How I prep my sermons

Every living thing has DNA — the invisible code that determines its identity, function, and purpose. It’s what makes an eagle soar, a rose bloom, and your heart beat. The same is true for the Church. God has written something deep into the heart of every believer and every local body of Christ — a spiritual DNA that defines who we are, what we believe, and how we live. At Passion Church, we believe God has called us to rediscover and live out our DNA — to be a people who love deeply, live boldly, and shine brightly in our world. We find this calling in Matthew 28:18–20 , where Jesus gives His followers the mission that still defines His Church today: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." That’s our why. It’s our spiritual DNA — to make disciples, love people, and bring the hope of Jesus to our city and beyond. That’s why we’re launching a brand-new series called Passion DNA: Who We Are and Why We Exist, a six-week journey designed to help us all understand the heartbeat of Passion Church — our foundation, our mission, our culture, and our calling. Our Foundation: It All Starts With Jesus Everything begins and stands on Jesus. Ephesians 2:4–5 reminds us, “Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in sin—it is by grace you have been saved.” That’s our starting point and our ending point. We aren’t here to promote a brand, a personality, or a program — we’re here to lift up the name of Jesus. The Gospel is the heartbeat of Passion Church. We were dead, but Jesus made us alive. We didn’t earn it; grace gave it. And now we exist to help others experience that same transforming grace. When Jesus is the foundation, everything else finds its place. Our Identity: Passionate About God and People If our foundation is Jesus, then our identity is love. When Jesus was asked to summarize all of Scripture, He said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind… and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–39) That’s who we are. Passion Church exists to love God fully and love people deeply. And love isn’t just a feeling — it’s an action. That’s why we’re not just talking about love; we’re showing it. On Week 2 of this series, instead of having a normal service, we’re having Serve Sunday — a morning of worship, prayer, and community outreach. We’ll gather for breakfast, share a short devotion, and then go into our city to mow lawns, clean homes, deliver meals, and care for our neighbors. Because love that doesn’t move isn’t love at all. Every act of service is an act of worship. This is what we mean when we say: “At Passion Church, service isn’t what we do — it’s who we are.” Our Mission: Reaching People Far From God Through Authentic Relationships Jesus said in Luke 19:10, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That’s His mission — and now it’s ours. We exist to reach people far from God through authentic relationships. Jesus didn’t shout His love from a distance — He walked into people’s lives, sat at their tables, listened to their stories, and invited them into His grace. In a world where everyone’s connected online but isolated in real life, people are desperate for genuine connection. That’s where the Church shines. We reach people not by arguing louder, but by loving better. We build bridges, not walls. We go because Jesus came. Every believer has a “one” — someone God has placed in your path who needs to experience His love through your relationship. Who’s your one? Who could encounter Jesus because you were willing to be real, compassionate, and present? Our Culture: The Way We Live Culture eats strategy for breakfast. What we believe is vital, but what we live is what changes the world. At Passion Church, our culture is simple: we want to look like Jesus. To do that, we’ve identified five defining values — our cultural DNA markers: Passionate – We worship and serve with fire because our Savior is worthy. “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” – Romans 12:11 Dedicated – We stay committed when it’s not convenient. “They devoted themselves…” – Acts 2:42 Compassionate – We see people through Jesus’ eyes. “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them.” – Matthew 9:36 Authentic – We lead with honesty and humility. “We have renounced secret and shameful ways.” – 2 Corinthians 4:2 Generous – We live open-handed because God gave first. “God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 This is what it means to be part of the Passion Church family. We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We’re not driven by ego, but by mission. We’re a people who live the Gospel every day, not just on Sundays. Our Foundation of Truth: Built on the Word In a world of shifting opinions, one thing remains unshakable: God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness…” The Bible is not a suggestion book — it’s the living voice of God to His people. It’s our authority, our guide, and our source of hope. When we stand on the Word, we don’t crumble under pressure. When we live by the Word, we’re not swayed by the latest trend or headline. Truth doesn’t change with culture; it transcends it. At Passion Church, we believe the Bible defines our beliefs, directs our actions, and anchors our DNA in eternal truth. Our Response: Built to Last In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus told the story of two builders: one built on rock, the other on sand. Both faced storms, but only one stood firm. The difference wasn’t in their talent or tools — it was in their foundation. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” We want to be that kind of people. The kind who don’t just hear truth but live it. The kind who don’t just attend church but build it. We’re building something that lasts — lives, families, and a church that stands strong through every season. This Is Our DNA Over these six weeks, we’ll rediscover who we are and why we exist. We’ll celebrate our foundation in Jesus, our identity of love, our mission to reach people through authentic relationships, our Christ-shaped culture, our confidence in Scripture, and our call to live it all out daily. Because Passion Church isn’t a building or a brand — it’s a people. People who believe that God’s not done with our city. People who believe the local church is still the hope of the world. People who believe Jesus changes everything. Your Invitation We want you to be part of this journey. Whether you’ve been part of Passion Church for years or you’ve never set foot in our doors, this is your moment to see what God is doing here. Join us for the Passion DNA Series, and discover what it means to belong to a church built on Jesus, rooted in truth, and fueled by love. Come learn your part in the story God is writing through Passion Church. Come rediscover your calling. Come experience your spiritual DNA come alive. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11 This is who we are. This is why we exist. This is Passion DNA. See you soon! Pastor Josh

