Chapin Christian Community Church

In Episode 4 of Leading By Following, Pastor Jody talks to Jonathan Ruth, Discipleship Pastor at Chapin Christian.
What does it really mean to make disciples? Discipleship is not a church program or a weekend event. It is a daily way of life rooted in following Jesus closely enough that others can follow you.
In this Podcast, we explore what it looks like to lead by following, covering topics that every believer and church leader needs to hear. Whether you are a small group leader, a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, or simply someone who wants to grow in your faith and help others do the same, this message speaks directly to where you are.
If you have been feeling the nudge to reach out to someone, to invite a neighbor to church, or to step into a deeper community of faith, this message is for you. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. The most powerful thing you can do for someone's eternity is to show up in their ordinary life with the love of Christ. To learn more, visit: https://jodyflowers843.org/ 

Shaking the Gates is our weekly online prayer gathering. Join Pastor Jody Sunday nights at 7:30. We invite you to engage with other Gateshakers in the text chat. The name “Shaking the Gates” comes from John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, he said:
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.”
Watch here: https://chapinccc.org/shaking-the-gates/ 

We live in one of the most distracted moments in human history, and where our attention goes, our direction follows. Most people do not drift from Jesus intentionally. They simply give their gaze to something else, and whatever holds our attention begins to shape us. Hebrews 12 calls us to lay aside every hindrance and fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Some of those hindrances are not even sinful things. They are simply good things that are out of order, filling us up so that we miss the feast God has prepared. Second Corinthians 3 reminds us that as we behold the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, the Holy Spirit transforms us from one degree of glory to another. Transformation is not instant, and it does not require performance or perfection. It simply requires a persistent, daily turning of our eyes toward Jesus.
Resources: Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/This-is-My-Song_-Week-3_-Turn-Your-Eyes-Upon-Jesus-Discussion-Guide.pdf 
5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/This-is-My-Song_-Week-3_-Turn-Your-Eyes-Upon-Jesus-5-Day.pdf 

Shaking the Gates is our weekly online prayer gathering. Join Pastor Jody Sunday nights at 7:30. We invite you to engage with other Gateshakers in the text chat. The name “Shaking the Gates” comes from John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, he said:
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.”
Watch here: https://chapinccc.org/shaking-the-gates/ 

In a world obsessed with identity, we often build our sense of self on temporary things like career, relationships, or achievements. This performance-based identity leads to exhaustion and crisis when these things inevitably fail. Paul's words in Galatians 2:20 reveal a profound truth: our old self has been crucified with Christ, and He now lives in us. This means our identity is not something we manufacture through performance, but something we receive as a gift. When we understand that Christ lives within us, we can live ordinary life with extraordinary presence, finding freedom from the burden of self-salvation and the exhausting cycle of earning our worth.
Resources:
5-Day Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/This-Is-My-Song_-Week-2_-5-Day-Guide.pdf
Small Group Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/This-Is-My-Song_-Week-2_-Discussion-Guide.pdf 

Shaking the Gates is our weekly online prayer gathering. Join Pastor Jody Sunday nights at 7:30. We invite you to engage with other Gateshakers in the text chat. The name “Shaking the Gates” comes from John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, he said:
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.”
Watch here: https://chapinccc.org/shaking-the-gates/ 

As we enter new seasons, we must prepare our hearts for God's next move by remembering His faithfulness. Moses warned the Israelites about the danger of spiritual forgetfulness once they reached the Promised Land - loving God's gifts more than the Giver. We combat this through preaching to ourselves like David did in Psalm 103 and setting up spiritual markers like Samuel's Ebenezer stone. Three key markers include prayer as our spiritual boiler room, generosity that reflects God's provision, and remembering His transforming power in our lives. While memory helps, we ultimately need grace through Jesus, who gave us communion as the ultimate remembrance meal.

Life rarely unfolds as we expect, but the Book of Ruth reveals that God works through our most challenging seasons. Ruth's story shows us that setbacks aren't the end of our story, but often construction zones for God's purposes. When Naomi lost everything and felt empty, God was actually preparing her for restoration. Ruth, a foreign woman with no prospects, became part of the lineage leading to Jesus Christ. The key lesson is simple: don't quit in the curve. God does His best work on bent roads, and nothing is wasted in His hands.

In Episode 3 of Leading By Following, Pastor Jody sits down with Pastor Natalie McCoy of Chapin Christian Community Church. Pastor Natalie McCoy's journey from successful special education consultant to children's ministry pastor demonstrates how God prepares us through seemingly unrelated experiences. Her calling began as a whisper that grew louder over time, supported by her lifelong involvement in children's ministry. Despite the challenge of leaving financial security, she answered God's call to full-time ministry. Her story illustrates that children's ministry isn't just childcare but intentional discipleship that forms faith from birth. At Chapin United Methodist Church, the WAVE ministry serves children through worship, missions, and faith development, supported by over 250 committed volunteers who understand the eternal impact of investing in young lives.

Ruth's story in chapter 3 reveals how God works through our darkest seasons to bring redemption and restoration. After losing her husband, Ruth found herself stuck in prolonged mourning until Naomi encouraged her to move from grave clothes to grace clothes. Experiencing God's redemption requires three heart postures: willingness to follow God's unconventional plans, submission that trusts His loving authority, and patience that waits on His perfect timing. Boaz serves as a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ, our true Redeemer who has both the ability and willingness to restore us to the Father.
Resources:Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Redeemed_-Week-3_-Requirements-of-Redemption-Discussion-Guide.pdf 
5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Redeemed_-Week-3_-Requirements-of-Redemption-5-day-devo.pdf