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August 13, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
August 2026
🐳 Jonah! On Sunday mornings in August, we’ll be looking at the life of Jonah — the rebellious prophet who God gave second chances to. You can follow along with the series here. 🗓️ August Calendar Our Google calendar is our one-stop "source of truth" for times and dates at Belay. Check it out below 👇 and let us know if anything's missing.Belay Calendar ‼️ Service Location for September 6 We will NOT be meeting at the Durbin’s (2510 Kohler Drive) for worship service on September 6. Meet us at the Annual Campout instead 👇 ⛺️ Annual Campout Our annual Belay Campout is just a few weeks away! Learn more and register here 👇camp 👋 New here? Are you new to Belay? We’d love to get to you know you better. Introduce yourself in-person sometime, or feel free to introduce yourself here 👇Introduce Yourself 💁♀️ Women’s Ministry Our Be-ladies are going through “The Gospel Way,” and are loving it. Interested? Check out the link here👇Women 📚 Latest Study Guides Did you know we create study guides for the sermons preached at Belay? Check out the latest guides here👇Guides 🙏 Prayer Rhythms We have prayer happening (at least) every Wednesday. Check out our calendar for the next time and location 💡 Be Inspired We create short inspirational thoughts based on our recent teachings and share them as a blog. Check out the latest posts here 👇blog 💵 Giving Your recurring gift to Belay makes our ministry in Boulder possible. Thank you for your continued giving.Online Giving
August 11, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Why Partnership?
Why Does Belay Have Partnership? It's a fair question. Why go through the trouble of formalizing something like partnership? Can't we just love Jesus and show up on Sundays? We could. But here's why we think partnership is worth it — and why we think you'll want to be part of it. 1. It Honors Our Spiritual Family Belay is part of the Assemblies of God — a global family of churches with a rich history of Spirit-empowered ministry. One of the things the AG asks of every church in the family is that we have a voting partnership (or "membership"). It's a simple way of saying, "The people of this church have a real voice in this church." We think that's healthy. And we're glad to belong to a fellowship that asks for it. 2. It Shares the Leadership Right now, as the lead pastor, I carry most of the decision-making authority at Belay. That's not ideal — and honestly, it's not biblical for the long haul. The New Testament church was led by teams, guided by the Spirit, and shaped by the voices of God's people. Partnership creates a way for more people to step into real, meaningful leadership. Partners vote on key decisions. Partners have a direct voice to the pastoral team. Partnership is how we move from "one pastor deciding" to "a church discerning together." 3. It Deepens Our Discipleship Following Jesus was never meant to be a solo sport. From the very beginning, He called people into a community that expected something of each other. Partnership names those expectations out loud. When you become a Partner, you're saying, "I want to pray, assemble, resource, take initiative, nurture unity, embody the vision, and respond positively — and I'm willing to be accountable to my church family for how I'm doing." That kind of accountability isn't a burden. It's how we grow. So… Why Partnership? Because it honors our spiritual family, shares the leadership, and deepens our discipleship. It's not about joining a club. It's about saying, "I'm in. I'm all in. Let's build this thing together." If that sounds like something you want to be part of, I'd love to talk. Grab me after a service, or reach out anytime.Partnership
August 4, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
Campout 2026
Belay Church Campout Basic Details WHEN: Friday-Monday, September 4-7, 2026 (Labor Day Weekend) WHERE: Glacier Basin Campground, Rocky Mountain National ParkRegister What about Sunday morning? There will be NO service at 2510 Kohler Drive (The Durbin’s house) We will have a worship service at the campout in an amphitheater in the campground What should I bring? Tent or RV Sleeping Bag and/or blankets Pillow Toiletries Flashlight/Headlamp Meal Supplies (for yourself and to share) Cookware/Dinnerware NOTE: Belay is ONLY providing the campsite (a place to pitch a tent), Belay is NOT providing the basic gear you need to camp. What about meals? Please be prepared to provide for your own meals! We will likely be sharing a few "potluck" style meals, too. Please bring food items to share. What time is check-in & check-out? Campsite check-in is 3pm on Friday Check-out time is 11am on Monday. How do I register? Registration is free, but you’re welcome to make a donation (during the registration process) Spots are limited, so please register only if you’re nearly 💯 percent certain you can actually go.Register
