In a divided and distracted age, what does it really mean for the Church to be the hope of the world? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Kurtis Parks sits down with theologian, worship pastor, and author Steven Félix-Jäger to rediscover the Church’s calling to live as a people of Jubilee.

Episode 160
Hosted by Kurtis Parks

Steven invites us to zoom out—beyond our local context, beyond our political moment—and see the global, Spirit-filled movement of God through His Church.

In This Episode, We Talk About:


What Scripture really says about the Church as the “hope of the world”


The biblical meaning of Jubilee—and how it shapes Christian generosity


Why being rooted in a local church still matters in a post-2020 world


The danger of interpreting ancient Scripture through a narrow modern lens


How worship unites the global Church across cultures and denominations


Writing songs from the real stories happening in your congregation


Major on the majors: how to lead worship with theological clarity and unity

About Steven Félix-Jäger

Steven Félix-Jäger is Associate Professor of Theology & Worship, Chair of Worship & Media, and Director of Academic Research at Life Pacific University in Southern California. A theologian, exhibiting artist, songwriter, and producer, he is the author or co-author of eight books exploring worship, aesthetics, theology, and culture.

Born on the mission field in Schillingsfürst, Germany to a Puerto Rican and German family, Steven brings a deeply global perspective to his work in the Church. He serves as a worship pastor at Pasadena Foursquare Church and lives in Southern California with his wife Connie, daughter Mila, and their dog Biggie.

His latest book, How to Worship for All Its Worth: A Guide for Pastors, Worship Leaders, and Students, is available now.

Helpful Links

How to Worship for All Its Worth (Book):
https://www.amazon.com/How-Worship-All-Its-Worth/dp/0310172667

Life Pacific University:
https://lifepacific.edu

Pasadena Foursquare Church:
https://pasadenafoursquare.com

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software built to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized without the chaos.

Whether you're leading worship, managing teams, or planning Sunday morning, Planning Center keeps everything in one place so you can focus on ministry.

Try it free today by clicking here.

In a divided and distracted age, what does it really mean for the Church to be the hope of the world? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Kurtis Parks sits down with theologian, worship pastor, and author Steven F&eacute;lix-J&auml;ger to rediscover the Church&rsquo;s calling to live as a people of Jubilee.
Episode 160 Hosted by Kurtis Parks
Steven invites us to zoom out&mdash;beyond our local context, beyond our political moment&mdash;and see the global, Spirit-filled movement of God through His Church.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
<ul data-start="648" data-end="1161">
<li data-start="648" data-end="720">
What Scripture really says about the Church as the &ldquo;hope of the world&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="721" data-end="793">
The biblical meaning of Jubilee&mdash;and how it shapes Christian generosity
</li>
<li data-start="794" data-end="865">
Why being rooted in a local church still matters in a post-2020 world
</li>
<li data-start="866" data-end="941">
The danger of interpreting ancient Scripture through a narrow modern lens
</li>
<li data-start="942" data-end="1014">
How worship unites the global Church across cultures and denominations
</li>
<li data-start="1015" data-end="1083">
Writing songs from the real stories happening in your congregation
</li>
<li data-start="1084" data-end="1161">
Major on the majors: how to lead worship with theological clarity and unity
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1163" data-end="1166">
About Steven F&eacute;lix-J&auml;ger
Steven F&eacute;lix-J&auml;ger is Associate Professor of Theology &amp; Worship, Chair of Worship &amp; Media, and Director of Academic Research at Life Pacific University in Southern California. A theologian, exhibiting artist, songwriter, and producer, he is the author or co-author of eight books exploring worship, aesthetics, theology, and culture.
Born on the mission field in Schillingsf&uuml;rst, Germany to a Puerto Rican and German family, Steven brings a deeply global perspective to his work in the Church. He serves as a worship pastor at Pasadena Foursquare Church and lives in Southern California with his wife Connie, daughter Mila, and their dog Biggie.
His latest book, How to Worship for All Its Worth: A Guide for Pastors, Worship Leaders, and Students, is available now.
<hr data-start="2150" data-end="2153">
Helpful Links
How to Worship for All Its Worth (Book): <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Worship-All-Its-Worth/dp/0310172667" data-start="2218" data-end="2280">https://www.amazon.com/How-Worship-All-Its-Worth/dp/0310172667</a>
Life Pacific University: <a href="https://lifepacific.edu" data-start="2311" data-end="2334">https://lifepacific.edu</a>
Pasadena Foursquare Church: <a data-start="2368" data-end="2398">https://pasadenafoursquare.com</a>
<hr data-start="2436" data-end="2439">
This episode is brought to you by&nbsp;Planning Center&mdash;the all-in-one software built to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized without the chaos.
Whether you're leading worship, managing teams, or planning Sunday morning, Planning Center keeps everything in one place so you can focus on ministry.
<a href="https://planningcenter.com/?utm_source=worshipleadermag&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=worshipleadermagazine">Try it free today by clicking here.</a>

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.

Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative—believers who don’t just lead worship, but live it. These aren’t interviews; they’re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.

Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.

Explore every episode:worshipleader.com/podcasts

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.
Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative&mdash;believers who don&rsquo;t just lead worship, but live it. These aren&rsquo;t interviews; they&rsquo;re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.
Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.
Explore every episode: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/" data-start="1072" data-end="1137">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a>

Worship Leaders are more than just musicians and performers. These leaders and creatives walk with God daily and can bring a good word to the Body of Christ.

The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers—moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.

You’ll hear the struggle.
You’ll hear the choice.
You’ll hear what God did.

Because faith isn’t just a moment—it’s a walk. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Hosted by Bay Turner
Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network

Explore every episode: worshipleader.com/podcasts
Learn more: worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk
Subscribe on your favorite platform: pod.link/1631583177

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers&mdash;moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.
You&rsquo;ll hear the struggle. You&rsquo;ll hear the choice. You&rsquo;ll hear what God did.
Because faith isn&rsquo;t just a moment&mdash;it&rsquo;s a walk. And you don&rsquo;t have to walk it alone.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.bayturner.com/">Bay Turner</a> Part of the <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/">Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network</a>
Explore every episode: <a href="https://www.worshipleader.com/podcasts" data-start="773" data-end="841">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a> Learn more: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk" data-start="856" data-end="936">worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk</a> Subscribe on your favorite platform: <a href="https://pod.link/1631583177" data-start="976" data-end="1026">pod.link/1631583177</a>

The Walk Podcast: Faith in the Real World

Steven Félix-Jäger: Bringing Jubilee to the Church and the World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b7cce353-3e8c-4669-9aa7-b402015854f3/transcript