipleship and mission. HAVE QUESTIONS FOR PASTOR SPENCE? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60]  RESOURCES * Short-Term Trips - https://mercycharlotte.com/short-term-trips/ [https://mercycharlotte.com/short-term-trips/]  * Serve Teams - https://mercycharlotte.com/serve-teams/ [https://mercycharlotte.com/serve-teams/]  * Mercy Nairobi - https://www.mercynairobi.com/ [https://www.mercynairobi.com/]  WANT MORE? For more content, follow Spence Shelton on Instagram at @PastorSpenceShelton. We would love for you to visit Mercy Church! For more information about our campuses, visit https://mercycharlotte.com [https://mercycharlotte.com/campuses/].  SHOUTOUT Thank you to our production and editing team for putting together this episode.  Research & data: Matthew Esposito, Michele Templeton Content & marketing: Laura Goodyear Video & Audio capture: Chris Smith  Editing & production: Erik Button  This podcast is intended for informational and spiritual encouragement purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice of any kind, including but not limited to legal, medical, financial, mental health, or other licensed professional services. Listeners should seek qualified professionals for advice specific to their individual circumstances. Mercy Church is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party resources, organizations, or individuals referenced in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Does the Man on the Island Go to Hell?

Pastor Spence Shelton and Pastor Scott Urbanek discuss the question of the “man on the island,” looking at what the Bible teaches about God’s justice, our need for salvation, and the urgency of sharing Jesus. Question for Pastor Spence? Submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60]  Resources: * The State of Theology - https://thestateoftheology.com/ [https://thestateoftheology.com/] * Sign up for short-term trips. https://mercycharlotte.com/short-term-trips/ [https://mercycharlotte.com/short-term-trips/]  For more content, follow Spence Shelton on Instagram at @PastorSpenceShelton. We would love for you to visit Mercy Church! For more information about our campuses, visit https://mercycharlotte.com [https://mercycharlotte.com/campuses/].  Thank you to our production and editing team for putting together this episode.  Research & data: Matthew Esposito, Michele Templeton Content & marketing: Laura Goodyear Video & Audio capture: Ian Sarmiento, Chris Smith  Editing & production: Erik Button  Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and spiritual encouragement purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice of any kind, including but not limited to legal, medical, financial, mental health, or other licensed professional services. Listeners should seek qualified professionals for advice specific to their individual circumstances. Mercy Church is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party resources, organizations, or individuals referenced in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

We Have Everything…So Why Aren’t We Happy?

Pastor Spence Shelton & Pastor Scott Urbanek discuss what makes Christianity good for you and for the world around you.  Ask Pastor Spence Questions? Submit it here: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWZDRVZwcHJSc2ZYTzhhU2EwQm41M0FaenRfZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuWnMza1c2NkRtY3NET3h2dTZuaGJkMVplYVZmS2YwZFh4MFNFSnU2T1Z0NUc0MmJGY3JGU2Q2SFp4MHp0bHo3ekJMMUdnNzR4bkdiMFNFRXZGOXJ0dS1WQkg2cWk0dVRLS0RsblBzY05xa2VmcXVEZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2F19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E%2Fedit%3Fts%3D698ccc60&v=xHixPRBxkWEhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60⁠ [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60]  Statistics Referenced: * Disciple-Making Teams (DMTs) - https://mercycharlotte.com/missions/ * World Happiness Report - https://www.worldhappiness.report/ [https://www.worldhappiness.report/] History Notes: * In 2011, Campus Crusade for Christ changed its name in the United States to Cru. * In 2013, Presbyterian Hospital was rebranded as Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. For more content, follow Spence Shelton on Instagram at @PastorSpenceShelton. We would love for you to visit Mercy Church! For more information about our campuses, visit https://mercycharlotte.com [https://mercycharlotte.com/campuses/].  Thank you to our production and editing team for putting together this episode.  Research & data: Matthew Esposito, Michele Templeton Content & marketing: Laura Goodyear Video & Audio capture: Ian Sarmiento, Chris Smith  Editing & production: Erik Button  Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and spiritual encouragement purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice of any kind, including but not limited to legal, medical, financial, mental health, or other licensed professional services. Listeners should seek qualified professionals for advice specific to their individual circumstances. Mercy Church is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party resources, organizations, or individuals referenced in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Worth the Wait

Mercy Church Pastor Scott Urbanek, Immanuel Church Pastor Keith Burney, and Mercy member Allison Bell discuss singleness and dating in front of a live audience at Mercy’s Worth It Weekend. In this bonus episode, they encouraged the audience to stop rushing what God is writing - their love story is too important to microwave! Question for Pastor Spence? Submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19QweXVvO2F8oLeb5zltZwb5AmA30v_D2hqByxqpYe8E/edit?ts=698ccc60]  For more content, follow Spence Shelton on Instagram at @PastorSpenceShelton. We would love for you to visit Mercy Church! For more information about our campuses, visit https://mercycharlotte.com [https://mercycharlotte.com/campuses/].  Thank you to our production and editing team for putting together this episode.  Research & data: Michele Templeton Content & marketing: Laura Goodyear Video & Audio capture: Ian Sarmiento, Chris Smith  Editing & production: Erik Button  Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and spiritual encouragement purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice of any kind, including but not limited to legal, medical, financial, mental health, or other licensed professional services. Listeners should seek qualified professionals for advice specific to their individual circumstances. Mercy Church is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party resources, organizations, or individuals referenced in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.