August 4, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
You're Not Rebelling In A Vacuum
Imagine you’re on the boat with Jonah. A storm is tearing the boat apart, cargo is flying overboard, and hardened sailors are crying out to whatever gods they can name—all because one guy (Jonah) said “no” to God. Jonah wasn't rebelling in a vacuum. He never is. And neither are we. I think one of the sneakiest lies of American life is that our choices are just ours. My decisions, my body, my life, my business. But Scripture tells a different story. Your yes to God brings life to your spouse, your kids, your neighbors, your Belay community. Your no sends a different kind of ripple—one that makes their ride a lot rougher than it needed to be. That's not meant to shame you. It's meant to wake you up to how much your obedience matters. There are people in your life right now who are waiting on your yes—maybe without even knowing it. A kid who needs to see you repent. A friend who needs to hear you say, "I was wrong." A coworker who needs to see what surrender actually looks like. So here's a thought to chew on today: what would change for the people you love if you finally said yes to the thing God's been asking you to do? You might be surprised how many storms calm down when one person stops running.say yes
August 2, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Are You Running From What God Is Calling You To Do?
OVERVIEW 👀 Pastor Paul Durbin opens a new series in the book of Jonah, walking us through chapter one and the story of a prophet who knew exactly what God wanted him to do—and ran the other way. Paul reminds us that God still invites regular, rebellion-prone people like us to partner with Him in His work, and that saying yes always beats running away. Through Jonah's storm, the sailors' fear, and Peter's contrasting obedience in Acts, we're challenged to stop running, surrender sooner, and trust that God's mercy keeps offering us another chance to say yes.running TIPS 📌 For the greatest impact, invite a few others to go through this study guide with you.
You don't need to do every section and question—use what fits your group or season.
Let the Spirit highlight where to slow down and engage. ICEBREAKER(S) 🧊 If you had to flee to a random city tomorrow like Jonah fled to Tarshish, where would you pick and why? BIBLE PASSAGE(S) 📖 Jonah 1:1-16 1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. 4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish." 7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?" 9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." 10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.) 11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" 12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you." 13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, "Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. OBSERVATION 🔎 What does the passage tell us about how Jonah physically responds to God's word—where he goes, what he does, and how he acts on the ship? Notice the sailors in this chapter. How do they change from verse 5 to verse 16, and what causes the change? What details does the text repeat or emphasize about Jonah "running from the Lord" and about the storm? APPLICATION 👋 Where in your life right now do you sense God calling you to something you'd rather not do?
Paul talked about how we often know the thing we're supposed to do but resist it. This question is a chance to get honest about where you feel that pull today. What's your version of "buying a ticket to Tarshish"—a choice you've made (or are making) to put distance between you and God's call?
Sometimes we don't outright refuse God; we just steer our life in the opposite direction. Think about jobs, relationships, habits, or distractions. Have you ever experienced a season where "the path of running got rougher"? What did that look like?
Paul pointed out that Jonah's escape seemed smooth at first, but eventually his world went haywire. Reflect on how God has used discomfort to get your attention. When has fear of what people might think kept you from being honest about your rebellion or struggle?
Paul talked about how pride and fear can keep us stuck. Consider whether there's something you've been hiding that God is inviting you to bring into the light. Where in your life have you settled for "empty worship"—saying the right words while your heart is somewhere else?
Jonah told the sailors he worshiped the Lord, but his actions said otherwise. This is a chance to check the gap between what you say and how you're living. Who around you might be affected by your obedience—or your rebellion—right now?