Let's be honest: this question shouldn't have to be asked, but here we are. And if you're asking it, you're already being wise. Whether you're new to Kernersville, new to faith, or just looking for a church home where you can actually feel... well, safe, this conversation matters more than ever. I've been pastoring for over a decade now, and I've seen both sides of this coin. I've watched churches get security spectacularly wrong, and I've seen what it looks like when a church creates genuine safety, not just the kind that keeps bad guys out, but the kind that lets hurting people in. So let's talk about what real church safety looks like and what you should be looking for when you're church shopping in our little corner of North Carolina. Physical Safety: More Than Just Locks and Cameras Here's what I wish someone had told me when I started in ministry: church security isn't about creating a fortress, it's about creating a haven. There's a big difference. A truly secure church should have done its homework. They should have conducted a security risk assessment, covering everything from their building layout to how they handle money on Sundays. So, here is what to look for: Are there greeters who clearly know what they're doing beyond just saying hello? Do they have adequate lighting in the parking lot? (Trust me, this matters more than you think.) Are doors managed well, meaning they know which ones should be locked and which ones shouldn't? Is there a communication system in place for emergencies? The parking lot is actually a big deal. I know it sounds weird, but criminals know that during church services, cars are left unattended for an hour or more at predictable times. A good church pays attention to this stuff. Some churches hire professional security services. Others train volunteers with law enforcement or military backgrounds. Both can work great; what matters is that someone's actually thinking about it. Emotional and Spiritual Safety: The Harder Conversation Okay, here's where it gets real. Physical safety is the easier part. Emotional safety? That's where churches often struggle, and honestly, it's where the real damage happens. I remember talking to a woman who told me, "Josh, I've been hurt by churches before. How do I know this place is different?" That question broke my heart and made me realize we needed to do better at showing, not just saying, that we're a safe place for broken people. Red flags to watch for: Leadership that never admits mistakes or shows vulnerability Preaching that sounds like "we're right, everyone else is wrong" all the time An absence of support ministries for real-life struggles Green flags to look for: Pastors who talk about their own failures and growth Support groups for grief, divorce, addiction, or other life challenges Leadership that includes diverse voices and perspectives Teaching that's more about "here's what Scripture says" and less about "here's why we're better than them" Before you ever step foot in a church building, there is an easy and effective way to learn more about them. Spend some time on its website. Listen to a few sermons online. Do they sound like people you'd want to have coffee with? Do they talk about helping hurting people, or do they mostly talk about how awesome their church is? Is the Bible a consistent focus during teaching? Are the messages relatable? Leadership Structure: Character Over Charisma This might be the most important thing I tell people: don't choose a church based on how polished the pastor's preaching is. I know a pastor who can make the phone book sound inspiring, but his church is an emotional disaster zone because he's never learned to say "I was wrong." Look for leaders who demonstrate the "fruit of the Spirit": love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These aren't optional character traits for church leaders; they're non-negotiables. Pay attention to how disagreements are handled. Every church has them; what matters is whether they're handled with grace or with pride. A healthy church can have people who disagree about secondary issues while still loving each other well. Child Protection: Non-Negotiable Territory If you have kids, this should be one of your first questions. And even if you don't have kids, how a church protects children tells you everything about their values. Churches should have clear policies about background checks, two-adult rules in children's areas, and transparent procedures for reporting concerns. If they get defensive about these questions or act like asking is somehow distrustful, that is a red flag. At Passion Church, we're actually grateful when parents ask these questions because it shows they're engaged and protective. That's exactly what we want. Our kids' ministry operates with full transparency because children's safety isn't negotiable. The Practical Stuff: How to Actually Evaluate Here's my advice when looking at a church to attend from this perspective: Start online. Spend 30 minutes on their website. What do they emphasize? What do they barely mention? Do they sound like people you'd want to know? Listen to sermons. Most churches post them online now. Listen to 2-3 recent messages. How does the pastor handle Scripture? How does he talk about people who disagree with him? Does he sound humble or arrogant? Visit slowly. Don't feel pressured to jump in with both feet. Visit a few times, attend different types of gatherings, talk to regular people (not just the staff). Ask good questions: What's your church's approach to people who are struggling? How do you handle disagreements within the leadership? What support do you offer for people going through difficult seasons? Can you tell me about your security procedures? What Safety Looks Like at Passion Church I'm obviously biased, but I think we've learned some things about creating genuine safety over the years. We've got trained volunteers who help with security, & uniformed officers at every service, but they're also the same people who'll help you find the bathroom or get your kids checked in. We believe safety means creating space for people to ask hard questions, struggle with doubt, and work through real-life problems without judgment. It means having clear policies that protect everyone, especially the vulnerable. Most importantly, it means understanding that church isn't supposed to be a place for perfect people; it's supposed to be a hospital for broken people. If you're looking for perfect, you're going to be disappointed. If you're looking for an authentic, grace-filled community where you can grow and heal, well, that's what we're shooting for. Your 10-Minute Daily Challenge Here's something you can start today: spend 10 minutes each day this week researching one church in the Kernersville area. Look up their website, listen to part of a sermon, read their values or beliefs page. Don't worry about making a decision yet: just start getting familiar with what's out there. By the end of the week, you'll have a much better sense of which churches might be worth visiting in person. The goal isn't to find the perfect church (spoiler alert: it doesn't exist), but to find a place where you can be known, loved, and challenged to grow in your faith. Come Check Us Out Look, I'd love for you to visit Passion Church, but more than that, I want you to find a church home where you can thrive and grow closer to Jesus Christ. If that's us, awesome. If it's not, I genuinely hope you find what you're looking for. But if you want to see what we're about, come join us this Sunday at either 9:30am or 11:00am . We'll be the ones trying to create the kind of place we'd want our own families to attend: safe, authentic, and full of grace. We are located at 612 Edgewood Street, Kernersville NC, 27284. You're not just welcome here, you're wanted. Come as you are, questions and all. Let's figure out this faith thing together.