Paul reminded us that foolish decisions don't just affect the decider. Think about your family, friends, coworkers, and Belay community. What "preferred destiny" do you sense God has for you, and what would it look like to say yes to it this week?
Paul used the phrase "preferred destiny" to describe the life God is inviting you into. Dream a little—what might God do if you fully surrendered? LIVE ON BELAY 🏔️ Identify one area where you've been running from God and confess it out loud to a trusted friend or your house church this week. Reach out to someone God has put on your heart—a text, a call, a coffee—and speak the word of encouragement, apology, or prayer you've been putting off. Ask a Belay'er you trust, "Where do you see me resisting God right now?" and actually listen to their answer without defending yourself. Look for your own "Nineveh" this week—a person or place that's outside your comfort zone—and take one small step toward loving them well. Invite someone who feels far from God to share a meal, a hike, or a Sunday gathering with you, and be ready to share your own story of saying yes. PRAYER 🙏 Ask God to reveal any place in your life where you're running from Him, and give you courage to turn around. Pray for the people your obedience (or disobedience) is affecting—your family, friends, and community—and ask God to bless them through your yes. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you say yes sooner, before the storm gets louder. Pray for the "Ninevehs" in your life—people or places that need the good news—and ask God to send you. Thank God for His mercy that keeps offering another chance, and ask Him to help you receive it today. WORSHIP 🙌 OUTLINE 📝 Main Idea: God keeps inviting ordinary, rebellion-prone people to partner with Him—and the wisest thing we can do is stop running and say yes. God Invites Regular People Into His Work The invitation goes back to the garden (Genesis 1:28) Isaiah's "Here am I. Send me." (Isaiah 6:8) Jesus extends the same call (Matthew 28:18-19) Running From God Never Really Works Jonah heads to Tarshish and Joppa Contrast with Paul (from Tarsus) and Peter (sent to Joppa) Saying yes opens doors we couldn't imagine (Acts 11:18) Rebellion Puts Us on a Fool's Errand Empty worship without obedience Foolish choices pile on foolish choices Fear and pride keep us stuck Three Takeaways From Jonah 1 Foolish decisions don't just affect the decider The path of running away doesn't get any smoother (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25) Even in our stubbornness, God keeps giving invitations to surrender
July 31, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
What is a Belay Partner?
What is a Belay Partner? Wondering what it really means to be a PARTNER at Belay? Here’s what it’s all about in one sentence: A Belay Partner is a follower of Jesus who makes a formal commitment to Belay—to personally invest in its vision, actively engage in the life of the church, prayerfully support its leadership, and willingly share in both its responsibilities and blessings. Belay PARTNERs: For a more complete picture of partnership, we can use the letters of PARTNER, and say that Belay Partners: Pray Partners pray regularly for the church, its leadership, people, and ministries. Ephesians 6:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 Assemble Partners assemble regularly with the church—attending officially scheduled worship services, contributing to life-giving fellowship, and engaging in corporate worship. Hebrews 10:24–25 Resource Partners resource the church financially through the faithful giving of a generous portion of their tithes and offerings. 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–15 Take Initiative Partners take initiative to serve the ministry of the church—discovering, growing and using their abilities and spiritual gifts to bless others. Acts 1:8; Romans 12:3–8; 1 Peter 4:10 Nurture Health Partners nurture and protect the health and unity of the church by seeking reconciliation and resolving conflict according to the biblical model. Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 1:10 Embody Partners familiarize themselves with, actively support, and personally embody the church’s vision, mission, values, and beliefs. Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2 Respond Positively Partners respond positively to all partnership responsibilities detailed above and in our bylaws, and shall remain willing to help meet needs and serve as opportunities arise. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Acts 6:1–7 Next Steps If you’d like to take the next step or simply learn more about partnership, take a look at the articles below and/or simply reach out. I’m always happy to grab coffee or chat after a service. Pastor PaulPartnershipAssembleResourceTake InitiativeNurtureEmbodyRespond
